Julbo frames: Where design, engineering, and athletics meet

Julbo is a renowned eyewear brand and a longstanding leader in outdoor sports eyewear. Last year, our team got the chance to visit the brand’s headquarters in the Jura region of France to learn more about how they make their different collections.

Julbo headquarters

Posting at Julbo headquarters

Jura in France

Summiting the peak, one frame at a time

Upon arriving at the Julbo offices in Longchaumois, our team was swept up in the creative and adventurous spirit of the brand.  What struck our team most was the undeniable passion and sense of legacy that has been passed down through generations since the company got its start in 1888.

The design process

Julbo prides itself on making top quality products specifically designed for mountaineering, skiing, trekking, water sports, mountain biking, trail running, and many other sports. Even as it has expanded its product lineup over the years to include collections for adults, kids, and toddlers, Julbo’s main goal hasn’t changed—to offer eyewear that performs beautifully, is comfortable to wear, and looks great.  A single frame can take over two years to develop and manufacture. Let’s take a look at the five main steps to designing a new Julbo frame.

Frame design

Ophtalmic lenses

Lens Design

1. Idea

After determining what wearers need, the project leads start the development process. They need to consider the technical requirements of the frames before handing the reins over to the design team.

2. Design

From the first hand-drawn sketch to computer rendering and development of a 3D model, the designers work hard to come up with a concept that fits the project’s specific parameters. Ergonomics is the name of the game. The look and style of the brand are also important parts of the creative process, but they never take precedence over the comfort and technical features of the frame. Once the 3D prototypes have been approved by the project leads, they’re sent to the team in charge of assessing the feasibility of the project.

3. Mould assessment

The team in charge of assessing feasibility figures out how to create the moulds. Each frame needs three moulds—one for the frame front and one for each temple. The metal moulds are designed using computers. They’re reworked and refined for several weeks before going through manufacturing tests to get approval. Once approved, they’re ready for mass production.

4. Production

Like in the previous steps, many Julbo products are manufactured in the famous Jura region of France, at the plant attached to the company’s headquarters. Plastic is injected into the moulds to create the different components of the frame, and glass is cut to create the lenses. The lenses are cut and treated to fit the requirements of the specific model.

5. Assembly and quality tests

Once the lenses and frames are ready, it’s time to assemble them. Before they’re packaged and shipped out, they go through quality control to make sure they live up to the company’s exacting standards.

Made-to-measure sunglass lenses

In addition to its precision development and manufacturing process, Julbo also makes custom sunglass lenses at its headquarters in the Jura. The Julbo lab has around ten state-of-the-art machines to machine, polish, sand, and varnish its many pairs of custom optical lenses. Inaugurated in 2015, the Rx lab allows Julbo to fulfill around ten thousand custom orders a year for customers and athletes all over the world.

Cycling glasses

Ski mask

Julbo Mask

Julbo mask and glasses

The Julbo difference

For over a century, Julbo has been designing innovative products that never fail to meet the highest quality and performance standards. That’s because new products designed by the company are still tested on site before being shipped to retailers all over the world. The secret to Julbo’s success lies in its ability to change with the times and maintain its advanced expertise, but also in its respect for tradition.  At its head office, which is still located in Longchaumois after all these years, Julbo runs its own research and development department. What makes all the difference is the designers, engineers, and countless athletes at the top of their respective games who come together to share their expertise with the goal of making the best product out there.

To learn more about Julbo’s history and product lineup, click here.  Contact the team at your Opto-Réseau to find out it Julbo frames are available at your clinic.