Is there really any difference between regular UV blocking sunglasses and Glacier Glasses? If so what?

Would you recommend a pair of Glacier Glases, and why would you recommend them?

Thx

Glacier glasses usually have better side shields, and they block several times more light that even dark sunglasses.

The darkest lens Oakley makes in their sport lines is Polarized Black Irridium at 10% tx. My Julbos are 3% tx.

Get something, at least some cat 4 Julbos on sale if you are going to spend much time on snow at altitude - mine were $30, and that's not an unusual deal.

I would recommend them if you have experienced dryness or sore eyes when spending time surrounded by snow. I usually only use them if it is three or more days, but depends. Whatever is comfortable for you. Everyone is different. Your vision is not something you want to damage though.

Are Glacier Glasses mostly just darker then because they filter out more visible light?

I think that is mostly correct, but they also usually have a mirror coating to reduce glare (so do some regular glasses though), and they have the sideshields.

http://www.rei.com/expertadvice/article ... asses.html

vanman798 wrote:Are Glacier Glasses mostly just darker then because they filter out more visible light?

I don't believe the darkness of a lens guarantees they are filtering out more light. If you haven't already check out the Julbo USA site regarding their lenses. They guarantee them to protect against UVA, B and C. Julbo has developed a good reputation among the climbing community but they're not the only ones. Cebe was another good brand and so are some others. I think the important issue is the rate of transmission of visible light with 10% being the cut-off for some climbers while others want more protection based on their circumstances. I actually have a pair of Cat 5 Julbos (not available any more) for mountains like Denali where you're on a glacier all the time, at altitude and the sun only disappears for a few hours.

http://www.julbousa.com/lenses/

I have an older, but good condition, pair of Julbo Explorer's with "AltiChromic" x4 lenses that I will sell for $50.00. Sold for well over $100 new. They are no longer made but were very effective on Denali for 23 days of sun and glacier/snow travel. I wouldn't go up there without them. They are darker than most street issue sunglasses. PM me if you're interested.

Brad Marshall wrote:I actually have a pair of Cat 5 Julbos (not available any more) for mountains like Denali where you're on a glacier all the time, at altitude and the sun only disappears for a few hours.

http://www.julbousa.com/lenses/

Brad,

I believe Julbos never had cat 5 or anything higher then 4. There are some web sites that refer to x5 and x6 for Julbo lenses, but it's just old terminology. I have Julbo Dolgan glasses and I was somewhat confused about cat 4 vs x6. I called them up and they say they deprecated the old naming system to avoid the confusion. Old x6 is the new (regular) cat 4. So old x5 is probably cat 3.

I used my Julbo's on my Everest North Col trip this May and they worked awesome. I used them now if I go to the beach or just when it's really sunny. One is not supposed to drive in those, but on sunny day it works. Except the side shields that block your view when you change lanes

Few general infos

The glasses for mountaineering and high mountain, also called glacier glasses, have two main characteristics: a maximum degree of protection (ie Index 4) and a frame envelope.

In the mountains, the sun's rays are less filtered by the atmosphere and the amount of UV increases by 4% every 300 meters. In addition the snow reflects 85% of UV (80 times more than grass and 4 times more than water). Eye protection is essential and the SPF 4 is the most suitable.
(from http://www.snowreef.com)

0 = non-tinted glasses
1 = slightly tinted glasses
2 = moderately tinted lenses
3 = dark glasses (90% of pairs of eyeglasses sold in stores are Class 3)
4 = very dark glasses, prohibited for driving, generally specific use (eg mountaineering)
(from http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lunettes_de_soleil)
Very good infos here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunglasses

Myself I prefer plastic frames (or nylon, as Vuarnet PX 5000) because they are "warmer" on (very) cold weather than metal frame.

vanman798 wrote:Are Glacier Glasses mostly just darker then because they filter out more visible light?

Pretty much, and side protection, usually made of flexible leather.

I wore normal sunglasses for some extended Mountaineering last summer and experienced soar eyes even after wearing them all day.

Diver wrote:

Brad Marshall wrote:I actually have a pair of Cat 5 Julbos (not available any more) for mountains like Denali where you're on a glacier all the time, at altitude and the sun only disappears for a few hours.

http://www.julbousa.com/lenses/

Brad,

I believe Julbos never had cat 5 or anything higher then 4. There are some web sites that refer to x5 and x6 for Julbo lenses, but it's just old terminology. I have Julbo Dolgan glasses and I was somewhat confused about cat 4 vs x6. I called them up and they say they deprecated the old naming system to avoid the confusion. Old x6 is the new (regular) cat 4. So old x5 is probably cat 3.

I used my Julbo's on my Everest North Col trip this May and they worked awesome. I used them now if I go to the beach or just when it's really sunny. One is not supposed to drive in those, but on sunny day it works. Except the side shields that block your view when you change lanes

Actually, mine are the older Altitude Arc X8s seen in my user profile pic. I see they refer to them as a 4+ now (4% light transmission) and not Cat 5 so you would be correct in that regard. Back when I got them they were advertised as Cat 5. I have the Dolgans as well with their Alti Spectron X6 lenses (Cat 4) and they aren't as good IMO.

Great discussion as I am trying to get up to speed on all this stuff for a climb in China w/ one day in snow.....so here is what confuses me. the Julba tech specs for their "sherpa glacier glasses" lists the lens as Spectron 3+ and doesn't list the "category" - ie. doesn't say category 4.....and says it is for all categories of sports - which doesn't sound to me like cat 4.....so what do I make of that?

jpershke wrote:Great discussion as I am trying to get up to speed on all this stuff for a climb in China w/ one day in snow.....so here is what confuses me. the Julba tech specs for their "sherpa glacier glasses" lists the lens as Spectron 3+ and doesn't list the "category" - ie. doesn't say category 4.....and says it is for all categories of sports - which doesn't sound to me like cat 4.....so what do I make of that?

The index for each type is listed in the far right column:



From http://www.julbousa.com/lenses/

Perfect - thanks - a little weird that the "sherpa's" are only 3's.....I think I want to look for 4's....thanks again, Jon