Goggle Coverage, Sunglass Freedom: A Review of the POC Devour Glacial

Over the past few years, I have found myself spending more time in the backcountry than the resort, which means I have been trading my usual helmet and goggle set-up for something more lightweight. That means I am now usually in glasses on both the ascent and descent. I have been hunting for the perfect glasses that give me ample protection from all the elements, yet light enough not to feel like bulky goggles on my face.

The POC Devour Glacial Sunglasses are the perfect fit. Designed for high-exposure environments, these glasses offered the coverage of goggles with the lightweight feel of sports-making them ideal for all elements and a wide range of mountain sports.

Visibility and Protection

Springtime in many mountainous regions can often mean a mix of extremes, blizzards one day and 60-degree sunshine the next. This contradiction can often make it hard to have one pair of shades that fits all needs. These sunglasses came with two lenses, one clear for low-light snowy conditions, and one black one for bright category 3 sun. I was able to test both.

One on an extremely sunny day up Mt. Glory on Teton Pass and the other in a blizzard in the Romsdalen Alps in Åndalsnes, Norway. The side eye shields provided optimal cover from both the high UVs and the rough winds/snow, making it optimal for travelling into unknown weather patterns such as the Fjords.

The large lens provided a large field of view, which was key for navigating technical terrain without any visual obstructions. 

Feature/Technical Details

A key component of the glasses is the ease of changing the lenses, allowing game-timedecisions for what sort of protection is needed. On top of this, their adjustable temples and nose-piece allowed me to create a perfect fit, so I never had to worry about losing the glasses on the up or the down. This piece is pretty crucial to me, as fast skiing can often include bumps, and losing glasses could happen at any minute.

I tend to be someone who has lost plenty of gear in the mountains, so knowing something is not going anywhere is super important. I also oftgen wear a variety of headwear-from helmets to beanies to baseball caps- so being able to adjust the temples to each option is amazing. On top of all this, the clarity lens technology makes it much easier to read and adjust to the changing snow surfaces in changing light.

Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Goggle-Level Protection: The massive lens and side shields provide exceptional wind and UV protection (tested in blizzards and bright sun) without the sweat and bulk of actual goggles.

• Unshakeable Fit: Fully adjustable temples and nose pieces mean they stay locked on your face during technical descents or when wearing different headwear (helmets vs. beanies).

Cons:

• Premium Price Point: At $224.99, they are a significant investment compared to standard sport sunglasses.

• Aggressive Styling: The “goggle-hybrid” look is very large and might overwhelm smaller faces or feel excessive for casual, non-sport use.

Overall Impression

I really enjoyed getting to test the POC Devour Glacial Sunglasses in both elements, allowing me to see just how versatile they are and why they are a perfect piece of gear to add to your line-up. As Spring is coming into full force, I am excited to get to use these for glacier travel, and be confident my eyes will remain protected from the full force of snow blinding.

The function of these glasses does not compromise the style, key to looking good, feeling good, and skiing fast! They effortlessly blend the performance of goggle lenses with the feel of high-end sunglasses, making these an easy grab for any day I am looking for that extra protection with long days on the skin track (and hopefully the mountain bike soon).

Related Sunglasses We Have Worn and Tested on Snow

1. Airblaster Glacier Glasses Review
2. Sweet Protection Shinobi Sunglasses Review
3. Vallon Heron Mountain Glacier Glasses Review

The Devour is a top pick in our Action Sport Sunglasses Guide Review.