Sunglasses for alpine rock

What sunglasses do you use for alpine rock routes (e.g. the Sierras)?

Really?!?! Nothing special. Same ones I use when driving. Or riding a bike. 

Ok just wondering if polarized glasses are worth it if there is still some snow/ice...

My regular sunnies are plorized. I’m sure it would help. 

I like the Native Wells polarized for climbing. They wrap slightly and have little gripper pads on the nose and ear pieces. My REI had them to try on. They stay on really well while climbing.

Any outdoor pool or open water lifeguard will tell you polarized glasses are a god-send because the sun off the water is (intense) reflected light that polarization basically eliminates.

Snow is apparently not as clear cut -

I had always thought sun reflecting off snow is polarized light similar to that reflected off water, but Polarization.com has the following info for polarization on snow:

Can polarized sunglasses help in skiing and other non-water sports?

Sometimes yes, sometimes no. The snow glare is not polarized, so they won't provide extra help in that regard (although often advertised for that purpose). But, with the sun high, the air-light (haze + sky) near the horizon is polarized by scattering and the polarized sunglasses can make features far away really stand out (this is used in fire detection). On the other hand, with the sun low the sunglasses could be detrimental looking south or north, as the air-light would be vertically polarized. Other situations can be thought were they would be useful, but remember that one reason they are so good in water sports is that the reflector always remains horizontal! 

Most other sources seem to tell you to wear polarized glasses for snow travel.

For the record all my sunglasses are polarized

Just get some Gargoyles and be done.  When I was in the 7th SFG(A) we were issued Gargoyles because they were tough and didn't distort your vision.

I wore my Julbo glacier glasses on Cathedral Peak awhile back and was stoked. They do that thing where they change darkness levalsnbased on ambient light. It was nice in the bright sun and in the shaded areas too. If i didn't halve them for other endeavors im not sure I'd plunk down that much cash, but it was nice. 

Something uv a/b approved and cheap. You'll lose them. 

I use julbos with the “zebra” lense that auto darkens with ambient light. Dark enough to be ok on glaciers (not perfect) and light enough to leave on till dusk. You can see gear placements well with them on regardless of what clouds are doing, throw em on and forget them. One less thing to faff around with

Nick Drake wrote: I use julbos with the “zebra” lense that auto darkens with ambient light. Dark enough to be ok on glaciers (not perfect) and light enough to leave on till dusk. You can see gear placements well with them on regardless of what clouds are doing, throw em on and forget them. One less thing to faff around with

The zebra lenses are great but the jublo frames do not fit my face, any other recommendations that are similar in lens quality?

+1 for Julbo Camel 1-3 lenses for these sorts of things. But yeah, anything will do really. 

stolo wrote:

The zebra lenses are great but the jublo frames do not fit my face, any other recommendations that are similar in lens quality?

Have you tried all their frames? Their different frames fit dramatically different from one to another. For example, the Explorer 1 would fall off my face very 2 minutes. The Explorer 2 fits almost perfectly. 

Climbin Symon wrote: Really?!?! Nothing special. Same ones I use when driving. Or riding a bike. 

Really.

I value good sunglasses when I'm out in the sun all day.  Poor sunglasses will leave me with eyestrain and headaches.  For climbing and many sporting activities I want good peripheral vision, retention strap, great glare and UV protection.

I use Julbo Explorers Cat 4.  Great protection though the Cat 4 means they aren't great on overcast days and more suited to midday and blue sky.

Chris C. wrote:

Have you tried all their frames? Their different frames fit dramatically different from one to another. For example, the Explorer 1 would fall off my face very 2 minutes. The Explorer 2 fits almost perfectly. 

I have tried the Explorer 2 and some of the other unknown frames at REI. Explorer 2 would fit and feel ok, but there would be a huge space above eyes letting in a lot of light. As if the glasses were too low on face / short vertically. 

POLARIZED & PHOTOCHROMIC!!

It's nice to be able to protect your eyes as the light changes with weather, terrain & time.

What happens if you’re on a wall, working beneath another party, and a 1.1 lb. projectile impacts your sunglasses from a 50-inch height? If you’re wearing Gargoyles Vortex sunglasses, nothing. They take the hit. You’re wearing very purposefully designed highly tactical protection. Vortex meets military specification MIL-PRF-32432(GL) for high velocity and high mass impact. They also exceed all ANSI Z87.1+ protection specifications, including, but not limited to, impressive optical clarity. And thanks to the TR90 NZZ frames, even the Gargoyles G-Loc hinges are 11 times stronger than regular TR90. The browbar and temples have co-injected rubber, which provides comfort, stability, flexibility and grip. With anti-reflective and Tri Tech oleophobic treatments, the lenses control harsh light and are both water and smudge resistant. Vortex is serious strength, dependability and protection for whatever comes your way.

good in Moab

I've been wearing a pair of polarized pit vipers.  my roommate works for em, so they were free. They are durable and wont break, even when they are getting smashed while you're climbing OW with them in your chest pocket.  the optics aren't too shabby and they look kinda cool with a helmet!  

stolo wrote:

The zebra lenses are great but the jublo frames do not fit my face, any other recommendations that are similar in lens quality?

The different frames do fit vastly different faces. Explorers are all terrible on me, the bivouak fits well.

Smith has auto tinting "photochromic" lenses also. I haven't tried any of their sunglasses, but their photochromic rose lense in my I/O7 has been great snowboarding. Barely dark enough for full on bluebird day and fine in a full white out the next. 

coldfinger wrote: POLARIZED & PHOTOCHROMIC!!

It's nice to be able to protect your eyes as the light changes with weather, terrain & time.

Which ones are both?  I was looking for that option but it seems you can only get one or the other...not both. I went with the photochromatic.