All Images: Courtesy of Julbo / Mathis Dumas
Julbo has been dedicated to providing high-quality, high-performance eyewear for all outdoor pursuits, from the peaks of the world’s tallest mountains to the ocean’s biggest swells and every trail in between since 1888. Think about that. 135 years of designing, developing, innovating and perfecting products that can withstand the demands of athletes, like ski mountaineers Vivian Bruchez and Sam Anthamatten, or freeskiers like Nikolai Schirmer and Tim McChesney, who need uncompromised vision and protection whenever they’re on snow. The brand continues that all-gas-no-brakes mentality in 2024 with the introduction of the first-ever cylindrical goggle to utilize the proprietary Superflow Pro anti-fog system—the Launcher.
While Julbo has been using Superflow since 2015 and has long been offering cylindrical goggles, the brand has yet to merge the two. Superflow technology utilizes a pair of hinges that allow the lens to pop about a half-inch forward of the frame to create unrestricted airflow and eliminate fog; when it’s time to ski again, magnets secure the lens tightly the the frame. According to Julbo’s CEO, David Crothers, the flatter cylindrical shape posed a problem with the original system and thus prompted the brand to overhaul the technology to work with both spherical and cylindrical-shaped goggles. The new Launcher goggle is both cylindrical and guaranteed by the brand to never fog thanks to the Superflow Pro technology.
“The whole idea behind it was that we didn’t want to have fans or batteries or [the goggle to] be heavy and clunky. The whole point of the Superflow system was to solve the fogging issue without having to use fans or batteries that can easily break,” Crothers explains. “Superflow Pro has been updated for this year, and the Launcher is the first cylindrical Superflow goggle.”
Ideal for the Pacific Northwest, the Northeast or anyone who tends to get a little swampy in their ski gear, in the backcountry or at the resort, the Launcher both looks super stylish and gives you the peace of mind knowing you’ll never sacrifice another ski day to foggy goggles. The Launcher also features Julbo’s REACTIV photochromic lens technology, which automatically becomes lighter or darker based on ambient light and has the widest photochromic range and fastest reaction time of any goggle lenses on the market. Five different lens options are available for the Launcher, including lenses with polarized, glare control and high contrast finishes. The Launcher also has a standout environmental story: The strap material is made from recycled fishing nets, and the frame is made from bio-based corn and other recycled materials.
“It’s neat for us to get to try new recycled, environmentally friendly materials,” says Crothers. “Julbo still offers a lifetime guarantee on all of its products, so it’s important for us to test the stuff to ensure the longevity will be there for the lifetime of the product.”
Whether you prefer a spherical or cylindrical shape, Julbo believes every skier should be able to benefit from their 100-plus-year heritage and technology, and now that is a reality with the new Launcher Superflow Pro goggle. Sleek styling, environmentally friendly materials and top-tier technology add up to a goggle that is guaranteed to raise your anti-fog standards.
