Can shooting glasses really make a shooter more accurate, a target more visible or a bullet grouping tighter? Not alone, no, but they can deflect glare, thus enhancing visibility, provide safety, filter sunrays and eliminate shadows. The stylish ones look good, too, increasing self-confidence and image at the range!
Just like its namesake—the American F-16 Fighting Falcon jet, known for having a cockpit with an exceptional field of view—Randolph Engineering’s “Falcon” lens/shield design allows shooters an exceptional view of their targets with remarkable optical clarity. Lightweight, durable and stylish, the Falcon is sold as a kit with a frame and three lenses, and comes in small (64mm) and medium/large (72mm) sizes. Frame color options include matte black or brushed pewter, and available lens tints are medium yellow (shown), dark purple and “HD,” the latter being interchangeable shield lenses with built-in nosepieces. The Falcon comes with a lifetime warranty on all solder joints assuming normal use. ($349; randolphusa.com)
A two-lens interchangeable shooting glasses system, the Wiley X “Saint” model comes with smoke-grey (shown) and clear lenses, as well as a matte-black frame. The glasses meet stringent ANSI Z87 High Mass and High Velocity impact safety standards. The High Mass standard means the frames and lenses must withstand the weight of a 1.1-pound pointed projectile dropped from a height of 50 inches, and the High Velocity Impact standard dictates that the frames and lenses must withstand the impact of 20 shots at different angles with a .2-inch-diameter steel ball fired at 150-160 fps. Other optical requirements include 100 percent UV protection, refractive power standards and prismatic evaluations. It meets the Mil-Spec standard for combat protective eyewear. Sizes are small and medium. ($85; wileyx.com)
Available in a variety of lens tints and frame colors, the latter including Realtree AP and MAX 4 (shown) patterns, the Smith Optics Hideout Tactical shooting glasses meet the ANSI Z87.1 standard for optics and the MIL-PRF-31013 standard for impact. Of medium fit, they provide large coverage of the eye area, and include Megol nose and temple pads, lightweight, impact-resistant frames and tapered lenses that reportedly correct distortion. The lenses provide 100 percent protection against harmful UVA, UVB and UVC rays. ($95; elite.smithoptics.com)
Decot offers its “Revel” Hy-Wyd Sport Glasses in two sizes—64 (small) and 68 (large), and two frame finishes—silver or black non-reflective. The wrap design of the spring-metal frame form-fits to the face for high fit and safety when shooting, and the narrow lens design allows for proper ventilation, reducing fogging. Lenses, including prescription glasses, are interchangeable for Decot frames and come in 40-plus shades and colors. (Frame with single-vision, non-prescription Rx lenses: $220; and extra lenses are $115 per pair; sportglasses.com)
To counteract light and UV ray fluctuations in any shooting environment, the Radians “Eclipse” “photochromic” eyewear is engineered to darken in bright sunlight and lighten in dimmer conditions. The shooting glasses are tested to exceed the ANSI Z87.1 High Impact standard, and showcase scratch- and impact-resistant, hard-coat polycarbonate lenses that filter out harmful UV rays. The Eclipse glasses also include aluminum alloy temples, a sleek frameless design, an adjustable nosepiece, three lens color choices of copper, amber and green, a black protective carry case with belt clip, micro-fiber cleaning cloth and neck cords. ($89.99; radians.com)
Not only is Under Armour TAC Igniter Eyewear ballistic rated to pass the ANSI Z87.1 High Impact standard, but it also features cushioned hinge impact zones to absorb shock and ensure a custom fit. A lightweight frame is matched with a choice of satin-black or gray polycarbonate ArmourSight lenses that offer 20 percent enhanced vision edge-to-edge, and are up to 10 times stronger than typical polycarbonate lenses, protecting against scratches and smudges. Igniter Eyewear comes with its own hard protective case. ($89.99; underarmour.com)
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