Why is the Refugio only available in Non-Polarized?Updated 16 hours ago

Wondering why the Refugio isn’t polarized?

Polarized lenses work by filtering horizontal light waves to reduce glare. But in full-shield designs, the lens is curved extensively across a wide field of view, especially at the edges. This can cause:

When the entire full shield is polarized, this can cause visual distortion and warping near the periphery, color inconsistencies or polarization “rainbows” when viewed at angles, and a “funhouse mirror” effect for some users, especially in motion.

Additionally, for high-output pursuits (cycling, trail running, skiing), (aka who these frames are made for) polarization can interfere with depth perception - especially when reading terrain, or wet/dry surface contrast. Endurance athletes often prefer non-polarized lenses for better clarity and responsiveness.

Thanks for coming to our Refugio Non-Polarized Lenses Ted Talk. Hope this was helpful!