Whether you're hitting the shooting range or participating in a competitive event, the importance of appropriate eyewear cannot be ignored. It protects your eyes against debris, spent shell castings, and other potential hazards on the range. However, picking the right shooting glasses is not only about safety; it can enhance your shooting experience by providing clear vision and comfort. But with so many options available, how do you choose the best ones for your needs?
In this guide, we'll break down the essential features to look for, including lens material, tints, fit, UV protection, and the overall style of the frame, so you can get the right pair to help you in your next match.
Why Do You Need Shooting Glasses?
According to recent studies, nearly 30,000 sports-related eye injuries are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year. Over 10% of these injuries result in permanent vision loss or blindness. However, the good news is that 90% of serious eye injuries could be prevented by wearing appropriate protective eyewear. These statistics highlight the importance of wearing proper protective eyewear in sports involving firearms.
Hence, eyewear like safety glasses or airsoft goggles helps protect your eyes, reduce the risk of injury during shooting activities. Well-fitted shooting glasses are designed to withstand the high-velocity impact of debris, ejected casings, and other unwanted particles that can cause damage to unprotected eyes. When you wear proper shooting glasses with impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses, the risk of an eye injury is significantly reduced.
What Features Should You Consider When Buying Shooting Glasses?
Frame Characteristics
Design and Style
Shooting glasses come in various designs. Choose a style that fits your face comfortably without obstructing your peripheral vision. Look for a lightweight yet durable pair - ideally made of advanced polymers like nylon or polycarbonate that resist breakage but absorb shock. While both are excellent options, polycarbonate offers superior protection against high-velocity debris, and the nylon frame is suitable for long sessions.
Opt for shooting glasses with the wraparound frame design. They provide better protection and coverage by eliminating gaps between the glasses and the face compared to standard frames. The curved lens shape and close contour design are suitable for side shielding. However, the snug fit can lead to discomfort when worn for an extended period.
Fit and Comfort
The fit and comfort of shooting glasses are crucial during long shooting sessions. Ill-fitted glasses can cause discomfort. Therefore, look for glasses with a snug fit that prevents them from slipping off during rapid movements.
However, every face is different, and what suits one person may not suit the next. Assess your facial attributes to choose the right frame. Round frames typically fit well on people with round faces, while a full-wrap design is more suitable for oblong faces. People with square-shaped faces find comfort in boxy shooting glasses.
However, ensure that the glasses you choose have temple tips to secure them on your nose. Moreover, some manufacturers also offer adjustable nose pads, allowing you to customize the fit of the glasses to your face.
Impact Resistance Rating
To be safe for shooting, your glasses must comply with safety standards set by different organizations. Look for the following ratings that are usually printed on the frame:
EN166-F - a European safety certification ensuring shooting glasses provide reliable protection against impact. To meet this standard, the lens must be at least 2mm thick, much thicker than the lenses used in standard sunglasses.
ANSI Z87.1 Certification (3) - set by the American National Standards Institute that ensures protection against debris, blunt impact, and optical clarity. Glasses with this rating are ideal for recreational and competitive shooting.
Lens Specifications
Material Properties
Lenses made of polycarbonate, nylon, and Trivex are preferred as they are very durable and shatter-resistant.
Polycarbonate lenses are the most popular choice today. They offer high-impact resistance, lightweight nature, and 99% UV protection, making them perfect for high-velocity shooting environments. They are tough and durable, providing reliable protection against flying debris.
Trivex is clearer and lighter than polycarbonate, offering similar impact resistance. However, it has superior optical clarity, reducing edge distortion for a sharper field of view. This makes it a great option for shooters who prioritize precision.
Polyamide or nylon is less commonly used, as it has weaker impact resistance than polycarbonate or Trivex but offers better optical definition due to its higher 'Abbe Value'.
Abbe is a measure of the optical clarity of a lens' material. The higher the Abbe Value, the better the optical clarity of your lens.
- Polycarbonate: Abbe number ~30
- Trivex: Abbe number ~43
- Nylon: Abbe number ~58
Nylon lenses have the highest Abbe number of the three, which means they provide the clearest vision with color distortion, making them ideal for situations where optical quality is paramount. However, nylon lenses are also up to 3x more expensive than polycarbonate glasses.
Lens Technology (Anti-fog, Polarization, etc.)
Modern shooting glasses feature advanced lens technologies designed to enhance vision, comfort, and safety during shooting. Firstly, choose the industry-leading, shatter-resistant material for enhanced optical quality and clarity. Then, select the lens technology according to your needs and preferences, as the lens type you choose can significantly impact your riding experience.
Polarized lenses are ideal for reducing glare from reflective surfaces like water or metal, enhancing clarity and contrast, and reducing eye strain in bright environments. Photochromic lenses adjust automatically to changing light conditions, darkening in sunlight, and clearing indoors, making them convenient for shooters transitioning between different environments.
Different manufacturers tend to treat the lens of glasses with various coatings to enhance your shooting experience further. Anti-fog coating prevents the fog buildup on the lens. It is essential when moving in humid or cold conditions to ensure clear vision throughout your session. Additionally, scratch-resistant coatings protect the lenses from abrasions, ensuring clarity and durability over time.
For outdoor shooting, UV protection is crucial to safeguard your eyes from harmful ultraviolet rays, preventing long-term damage. According to a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, prolonged exposure to UV radiation can lead to severe eye conditions (4). Therefore, opt for shooting eyeglasses that guarantee UV protection.
Color and Tint Options
You might be wondering what the best colour is for shooting glasses. Every lens color has a purpose depending upon the lighting conditions in which you will be shooting.
Clear lenses are the standard default, allowing natural, undistorted vision. They work well for most shooting conditions and are perfect for indoor environments where additional tint isn't necessary. Clear lenses provide the highest percentage of visible light transmitted (VLT) at 86% to 96%.
Yellow or orange lenses are a popular choice for competitor shooting eyewear. They enhance contrast and depth perception, which is beneficial in low-light environments, like early morning or late evening shooting. They block blue light, and the target stands out against darker backgrounds.
Gray and smoke lenses reduce overall light transmission without distorting colors, much like sunglasses. By diffusing harsh lights in outdoor shooting activities, these lenses offer a natural view of the environment.
Rose color lenses are the best option for clay shooting. They enhance contrast, highlighting the orange and black targets, making it easier to differentiate between the target and the background.
Purple color is the preferred tint for shooting in green backgrounds that feature hills or woods. These lenses diminish the green, highlighting the orange target.
Brown-colored lenses enhance the field of view in very bright conditions. They block out excessive UV lights and keep the eyes relaxed. Hence, they are unable to react quickly to moving objects.
Budget Considerations for Shooting Glasses
When choosing shooting glasses, it's essential to balance quality with budget. High-quality materials like polycarbonate or Trivex offer better impact resistance and optical clarity but may come at a higher price. Moreover, premium lenses with anti-fog, anti-scratch coatings, and polarization can drive up the cost. Basic lenses may lack these extras, but they still provide basic protection. While plastic frames are generally more affordable, metal or composite frames offer superior durability but may cost more.
Established brands may cost more, but they often guarantee superior quality, better customer service, and reliable warranties. While the cost of investing in good-quality shooting glasses seems higher, it is a long-term investment and worth the money, especially for serious shooters.
How to Choose the Right Shooting Glasses By Shooting Disciplines
Clay Target Shooting
For clay target shooting, speed and focus are crucial. Moreover, choosing lenses that enhance contrast and depth perception is equally important. You can consider yellow or orange lenses as they improve visibility in low-light or overcast conditions and help differentiate targets from the sky or background. For clay target shooting, anti-fog coatings are a must, as rapid temperature changes can cause fogging.
Hunting
Depending upon the hunting environment, a brown color lens is suitable for bright conditions, highlighting the orange target. The Purple color lens is suitable for shooting in a green background. Moreover, you can also choose polarized lenses that help reduce glare from water or bright sunlight, improving clarity and focus on your target.
Competitive shooting
For competitive shooting, shooters opt for lenses that improve contrast and reduce glare. Yellow, amber, or rose lenses work well in bright and low-light environments. Other features that you must consider are impact-resistant lenses and adjustable frames if you'll be shooting for extended periods.
Tactical or Military Shooting
Tactical shooters and law enforcement personnel require glasses that are ideal for indoor or low-light conditions, providing maximum visibility without altering colors. Moreover, glasses that provide ballistic protection, with an ANSI Z87.1 rating, are recommended.
What are Prescription Shooting Glasses?
Prescription shooting glasses are specially designed eyewear that combines vision correction with the protective features needed for shooting activities. Shooting lenses should be 100% prescription-ready, allowing you to customize your glasses to your unique vision needs. This is particularly important for those who require corrective lenses, as it allows you to maintain optimal visual acuity while still benefiting from the eye protection that shooting glasses provide.
If you need prescription shooting glasses, you have the following options:
RX Inserts are a versatile and practical option for prescription shooting glasses. These clip-in frames sit behind the main lens and can be filled with your prescription. They offer flexibility by allowing you to swap between lens colors so you can benefit from different tints for various lighting conditions. One downside to RX inserts is that they sit close to your eyes, which can sometimes feel restrictive. Additionally, many models are not designed to allow you to look through the top of the lens, which is important when mounting a shotgun.
Another option is fully glazed prescription lenses, which consist of lenses made specifically for your prescription and fitted directly into the frame. However, limited color and tins options are available in these lenses.
Maintenance Tips for Shooting Glasses
- Cleaning shooting glasses is quite similar to cleaning sunglasses. To clean the glasses, use mild soap and lukewarm water. Dry them using a microfiber cloth or lens cleaning wipes to gently wipe away dirt, dust, or moisture.
- If you wear shooting glasses in humid or rainy conditions, ensure they stay dry to avoid water stains or fogging. Always wipe off moisture before storing them.
- When not in use, always store your shooting glasses in a protective case.
- Extreme heat or cold can warp the frames and damage the lenses. Store your glasses in a cool, dry place to maintain their shape and functionality.
- Don't use abrasive cleaners, household chemicals, or alcohol-based products to clean your lenses, as they can damage the coatings (e.g., anti-fog or UV protection) on the lenses.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Buying Shooting Glasses
Ignoring Impact Resistance
One of the most important features of shooting glasses is impact resistance. While buying shooting glasses, don't make the mistake of opting for non-impact-resistant lenses, as they won't provide adequate protection during high-velocity shooting. Always ensure your glasses meet safety standards like ANSI Z87.1.
Choosing Style Over Function
While style is important, it should never compromise functionality. Prioritize features like lens clarity, UV protection, and a comfortable fit over simply choosing glasses that look good.
Opting for Poor-Quality Lenses
Cheap lenses are budget-friendly, but they can distort your vision, causing discomfort. Premium lenses may cost more, but they offer premium features like proper coatings that are very important for clear vision during shooting.
Forgetting Lens Coatings
Lenses without the proper coatings can result in glare, fogging, and scratches. Don't overlook essential coatings like anti-fog, UV protection, and scratch resistance. These features improve performance and longevity.
Conclusion
Choosing the right shooting glasses is essential for safety and comfort during your shooting sessions. At Raytice, we understand that high-quality glasses can enhance your visibility and vision, especially in challenging conditions.
Therefore, our lightweight glasses come with high-impact, anti-fog polycarbonate lenses to protect your eyes from UVA/UVB. Complaint with ANSI Z87.1, our glasses come in various tints and interchangeable lenses.
With our highly flexible nylon frame and compact polycarbonate lens construction, Raytice clear range glasses are durable enough to provide superior eye protection for outdoor shooting sports.
Explore our shooting glasses collection today and enhance your shooting experience.
FAQs
What Is The ANSI Rating for Shooting Glasses?
The ANSI rating for shooting glasses is typically ANSI Z87.1, which sets the standard for impact resistance and overall safety.
What Color Shooting Glasses for a Sunny Day?
For a sunny day, smoke or gray lenses are ideal as they reduce overall brightness while preserving natural color perception. These tints help minimize glare and improve contrast in bright sunlight, making them perfect for outdoor shooting in sunny conditions.
Should Shooting Glasses Be Tinted?
Yes, shooting glasses should be tinted to enhance visibility and reduce glare in various lighting conditions. Tinted lenses improve contrast, depth, and perception and protect your eyes from harmful UV rays while shooting outdoors.