When you are looking for the best safety shooting glasses, hunting shooting glasses, or tactical shooting glasses you want to ensure that these three environments are taken into consideration.
You will be looking for safety features first and foremost on range shooting glasses.
With hunting shooting glasses, you also want to look at range-specific features but it is more important that they are lightweight and comfortable for your comfort.
Tactical shooting glasses should focus on range-specific features as well as durability, fogging control, and light transmission control.
1) What to Look For When Purchasing Shooting Glasses
The range safety requirements of the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) state that eye protection must be worn by shooters on a range during live-fire exercises if there is a risk of exposure to flying lead particles.
And range shooting glasses are tested to ensure they protect you against thermal, impact, and chemical exposure.
There are also safety requirements for hunters when hunting game animals or large varmints.
2) The Benefits of Wearing Shooting Glasses
There are many benefits to wearing range safety glasses while at the range, which include seeing better with range-dimming, glare reduction, polarized lenses that reduce haze, and increase contrast in low light conditions which helps see your target clearer.
Also, range shooting glasses often block side glints or reflections from range equipment that can be distracting when shooting so you can focus on your target clearly with range shooting glasses.
And range shooting glasses offer protection in case of a ricochet occurring even if it is from a non-range gun.
Let’s not forget the protection that the best safety shooting glasses can give you when you are cleaning your guns.
You can protect your eyes from toxic chemicals, and any dust or debris that comes out of your gun when you are cleaning it.
For tips on How to Clean Your Shotgun or How to Clean Your Pistol, check those pages out before you get started.
3) How to Properly Fit Shooting Glasses
The most common mistake with range safety glasses is the ability to fit the range shooting glasses properly so they work as intended and don’t slip down your face or off your head. So you must have range shooting glasses that have an adjustable strap or clamp so you can adjust them accordingly for a better fit.
Also, look at shooting glasses whose lenses are replaceable because if something occurs to the lens it will be easier and cheaper to replace them than buying new safety glasses with no cost savings in mind.
4) Reviews of Some Popular Shooting Glasses Brands
Wiley X WX Omega Captivate Polarized Sunglasses, Safety Glasses for Men and Women
Wiley Omega Captivate Polarized Sunglasses are a great choice for anyone looking for sunglasses that provide superior optical clarity and protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays.
The X-frame and lenses meet ANSI Z87.1 safety standards, meaning they can withstand high mass and velocity impacts without breaking.
Wiley X is constantly innovating to deliver unparalleled protection, clarity, and style to every pair of sunglasses we build – so you can rest assured that your eyes are well-protected while you look good.
Our lenses provide 100% UVA/UVB protection with distortion free clarity, ensuring crisp, clear vision no matter where your day takes you. Almost every Wiley X frame can be filled with a custom prescription lens, so you can get the perfect vision for your glasses.
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Oakley Men’s OO9213 Ballistic M Frame 2.0 Shield Sunglasses
Oakley Men’s OO9213 Ballistic M Frame 2.0 Shield Sunglasses are perfect for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts who need eye wear that can stand up to the toughest conditions.
The lenses feature Oakley’s HDO Optics with Polaric Ellipsoid Technology and a permanent anti-fog coating on the back surface, ensuring clear vision no matter how humid or wet the environment may be.
In addition, the lenses provide UV protection from all harmful UVA / UVB & blue light up to 400 nm wavelength.
The sunglasses also meet or exceed high mass and high velocity impact requirements as well as ballistic fragmentation impact standards set by ANSI Z87.1-2003/2010 and MIL PRF-31013, Clause 3.5.1.1.
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STNGR Alpine Unbreakable Tactical Ballistic Outdoor & Shooting Sunglasses Polarized For Men
STNGR Alpine sunglasses are the perfect choice for anyone looking for a high-quality, durable pair of sunglasses that can handle anything. The shatterproof lenses provide 100% UVA / UVB protection and feature polarized RAZR lens technology to give you a clear view of the world around you. With an anti-reflective coating, adjustable nose pad, and rubber temples, these sunglasses are designed to fit comfortably and stay in place no matter what.
Our hinges are engineered with an extra 20° of inward rotation, which fixes the most common problem with sunglasses today – breaking at the hinge.
Our Ballistic ANSI Z87+ Certified and Stamped scratch resistant lenses provide high-impact, military grade protection to keep you seeing your best in any condition outdoors.
The anti-glare wraparound glasses design provides safety from headaches caused by periphery light, making it the perfect gift for any outdoorsman.
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Leupold Tracer Performance Eyewear with Matte Black Frames and Shadow Gray Polarized Lenses
Looking for eye wear that can keep up with your outdoor lifestyle? Look no further than the Leupold Tracer Performance Eyewear.
These glasses are Rx-ready and compatible with prescription lens requirements, so you can always have clear vision while out in the sun.
The lenses are treated with Guard-ion Hydrophobic
Coating to shed dirt and water, keeping your image crisp and clear even in challenging conditions. In addition, the Diamondcoat Scratch Resistance reduces surface scratches, providing added durability for long-term use.
And if that’s not enough, the 100% Waterproof, fogproof, shockproof construction means these glasses can withstand anything you throw at them.
So why wait? Order your Leupold Tracer Performance Eyewear today!
5) How to Care for Your Shooting Glasses
Range safety glasses should be treated with care so they last a long time because thicker lenses will not shatter but instead buckle when struck with a projectile or heavy object making them safer than thinner lenses.
After all, if you accidentally bump them against something the impact should only be felt on one side of the frame rather than both sides of the frame which can cause injury to your eyes.
And always check your range safety glasses before using them at the range, hunting, and at the tactical range and replace them if any part is broken or damaged.
And don’t forget to clean your glasses using a soft microfiber glasses cleaning cloth with mild soap and water after each day of use to remove oil from your glasses because this will not only make them last longer but also make it easier for you to see when wearing them on your face.
We’ve added an article that goes into detail on How to Clean Shooting Glasses, check it out!
6) What To Look For When Purchasing Shooting Glasses
Safety should be your #1 priority when purchasing safety glasses so they provide maximum protection to eyes against heavy objects that can strike them in case of accidental bumping and especially look into anti-fog lenses, interchangeable safety glasses lenses, safety glasses frame design, and safety glasses lens thickness.
But at the same time remember to buy safety glasses that are comfortable to wear so you won’t mind wearing them on your face during long-range shooting practice sessions at the range or hunting trips.
The benefits of wearing shooting glasses include protection against debris like dirt, sand, and small rocks kicked up by the wind during outdoor range shooting practices that can damage eyes while allowing for clear vision when wearing them on the face because they come in different range safety glasses styles including range, indoor range and tactical range shooting glasses styles.
Speaking from experience as an eyeglass wearer, there have been numerous times when my face has been hit by small branches while walking through the woods. If I had a choice between contacts and glasses while hunting it would be glasses every time.
However, nowadays my prescription glasses are pretty damn expensive. If I wore contacts and then used safety glasses to protect my eyes that would be even smarter.
It’s a lot cheaper to replace safety glasses than it is to replace my prescription glasses.
I hope this article has been of some help in determining what set of glasses you’ll get for your shooting needs.
Cheers!
Les Waller
FAQ
What kind of safety glasses are for shooting?
Safety glasses specifically designed for shooting are called shooting glasses. They provide additional protection against impact, debris, and UV radiation.
Is Z87.1 good for shooting?
Yes, Z87.1 is a high standard for safety glasses. It ensures that the glasses meet specific impact resistance and optical clarity requirements, making them suitable for shooting.
Will safety glasses work as shooting glasses?
Yes, safety glasses can work as shooting glasses if they meet the necessary impact resistance standards and provide adequate coverage for the eyes.
What safety glasses does the US military use?
The US military commonly uses safety glasses that meet the MIL-PRF-31013 standard, which ensures ballistic resistance and provides protection against high-velocity projectiles.
What is the difference between ballistic and safety glasses?
Ballistic glasses are specifically designed to resist high-velocity impacts and meet stringent military standards.
Safety glasses, on the other hand, encompass a broader range of eye protection products for various industrial and recreational applications.
Which safety glasses are most impact resistant?
Safety glasses made with polycarbonate lenses are known for their exceptional impact resistance.
They provide reliable protection against high-velocity projectiles and other potential hazards.
Can safety glasses stop a bullet?
No, standard safety glasses cannot stop bullets. They are designed to protect against certain impacts and hazards, but not firearms.
For bulletproof protection, specialized ballistic eyewear is required.
What are yellow shooting glasses for?
Yellow shooting glasses enhance contrast and improve visibility in low-light conditions. They can help shooters see targets more clearly, especially in overcast or hazy environments.
What does OSHA say about safety glasses?
OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) mandates that employers provide appropriate eye protection, such as safety glasses, to employees working in environments with potential eye hazards.
How thick should tempered glass be to stop a bullet?
Tempered glass alone is not suitable for stopping bullets.
Bullet-resistant glass typically uses multiple layers of laminated glass and polycarbonate to provide the required ballistic protection.
What is the difference between Z87 and Z87+?
Z87+ is an enhanced version of the Z87 standard.
It includes additional testing requirements for high-velocity impact, high mass impact, and lens durability, providing increased protection compared to the basic Z87 standard.
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