Review: Ombraz Refugio Sunglasses

Ombraz Refugio Sunglasses Provide Great Coverage In A Comfortable Way.

I have a pair of Ombraz Leggero XL's that I reviewed a while back that I am quite fond of, however the new Ombraz Refugio is my favorite so far! The new shape has a futuristic sort of Mad Max look to them and makes me feel like I have crazy rad style. The Refugio comes in regular and XL and the regulars fit my wide face better than the others and do a better job covering my eyes from wind and dust while mountain biking and trail running or any other outdoor activity, although I still opted for the XL. I would say the regulars will fit 90% of people though.

You can get the Refugio's in 2 different frame colors and the option of two lens colors. I have been running the charcoal frames with the brown lens with bronze mirror. I love the brown lens for most conditions and the lens clarity is unreal! However, for early morning or late evening bike rides or trail runs, I would love to see these with a swappable lens option to be able to run these with a clear lens as well.

The Good

Comfort and performance is really what sets the Ombraz Refugio sunglasses apart from any other option on the market. Fast and rowdy downhills on my mountain bike tend to bounce or shake most sunglasses down my sweaty face until I have to reach up and push them back up on my face. Ombraz stay put, period! Also, if you are out for an all day outing putting in long hours on your bike or anywhere else in the mountains, the armless design doesn't create any pressure on the side of your head which can cause headaches. These things win in the comfort category for sure.

The Not As Good

Is there anything I don't like about Ombraz? Yes. If I am wearing them while driving for short distances like to and from work or just around town or any situations where I need to be taking my glasses on and off with one hand they are a bit annoying because to put them on or take them off you really need both hands. Other than that Ombraz are the way to go!

Some Info About Polarized vs Non-Polarized To Know From Ombraz

When you think of high-quality lenses, do you automatically think of polarized lenses? Wondering why The Refugio is only offered with non-polarized optics? We’re jumping in to clear things up and debunk some polarizing optical assumptions.

Many people associate polarization with better optical quality. But here’s the truth:

Polarized and Non-Polarized Ombraz lenses are made with the exact same world-class Zeiss material and offer the same 100% UVA/UVB protection. Polarized lenses, however, require an extra film layer and that film is expensive, so polarized lenses usually come at a higher price tag - which is why people associate polarized lenses with higher quality.

The only difference between the two options is how they filter reflective light, and each has its own advantages.

Polarized Lenses

Polarized lenses cut glare with a horizontal light filtering film, eliminating reflections from surfaces like water, glass, and pavement. This film reduces eye strain and gives you a crisper view in high-glare settings.

Best for: fishing, water sports, beach days, and bright hikes near water

Non-Polarized Lenses

Non-polarized lenses filter UV rays and block the same amount of light, but they don’t remove glare in the same way. So why’s that a good thing?

On snow or roads, glare can actually help you spot icy patches or subtle terrain changes. Non-polarized lenses give you a more natural, high-contrast view, which helps you react faster and read terrain more accurately. Additionally, full shield frames are usually non-polarized because it is difficult to consistently filter glare evenly across the curvature of the lens - leading to light distortion. Smith and Oakley ski goggles and full-shield sunglasses are all non-polarized.

Lastly, non-polarized optics don’t interfere with digital screens, so they’re great if you’re checking a GPS, bike computer, or cockpit instruments mid-ride or flight.

Best for: skiing, biking, aviation, and everyday adventures in dynamic light when you’re not around water

The Refugio comes in non-polarized because it’s built for speed, movement, and performance in environments where clarity and depth perception are critical. All this is to say, sometimes you can skip the polarization, so you don’t miss what matters.

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