Julbo Lightyear Goggle Review

Clear lenses indoors.

Ever skied through trees in a whiteout with frozen goggles? I have. Can't say I recommend it. Goggles are sooo important, and if you've ever used bad ones, you don't need me to tell you. After 6 years of ski instructing, the number one piece of gear I recommend to my clients is a good (and I mean really good) pair of goggles. Ski boots? Yeah, they should be well-fitting and comfortable. Skis? The right ones for the terrain make all the difference. But at the end of the day,

If you can't see, you can't ski.

I've used my fair share of cheap goggles, expecting them to work well. You know the kind? The packaging says all sorts of things, such as "anti-fog", "great contrast", and "easy to swap lenses". It might even have a big brand name like Smith or Giro. I got what I paid for, every time. They sucked.

Eventually, I pulled the trigger on a great pair of goggles, the Zeal Cloudfall, which never fogged, had lenses that were easy to swap out, and had high-quality optics. The dark lens was even photochromic, which meant it adjusted to low light just like a pair of transition lenses. I loved them and used them every day for years. Sadly, even the best goggles aren't immune to scratches, and all elastic eventually wears out. It was time to find a new favorite pair of goggles. And boy did I.

You've probably never heard of the brand Julbo unless you're into mountaineering. A niche brand, perhaps most well known for their iconic Vermont Glacier Glasses, which make you feel like you're trekking up Everest with Sir Edmund Hillary himself. In recent years, they've pulled to the front of the ski goggle world with, as far as I'm concerned, the best goggle you can buy today: The Julbo Lightyear

Did you know googles could have this many features?

The Julbo Lightyear Review

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✅ Pros:

• Reactiv photochromic lens

• Superflow vent system

• Cylindrical lens shape

• Great field of vision

• Quality foam and strap

• Practical storage case

❌ Cons:

• Cannot swap lenses

• Foam gap by the nose

• Lens pops forward sometimes when removing goggles

• Lens is clear for 10-15 seconds when going back outside

The Reactiv lenses are the best feature on these goggles. Never change lenses!

What I Love

The biggest thing about these goggles is their Reactiv lens. They get darker in sunny conditions and let in more light when it gets cloudy, just like transition lenses. They offer different levels of reactivity, but if you go for the 0-4 as I have, you literally never have to swap your lens. Ever. These lenses go from completely clear to dark enough for a Colorado bluebird day, all in just seconds. The spherical lens shape is also important, as it reduces distortion. If you want a cylindrical lens for some reason, check out the Julbo Launcher.

The next best thing I like about them is the Superflow Pro venting system. These goggles are meant for hiking. The whole lens pops forward a bit to allow air to pass through, meaning that even on the steepest skin tracks, they don't fog up. I also use them on hot days to let in airflow. They do a really nice job of bridging the gap between sunglasses, which often let in too much light, and traditional goggles, which can feel hot and claustrophobic.

The final thing that I'll rave about is the field of view. These lenses have a short foam stack height, which means the lens is closer to your face. Pair that with the size, and you get a really nice big field of view, both up and down and side to side.

Fully tinted on a bluebird day

What I Don't Love

Even the best piece of equipment has its downsides, and this one has 2 worth mentioning.

First and most annoying is the fact that you have to be careful putting these up on your helmet, or the lens will pop forward. If you wear bulky mitts as I do, removing goggles is already almost more dexterity than you have. With these, if you just grab the sides like any other pair of goggles and pull, there's a good chance the lens will pop forward. this isnt a problem per se, but I always feel like I'm stressing the frame when it happens. Not the biggest flaw (and not as noticeable when wearing more dexterous gloves), but it's something to keep in mind.

Second, Reactiv lenses are a double-edged sword. When you go outside after eating lunch, your eyes are adjusted to the dimmer lodge lighting. Well, so are your goggles. It takes maybe 10-15 seconds for them to darken up once you go outside, leaving you squinting for that time. Again, it's not the end of the world unless you're really light-sensitive.

Smaller issues are that the lens isn't interchangeable, so if you scratch it... You just have to buy a whole new goggle. I personally wish the strap was a bit more interesting than plain black, but whatever. Finally, there's a noticeable gap around the nose that lets air in when going fast. I've never been accused of having a small nose, and even my schnoz doesn't fill the gap. I don't know how Julbo missed that one in all their testing.

The Bottom Line

These goggles rock! The versatility more than makes up for a few small imperfections. Think about it, you never have to think (about which lens use) again! Sunny day? Snowy day? Night skiing? Touring? Always these. No more swapping lenses on the chairlift because the weather changed. No more sweaty face in the spring or on the skin track.

If you want to make the most of your days on snow, these are for you. But hey, feel free to check out my other recommendations if you're not convinced.

Hanging out with Buddy

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