Vallon Glacier Glasses Review 2026:
Are they worth it?
I am a keen mountaineer, glacier and icefield adventurer and traveller. I also spent two years working as a glacier guide and Ice Explorer driver in the Canadian Rockies (working summer seasons as a guide driving tourists onto a glacier in a 30-tonne bus) and spending most of my working day on a glacier in all elements.
I got LOADS of compliments on my Vallon Glacier glasses from my guests and many of my colleagues and other glacier guides bought these glasses after seeing them or trying them on.
Me wearing my Vallon Heron Glacier glasses while exploring the Athabasca Glacier
What are Vallon Glaicer glasses?
Vallon Galcier glasses; specifically called the Vallon Heron Galcier are
Why you need Vallon Glacier glasses (not regular sunglasses)
If you are a tourist visiting a glacier for a short period of time, you may be fine with regular sunglasses, but if you are someone who spends a long time on glaciers or mountaineering in places where snow and ice are common, then Vallon Glacier glasses are definitely well worth looking into.
They offer excellent protection for your eyes in these bright environments while enabling you to see clearly, looking at obstacles and awesome glacier features. Their anti-fog lenses and additional leather side nose-bridge shields also restrict light, making glacier and high alpine travel more enjoyable while protecting your eyes. Also, it makes for an epic, classic look!
My experience using Vallon Glacier glasses on real glaciers
As a traveller, I have seen my fair share of extreme conditions, from deserts to rainforests and oceans to steppe. Being an avid climber and mountaineer, I have also spent my fair share of time in mountains and snow, be it in the heights of far-flung corners of Tasmania, New Zealand, the Himalayas, or working as a glacier guide in the Canadian Rockies.
Spending three years in the Canadian Rockies has meant that I’ve seen a LOT of snow. I spent two summers working as a glacier guide and Ice Explorer driver on the Athabasca Glacier to fund my travels while using my on-site staff accommodation as a base to explore the surrounding summits, glaciers and icefields.
Spending most of my working day either on or driving to a glacier means that I have had my fair share of time to try out these glasses. I got them after a friend recommended them to me and I have to admit they’ve exceeded my expectations. Two years on and I wear them every day at work and also on my days off on glaciers and icefields and snowy summits. They are definitely coming with me on my future travels to the Arctic and Antarctica!
Me working as a glacier guide and Ice Explorer Driver at the Athabasca Glacier, Columbia Icefields, Canadian Rockies
Key features of Vallon Glacier glasses
As well as offering great lenses for protection, the Vallon Heron glacier glasses have leather side shields for further protection. They are lightweight, comfortable and robust. I’ve dropped them quite a bit and so far, no lens scratches, breaks or any damage whatsoever despite countless hours of use. Their arms have ear hooks, which also means they don’t come off unless I want them to, all the better when my head is on a swivel taking in the views left and right, up and down for the scenery, dangers ahead and foot placement. Their anti-fog has worked flawlessly too and I’ve never had any issues other than when my Buff is pulled up high around my mouth and nose.
For those looking to get their first pair of glacier glasses, you should note that the Vallon Heron glacier glasses aren’t polarised. This isn’t an oversight by Vallon; this is because their sun protection is already amazing (category 4). The main reason, though, is that polarised filters block horizontal light reflections, which makes it difficult to distinguish hard-packed ice from safe snowpacks- far from ideal when you are likely trudging across some of the most dangerous and remote areas on the planet!
Me (centre) wearing my Vallon Heron Glacier glasses and my friends Connor (left) and Lauren (right) on the Columbia Icefields.
Me (left) wearing my Vallon Heron Glacier glasses on the summit of Mount Athabasca, Canadian Rockies (3,491 meters/11,453 feet). My friends (from left-right): Kensea, Pat and Tobias.
Pros and cons of Vallon Glacier Glasses
Pros
- Protection – Vallon Heron Glacier glasses offer excellent protection against harmful light. You can’t put a price on your health and definitely not on your eyesight.
- Comfort – I find that my Vallon Glacier glasses stay on my head easily and that they are comfortable and lightweight enough to be barely noticeable, even when I have been wearing them non-stop for several days straight.
- Safety – Having glasses which show great detail allows you to spot hazards and mitigate risks out on glaciers and in high-alpine environments.
- Enjoyment – Having a good pair of glasses which helps you see glacier features more easily also means that you can soak in all the awesome features which are present on glaciers. Seeing the quirky and awesome features on glaciers is the main reason I am out there most of the time!
- Style – Oh my, the compliments I get on my glasses! As good as I think my glacier touring is, one of the main questions I am asked on my tours is “what are your glasses?” and “where do I get them?“. They are eye-catching, they are stylish and they do look pretty awesome, making for a classic vintage look.
Cons
- Driving – With leather side shields and limited light intake via the lenses, these glasses aren’t suitable for driving. This means you will have to have two pairs of sunglasses in your possession. Not the end of the world but something to consider, although I typically only take this pair when I’m out on a glacier or icefield.
- Lack of peripheral vision – The leather side shields mean that you can;t see to the sides as well as those without. This could make you more vulnerable ot some threats such as animal attacks, etc.; however, if you are using these in high-alpine environments, the chances that there is a big angry bear around every corner are far lower than in lower regions where there is more food.
- Lack of versatility – As the lenses are designed for high light, alpine conditions, they are great at that task. They are not designed for activities like sailing, for example, that being said, Vallon do have a range of lenses in a similar style to cater for your hobbies, including the ‘Heron Mountain’, ‘Heron Ocean’ and ‘Heron Desert’ glasses which all have lenses designed for specific uses (check out my link to their website for more information on these).
Vallon vs Julbo Glacier glasses
The main difference between Vallon and Julbo, in my opinion, is their style. Vallon offer a typically more ‘classic’ style than Julbo, which is typically more contemporary. Although Julbo does also offer a pair called the ‘Vermont Classic ‘, which is a similar style to the Vallon Glacier glasses. They are priced similarly to the Vallon Heron Glacier glasses; however than have Category 3, instead of 4 lenses, allowing more light ot enter. In truth, I haven’t worn the Julbo equivalents; however, the reviews for Vallon (both from my friends who own them, online, and from my own personal experience) are so good that I feel it unnecessary to give them a go. I also haven’t met anyone in the community who wears them yet, so that either tells you that Vallon are superior or that they have better marketing. Either way, I’ve been really impressed by Vallon.
Who should buy Vallon Glacier glasses
If you are looking for some functional and stylish glasses for adventures on ice and snow where you will be out in the elements for some time, then I really feel like Vallon Heron Glacier glasses are perfect for the job. Lightweight, comfortable and robust.
As I mentioned previously, if you like the style but aren’t on a glacier or up a mountain every other weekend, then maybe consider getting the ‘Heron Mountain’, ‘Heron Ocean’ or ‘Heron Desert’ glasses instead.
Are Vallon Glacier glasses worth it? (Honest verdict)
In my opion, 100% yes! I have spent countless hours wearing them to the pint where I feel like they have almost become part of my identify while living and working in the Canadian Rockies as they are functional and eye-catching, so much so that I am often referred to by guests on my glacier tours as being the one with the cool glasses.
As always, however, form follows function and their functional ability to protect my eyes and allow me to see hazards and enjoy my time spent exploring mountains, glaciers and icefields is phenomenal. I also think that for the price, they offer excellent value for money.
Me (right) and my friend Connor (left) on a glacier in the Canadian Rockies
Where to buy Vallon Glacier glasses
Vallon sell online; see my link below to browse. Be sure to check out the varying colours; mine are brown, but my friend just got the new tortoise ones, which look awesome, and I’m a bit jealous of them!
Vallon offer a lifetime warranty, free shipping and free returns* so you’ve not got much to lose.
*Subject to terms and conditions on their website I’m sure
Like I say, if you like the style, but if you are more of a desert or ocean dweller, then they have your back. They also offer glasses for a number of other scenarios such as those designed for fishing, motorbiking, cylcing etc.
Me (right) and my friend Connor on top of a massive Ice Cave in the Canadian Rockies
Are glacier glasses necessary?
If you are visiting a glacier as a tourist for a short period of time then you will likely be fine with a decent pair of non-glacier/alpine-specific sunglasses. For extended periods of time on ice and snow however then I would recommend protecting your eyes at all costs; plus, cool glasses, especially ones with mirrored lenses, makes for an awesome photo!
What category lens for glaciers?
Category 4 – which means the block 92%-97% of light making them perfect for high-alpine snow and ice adventures.
Can I use normal sunglasses on a glacier?
Yes – but if you are going for longer trips I would advise against it. Protecting your eyes is crucial , not only to see dangers to snow blindness and long-term damage to your eyes. Getting glasses (like the Vallon Heron Glacier glasses) which are designed for the purpose are a much better option if you plan to be around ice and snow for extended periods of time or for regular visits.
Why aren’t Vallon Heron Glacier glasses polarised?
As note previously in more detail under the heading ‘key features of Vallon Glacier glasses’, these sunglasses are designed for high-light conditions and harmful light is limited to protect your eyes. Polarised lenses limit horizontal reflections however which make spotting obstacles and dangers like areas of ice and snow pack difficult.
Happy travels!
I hope that you foudn this article useful. Thanks for reading and as always, happy travels!
Andy Argo
I recommend Vallon Glacier glasses because, as I say, I wear them and love them. I get loads of compliments when working on a glacier wearing them too for the style. I receive a small commission for sales via the links here, which really helps me out as I don’t put adverts on my website.
Title image: Me wearing my Vallon Glacier Glasses on the Athabasca Glacier, Canadian Rockies, Canada.