Review: Vallon Howlin' Sunglasses

The Vallon Howlin' sunglasses ($129) balance a timeless style with modern outdoor performance. With their classic, slightly retro frame, they look equally at home while running a mountain trail, biking through town, or floating the Madison—which is exactly the kind of versatility I am looking for from my outdoor eyewear.

The first thing you notice is that the Howlin' doesn’t feel bulky at all, in fact throughout the day I forgot I was even wearing glasses, yet the fit is secure enough for hiking, scrambling, and all the other stuff I get into throughout the day. The frame is durable, yet avoids the overly technical aesthetic common among performance sunglasses.

Where the Howlin' really stands out is in its optics, which is really the whole point of glasses right? The lenses provide crisp, comfortable vision and effective protection from bright sunlight, making them particularly well suited to long days outdoors. Whether you're bushwhacking through overgrown trails or cruising Main Street, they offer the glare reduction you need without feeling like you're wearing specialized equipment.

The styling is perhaps the biggest draw. Vallon has managed to give the Howlin' a distinctly outdoor character without making it look like a piece of gear. That's an advantage for anyone who wants one pair of sunglasses to cover everything from weekend adventures to everyday wear.

There are more ultralight and aggressively sporty options available, and serious endurance athletes may prefer a wraparound design. But for hikers, travelers, climbers, and everyday adventurers looking for a durable pair with personality, the Howlin' is an appealing choice.

Available at sportrx.com.