Ombraz Sunglasses for Bikepacking: The Perfect Fit

As an avid bikepacker and outdoor enthusiast, finding the perfect pair of sunglasses has always been a challenge. I need something that is lightweight and durable, fits beneath my helmet, looks good on my face (very important) and, of course, provides excellent protection for my eyes.

That’s why I was intrigued when I came across Ombraz sunglasses – a unique brand that has revolutionized sports eyewear with their armless sunglasses.

After putting them to the test on my 12-day bikepacking adventure to Costa Rica, I can undoubtedly say that these sunglasses exceeded my expectations.

In this post, I share my in-depth review of Ombraz sunglasses for bikepacking including why I love them, what could be better, and more.

So, if you’re in the market for a new pair of sunglasses for your next two-wheeled adventure, keep reading to find out why Ombraz might just be the perfect fit for you.

What are armless sunglasses?

Ombraz has revolutionized the sunglasses market with their take on armless sunglasses. They’re exactly what they sound like: sunglasses that don’t have the two side arms that rest on top of your ears.

So how do they stay in place?

Ombraz sunglasses have a cord that tightens around your head with two slip knots.

At first, I was pretty skeptical that they would stay in place, but honestly? They are super secure once you’ve got the cord fitted snugly around the back of the head.

To get a perfect fit, Ombraz recommends that:

I would have made a video showing how to wear them correctly, but I didn’t think I could do better than this…

What I like about them

Overall, I’m pretty infatuated with Ombraz sunglasses. I think the armless design is ingenious and they are perfect for outdoor adventures.

Here are the key features that make Ombraz sunglasses great:

No side arms to break

This is Ombraz’s biggest selling point and what sets them apart from almost every other sunglass brand on the market.

Ombraz sunglasses have no side arms to break – instead, they are secured around your head with a slip-knot cord.

This means you can throw them in your pack or stash them in your back pocket without worrying that they’ll emerge with the side arms busted and broken.

They are very secure around the head

This was the biggest thing I was skeptical about: without rigid side arms to rest on my ears, would they stay in place? The answer is a resounding “yes!”

Ombraz sunglasses are surprisingly secure and stable when worn correctly. They rest on the bridge of your nose and stay in place thanks to the cord around your head.

You can even jump in a lake or do some backflips with them on.

The lenses are top-quality

The founders of Ombraz have worked really hard to find lenses that are high-quality and high-performing.

I’m no lens expert by any means, but I can tell that these lenses are better than most. They’re super clear and provide great contrast, which is especially important on low-light trails and roads.

While they’re not bomb-proof, the lenses are scratch-resistant and easy to clean. They also stay pretty clean, which is a big bonus for us outdoorsy people.

The lenses are available in three polarized colors, two non-polarized colors, and a blue light-blocking lens for computer/phone use.

Come with a lifetime warranty

Each pair of Ombraz sunglasses are warrantied for life. Ombraz will do their best to fix or repair anything that breaks or send you a new pair.

However, it’s important to note that scratched lenses are not part of the warranty deal. Be sure to keep your sunglasses in the neoprene case they come with when not using them.

If they do get scratched, you can have the lenses replaced for a fee.

The Shade Project

For every pair of sunglasses sold, Ombraz plants 20 mangrove trees. This sequesters 1380x more carbon from the environment than is emitted during the production and delivery of each pair of sunglasses.

Ombraz is also a member of 1% For the Planet, Climate Neutral, and a Certified B Corporation.

The funky brand

One of the things I love most about Ombraz is the brand and the branding. This is not a dry, cookie-cutter brand trying to make it big before selling to a large corporation.

The two founders – Jenson and Nikolai – are having fun building their business with amusing videos, a fun Instagram feed, a socially-conscious business model, and a motto to HAVE SOME DAMN FUN built into their mission statement.

They kind of remind me of HANDUP, another fun and quirky brand that I love.

What could be better

Better ventilation

Ventilation was another thing I was worried about with the armless sunglasses and while they didn’t fog up as much as I thought they would, they still don’t have as much airflow as other cycling sunglasses.

When I was in Costa Rica (which is hot and humid), there were a few times I had to take them off because they fogged up.

But the open sides that aren’t blocked by arms do allow for a decent amount of airflow, especially if you’re moving quickly (like on a bike) or there is a good breeze.

No interchangeable lenses

I’m not even sure if this is a possibility for Ombraz, but I have had other sunglasses that have interchangeable lenses. It’s a nice feature that allows you to swap out the lenses based on different light conditions or sports.

At $160 each, Ombraz sunglasses aren’t cheap, so it would be nice to be able to only have one frame with the option to choose different lenses.

Can’t put them on with one hand

Unlike traditional sunglasses, the Ombraz can’t be put on with one hand. Two hands are required to pull the cord taut at the back of your head.

This isn’t a huge deal if you have two hands free, but it becomes rather tricky if one hand is, say, holding a handlebar or if you’re an adaptive athlete with one arm.

Why are they great for bikepacking?

The biggest reason I was initially drawn to the armless Ombraz sunglasses was for bikepacking. Not having to worry about breaking the side arms is a big bonus when traveling.

After spending 12 days and 430 miles wearing them during my Costa Rica bikepacking adventure, I can say that they work really well for multi-day bikepacking trips.

There are some drawbacks (like not being able to put them on with one hand and the slightly limited ventilation), but overall I am really impressed and they will definitely be coming with me on all my future bikepacking trips.

Final Thoughts

At first, I was pretty skeptical about the Ombraz armless sunglasses. How can they stay in place without rigid sidearms? But they definitely proved wrong and now they will be the only sunglasses I bring with me on my bikepacking trips.

I still wear ‘normal’ sunglasses as my everyday shades, but for any active outdoor adventures like hiking, swimming, or playing frisbee on the beach, Ombraz is the way to go.

Give them a try!

Have you tried armless sunglasses? Would you give a pair of Ombraz sunglasses a go? Let me know in the comments!