Ombraz Just Dropped Their Boldest Frame Yet: Introducing The Refugio

Kevin Wolfe
Jul 14, 2025
3 min read

This interview was conducted by The Fly Box and featured in Casts That Care, our charity-driven fly fishing newsletter.

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Not long ago, I sat down with Ombraz co-founder Jensen Brehm (Read Article Here) to talk about how he and his best friend built a sunglasses company from a barn loft—powered by stubborn creativity, Home Depot labor, and the idea that armless was better.

That conversation stuck with me. Because while most brands build for trends, Ombraz builds to solve problems. And now, just a couple weeks after that interview, they’ve dropped a brand new frame that takes that philosophy to a whole new level.

Introducing The Refugio, Ombraz’s most technical, performance-forward frame yet. It launched Today, Monday, July 14, and yeah, it looks pretty awesome!

Shelter from the Sun, Built for the Grind

Named after the Italian word for “shelter” or “refuge,” the Refugio is built for the long haul: alpine ridgelines, sun-blasted trail days, saltwater skiffs, even desert bikepacking trips. Think full-send durability with Ombraz’s signature no-slip, no-snap, no-fuss build.

Heres how they put it:

“The Refugio is unlike anything we’ve released before—bold, technical, and built to perform.”

And after trying out their classic frames myself, I believe it. They sent me a pair earlier this month—and I’ve been wearing them nonstop. Light, comfortable, indestructible. If this new model builds on that? It’s going to crush.

What’s New (And Why It Matters)

✔️ Integrated Nose Pad Risers – Lift the frame slightly off your brow for better ventilation and less fog, oil, and sweat buildup. It’s a subtle change, but it makes a big difference, especially for active days.

✔️ Optional Side Shields & UV Nose Shield – For when the sun’s brutal and the terrain’s exposed. Clip them on for full-wrap protection, then remove them when you want to go light.

✔️ Wraparound Profile – Retro vibes meet real-world function. The Refugio hugs closer to the face for better glare-blocking and a faster silhouette—perfect for fast-paced adventures or long hours on the water.

✔️ German-Engineered Zeiss Lenses – Available in Grey + Silver Mirror, Grey + Black Mirror, and Brown + Copper Mirror—all non-polarized for faster clarity in high-motion environments.

✔️ TR-90 Aerospace Frames + Recycled Cord – Same materials that made the original Ombraz so bombproof, now adapted for high-performance needs.

Built with the River in Mind

When I spoke to Jensen, he said this about Ombraz:

“They’re simple, no fuss, they solve problems, they’re minimalistic, and they look good. What else could a fly fisher want?!”

That’s what stuck with me then—and it’s what makes the Refugio so relevant now. While this new frame leans into endurance sports and rugged adventure, it’s tailor-made for fly fishing.

Long hours on sun-glared water? No problem.

Sweaty trail hikes into alpine lakes? Handled.

Tight fits under hats and hoods? You won’t even feel them.

We also got the exclusive scoop that a fishing-specific frame is in the works for 2026—but let’s be honest, the Refugio might already be filling that gap.

Launch Info

Release Date: Monday, July 14, 2025
Retail Price: $195
Sizes: Regular & XL
Colors: Charcoal or Tortoise
Lens Options:
- Grey + Silver Mirror
- Grey + Black Mirror
- Brown + Copper Mirror

Included accessories: optional side shields, UV nose shield, floatie. Plus: free shipping, 30-day returns, and a lifetime warranty.

Final Thoughts

The Refugio is everything Ombraz has been building toward: smarter design, stronger function, and zero compromise. This isn’t a product that chases hype—it answers real needs. And that’s exactly what makes it exciting.

If their classic frames were a quiet revolution, the Refugio is the loud one. Bigger, bolder, and ready for whatever’s out there.

You can check out the full drop at Ombraz.com,

And follow them on Instagram and TikTok @ombraz.

Want to support our charity of the month while gearing up? Use our affiliate link and 50% of our proceeds go directly to conservation.

Thanks for reading, thanks for giving back—and big congrats to the Ombraz crew for continuing to do it right.