Julbo’s all-new Intensity sunglasses combine Julbo’s sleek styling with a lightweight construction and their latest lens technology. Building on the design of the Density and Frequency sunglasses, the Intensity are optimized for lightweight and high-intensity sports. Retail price for the Intensity sunglasses ranges from $164.95 with standard SPECTRON lens to $244.95 with the photochromic REACTIV lens. To achieve a sub 20g weight, the Intensity sunglasses have a semi-frameless with a bio-sourced Rilsan frame and fixed nose piece. Julbo has utilized their non-slip Grip Tech temple arms to ensure the sunglasses stay in place during high intensity sports.
The Julbo Intensity combines a sleek sporty design with an ultralight semi-frameless construction that makes you forget you are wearing them.
| Retail Price | $164.95 – $244.95 (REACTIV lens) |
| Rating | Design: A– Optics: A Comfort: A Value: A- |
| Measured weight (in g) | 18 |
| Likes | + Feather weight construction + Soft and flexible temple arms eliminates any pressure points + Photochromic lens adjusts to any condition |
| Dislikes | – Premium price – Some side reflections due to lens shape |
| Where to Buy (US) | Julbo |
UNBOXING
The Julbo Intensity comes in a compact cardboard box with Julbo branding printed on it. Inside the box you’ll find:
- Intensity sunglasses
- Microfiber storage bag
- Collapsible hard case
Note, the Intensity has a fixed nose piece design which means there are no separate nose pieces included with the sunglasses.
FIT & FINISH
One of the key features of the Julbo Intensity are the REACTIV photochromic lens options. We have the REACTIV 1-3 Light Amplifier lens which has an impressive Cat 1-3 rating and 17-75% VLT range. That means you can use the sunglasses in low light conditions like shaded forests or in full sun using the same lens. The sunglasses also have a yellow base tint which helps amplify light in overcast conditions for improved clarity. The REACTIV lens option is a $80 dollar premium over the standard SPECTRON lens, but well worth it if you ride in mixed conditions as this replaces the need for separate lenses or sunglasses.
The other feature we want to highlight is the thin and lightweight temple arm design. It’s a straight arm design that angles inward to help hold the sunglasses in place during high intensity sports like cycling or running. Julbo uses what they call Grip Tech which is a non-slip rubber coating that is flexible while not getting caught on hair or causing any pressure points. For the nose pads, there are fixed rubber inserts with thin edges that can adjust to different nose shapes. It has a similar rubber coating that helps hold the sunglasses in place but cannot be replaced or swapped out like other sunglasses.
ON THE ROAD
At only 18g, the Intensity is one of the lightest sunglasses we’ve tested even undercutting the weight of other brand’s light sunglasses like the POC Elicit or KOO Supernova. Thanks to the lightweight design and long flexible temple arms, it’s easy to forget you are wearing the Intensity sunglasses as there are no pressure points even on all-day rides. The Grip Tech rubber coating extends on nearly the entire length of the temple arms which ensures they stay in place even while running or sweating. As far as the fit, we’d describe it as somewhere between the Density and the Frequency sunglasses. They feel like they fit closer to your face like the Frequency but have a larger lens more similar to the Density.
The main downside we found with the sunglasses is that they have a relatively flat shape compared to more wrap-around sunglasses like the Smith PivLock. Even with the base 5 curvature, the Intensity looks like a sporty lifestyle style sunglasses and that results in some side reflections. You do not get the full immersive experience you get with shield style sunglasses as you can always see the edges of the lens at the corner of your vision. They still work well though and provide great clarity with the REACTIV lenses being one of our favorites as they have such a wide adjustability range. You can ride through dense fog, shaded forests and back into full sun with the lens quickly adjusting to the available light.
THE VERDICT
Overall, we found the Julbo Intensity sunglasses to be attractive and comfortable cycling sunglasses. Julbo has taken their popular Density and Frequency sunglass design elements and created the Intensity with a similar style and extended coverage. The sunglasses fit close to the face with a large lens that has a sporty lifestyle design that looks great on or off the bike. Julbo’s Grip Tech temple arms and flexible design mean the Intensity stays in place during high intensity sports without any pressure points or discomfort. With its featherweight 18g weight on our scale, it’s easy to forget you are even wearing sunglasses. As far as negatives, the Intensity have a premium price point and have some side reflections with the relatively flat lens shape. That said, the Julbo Intensity are stylish and comfortable sunglasses that can adjust to any condition with the REACTIV lens.
Disclaimer: The product for this review was provided by Julbo. The views expressed on this website are solely those of the authors and are here to help people make an informed choice before a purchase. The authors or the blog itself does not get any monetary compensation from the product manufacturer or third-party websites/vendor links that are posted here.