Sunglasses for Retro Ski Vibes: Vallon Ski Aviators Review

Skiing in sunglasses, helmeted or not, is a little spicy. Sure, sunglasses can handle most visual needs while skiing on a nice, temperate day. But the second it gets windy, snowy, or even super bright, sunglasses tend to lose some luster. The cool factor falls fast if you can’t see where you’re going.

But while ski goggles are king, there’s a time and place for sunglasses while skiing. And that time is right around the corner, and that place is après.

I was intrigued when Vallon reached out about sunglasses specifically for skiing a couple of months ago. In the meantime, I’ve used them a lot, including on a backcountry ski mission in some nasty weather. The verdict? Well, I won’t be retiring my goggles any time soon. But these are some nice sunglasses.

In short: Vallon Aviators aim to be do-all ski sunglasses. Realistically, sunglasses are not nearly as good as goggles for serious downhill ski days. But Vallon makes a nice pair of sunglasses for relaxed spring skiing or backcountry touring when sweat is a real issue. Maybe more importantly, it’s a unique brand of quality sunglasses that don’t break the bank and can handle legitimate outdoor use.

Compare the Vallon Ski Aviators reviewed here with the best sunglasses for the outdoors.

Vallon Ski Aviators Review

I’m going to, again, be real. Goggles are the way to go for downhill skiing. Sunglasses just can’t compete.

But what about cross-country skiing? Or maybe even backcountry? In those areas, the line gets a lot more blurry. For cross-country skiing, goggles are downright bad. They don’t ventilate enough, and a user will fog goggles quickly in most situations.

So, I pursued the Vallon Aviators review with this in mind. I took them cross-country skiing several times and on the skin track on one of the coldest days of backcountry skiing I’ve done in years.

They’re great for cross-country skiing. The style is large enough to provide reasonable protection against wind and sun, and it is distinctive enough that it really seems right when worn with ski kits.

I was really impressed when I used them for backcountry skiing. With temps well below zero, the glasses did not fog even when I worked up a bit of a sweat on the skin track. They remained clear and fog-free as I stopped on a windy ridge for a transition to downhill skiing.

I had forgotten my goggles that day and skied through a lovely powdery forest on the descent. I had no problems and maintained good vision the whole way. Would goggles have been better? Probably. But these sunglasses did the job.

An Excellent Soft Case

One of the most underrated but important parts of sunglasses is their case. Without a good case, sunglasses will get damaged quickly. I’d argue that any decent sunglasses should have a legitimate case.

Fortunately, Vallon provides a relatively tough and protective soft leather case for its Aviators. It’s not as protective as a hard-sided case, but much more so than a microfiber sheath.

I used the case several times to carry the Vallon Aviators in my pocket while skiing. So far, I haven’t had any damage to the glasses.

Sunglasses for Skiing? Probably Stick to Après

I’ve worn Vallon’s Aviators for a few dozen days in the last couple of months. I like them. The lenses are clear and seem durable.

The style is distinctive. My wife joked about them a little when I wore them around town. But she changed her tune as soon as I had them on at a ski resort while sitting on a sunny deck.

The Vallon Aviators are available in both polarized and non-polarized options. I tested the non-polarized version, as that’s what the brand recommends if you plan to ski in them. Polarization reduces glare, which is a plus on water, but snow makes it harder to tell the difference between snow or ice surfaces.

They have really good lenses for sunglasses that retail for $130. I’ve used better sunglasses, for sure, but at a much higher price.

One downside to sunglasses, and these in particular, is the lack of protection from the side. Some sunglasses, and even some from Vallon, do have side shields to protect from objects or bright light. These do not have that option.

So, for those wanting to check out a unique pair of sunglasses from a brand dedicated to the skiing and mountain lifestyles, check them out. I’d personally keep my goggles in my kit. But these sunglasses are perfect for your pocket or the drive home on a sunny afternoon.