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I need help finding Cat 4 Rx sunglasses

Original Post
Mark Edgeworth · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2022 · Points: 0

Hi folks, I have been looking around trying to find a company that makes Rx Cat 4 sunglasses. I think Bolle/Cebe does but the info on their website is contradictory. Has anyone that needs them had any luck on tracking a pair of these down? Growing old stinks, lol. Any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

Seth Morgan · · Coeur d'Alene-Spokane · Joined Oct 2016 · Points: 556

https://www.opticus.com/

Ryan P · · Unknown Hometown · Joined May 2019 · Points: 0

Not sure if they're Cat 4 but I ended up getting a pair of Revo Traverse with Rx lenses from them. My Rx sucks so was hard to find a frame that worked (that was also comfortable).  They've been fine so far out in the PNW.  

I have a few friends that have gone Vuarnet as well but those get pricey.

Mike V. · · Logan, UT · Joined May 2010 · Points: 55

I believe Julbo has a prescription program: https://julborx.com/

Unsure if they'll hit your use case.

Mark Edgeworth · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2022 · Points: 0

Thanks guys! Appreciate the info. I took a look at both sites and will give Opticus a call tomorrow. They seem to be more specialized in high altitude sunglasses and have quite a few options.

Yeah Ryan, it is tough finding frames that are close to what I have now. I don't think the Revo lens is Cat 4 as the provider usually states that up front if they are given that they are too dark for normal use and are not usually polarized. I checked some of the other retailers (Smith, Oakley, Bolle, etc.) and they don't make Cat 4 anything.

I will do a follow up post once I get more info from Opticus. Thanks again!

Mark Edgeworth · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2022 · Points: 0

Sorry everyone. Ran smack into the posting limit. 

Figured I would leave a detailed post in case others like me are looking for Cat 4 Rx sunglasses.

I went with Opticus (Thanks Seth!) They specialize in Cat 3 and 4 sunglasses almost exclusively and offer lenses in Extreme Altitude, Mid-Altitude, Sport and Sport polarized categories. Lens pigments are grey/green, amber/brown and photochromic made in either resin or polycarbonate choices for most types. Easily the best selection of any eyewear company I looked at. They offer frames from Altice (In house brand), Julbo and Leader. Frame prices range from $59 to $170. Overall, their pricing was comparable to most other companies. I purchased Rx sunglasses with the Blue Tundra lens ($269) in their Altice Altrek frame ($129). I also ordered a spare set in the same frame but with the McKinley Photochromic lenses (Cat 3-4) with a 10% discount. Another factor in my decision was talking to the owner of the company. He knew what I was looking for before I even said it. Even down to what I was looking for in a second pair. They also offer spare pair bundles and Antarctic packages.

There is a company in the UK called Sunglasses for Sport that I seriously considered. They offer Cat 4 frames from Bolle, Cebe and a few from Evolution and one from Oakley. They have a decent selection of lenses from Cat 0 to Cat 4 and everything in between in grey, yellow, brown, amber and rose. They have quite the selection of normal sunglasses as well. They are not specialists in Cat 4 sunglasses and production is through the frame manufacturer. Pricewise they are very reasonable. I was looking at the Cebe Summit frame with Zone Brown Cat 4 silver lenses. The cost would have been £266.50 or $366.73 with today's exchange rate.

Other options are Julbo, an Explorer 2.0 frame with Spectron 4 lenses would be $400. (Thanks Mike!), Demon (Italy) but they use prescription inserts and not standalone Rx lenses and Rapid (UK, also use inserts). I am sure that there are other companies that offer Rx Cat 4 sunglasses but I stopped looking after finding the above. Enjoy!

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

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