Eye protection

[Stefan A]

I need to get a new pair of glasses for eye protection when shooting. I don't need prescription or magnification. I know I could go to the hardware store and get some $5-$10 safety glasses. Is there any real advantage with something more expensive? I have never really thought about glasses quality but I am willing to learn. I generally use clear lenses and don't know the advantage of other colors. The only vision issue I ever have is shooting into the sun certain times of the day. So, can anyone give me a primer on shooting glasses?

Stefan

 

[LiveLife]

I generally use clear lenses

When out in sun for extended period of time, seriously consider wearing UV rated sunglasses to protect your eyes (You will thank me later in your later years) - https://www.aoa.org/healthy-eyes/caring-for-your-eyes/uv-protection?sso=y

And I found yellow/amber colored lens with higher contrast is better suited for shooting as I can identify smaller things faster/easier.

I have never really thought about glasses quality but I am willing to learn.

Like selecting guns, you may just need to try them out and do comparison test to see which will provide you with more clear/sharper contrast.

I keep UV rated sunglasses and yellow shooting glasses in my range bag. At the store, I test them for optical clarity as to which allows me to see more clear and smaller things. It's best if you can test them outdoors.

And just because it's cloudy doesn't mean you don't need UV protection as UV can still penetrate clouds. When it's cloudy, I use yellow shooting glasses which not only protect my eyes but also helps with higher contrast and I can see better.

 

[doubleh]

I use tinted UV rated safety glasses except on really cloudy days, then is clear ones. In fact I wear shades anytime I am outside as I can't take the bright sunlight without them but use Ray-Ban aviator's when not shooting.

 

[edwardware]

I know I could go to the hardware store and get some $5-$10 safety glasses.

Instead, buy a box of 12 glasses, online for $30 or so. The basic 3M are good quality, the temples are flat so they run under muffs without a problem.

 

[PWC]

I also use yellow, it makes everything "pop". I've tried a plum colored only because they were given to me, but always come back to yellow on clouds or sun.

Sometimes, when shooting trap I can see the shot swarm.

 

[.38 Special]

I had a pair of Zeiss shooting glasses and loved them. Eventually they got beat up, and then they disappeared. I've been buying the 12 packs of junk since then, and always tell myself I'm going to splurge on another pair of fancy ones, but never do. The lesson probably is that while I like having high quality shooting glasses, I can't quite justify the cost.

 

[FL-NC]

You only have 1 set of eyes and they can be permanently damaged very easily. The cheap protective glasses from the local hardware store are just fine for things like protecting your eyes from sawdust using your skill saw, or from foreign objects slung at you when operating your weed eater, but projectiles tossed about when shooting all tend to be sharp, oftentimes hot, and thrown with much more velocity that those other things I mentioned. I shoot a lot of steel targets, so good eye pro is an absolute must for me and anyone training near me. Oakleys are what I was issued- they are very nice but pricey. Big army issues a similar brand called Revision. They are just as good for protection and to me more comfortable than Oakleys, esp. when wearing things like muff type hearing protection. You can get the Revision sawfly military kit from Amazon for about $60, which includes clear and dark lenses, carrying case, and some other odds and ends. Definitely recommend for the price.