Leupold Sentinel performance eyewear in Matte Tan with Bronze Mirror lenses. (Photo courtesy of Leupold)
June 21, 2022
By RifleShooter Staff
When it comes to safe shooting practices, a good pair of eye protection is paramount, so a set of sunglasses from the gas station won’t cut it. Many make the mistake of only investing in high-quality hearing protection, but your eyes need just as much consideration as your ears. Range eyepro needs to completely cover and wrap around the eye with minimal gaps at the top and bottom of the lenses and frame. Comfort is an important factor, too. Long days at the range with poor-fitting eye protection are unpleasant. Most importantly, your eyepro needs the ability to stop shrapnel, spalling, or anything else that can damage your eyes. There are a lot of great options on the market today. Here is a collection that balances comfort, protection and price.
(Photo courtesy of Leupold) Leupold Sentinel Leupold is well known for their high-quality optics. Recently, they’ve introduced performance eyewear into their lineup for both everyday wear and range-quality protection. Their new Sentinel line , in particular, is well suited for range safety and comfort. These scratch-resistant, polarized eyepro are true ballistic rated, completely covering the eyes with minimal gaps and ensuring solid protection. They feature a no-slip nose bridge for optimal comfort and a hydrophobic coating to prevent water from sticking to the lenses and obstructing vision. Available in multiple lens and frame combinations, MSRP for the Sentinel line starts at $189.99.
(Photo courtesy of Bushnell) Bushnell Another optics company providing quality eypro is Bushnell. Their performance eyewear line is extensive, with many different lens and frame options designed for specific shooting sports and disciplines. They offer half-rim, full-rim and rimless options, and all Bushnell eyepro features Megol rubber nose pads for slip resistance and comfort. They have excellent lens coatings for many weather environments and solid UV and ballistics protection. Finally, Bushnell eyepro boats enhanced color technology for high contrast in outdoor environments, ensuring better definition and perception.
(Photo courtesy of Oakley) Oakley Most known for their everyday sunglass, Oakley also makes ballistic-rated eyepro, and they are incredibly popular in the U.S. Military. They’re especially well-liked for their high light transmission, clear lenses, which are optimal for no- or low-light shooting conditions. The anti-scratch lenses also boast an anti-fog coating on the back surface. Oakley shooting glasses are on the pricy side, but they’re incredibly comfortable and offer some of the best eye protection on the market today.
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(Photo courtesy of Wiley X) Wiley X Wiley X is another eyepro option well-liked by the U.S. Military. They offer excellent protection at a much friendlier price that other brands on the market, and they have an extensive line of ballistic eyepro that includes glasses and goggles. They’re also a favorite of the military because many of their options are designed for prescription inserts, which is an important consideration for anyone that needs prescription glasses or contacts. Prescription glasses are not ballistic rated, and contacts may not always be an option if you spend a lot of time in the field. Wiley X shooting glasses offer great ballistic protection and comfort with tons of different options to fits any shooting style.
(Photo courtesy of Walker's) Walker’s Walker’s is most known for their hearing protection, but they also offer a line of eyepro. They’re the most affordable in this roundup, but they offer good eye protection and plenty of different lenses and frame options. Their new Ikon Vector glasses offer great wrap-around eye protection, and they are ballistic rated, impact resistant and reasonably comfortable. The Ikon Vector glasses are also available with clear, shaded, red or amber lenses.
