In 1888, eyewear company founder, Jules Baud, designed the first protective eyewear for men who were hunting crystals in the French Alps. Before too long, glasses for mountaineers and goggles for snowsports athletes were added to Julbo’s product offerings. And, quickly, Julbo mountaineering glasses became the most worn and respected eye protection on ice.
Mythic.Julbo’s Vermont glacier sunglasses, named in recognition of a strong relationship between Julbo France and Climb High, a Vermont-based company that distributed Julbo in the United States for nearly 30 years starting in 1970, were introduced in the 1950s (and originally known as the Round Glacier)—the start of climbing’s glory days, when mountaineers were setting out to conquer first ascents of the highest peaks. Over the past half-century mountain guides around the world have endorsed the design. They survived a fluorescent phase in the 1980s, and were finally dropped from the line in the late 1990s. The glasses haven’t been in production since then, but Julbo USA reports a constant stream of phone calls and emails begging them to bring the design back to market.
One hundred twenty-five years after the company was born, Julbo is celebrating its heritage. As part of that celebration, Julbo is releasing a limited-edition glacier glasses, the Mythic Vermont. This classic, round mountaineering style, made to protect your eyes in the harshest and most retina-searing glare, has leather side-shields and curved and wrapping temples.
The anniversary Mythic Vermont model sunglasses feature Julbo’s 125th-anniversary emblem and are made with mineral glass, not polycarbonate lenses. Get yours fast—each Julbo retailer will only have 25 pairs to sell. Available on Julbo’s now in Euros, and at U.S. retailers this fall, $250; .
Not sure you’re ready to drop two-plus bills on a pair of shades? Get the similarly-styled for half the price. They don’t have the 125th-anniversary emblem and are made with polycarbonate lenses. Available now, $120; .