Ombraz Cammina: Always On, Never in the Way

Honestly, I have a tendency to shy away from anything that feels too popular. It might be a flaw in my personality, but sometimes when something is everywhere, I just assume it's not worth the time. That means I probably miss out on a few good things, and I figured the Ombraz sunglasses might be one of them. They just seemed like another design-forward accessory that might be cool for the sake of being cool.

I've worn glasses since I was six. I don't wear contacts, so how I see has always shaped how I ride, ski, hike, and move through the world and prescription sunglasses have rarely worked well for me. The fit is usually off, the optics are never that impressive, and they almost always fight with everything else I wear on my head. Helmet straps push them down, the frames push up, and things just never sit right. So when I started looking into the Cammina, I wasn't expecting a solution... but I was curious.

What I found surprised me. This review is based on the prescription version because that's what I require, but everything here still applies to non-prescription wearers, too. The Cammina isn't a high-output race-day piece of gear. What it offers is something a little harder to find: a quiet, low-drama performance that perfectly fits into my life and style.

Ombraz: A Focused Brand

Ombraz launched back in 2018 with a clever idea: ditch the arms and replace them with a cord. It was a simple fix to a few annoying problems, and it worked. Since then, they've built a reputation for making lightweight, durable sunglasses that solve real-world issues without overcomplicating the design. The brand is also carbon-negative and plants trees with every pair sold, which is a nice touch. I've had the chance to work directly with the founders, and they've always come across as thoughtful, genuine, and fully committed to what they're building. They've created something that feels both practical and intentional, and that's rare.

Clear From the Start

The ordering process was smooth from start to finish. I went with the tortoiseshell frame and polarized brown lenses to match my new Neuhaus build. Since I ordered a prescription version, the RX part was handled by a third-party partner, Lens & Frame Co from California. I had to upload my prescription to their portal, which was easy enough, and everything showed up on time. No delays, no customs issues, no drama.

When the box arrived, I opened it and could tell right away that these were something different. Just holding them in my hands, they felt clean, light, and well-made. But it wasn't until I put them on that I really understood what was going on. The clarity hit immediately. In video games, there's the idea of “draw distance” or how far your character can see. Putting on the Cammina's for the first time, felt like my draw distance increased exponentially.

As a lifelong prescription wearer, I've never had sunglasses this crisp. No weird distortions, no color shifts, just neutral, clear, functional vision. I picked them up from the local package depot and started walking home, and I remember being able to read a street sign two or three blocks away. I've never been able to do that before. It wasn't just the prescription. It was the way everything came together, the tint, the optics, the lens shape. I was genuinely floored.

Worn Different, Feels Right

For someone who's worn glasses their whole life, putting on a pair with straps instead of arms was definitely a new experience. At first, it felt a little strange. The frame sits lightly on the bridge of your nose, and the cord system wraps around the back of your head with just enough tension to stay in place. There are no hard contact points, no pressure on your temples, and nothing digging in behind your ears. It took a couple of rides to get used to that feeling, but once I did, I stopped thinking about them entirely.

For me, comfort has always been a problem with sunglasses. I'm usually wearing a cap, a helmet, sometimes headphones or a headset, and prescription glasses. It's a constant balancing act. Something is always getting bumped, shifted, or pulled out of place. The Cammina quietly solves that. With no arms to interfere, there's just less clutter. Everything stacks better and feels more intentional. I can slide the glasses under my helmet straps without any friction. I don't get that squeezed-in feeling I'm used to. And when I'm not wearing them, they can hang around my neck.

The whole system feels light and low-profile, but secure. It's the kind of fit that makes you forget you're wearing them, and when it comes to eyewear, that's probably the best compliment I can give.

At first, I wasn't sure about the look. The Cammina wasn't a frame I would have picked on my own. The shape felt a bit too refined for my usual gear. They seemed more Parisian patio than BC bush wacker but the team suggested them, and once I got the nose pad riser installed, the whole silhouette changed. It gave the frame just enough lift and structure to shift the vibe completely. I think they look great. The tortoiseshell finish has a warm, classic feel, and the shape fits my face really well. Stylish, but in an easy, everyday kind of way.

On the Bike

I've been riding with the Cammina for about two months now, across gravel, singletrack, and mixed terrain here on Southern Vancouver Island. I keep them in my top tube bag alongside my phone and a backup battery, and because the case is slim and the frame packs flat, they never feel like extra gear. They're just always there. I don't think about them. I just grab them when I need them, and they do their job.

Most of my riding is what I'd call real-world mixed terrain, long, messy days with big climbs, blown-out descents, and everything in between. The Camminas stay put and never bounce. I can throw the bike into a rough corner or drop into a fast descent, and the frame doesn't shift at all. That locked-in feel is a huge part of why I keep them strapped to my face.

I've read older reviews that mentioned fogging as a drawback, but that hasn't been my experience. Even on slow climbs or humid days, I haven't seen any real fog buildup. Ventilation is better than I expected, especially for a full wrap-style frame.

Optically, the amber polarized lenses handle trail transitions well. Moving between sun and shade feels natural, and I haven't once felt the need to take them off in tight tree cover. They're not flashy, but the clarity and balance are there. For long rides where comfort, simplicity, and clear vision matter most, the Cammina does exactly what I need without getting in the way.

Optional Add-Ons

Ombraz offers a couple of add-ons for the Cammina that are worth talking about. The main ones are the side shields and the nose pad riser. On paper, they're designed to enhance coverage and improve fit, particularly for high-output activities or harsher conditions. In reality, the nose pad riser feels close to essential.

The riser lifts the glasses slightly off your face and improves ventilation. It also gives the frame a more defined, purposeful shape. I've had the riser on since day one, so I can't compare it directly to wearing them without it. But I can say the glasses feel more comfortable and, in my opinion, better looking with it installed. For around $25 USD, it's a simple upgrade that makes a big difference.

The side shields didn't work for me. My prescription is strong with a progressive lens, which made the fit too tight. The cord wouldn't sit correctly with the added lens thickness. This might not be a problem with a lighter prescription, but if you're going RX, it's something to keep in mind.

Wrapping Up

The Cammina surprised me. I started this review with a healthy dose of skepticism. Ombraz is a popular brand with a distinct look, and I wasn't sure they would work for me, especially with my prescription. But they've become one of the best pieces of gear I've used all year. They're comfortable, simple, and just work.

They don't shift. They don't fog. They fit cleanly under a helmet, store flat in a top tube bag, and never feel like they're adding clutter. For someone who wears glasses every day, they quietly solve a dozen small problems that most other sunglasses create.

I've worn them on the bike, off the bike, on errands, and for long days in the sun where I'm not doing much of anything. They've earned a spot in my everyday setup, and I genuinely look forward to wearing them. They're not cheap at $560 USD with prescription lenses ($160 without), but they feel worth it. And they've changed how I ride.

For all the hype around Ombraz, these live up to it. They're not loud. They don't need to be. They just fit, function, and fade into the background. And for eyewear, that might be the best case scenario.

Get them here.