Really good sunglasses seem to work like sorcery. Secret ingredients are stirred into the pot and meticulously crafted, then change the way you view the world in an abracadabra flash. They darken the oppression of too much sunshine, yet magically brighten the world on dreary days. The sorcerer’s name in this instance is Julbo, a 120-year-old European conjurer that has graduated from the eye of newt phase to create new photochromatic lenses going by the names Falcon and Zebra. With all-but-unbreakable NXT lenses, Julbo’s Dirt model (MSRP: $160) is a lightweight, mountain bike-friendly sunglass designed to satisfy a rider’s needs at high speeds. Wide lenses featuring the polarized Zebra technology eliminate glare and turn darker or lighter depending upon the intensity of the light. Combined with curved, wraparound frames, the shades maximize visibility while minimizing wind and fit comfortably under almost any helmet. Supple inserts at the bridge of the nose and temples help keep the anti-fog glasses from sliding on sweaty climbs. The photochromatic lenses are sensitive to visible light (not UV light), so they even darken behind the windshield of a car.
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