Shooting glasses are a crucial component of any shooter’s gear. They provide protection for your eyes from flying debris, gunpowder residue, and other hazards that could potentially cause injury. Additionally, shooting glasses can enhance your visual clarity, making it easier to track moving targets and improve your accuracy. Look, you only get two eyeballs in your lifetime so protecting your eyes and your vision should be one of your top priorities. This is especially true if you like hitting the range, because without your eyes you won’t be doing too much shooting. As such, it is important to wear proper eyesight at the range to ensure that should anything go wrong, debris isn’t shooting into your eyeball.
With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to know which shooting glasses are the best for your needs. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the top 5 best shooting glasses available. Whether you’re an experienced shooter or just getting started, this guide will help you find the perfect pair of shooting glasses to protect your eyes and enhance your shooting performance. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- Criteria for selecting shooting glasses
- Wiley X Saber
- Oakley Det Cord
- Magpul Radius
- Oakley Radar
- ESS Eyewear Ice
- Closing thoughts
Criteria for selecting shooting glasses
When it comes to shooting, it’s important to ensure that you have the right gear to protect yourself from any potential hazards. Shooting glasses are one of the most important pieces of equipment you can have, as they provide protection for your eyes and help to enhance your vision. Here are some factors to consider when choosing shooting glasses:
- Lens Quality: The quality of the lens is crucial when it comes to shooting glasses. Look for glasses with lenses that are made of high-quality materials and that are scratch-resistant, anti-fog, and offer UV protection.
- Frame Durability: The frame of your shooting glasses should be sturdy and durable, as they will likely be exposed to rough handling and potential impact. Look for frames that are made of materials such as polycarbonate or nylon.
- Comfort: Shooting glasses should be comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Look for glasses that have adjustable nose pads and temple arms, as well as a lightweight frame.
- Fit: Proper fit is important to ensure that your shooting glasses provide adequate protection. Look for glasses that fit snugly and cover your eyes completely without obstructing your vision.
- Lens Color: The color of the lens can affect your vision in different lighting conditions. Clear lenses are best for low light conditions, while yellow or orange lenses are better for enhancing contrast in medium light conditions. Red or brown lenses are best for bright light conditions.
In addition to these factors, it’s also important to consider the protective features of your shooting glasses. Look for glasses that are rated for impact resistance, and that meet or exceed ANSI Z87.1 standards. Additionally, glasses that have a wraparound design provide additional protection from peripheral light and flying debris. By considering these factors when choosing shooting glasses, you can ensure that you have the best protection and vision possible when shooting.
Wiley X Saber
Wiley X seems to have knocked it out of the park with the Saber lineup. They are bigger than some of the other pairs of glasses on this list, but they seem to offer the perfect level of protection. Interestingly enough, Wiley X designed them with the military in mind but then went ahead and exceeded the MIL-RF-31003 standards for impact resistance, UV protection and optical clarity.
Oakley Det Cord
Oakley has been making a big push to make gear for military use and in the process have also targeted the shooting glasses segment. The Oakley Det Cord glasses meet the military ballistic standards and exceed high velocity and high mass impact standards. The Det Cord feel strong in your hands and the anti-fog coating gives you more protection.
Magpul Radius
Magpul Radius are ballistic glasses that offer both polarized and non-polarized options. They are a bit of a thicker style, similar to the Oakley Det Cord but fit the face slightly differently. Of note, the Radius weight less than most of the other pairs on this list but still feel very durable. They meet all the military standards for protection as well.
Oakley Radar
Oakley makes it onto this list a second time with the Radar lineup. This is actually a model Oakley has produced for years and it’s done really well. I like the protection coverage the lens provide around my eyes and eye socket. They are easily adjustable with the different sized nose pieces and the comfort of the fit is just perfect for me.
ESS Eyewear Ice
If you are looking for more a simple, no-frills design than the ESS Eyewear Ice lineup is for you. They are ballistic glasses that were made for military issue and at one point were being issued to members of the military regularly (possibly still are). They actually exceed the military standards for ballistic impact protection and offer a great range of vision due to the frameless design. As a bonus, they are one of the cheapest options on this list!
Closing thoughts
In conclusion, choosing the right shooting glasses is an important decision that can have a significant impact on your shooting experience. When selecting the best shooting glasses for your needs, consider factors such as lens quality, frame durability, comfort, fit, and lens color. Additionally, look for glasses that offer protective features such as impact resistance and meet or exceed ANSI Z87.1 standards.
Ultimately, the best shooting glasses for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Whether you are a professional shooter or a beginner, investing in high-quality shooting glasses is crucial to ensure your safety and success on the shooting range. By following our criteria for selecting shooting glasses and taking the time to research and compare different products, you can find the perfect pair of shooting glasses that meet your needs and help you perform at your best.
