Gear Review: Refugio Sunglasses By Ombraz
The Ombraz Refugio sunglasses are a game-changer for active hikers and backpackers. With their armless design, polarized lenses, and tough build, they stay in place no matter where your trail takes you.
Looking for rugged, adventure-ready sunglasses that won’t slip, snap, or slide around on your face? Let us introduce you to the Refugio by Ombraz, a seriously cool pair of armless sunglasses built for active days and big adventures.
Whether you’re hiking, mountain biking, climbing, or just exploring your local backcountry roads, the Refugio shades deliver minimalist function with a clever, durable twist. These are far and away my most favorite iteration of Ombraz Sunglasses! Check out why below.
What Makes Ombraz Different?
Ombraz sunglasses ditch traditional temple arms and instead use a lightweight, adjustable cord that wraps around your head. No hinges to snap. No pressure points behind your ears. Just a solid, stay-put fit that actually gets more comfortable the longer you wear it. This design is killer for cycling, paddling and climbing.
If you’ve ever broken a pair of sunglasses mid-trip, had them fly off your head on a ridge, or fumbled around trying to keep them tucked into your hat; Ombraz solves all of that with one simple innovation.
Standout Features
- Armless Design: Built with a woven, adjustable cord that hugs your head without squeezing or bouncing.
- Impact-Resistant Lenses: The Refugio uses polarized Zeiss optics for crisp clarity and excellent contrast, especially on bright alpine days.
- Eco-Friendly Frame: Made with plant-based materials and shipped plastic-free. Ombraz even plants 20 mangrove trees per purchase!
- Nose + Fit Comfort: The nose pads are sculpted to stay in place, and the wrap-around fit makes them great for movement.
- Perfect for Backpacks: No arms means they’re practically crushproof in a pack or hip belt pouch- we love this for thru-hikes.
Testing the Refugio in the Field
We’ve tested the Refugio sunglasses on quite a few mountain bike adventures, and a couple long hikes. They’re incredibly comfortable for big days on trail and they never fall off or bounce, even when you’re sweaty and moving fast. They have a form factor that sits well on the face, never hitting the brow bone.
They also stash so easily in a hip belt pocket or even looped around your neck. No hard case needed, no fiddly hinges to worry about, and no slipping when you’re out there working hard. I plan to use these on a few bikepacking trips this autumn, as standard sunglasses aren't quite as comfortable for long days of spinning.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Super secure and stay-put fit | Might take a moment to adjust to the strap feel |
| Lightweight and durable | Not as formal/stylish as some traditional frames |
| Eco-conscious design | |
| No hinges = nearly unbreakable |
Packing It Out
The Refugio sunglasses by Ombraz are built for sick adventures, big miles, and rugged use. They’re quirky in the best way: ditching fragile parts in favor of a no-nonsense design that just works. I like the go-fast styling of the Refugio, and expect that this style will make me grab these often.
If you’re tired of sunglasses that can’t keep up with your adventure life, we highly recommend giving these a go. Once you wear them on a hike or ride, it’s hard to go back to arms and hinges.
My review is independent of the supplier and reflects my own opinions. Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at no additional cost to you.
