The Best Shooting Glasses for 2024
Whether you're on the front lines, out hunting, or just a weekend plinker, ballistic glasses protect your most valuable sensory organ. As we step into 2024, there’s a world of options when it comes to eye protection. Keep reading to find out which ones are taking the lead in the year ahead.
What's the Difference Between Safety Glasses and Ballistic Eyewear?
Now, you might wonder — what sets shooting glasses apart from everyday safety glasses? The key difference lies in the environment and the potential risks to your eyesight. Here's the deal: when it comes to choosing the right safety glasses, job site hazards should be your main focus. Tactical Eyewear, on the other hand, is in a league of its own. These glasses are designed to promise impact protection against extreme projectile velocities. That's a whole different level of safety, and that's why they’re a non-negotiable when it comes to shooting activities.
What Makes Shooting Glasses "Good"?
Shooting is fun, thrilling, and a great way to unwind. However, it's also a hobby that comes with its fair share of hazards. Your eyes are naturally unprotected organs, and vulnerable to ejected casings, gunpowder blowback, firearm malfunctions, and worse, catastrophic failure.
When you're on the hunt for the perfect pair of shooting glasses, here's what you should look for:
- Fog-Proof Technology: There's nothing worse than fogged-up lenses ruining your aim. The best tactical eyewear comes equipped with fog-proof coatings, so your vision stays crystal-clear when it matters most.
- Polarized Lenses: When you're shooting in bright sunlight or low-light conditions, polarized lenses help reduce glare, minimize eye strain, and allow you to better focus on your target.
- Anti-Slip Frames: When the heat is on, you want your eyewear to stay put. That's where anti-slip frames come into play. They make sure your glasses stay secure on your face — even when things get sweaty or you're on the move.
What are the Best Shooting Glasses of 2024?
When it comes to selecting the “best” shooting glasses, we made our picks based on two aspects: safety and style. Obviously, eye protection should be a primary concern when you’re shooting. But let’s face it; looking “tactiool” doesn’t hurt either. With that in mind, here’s our top picks as we enter the new year:
1. Edge Eyewear Zorge G2
If you're on a mission to find affordable yet high-performing ballistic glasses, set your sights on the Edge Eyewear Zorge G2. They exceed Military Combat Eye Protection Standards (MCEPS) with lenses able to withstand the impact of a .22lr round. And, thanks to VaporSheild technology, they’re fog-resistant; meaning you’ll never have to worry about cloudy vision.
Even when wearing hats, helmets, and ear protection, these glasses felt surprisingly comfortable. What we really love about them, however, is their durable, anti-slip frame. You can put them to the test by twisting them into a knot (while we don’t recommend that) rest assured knowing they're some of the toughest on the market.
The Zorge G2 boasts an ANSI Z87.1+ rating, which is arguably the best you’ll find in its price range. With an MSRP of $24.99, these glasses are an absolute steal for the level of protection they offer.
2. Oakley SI Ballistic M Frame 2.0
Second up, we have the Oakley SI Ballistic M Frame 2.0 – a classic choice that continues to impress. These glasses check all the boxes when it comes to performance and style. Not to mention, they're incredibly comfortable thanks to their lightweight O-Matter material.
With a sleek rectangle shape, they’re great for those of us with square-shaped faces. And of course, Oakley’s advanced HD optics help eliminate distortion. That means better clarity and detail recognition, even at a distance. Coming in with an MSRP of $157.00, they’re the most expensive pick on our list.
3. Wiley X Saint
When we talk shooting glasses, we can't ignore the Wiley X. The same model featured in American Sniper, it’s been a fan-favorite for a few years running. They're tough, durable, and even prescription-ready, which is a big plus for those who need corrective lenses.
The Saint also features a removable foam insert to block out wind and debris, making them ideal for use in sandy, barren environments. As a happy medium between first and second place, they come in at $87.99, which earned them the third spot on our list.
