|
Float from the Beach to the Bar - Julbo Paddle Optics
| Date: |
11/20/19 |
| Tackle type: |
Optics |
| Manufacturer: |
Julbo |
| Reviewer: |
Zander |
Total Score: 8.33 -
GREAT
Introduction:
There are already numerous floating sunglass options available but
perhaps none quite as stealthy as the micro-bubble infused Julbo Paddle Series.
Designed to look like any normal pair of sunglasses this pair of optics provides
style, comfort, and floatability at a reasonable price.
|
Julbo Paddle Sunglasses
Specifications |
|
Frame Style Tested |
Paddle |
|
Frame Material |
Polymer with bubble infused frame |
|
Frame Options |
Translucent Black/Black
Translucent Black/Orange
Gray Tortoiseshell/Green
Brown/Brown |
|
Frame/Lens Color Tested |
Translucent Black/Orange |
|
Accessories |
Soft Pouch, Cleaning Cloth, Floating Cord |
|
Other Features |
Floating Design, Polarized 3CF lenses, Curved
temples for comfort, grip tech surfaces, shock absorbing nose grip
inserts |
|
MSRP |
$129.95 ($104.95
at Amazon) |
Impressions: Julbo
is probably not a brand that mainstream anglers will know but the company does
have a rich history of catering to outdoor enthusiasts. The company was founded in France by Jules Baud who started designing eyewear that was
considered quite innovative in the early 20th century. In 1888 at the request of Chamonix crystal hunters that wanted to protect their eyes in the mountains he
designed the first "cristallers" sunglasses which marked the beginning of the
Julbo story. Over the years the company continued to develop sunglasses designed
for mountaineers and rock climbers that required protection in harsh summit
environments.
The Julbo Paddle
Sunglasses feature
Polarized Spectron 3
lenses that are made
from polycarbonate
and block 89% of
visible light
Over the last 125
years Julbo continued to
introduce new
designs and
increasingly
technical lenses to
meet the needs of
the complete range
of outdoor sports,
and today the
company is expanding
to deliver
optics specifically
designed for use on
and around the
water. This is where
the Paddle Series
comes in, a new
style that is
designed for use on beaches, lakes,
or rivers, and as the name implies caters to stand-up paddle (SUP) athletes that
require protection and comfort while moving quickly on the water. These
attributes, combined
with polarized
lenses, also
make this pair of
sunglasses
an option for anglers.
Designed for
watersports
(especially SUP)
these optics also
cater to anglers who
require polarized
lenses and good
coverage
Real World Tests:
To test the
Julbo Paddle
sunglasses I wanted
to employ them in as
wide a range of
outdoor applications
as possible. This
included using them
as my primary optics
for bass fishing, but
I was also
interested to see
how they performed
on dry land as well,
and headed to the
deserts in Southern
California to see how
they would perform
in vastly
different
environments.
The Paddle may look
like a normal pair
of sunglasses but
the frame is
constructed with
thousands of tiny
air bubbles
Design,
Operation, and
Performance: The
Julbo Paddle
sunglasses are
pretty traditionally
beach-styled with
oversized lenses and
a slightly squared
look that blurs the
line between form
and sport oriented
function. They are
available in a range
of lens options
including
photochromic and
polarized choices. I
tested the spectron
polarized lenses,
which are
constructed out of
polycarbonate, and
feature an orange mirror finish. These
lenses are
recommended for all
types of water and
mountain sports, and
are optimized to
block out glare from
either water or
snow with a visible
light transmission
(VLT) of 11%.
With the bubble
infused frame this
lightweight pair of
optics is designed
to provide security
to anglers by
floating if dropped
in the water
The lenses on the
Paddle provided clear
vision and the
polarized
performance was very
good. I was
able to discern
structure variations and
hovering fish
beneath the water,
even when the sun
was in
different positions
throughout the day,
which helped make
sight fishing much
more effective.
The glasses float
right at the surface
level
While the Paddle's polycarbonate lenses
did provide a clear
view and excellent
polarization I
didn't find them as
optically crystal
clear as some
competing glass
based lenses. While
glass lenses do
typically provide
optimal clarity they
also come with
disadvantages as
well, including
impact durability and added
weight.
The Paddle also
comes bundled with a
floating lanyard but
this is not required
for buoyancy
Next Section: From
the lake to the
desert...
|
