My paddleboard was deflating, and the waves were getting bigger. As I navigated the whitewater of the Roaring Fork River, my feet wobbled and bounced on the unstable surface. I turned a corner, my eyes growing wide as the next swell came into view.
I felt my board being pulled into it, turning sideways, and I knew I was going in. My SUP tilted, I braced myself for the cold, and then, splash.
I was fully submerged for a few seconds. When I popped back up, my hat was gone (never to be seen again), and my board was trying to escape. But my sunglasses still clung snugly around my head. I could see clearly and swam to my board, climbing back on before the next section of rapids.
Ombraz released the Refugio, its first wraparound-style sunglasses, in July 2025. I tested them SUPing, hiking, and biking for several weeks across Colorado. Like all Ombraz models, these shades are armless, hugging your head with a comfortable cord and cinch system.
The Refugio is Ombraz’s first single-lens style of sunglasses, though, and I was curious how the brand would pull off the new look.
In short: The Ombraz Refugio Sunglasses ($195) are armless windshield-style sunglasses that fasten to your head with Ombraz’s unique cinch system. They’re lightweight, have fewer pieces to bend/break, and stay on your head tenaciously. The lens clarity and fullness of the Refugio’s coverage are impressive. The Refugio is perfect for mountain bikers, river rats, and trail runners who prefer the cylindrical, single-lens look.
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No arms -
Built-in “Croaky” tether -
Extremely clear lens w/ great coverage -
Lightweight
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Not polarized -
Pretty big on the face
Ombraz Refugio Sunglasses Review
I have used Ombraz for around 3 years. So far, I’ve tried the brand’s Camina, Viale, and Teton styles. The Classic aviator Ombraz are my everyday shades. They have no arms and use an adjustable cord to hold onto your head securely. For more background and greater detail, check out GearJunkie’s previous Ombraz review.
When I learned that the brand was coming out with a sportier, wraparound-style pair of sunglasses, my ears perked up. I wear wraparounds whenever I’m running, biking, or paddling. It’s a retro look compared to the classic styles Ombraz has made in the past.
But if this new pair was anything like Ombraz’s past models, I was confident they’d be rad.
Clarity
Sunglasses come in all styles, but if the lenses aren’t clear, none of the aesthetic stuff matters. My previous experience with Ombraz lenses has been great. The brand uses Zeiss optics lenses that offer 100% UVA/UVB protection, are oleophobic (so they don’t smudge as easily), and are scratch-resistant.
While the coating seems to have worked in testing, two editors noted that cleaning moisture off the lens (sweat, for example) took extra effort to fully clean off relative to other lenses.
The Refugio’s lenses are just as clear as the previous Ombraz I’ve tried. The view is really sharp, and I have yet to notice any clarity distortions. It’s a crisp, clean lens.
What jumped out at me about the Refugio is the field of coverage. The wraparound cylindrical single lens covers your peripherals like a glacier goggle and rests squarely on the bridge of your nose. I can’t wait to get these sunglasses on the skin track this winter.
The Refugio is only available in nonpolarized lenses. I like polarized lenses for skiing and water activities because they reduce glare. But some people like unpolarized lenses while skiing because they make the terrain easier to see in flat light.
Either way, it doesn’t affect UV protection. It’s just something to be aware of if you’re spending $195 on a pair of sunglasses.
Comfort
Ombraz’s rubber nosepiece on the Refugio is very comfortable. It’s nonadjustable but soft enough that it bends in the middle to accommodate differently shaped noses. It’s grippy, too. I’ve had no issues with these sunglasses slipping, even when wet.
If you haven’t worn Ombraz’s sunglasses before, the armless cord design might take some getting used to. With the Refugio, I found it particularly comfortable. Compared to regular armed wraparound sunglasses, these don’t pinch or squeeze the sides of your head at all, even under a helmet. During active sports like mountain biking, I barely noticed these shades on my face.
Be careful not to cinch the Refugios too tightly to your face. The cord is supposed to gently hold the back of your head, not squeeze it. If these shades are cinched too tightly, the frame’s brow pulls into your forehead, and the lens tilts at an odd angle.
The pair weighs 30 g, a smidge over a single ounce.
Style
The wraparound-style Refugios are definitely a departure from Ombraz’s other, more classic sunglasses. But if you like the sporty, cylindrical lens look, you’ll like the Refugio.
Consider yourself warned, though: The lens is huge. I got the regular (there’s also an XL version), and they’re hands down one of the largest sunglasses I own.
Durability
I have yet to damage a pair of Ombraz. You can’t bend or break the arms (of which there are none), and the frames are made of “indestructible TR-90.”
So far, the Refugios have lived up to that claim, although I’ve only had them for about a month.
Ombraz Refugio Sunglasses: Who Are They For?
The Ombraz Refugio is a sporty wraparound pair of shades that holds onto your head well, doesn’t come loose or shake off during activities, and offers full peripheral single-lens coverage. These sunglasses are great for mountain biking, road cycling, trail running, hiking, or paddling; they’re comfortable under a helmet and offer a clear, undistorted field of view.
The Refugios have found a permanent home with my bike gear. They’re a staple of my riding accessories with my gloves and my helmet. When I hit the river again, I’ll be taking this pair of shades (and hopefully a SUP that isn’t deflating). The name in Italian means “shelter” or “refuge,” and that’s exactly what these retro-looking sunglasses offer.
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