Wearing quality eye protection while shooting is important, whether you're casually plinking targets at the range or competing in an event like an NRL Hunter match. (Tess Rousey photo)
March 12, 2025
By The Editors
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Our eyes are arguably the most important asset when shooting. While proper technique and mechanics are essential, they don’t matter if you can’t clearly see your target. Factors like foggy lenses or low-light conditions can significantly impair your vision. Without the ability to focus and assess the situation, even the best skills won’t help you hit your mark. And if you can’t shoot accurately … well, you might as well be playing checkers.
Beyond precision, eye protection is critical for your safety. Whether you're at the range or in the field, your eyes face risks from flying particles, environmental hazards, and the sun. Shooting glasses with impact-resistant lenses act as a shield, guarding your eyes from debris, hot brass casings, and other unexpected projectiles. Extended periods in the sun, a common outdoor hazard, can also damage your eyes, impair your vision, and cause discomfort, especially during long shooting sessions. That’s why wearing quality shooting glasses is so important—they not only improve accuracy but also keep your eyes safe.
To help you stay focused, protected, and ready for anything, we’ve compiled a list of the five best shooting glasses. Whether you're at the range, hunting, or in the field, these top picks will safeguard your vision while seamlessly supporting your active, adventurous lifestyle. Some of these options are also prescription-ready, ensuring that even those with specific vision needs can maintain clarity and precision.
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WX Vapor—Best Ballistically Rated with Interchangeable Lenses The WX Vapor offers ballistics-rated protection, interchangeable lenses, and 100% UVA/UVB protection, with a sleek, adjustable design ideal for shooting and outdoor activities. (Photo courtesy of Wiley X) A popular frame for shooting, the WX Vapor from Wiley X blends style with high-performance protection. Ballistics-rated with interchangeable lenses, this frame offers comfort and durability through its sleek design, thin temples, and adjustable nose piece. It meets MIL-PRF-32432A ballistic safety standards, providing peace of mind by protecting you from unexpected impacts in the field. The WX Vapor’s shatterproof lenses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection, making them an excellent choice for outdoor activities, while the anti-fog coating ensures clarity in challenging conditions. Resistant to scratching, these lenses maintain their durability over time, and the frame is prescription-ready for those who need vision correction. The WX Vapor is available with 2 or 3 lens colors (Clear, Smoke Grey, and Light Rust) to suit a variety of shooting and outdoor scenarios. Included with the glasses are a zipper case, cleaning cloth, and leash cord. Coming soon in mid-March 2025: Wiley X will launch its latest ballistics-rated frame to its tactical series lineup, the JAKL. wileyx.com | $129
Grayman and Company Small Keyhole KH12 Sunglasses—Best for Dynamic Engagements The Grayman and Company Small Keyhole Sunglasses are understated and high performing. (Photo courtesy of Grayman and Company) "Covert Everyday Protection" is a proclamation that these sunglasses live up to. A subtle stylistic refinement and a dynamic repertoire of use, these sunglasses shield your eyes behind impact-resistant lenses while maintaining an understated look that doesn't draw attention like typical gaudy tactical-styled ballistic eye protection. Grayman and Company's urethane lens technology leapfrogs traditional polycarbonate lenses in performance with scratch-resistance, impact-resistance, and clarity rivalling crown glass. If one were choosing one pair of sunglasses to go and shoot a couple hundred rounds of ammo before heading straight to a steakhouse dinner without the need for an accessory switch, the Small Keyhole by Grayman and Company would be an intelligent choice and would fit in from a John Wick skirmish to a James Bond cocktail party. The Small Keyhole width is ideal for pupillary distance (PD) 70 and smaller. Also available in other models such as the Acetate Aviator and Keyhole, which deliver the same exceptional quality in different-shaped frames and layouts. grayman.co | $260
ESS Crossblade NARO Realtree Max-7—Best Fit for Smaller Heads Along with the Crossblade NARO Realtree Max-7 frames, you receive 3 interchangeable lenses (Hi-Def Copper, Smoke Gray, and Clear), a hard case, a lens pouch, an elastic retention strap, and a microfiber cleaning cloth. (Photo courtesy of ESS) Hunters and shooters with small to medium-sized heads, these eyeshields are for you! The ESS Crossblade NARO Eyeshields offer top-tier ballistic protection and are specifically designed for smaller head profiles. Both the lenses and frames are reduced in size for a secure fit. The Tri-Tech Fit frame ensures a snug, pressure-free fit, making these eyeshields both comfortable and practical in the field. For waterfowl hunters, ESS offers the Crossblade NARO Eyeshields with a Realtree MAX-7 camo pattern on the frames—featuring photorealistic reeds, mud, cattails, milo, and corn—to help you blend seamlessly into waterfowl habitats. These eyeshields come with three interchangeable NARO lenses with nosepieces—Smoke Gray, Clear, and Hi-Def Copper, which is ideal for varying lighting conditions. The DedBolt Lens Lock system allows for quick and easy lens changes. All ESS lenses filter 100% of harmful UVA/UVB rays, even the clear ones. ClearZone Dual Flow Coated lenses prevent fogging and resist scratches, while ESSOPTICS guarantees distortion-free vision. As part of the ESS Cross-Series, all Crossblade lenses and frames are cross-compatible with other ESS models, ensuring hunters have adaptable and reliable eye protection. esseyepro.com | $145
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Hunters HD Gold—Top Choice for Professional Competitive Shooters HHDG Signature Series with gold lenses. (Photo courtesy of Hunters HD Gold) Originally designed as a hunting lens, Hunters HD Gold has become a favorite in the shooting world. As the official eyewear of many shooting sports, including USPSA and Steel Challenges, they offer premium lenses that adapt to varying lighting conditions. The lenses automatically darken or lighten based on UV exposure, enhancing clarity and contrast. Crafted from Trivex material, the lenses provide 43% more light transmission and are more durable and impact-resistant than a traditional polycarbonate. With an anti-reflective coating on both sides, the lenses are also more scratch-resistant. The Gold lenses are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use, including low-light conditions, and offer improved visibility just before sunrise and after sunset—which is especially helpful when hunting or shooting targets during the golden hours. Hunters HD Gold also offers Ruby lenses, designed for red dot optics, red fiber, and specifically, shotgun use and shooting clays. On sunny days, the Ruby lenses enhance visibility, making red dot optics and orange shooting clays stand out. Hunters HD Gold can do custom prescriptions, including single vision, bifocals, trifocals, and progressives for most frames, and make lenses for just about any pair of glasses that have two separate lenses (such as Costa, Oakley, Ray-Ban, etc.). huntershdgold.com | $375
Leupold DeSoto Performance Eyewear—Best for Everyday Wear and Expeditions Leupold's DeSoto performance sunglasses are ready to tackle any expedition. (Photo courtesy of Leupold) The DeSoto is inspired by trailblazers who push boundaries and redraw maps. Its shatterproof lenses with In-Fused polarization offer unbeatable protection against harsh glare and impacts, while its No-Slip bridge ensures a comfortable fit. This comfortable fit makes all-day-long use not feel cumbersome and eliminates nose hotspots and behind-the-ear soreness—two culprits that can hinder the enjoyment of adventure and eye protection if not addressed. Leupold stands behind their In-Fused Polarized Technology, which won't scratch or deteriorate over time. From the prone position of shooting to wetting a line while fishing to driving a watercraft towing tubers, these are at home anywhere. "Leupold Performance Eyewear are not sunglasses. They’re engineered to elevate and protect the outdoor athlete." leupold.com | $190
