Why are ballistic glasses needed and what are they?

Shooting a firearm requires careful preparation in detail. Do not forget that even the most highly skilled shooter is not immune to ricochets, flying cartridges, debris, gunpowder smoke and other surprises. Although many shooters discourage the use of helmets and headphones, ballistic glasses are a must. They are not a fashionable attribute, but testify to the professionalism of an athlete who values his health. Shooting glasses are used in airsoft and hardball; without them, not a single serious team will send its participants to competitions.

Some people believe that tactical and ballistic glasses are different types. In fact, the concept of “tactical” is very vague. These models include safety, military, construction, airsoft and other glasses. When speaking “tactical”, they usually mean ballistic models intended for shooting.

Eye protection as a mandatory part of equipment

A contract employee can afford to purchase good anti-fragmentation glasses or Kevlar gloves, but this is more difficult for a conscript.

Since we're talking about glasses, let's look at this type of protective equipment: tactical and ballistic (anti-fragmentation) glasses.

The eyes are the most vulnerable part of our body and it is not difficult to lose vision during active hostilities. A splinter or piece of stone knocked out by a bullet can get into the eye at any time during a training exercise or battle. Often glasses are the only way to save vision.

Tactical glasses are worn immediately before combat. They are more like a mask, often with rubber bands instead of arms, and their lenses are colorless (some models use yellow lenses).

The main difference between ballistic glasses and tactical ones is the shape of the lenses and ease of wear.

Remember the movies about bodyguards. Guys with stern faces in stylish dark glasses. These are ballistic glasses. Their design is most often similar to the usual sunglasses. Tinted glasses, familiar design and comfort allow you to wear these glasses for a long time. Branded sets often include additional lenses (clear and yellow).

But under no circumstances use regular sunglasses instead of ballistic ones! Such recklessness leads to tragic consequences!

In anti-fragmentation glasses, the lenses are made of polycarbonate with a thickness of 2 mm (2.5 mm) or more. This allows you to withstand not only shrapnel, but also 5.56 mm bullets or large shot.

In fact, polycarbonate is hundreds of times stronger than glass (except for mineral glass) and retains its protective properties for more than 10 years.

Of course, such glasses will not stop a bullet fired into the eye, but they will protect you from fragments and stone chips.

Lenses, filters, diopters

Both ballistic and tactical safety glasses use extra-durable polycarbonate. Lens color may vary:

1) completely transparent;

2) smoky;

3) yellow;

4) greenish.

Completely clear lenses are the simplest. Their main disadvantage is the occurrence of glare at a certain position in relation to the sun. Firstly, it can unmask the shooter himself. Secondly, blind him.

Smoked lenses reduce glare but transmit less light. Their use is justified in sunny weather, in large open spaces covered with snow, as well as near water bodies.

Photo of glasses with smoky interchangeable lenses

Professional photographers have long used the peculiarity of image transmission with a yellow light filter. They put it on lenses to increase depth of field. With glasses with yellow lenses, all objects appear sharper.

Greenish lenses use the same effect that is used in the so-called brightening of optics. The human eye, in the process of evolution, has become accustomed to better distinguishing the green part of the visible spectrum.

Applying a coating to the lens that transmits more green and its shades than red and yellow increases its aperture. Wearing safety glasses with a greenish lens, the shooter can better see the smallest details.

Lenses can be made from polycarbonate, the optical properties of which are no different from the same crystalline parameters. Therefore, there are models of prescription safety glasses for shooting. They can be either with replaceable lenses or with permanent ones. The current opinion that such protective devices can replace an optical sight is a myth. For people with good eyesight, they are not only unnecessary, but also harmful. Tactical glasses with diopters should be selected in the same way as those prescribed by a doctor.

Ballistic glasses save your eyesight

I think you are convinced that it is better to spend money on glasses than on treatment.

Do not confuse the "Z87" or "Z87+" markings with military standards. These are industrial protection product markings of ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Impact and ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010 standards.

Items for military use are tested in similar ways, but military requirements differ.

The ANSI Z87.1 standard has exactly 3 verification steps:

Penetration test: a 1.5 ounce steel object is dropped onto the lens from a height of 50 inches;
The ability to contain the impact of large fragments (High mass impact test: a steel cone weighing 1.1 pounds is thrown from a height of 50 inches);
Stopping power for high-speed objects (High Velocity Impact: the lens must withstand a 0.25-inch steel ball traveling at a speed of 45 m/s).

For military protection there are 2 main specifications:

For glasses, this is MIL-PRF-31013 (the lens must stop 0.15-inch pellets at a speed of 200 m/s).
Masks must comply with the specification - MIL-DTL-43511D. This means the mask must stop a 5.56mm bullet at a speed of 170 m/s.

Read also: Polycarbonate lenses - advantages of polycarbonate glasses

These features distinguish industrial protection from military protection.

Boogie Regulator Goggle

If the price tag is a fundamental issue, you should pay attention to the SOE company. The price for the Boogie Regulator Goggle model is about $40 for not bad glasses, which is quite reasonable.

Simple design and single clear lens. Despite all the “budget”, they fully comply with both MIL-DTL-43511D and ANSI Z87.1, and in addition, they stop 100% ultraviolet radiation (UV-A and UV-B protection classes).

Their airflow “doesn’t work” when you are motionless. To be fair, I will say that perspiration does not appear when moving. The patented Smith Regulator system is responsible for this.

Buy Boogie Regulator Goggle – 25$

It is better to wear “regulators” on a tactical helmet (in the heat, under the elastic band itches constantly).

The glasses fit tightly to the face, which, on the one hand, makes it possible to use optics during combat, and on the other hand, a thin layer of foam rubber does not compensate for impacts on the lens.

Model Revision ExoShield

The design is similar, but this is already a set, which includes a soft and hard case, a napkin with anti-fog impregnation (it’s a pity it doesn’t last long).

As with the previous glasses, the lens is made of polycarbonate, meets all the necessary specifications and is approved for military use. For 100% UV protection (unlike Regulator, it also protects against UV-C rays).

Price per Revision ExoShield kit varies 50-60$.

Let's move on to tactical glasses in the “very above average” price category.

ESS TurboFan

ESS TurboFan is the leader in this niche. In general, ESS is one of the most beloved eyewear companies among stripcolists. On our website you can read a review comparing ESS ICE and ESS Crossbow - the two most popular glasses models in airball.

In this ESS model, 2 innovations of that time were implemented. OpFoam pad with antibacterial impregnation and forced ventilation. It not only protects well from dust, but also allows you to wear glasses for a long time without discomfort. For 7 years now, such a gasket has been mandatory for the ESS Profile line.

The second difference of TurboFan was the fan for forced airflow. This model is popular among American special forces. The polycarbonate lens is thicker than regular glasses of this type (0.11 inches). It provides excellent eye protection from both shrapnel and UV exposure and meets ANSI Z87.1-2010, MIL-DTL-43511D and CE EN 166 standards.

The filtration system is of such high quality that it retains even fine gypsum dust. The goggles are compatible with NVGs, inserts for diopter lenses and are adapted for tactical helmets.

ESS TurboFan package

Protective case.
Speed sleeve™ cleaning case (it contained a replaceable smoke lens).
TurboFan ESS goggles (“hiking” case with wide (1.38 inch) elastic band).

Our kit did not include a battery, but according to dealers, it is usually included in the kit.

The ventilation system is located in the center. The power supply and battery box are installed on the right (not very convenient for a left-handed person).

A fabric casing is attached to the elastic; it protects the wire running from the battery to the fan motor.

Read also ESS Credence - stylish ballistic glasses

The ventilation system operates in two modes: normal and turbo mode. Cold air is introduced through the lower openings, and the fan draws out heated air.

Switching is done with a single button.

The system is powered by 1 AA battery, which, according to ESS, is enough for 150 hours of operation in normal mode.

ClearZone™ FlowCoat protects lenses from scratches on the outside and fog on the inside.

It is worth noting that the price of TurboFan ESS is approx. 130-160$.

Whether it’s a lot or not, it’s up to you to decide for glasses of this class.

Something else

A few words need to be said about ESS Eyewear. This is very expensive equipment worth 8,000 rubles. Nevertheless, the efficiency is simply amazing. There is a two-level ventilation system powered by two AA batteries for 150 hours of operation, and 2.6 mm thick lenses that protect against fast-flying fragments. In principle, these are very popular glasses among the military. Many people highlight the high-quality ventilation of Turbofan. Its essence lies in the fact that cold air enters through the lower hole, and warm air is discharged through the top. In easy mode, ventilation operates for about 150 hours. Of course, this pleasure is not cheap, so it hardly makes sense to buy such glasses for fishing or cycling. But they will be very useful for airsoft fans.

Ballistic glasses

Let's move on to a more popular type of eye protection, ballistic glasses.

Ballistic glasses are popular not only among military special forces, but also among law enforcement agencies, police, security companies and rescue services.

If you need branded glasses in the budget segment, pay attention to Prospect Tactical manufactured by SOE. The glasses are made in a classic design. Polycarbonate lenses meet all necessary standards and fully protect against 3 types of ultraviolet radiation. Elastomeric frames and compound inserts allow the glasses to fit snugly on your face. Despite this, we recommend checking how comfortably the glasses fit before purchasing.

The lack of additional lenses is compensated by the wide range of colors of standard lenses.

There are no replacement tinted lenses, but there are five colors of “stock” lenses to choose from - Gray, Yellow, Clear, Smoke gray or brown. You can buy Prospect Tactical for $80.

Selection of lenses, filters and diopters

Many models have a removable lens, so you can order a simple diopter lens along with it.
The color of lenses for tactical glasses depends on the conditions of use of this element of protective equipment; you should not think that they are made of simple glass and painted to give an external effect. Each color has its own advantages:

Transparent lenses are used in cloudy weather; in bright sunlight they can glare, blinding shooters and at the same time revealing them;
Smoked lenses reduce glare, but they transmit less light. They are used in the sun, near water bodies and in winter in snowy areas;
Yellow lenses increase sharpness, which has long been used by professional photographers. In tactical glasses with yellow filters, all distant objects take on a outlined appearance;
Green lenses can slightly obscure bright images and glare; in addition, the human eye better distinguishes the green part of the visible spectrum, so even small details can be seen in such glasses.

Some novice athletes are distrustful of polycarbonate lenses, believing that nothing can be better than glass. In fact, modern impact-resistant plastic is not at all inferior to glass in its characteristics, so you can even order models with diopters.

To store tactical glasses, special hard cases and cases are used to protect the lenses from scratches and damage.

Smith Optics Elite – Aegis ARC Echo

The Smith Optics Elite campaign also has more expensive ballistic eyewear options. Model Aegis ARC Echo.

The steel frames with elastane coating will prevent your glasses from flying off your face.

In addition to a hard case for transportation, the set includes a replacement lens, an antifog-impregnated cloth, and the frame itself with a clear lens.

The Smith Optics Elite Aegis ARC Echo Basic Kit costs – 90$.

If desired, you can additionally order temples and lenses of different shades.

It's finally sunny

Shooting in bright sunshine was still a difficult task, as tinted lenses were very expensive in those days, especially for a guy with a small income just out of school. I found a compromise by using Polaroid overlays, but four lenses instead of two produced annoying glare. In the end, I decided that the pads were more trouble than they were worth and didn't wear them anymore.

Before emigrating to Canada in 1974, I invested in new prescription ballistic shooting glasses, similar in style to Ray-Ban, with large, dark green (20 percent transmission) lenses with an anti-reflective coating. They worked great and I wore them summer and winter for several years.

Perhaps the most popular ballistic glasses in North America at the time were the Decot Hy-Wyd. They had lightweight frames and large lenses that sat on your nose so that when inserted, you were looking through the center of each lens rather than at the top of the frame. Hy-Wyd glasses were sold with lenses of different colors, the purpose being to improve the visibility of targets, no matter what color they were, against different backgrounds and different light levels.

“Shooters argue a lot about which lens color is best for different conditions.”

Colored lenses for ballistic glasses

Shooters argue a lot about which lens color is best to use under different conditions. I don't think there is a need for the variety of shades that are available now. In my case, I mostly wear my dark green 20% transmission glasses on sunny days and a pair of clear lens glasses on cloudy days.

Shooting in the rain with prescription glasses can be problematic, especially if the rain is heavy. Lens cleaning products do not protect against raindrops that inevitably appear in your field of vision at the most important moment.

I experimented with contact lenses. This happened before the use of glasses for skeet shooting became mandatory.

I tried hard contact lenses, then breathable ones, and finally soft disposables. I could see well with any of them, but couldn't get used to wearing them for long periods of time. My eyes produce a lot of fluid, perhaps as a defense mechanism to combat the presence of foreign bodies in the eyes. The targets looked like they were in a thick fog, so I switched back to prescription ballistic glasses.

Olympic champion Ian Peel has been using contact lenses for many years.

Other shooters have not experienced similar problems with contact lenses. Ian Peel, who won the Olympic silver medal in the individual trench test in Sydney in 2000, has been wearing contact lenses for many years. On January 1, 2004, the Skeet Shooting Association mandated that all competitors wear ballistic goggles for safety and health reasons. This helped level the playing field for shooters using prescription glasses. Everyone had to look at the raindrops on their glasses. Gone are the days when athletes with perfect vision or who used contact lenses had an advantage.

Ballistic prescription glasses or contact lenses

My preference for prescription ballistic glasses led me to spend a lot of money. I emptied pharmacies and stores. The results were mediocre.

Then two years ago I went to Bristol to see if it was possible to get Zeiss prescription ballistic glasses. I met with Simon Goldsmith of JH Steward (Bisley) Ltd, Shooting Sports Vision Opticians.

I have never received this level of service before. Simon is a specialist with many years of experience. And now I have five pairs of Zeiss ballistic glasses - clear, light purple, brown and dark green - all of which are very comfortable and give me visual acuity even better than 20/20.

The days of distracting the shooter by things he noticed in his peripheral vision are also gone, as Zeiss offers side-mounted eyecups that are firmly attached to the frame. Their products are not cheap, but can compete with other well-known brands and are worth considering if you are looking for a quality product and excellent service.

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Revision StingerHawk

When it comes to affordable anti-fragmentation glasses, you can't beat the StingerHawk from Revision Military. The glasses fit well on the face and are very comfortable.

The lens is made of polycarbonate, meets all NATO anti-fragmentation protection standards and protects against ultraviolet radiation.

The glasses are designed in such a way that they allow the use of closed tactical helmets and large-sized headsets. Changing lenses occurs without any difficulties.

When purchasing, you can choose one of 3 options:

StingerHawk US Military Kit (frame with gray lens, spare clear lens, cleaning cloth and hard case).

Price for Revision StingerHawk – in the area 100$.

The StingerHawk Deluxe and StingerHawk Shooter's Kits come with 3 lenses (yellow/brown, smoke and clear), hard case, soft lens case and cleaning cloth. You can order replacement lenses separately for $26.

Types of safety glasses

All shooter eye protection is made from durable, transparent polycarbonate called ballistic.

They come in two main types:

open;
glasses-masks.

Open

Very similar to sunscreens. Their main difference is the wide lenses that extend almost to the temples. They protect the eyes from the front and sides. They are usually used when the shooter is in a relatively static position. For example, during bench competitions. They are designed to protect against accidents only. In the most extreme case, they can be used if airsoft competitions are taking place in a small room and opponents move only horizontally, and there are definitely no shots from above, below or from the side.

Depending on the price category, they may have simple or telescopic arms, be equipped with replaceable lenses in smoky, yellow, green, or have other optional features that increase ease of use.

Open safety glasses are often called ballistic glasses.

Mask glasses (closed)

These glasses have one continuous lens, with a soft shock-absorbing strip (made of rubber or elastic plastic) attached to the edges of the frame. They fit tightly around the shooter's face, covering it from the bridge of the nose to the forehead and temples. To keep them on your head, a wide adjustable strap made of elastic materials is used.

The lens of goggles can be made of either ballistic polycarbonate or metal mesh.

This design protects the shooter’s eyes from all sides, no matter how the enemy’s line of sight is oriented relative to his head. You can actively move around in them, which is why they are often called tactical glasses. These goggle masks are used during airsoft competitions in open areas. They are required equipment for US Marines, but combat models are designed to withstand greater destructive impacts than those encountered during sports competitions. That's why they are called anti-fragmentation

The tight fit of goggles-masks to the face stops the natural circulation of air, the shooter’s eyes fill with banal sweat, and the lens becomes covered with a foggy coating. To eliminate this problem, several design solutions are used:

arrangement of ventilation holes;
lattice lens design;
forced ventilation.

Ventilation holes somewhat reduce the degree of protection, and their effectiveness is low. The lattice design of the lens ventilates the interior of the mask well. But there is always a possibility that the fragments of an airsoft ball breaking on a mask will be smaller than the size of the mesh and will penetrate through it to the shooter’s face.

Forced ventilation is carried out by banal electric motors. Mask glasses of this design are quite comfortable to wear, but require constant changing or charging of batteries. Of course, they are much more expensive than simpler models.

Smith Elite PivLock V2 Tactical

For long-range shooting, the Smith Elite PivLock V2 Tactical goggles are a good choice.

They protect not only from fragments (ANSI Z87.1 and MIL-PRF-31013), but also do not transmit ultraviolet radiation (UV-A, UV-B). The use of conical lens technology makes visible objects clearer and eliminates possible distortion when firing at distant targets. The lens is coated with a damage-resistant coating with anti-fog properties.

The nosepiece and temples of the PivLocks are adjustable. The lenses come in 2 sizes: standard PivLock V2 Tactical and larger PivLock V2 MAX Tactical. The set consists of a hard case, frame and 2 interchangeable lenses.

The cost of this “happiness” is $120 , which is too expensive for me.

About Oakley

The company, known as Oakley, is considered a leader in the tactical eyewear market. Back in 2007, management bought out the ESS organization, which since the early 2000s has been considered one of the largest in this field. As a result, she began selling ESS brand safety glasses. Today they are supplied not only to the military, but also to firefighters and rescuers. But, besides this, such glasses are often purchased by hunters, fishermen and simply lovers of an active lifestyle. For example, in Ukraine, “NATO glasses” are officially in service with the SBU. Another area of application for such protective equipment is airsoft. Despite the fact that there is no talk about firearms, the speed of the ball is enough to damage the eye. Basically, Oakley is a time-tested tactical goggle. Most models protect not only from shrapnel, but also from bullets.

Oakley SI Fuel Cell

SI Fuel Cell Ballistic Goggles. Designed by Oakley Standard Issue.

The peculiarity of these glasses is their innovative materials. The frame is made of proprietary O Matter material coated with Cerakote™ Generation II Firearm Coatings. The Cerakote coating protects the glasses from mechanical damage and, according to reviews, the glasses are very pleasant to hold in your hands. The lenses are made of durable Plutonite, on a polycarbonate base. The glasses comply with ANSI Z87.1 and EN 1938:2010 classifications and protect vision from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. The lenses come in 3 colors: Desert Sage, Graphite Black and ACU Green. You can buy SI Fuel Cell Cerakote glasses at the price – 150$.

If you are a fan of Oakley products, you can read our review of the Oakley M-frame 2.0 , one of the most popular and favorite glasses models for the US military.

Revision Deltawing – everyday comfort

When choosing glasses for every day, you can choose Revision Deltawing.

They do not have ballistic lenses, but despite this, the steel frame makes them very durable, and the pads on the temples will prevent slipping. The lenses are protected from damage by a special coating and, in accordance with the ANSI Z80 standard, will completely protect the eyes from ultraviolet radiation (A, B, C). Appearance and price for dandies – $140.

Advice for those with impaired vision

There is no need to be sad and give up on the hobby of shooting if you have impaired vision, since glasses have been invented whose lenses are called diopter. But that is not all. Experts have developed lenses whose refractive index on the overall surface of the lens is different - bifocal and trifocal.

The essence of their action is that the middle of the lens is aimed at approaching, and from it a smooth transition is made towards moving away to the sides, concentrating the attention of a person diagnosed with myopia directly on the target, even if it is not alone or is moving. And the opposite situation with a diagnosis of farsightedness.. There are several more options for getting out of the situation with poor vision

We all know what lenses are. Yes, yes, regular eye lenses. Surely every person with poor eyesight has them in their arsenal. Well, if you are not the owner of this convenient little thing, but are a fan of shooting, buy it. According to doctors, a contact lens combined with regular safety goggles for shooting is a good, and not the last, option for solving a situation with poor vision.

There are several other options for dealing with poor vision. We all know what lenses are. Yes, yes, regular eye lenses. Surely every person with poor eyesight has them in their arsenal.

Well, if you are not the owner of this convenient little thing, but are a fan of shooting, buy it. According to doctors, a contact lens combined with regular safety goggles for shooting is a good, and not the last, option for solving a situation with poor vision.

The lens, depending on the diagnosis of myopia or farsightedness, will fulfill its mission aimed at correcting the image, and protective glasses, in turn, will protect the eyes from all kinds of external irritants.

Important! Do not combine your regular glasses with shooting safety glasses. Practice shows that such a combination greatly distorts the visible picture.

Revision Alphawing – aviator glasses

If you've dreamed of becoming a pilot all your life, Revision Eyewear's Alphawings are for you.

Thin steel frame and light weight. Stylish Alphawing glasses will protect your eyes from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation (ANSI Z80). The “pilot kit” consists of goggles, a hard case and a microfiber wipe. The cost of glasses is $170, but is this the price for realizing a dream! We hope this article was useful to you! Subscribe to our VKontakte and Facebook groups, follow the news!