Ombraz Refugio: From Casual to Competitive

Today, Ombraz launches the Refugio, a performance-oriented variation on their distinctive armless sunglass design. The Refugio breaks from Ombraz's signature retro-sportiva chic for a modern full-coverage multisport model aimed at the endurance athlete and high-output adventure set. If Ombraz's existing collection caters to the rambler, Refugio is for the racer.

Let's be honest, cycling eyewear is tricky. In my experience, very few designs strike the elusive balance of fit, form and function. Most of the time, you're lucky to get two out of three. Conventional sunglasses look cool, but often come with pressure headaches and substandard optics, while performance eyewear risks serving up NASCAR vibes along with the pinch points. Then there's the issue of fogging on sweaty climbs. So, where does Refugio land in these three critical categories? First, let's take a look at Ombraz's deconstructed approach to performance eyewear.

No Arms. No Problem

Launched in 2019, Ombraz's armless design was developed to solve several longstanding eyewear problems: by replacing arms with an integrated retention cord, Ombraz are virtually unbreakable, they quite literally cannot fall off, and pack completely flat when not in use. They effectively offer the utility of a goggle in a slim, low-profile sunglass. Speaking from experience, Ombraz are generally much more comfortable than ordinary sunglasses, alleviating friction with helmets and pressure fatigue over long days.

This is not without a few inherent challenges. Having used Ombraz's Classic model for the past three seasons, the design does come with an extra step. If you are using a helmet or cap, which most cyclists do, you must remove your helmet to slide the glasses on or off. While it is easy enough to fasten helmet straps first, then slide the glasses in and out of the neck position, it is still helmets-off to completely remove. There is also some inevitable play in the fit – without arms to securely hold the frames in place, you will notice a bit of movement when swinging your head to look back or bouncing through rowdy terrain. The third issue and common complaint is the tendency to fog up on those hot & sweaty climbs. The Refugio thankfully resolves two of these three with a new integrated nose-pad riser design, which gives a more stable, spacious fit and much better ventilation overall.

In the Box

Refugio, meaning “shelter”, is a quintessentially Italian alpine concept—a system of timeworn mountain huts providing refuge for weary travellers. Refugio's frame offers 100% Italian-made UV coverage, non-polarized optics, integrated nose pads for enhanced ventilation and optional removable glacier glass-style side and nose shields for additional coverage under harsh conditions. The Refugio is constructed of TR-90 aerospace-grade nylon, featuring precision Carl Zeiss lenses. Retailing at $195 USD, the sunglasses come in standard and XL sizing, matte tortoiseshell and charcoal finish options and carry a robust lifetime warranty.

Fast Looks, No Flex

At first glance, Refugio stands out in the Ombraz lineup. Its modern profile leans much more into oversized full-coverage Smith/POC territory than their existing 1970s SoCal and Vuarnet-inspired models. This is not to say they have gone full Pit Viper. Refugio still nods to certain legacy Euro designs, Vuarnet's Ice 02 in particular. Soft, rounded edges, peripheral side shields, smoky tints and matte tortoiseshell evoke an early 1980s Italo-athletic sensibility – they look cool without trying to look cool. The stylistic continuity feels right for the brand while playing a bit more to the enduro, roadie, trail running and backcountry powder crowds. Again, the elevator pitch is simple: the utility of a goggle that wears like sunglasses.

No Black Holes, No Guesswork

Full transparency, I stopped wearing sunglasses or tinted lenses on trails years ago and invariably prefer clear eye protection because deep polarized tint compromises visibility in dappled light conditions. This is especially evident on mountain bike trails and in the trees. With that said, I am very pleasantly surprised at the neutral detail and crisp visibility of the Refugio's Zeiss optics. Shadow definition and transitioning between light and dark remain exceedingly clear. Where polarized and Chroma-pop lenses tend to increase contrast and turn shadows into black holes, Refugio's subtle tint neutralizes hotspots without losing shadow detail or distorting colors. I consider it a win when I don't feel the need to take these glasses off in densely-treed trail sections.

Additionally, non-polarized lenses enhance screen visibility for bike computers, navigation and phone usage. Do I wish there were a clear or lighter tint version? Yes, but in the meantime, I'm more than happy with the Refugio's optics under most lighting conditions.

Locked-In Performance

The Refugio steps up Ombraz's technical game in two critical areas: ventilation and stability. First, let's talk ventilation. My experience with earlier Ombraz models—3 years with the Classic—is that they sit directly against your nose ala conventional glasses and tend to fog up the moment things get a bit heated or sweaty. This means climbs, slow-going trails, or anytime you stop riding. It can be quite annoying. The Refugio resolves this with a fully redesigned integrated nose pad riser, which lifts the frame's resting position away from the nose and brow to increase ventilation, reduce fogging, and cut down on sweat smudges.

The new nose pad design also caters to a wider array of face shapes, which brings me to stability. The malleable rubber risers tend to lock in much better than the hard plastic of prior generations. This is particularly noticeable at speed or getting sendy through bumpy terrain. Where before they would flutter, bounce and shake, Refugio just stays put and virtually disappears once you start riding.

Two frame colors with two lens tints.

Riser Upgrades

Ombraz has also enhanced its entire lineup by introducing nose pad riser upgrades for all existing models, minus the Refugio where the riser is integrated into the design. As I mentioned before, the original models tend to rest right up against your face and depending on your face shape, can sometimes be less than optimal for high-output activity. The frames, being something of a hard plastic, tend to get steamy and squirrely when the riding gets fast and loose.

Ombraz found an innovative solution for that. These model-specific, 3D-printed riser upgrades ($30) simply snap into any of the existing frames for a slight lift away from the face. The flexible rubberized pads noticeably enhance stability during all-out efforts. They elevate the originals to the same sport mode as the Refugio. The fogging quite literally disappears with the increase in ventilation. As hard as I tried, I could not get them to steam up—even on 6k climbs with prodigious amounts of hike-a-bike, so rest assured, these riser upgrades work. If you love your existing set of Ombraz and would like a performance boost and a better fit, these riser upgrades are just what you're looking for.

Wrap Up

In a word, the Ombraz Refugios are great, improving on their original designs by resolving fogging and fit issues almost entirely. I found this ultra-functional, lightweight multisport model to be nearly indestructible, packing the benefits of a goggle into the slim silhouette of a sunglass. They also look great in the process. Fans of full-coverage performance glass from Smith, Oakley or POC will find a familiar profile and comfortable, easygoing wearability. Those who prefer clear or photochromic lenses can look forward to those options dropping soon. Landing at $195 USD, the Refugio nails the look, fit, feel and utility of high-end technical eyewear at a very compelling price point with a lifetime warranty to sweeten the deal.