Eye protection is a requirement on airsoft sites and the first piece of kit to sort out before you play. Here you will find sealed goggles with a strap, shooting glasses with a close-fitting frame and shooting glasses in a standard frame – for airsoft, the range and hunting. The differences lie in fit, anti-fog solution, lens colours and which standard the glasses are approved to.
Wiley X is the largest brand in the category, with the Spear Dual Lens Goggles Kit, which combines goggles with a two-piece mesh lower face, the Grid glasses with removable Facial Cavity Seal and the Grid Gasket Gen 2 as a spare part, plus the Vapor Comm Shooting Range Kit with three sets of lenses and hearing protection from Earmor. Strike Systems covers the entry level with clear CE-approved glasses, EP-01 goggles with four interchangeable lenses and Highlander Plus with smoke lenses. You will also find the Pyramex Capstone Dual-Lens, Lancer Tactical AERO Thermal and Swiss Arms Bedretto, which comes with a hard case.
What to look for
Approval and site requirements: Check which standard the glasses are approved to and what the site requires. Lancer AERO Thermal is approved to CE EN166, Strike Systems Highlander Plus to ANSI Z87.1+ and MIL-PRF-32432, and the clear Strike Systems glasses are CE-approved for airsoft. If in doubt, ask the site before you buy.
Goggles or framed glasses: Sealed goggles with a strap, such as the EP-01, Capstone, AERO Thermal or Spear, sit tight all the way round the eyes. Framed shooting glasses such as the Vapor Comm are lighter and designed to sit under hearing protection, but they are not allowed on every airsoft site.
Fogging: A dual lens is the most common anti-fog solution. AERO Thermal, Capstone and Spear have dual lenses, and the EP-01 lenses have an anti-fog treatment. This matters most when you move a lot or when it is cold and damp.
Lens colour: Clear lenses give the best view indoors, in dense woodland and at dusk, while smoke and grey are for sunshine. The EP-01 comes with four lenses and the Spear kit with grey, clear and light orange, so you can change to suit the light.
Fit with glasses and helmet: If you wear prescription glasses, the Pyramex Capstone has a large frame that fits over most glasses. The EP-01 can be worn under most airsoft helmets.
Who it suits
New players can start with clear Strike Systems glasses or the EP-01 and add lower face protection. Players and shooters who use their eye protection often will get more out of Wiley X's interchangeable lenses and close fit, and the Vapor Comm kit suits you if you combine glasses and hearing protection on the range.
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