Julbo Airflux Goggle Review
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The Julbo Airflux offers up some of the same great features as the Julbo Aerospace in a more affordable price category. For a full review of the Julbo Aerospace Goggle, please click here.
Features
Touring in goggles can be a pain as you can fog or ice up on the ascent and are forced to go without goggles on the descent due to lack of visibility. Fortunately, Julbo has some pretty interesting technology to combat this problem. The Julbo Airflux, like the Aerospace, features 3 different ways to tackle the problem of fogging up: the SuperFlow system, double layer ventilating lens, and anti-fog coating applied to the inside of the lens. The SuperFlow system is what sets the Airflux goggles apart. With a simple sliding of your thumb (even in a mitten) along the top of the lens, the lens moves out or away from your face and frame a full 1/2″ along the bridge of the nose and 1/4″ along the sides. This separation creates airflow or ventilation to allow for the dissipation of any heat that you may create while pushing up hill. To close the vent, simply pull the frame towards you on each side and wait to here a click.
Here is a quick video by Julbo to summarize the SuperFlow system: https://youtu.be/G6FC1FaplKA
Lens Options
Choices can sometimes lead you to feel overwhelmed, and this can be true in the goggle lens department. For those that are indecisive, Julbo offers up 4 lens options for the Airflux that meet all of your needs without making your decision too complex. The Julbo Airflux is available with the very affordable Spectron lens in grey mirror and red mirror: the Spectron lens is not photochromatic, rather it is a polycarbonate lens that is light weight, scratch resistant, and offers a VLT of 13%. These lenses are also double layered, meaning that there is an air pocket between the two lenses to avoid condensation build up.
The Julbo Airflux is also available in grey mirror with polarized lenses for reducing glare or reflected light with VLT of 12% for a slightly increased price tag. For super sunny conditions, you can also pick up the Airflux in black vision lens, with a VLT of 5%.
Helmet Compatible and Fit
Julbo states that the Airflux has an XL fit. As a female tester, these lenses were not too big on my face and were not oversized at all. The frame itself measures 6.5″ when measured from hinge to hinge with the strap, a full 1″ smaller than the Smith I/OS that we tested and 1.5″ smaller than the Native Upslope goggles that measured nearly 8″.
The double layer of foam is soft and is backed by what Julbo calls an anatomic frame or minimalist frame. In other words, there are small cuts into the inside of the frame that help the goggles to bend and match your face shape to get a close, custom fit. This helps to keep the lenses light on your face and eliminate the need for you to cinch the lenses down tightly which can leave goggle lines long after you are done skiing.
Julbo utilized their Axis strap system into the Airflux goggles: the strap pivots like a hinge to improve helmet compatibility across a wide range of helmet shapes. I tested these goggles with a Bern, Smith, Oakley, and Giro helmet and found that I had a tight seal no matter the model along the sides and minimal gapping along the top of the goggles. The Airflux stays put on your helmet thanks to the inclusion of silicone along the entire length of the goggle strap. To adjust the goggles, simply pull on the two loops on either side to get an even adjustment. I liked this feature as it eliminated the fumbling with a clip and eased the on/off with the helmet during backcountry transitions. For more info or purchase, visit amazon.com/julbo.
