Prescription glasses for shooting, sports, & everday wear?

[azrocks]

That's what I'm looking for: Super-tough frames that can take the abuse of whatever I'm doing at the time, and still look descent enough to pass as everyday-wear glasses. I want to be able to sleep in them, work with them, shoot with them, and go out to dinner with them. Something with a base curve somewhere between shooting glasses and 'street' glasses, and with frames that won't look terribly silly with clear lenses (I understand they'll probably look a little silly. That I can handle. Just not a whole bunch of silly).

I've been looking at options from Wiley-X, Smith Elite, Oakley, and a few others. I would love to hear any experiences others have had with these or similar offerings.

Once again - I must emphasize the 'tough' part. I pretty much want to be in a position where the glasses on my face are ready for whatever may come my way.

 

[LiveLife]

That's what I'm looking for: Super-tough frames that can take the abuse of whatever I'm doing at the time, and still look descent enough to pass as everyday-wear glasses.

Once again - I must emphasize the 'tough' part.

If you want "tough", it's hard to beat Flexon frames. As the video below shows, I have dropped my flexon frames and stepped on them without any damage. I haven't taken a mallot or driven my car over my Flexon frames but it's good to know I could do that.



If you want lower cost titanium "flex frame" option, here are some for $59 - https://www.39dollarglasses.com/15000.html

 

[entropy]

Any titanium alloy frame will be much more durable than a standard Monel (nickel alloy) frame. I have a brand called Twist n Clip, sold at Walmart (Disclaimer: I work in a Walmart vision Center) that is very durable, and comes with a magnetic clip-on sunglass set. I wear mine to bed every night because I'd like to be able to identify my target before I fire. (That and I either read or watch TV, then fall asleep) I wear the sunclips on the bike when riding. I have sold a lot of them. Flexons are also excellent, but a bit pricey. (Disclaimer: I used to work for LensCrafters, who sell Flexon [both are owned by Luxottica])

 

[DMK]

That's an interesting proposition, to get super tough lenses in your every day glasses. But what are you actually trying to accomplish?

One big problem with that is you won't have any protection from a fragment of a bullet or case that gets around the side of the lens.

Good quality ballistic protection fits tightly around your nose and has side guards.

I'd rather have some MIL-PRF-31013 spec prescription shooting glasses that will protect me from all directions. Unfortunately I still have not found a set that I can afford.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/eye-protection-shooting-glasses-review/

What You Should Look For In Eye Pro
I know that this post has been long, so if you’re looking for a simple takeaway, here it is.

Non-ballistic eye protection is fine for keeping relatively slow-moving objects away from your face. Empty cases ejected from a firearm, dirt kicked up by muzzle blast, etc. For faster-moving projectiles such as ricocheted bullets, you need high quality, tested eye pro. I would personally prefer eyewear with a single piece lens for any activity where my face might be struck by small, fast-moving objects.

Individual lenses detach from the frames once a certain level of force is reached, and they are driven back into the eye sockets – sometimes at undesirable angles – where considerable damage may be done. There are good two piece lens eye pro out there, like the Smith Optics Director, but single-piece lenses distribute force much better.

Also, a wide, comfortable, and preferably soft rubber nosepiece is critical. This will, along with good “arms,” serve to keep the eye protection in place during energetic activity – but it will also reduce the chances of the lens being driven down or back into the face at angles or with enough force to damage the orbital bones.

A frame that connects across the top of the lens, not individual arms which attach to the outside corners of the lens, is recommended. This will reduce the chances of the lens detaching from the frame – it’s still possible, just less likely – under impact. Depending on the design, some eye pro with this design also uses the frame to absorb impact and distribute force.

You should also consider how well the eyewear fits you, both in physical dimensions and comfort – and, frankly, whether you think it looks good on you, because you’ll be more likely to wear it if you don’t think it makes you look stupid. Finally, make sure the manufacturer states that it passes MIL-PRF-31013 testing.

Take some time to find the right eye protection for you – and keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a fortune. It’s possible to buy eye protection that meets all of this criteria for as little as $40, which is a pittance compared to losing your vision.

 

[boom boom]

I have flexon frames that have outlived three prescriptions and I am hard on my frames. At the stage where I need glasses for distance but have to take them off to see up close which means I take them on and off multiple times per day with the usual mayhem.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

It's interesting this topic popped up as I just got a updated RX a couple of weeks ago and have been looking for something just like the OP with little success.

I work in construction so it makes that much more sense to me. Right now I have my regular EDC glasses and a separate set of RX sun glasses. One thing I know for sure is I want transition lenses this go around.

I too would like something extremely durable that fits snug to the face like shooting glasses or modern sun glasses, but haven't found anything that wouldn't look pretty ridiculous when indoors with clear lenses.

I'll be interested to see the suggestions from this thread...

 

[entropy]

Just be advised that Transitions lenses won't darken fully, if at all, in a car. The windshield blocks UV light which is what activates the lens. And you are right, most "operator" type glasses look pretty silly with clear lenses in them. Also, the Rx's that work in such frames are limited. I have a high minus RX (myopia), and the WileyX and Oakley-type frames are out. The flat base curve my Rx requires won't work with the frame. I found a Liberty Optical frame made for motorcycle riding that barely works, and even then, the flat lenses push the temples out. I had to do some creative frame adjustments to get them to stay on my head, and they still don't look the best because of that. I got them more for riding than shooting anyway. The other option is the 'ballistic' glasses that have Rx inserts available. Those definitely look ridiculous with clear lenses (outer lenses). The bonus with them is most of them have changeable outer lenses, in lots of 'tactical' colors.

 

[whughett]

Any titanium alloy frame will be much more durable than a standard Monel (nickel alloy) frame. I have a brand called Twist n Clip, sold at Walmart (Disclaimer: I work in a Walmart vision Center) that is very durable, and comes with a magnetic clip-on sunglass set. I wear mine to bed every night because I'd like to be able to identify my target before I fire. (That and I either read or watch TV, then fall asleep) I wear the sunclips on the bike when riding. I have sold a lot of them. Flexons are also excellent, but a bit pricey. (Disclaimer: I used to work for LensCrafters, who sell Flexon [both are owned by Luxottica])

Thanks for this bit of information. I need to upgrade my frames, been using the same pair for 12 years now. I'll check out these "Twist n Clip" at my local Wally World.
I probly have to spring for an eye exam as my prescription is over two years old. Your right of course about the transitions lenses, and they, or at least mine, don't function as well as RX sunglasses. I also use a tri focal with the center rx for hand gun front sight clarity when shooting.

 

[azrocks]

That's an interesting proposition, to get super tough lenses in your every day glasses. But what are you actually trying to accomplish?

One big problem with that is you won't have any protection from a fragment of a bullet or case that gets around the side of the lens.

Good quality ballistic protection fits tightly around your nose and has side guards.

I'd rather have some MIL-PRF-31013 spec prescription shooting glasses that will protect me from all directions. Unfortunately I still have not found a set that I can afford.

http://www.luckygunner.com/labs/eye-protection-shooting-glasses-review/

I'm pretty much in the same boat as Good Ole Boy... I engage in a number of activities on daily basis where a pair of durable glasses that offer some modicum of protection from flying projectiles just makes sense. Enough so that if I was swapping out glasses each time it was required, the task would become so cumbersome I'd stop bothering to do it. Kind of like deciding to daily carry a full-size 1911, only to realize that most days it's such a pain that you end up carrying nothing. I'd rather have the BUG equivalent of glasses all the time than a fancy pair of shooting specs that I forget on my desk.

Regardless, the glasses I'm looking at have base curves (~6) that mimic many of the lower-range shooting-specific glasses I've seen and worn, so while I admit they're not the optimum solution, I do believe they'd be descent protection against most worries a shooter may have.

As for the flexon/titanium frames, I've definitely been considering this option. But I'm a bit confused by the ANSI / Mil-Spec ratings. I don't see any flexible-metal frames that are also approved safety / ballistic glasses. Is this because the frame themselves are not rated, or because they're unable to support a lense thick enough to be?

 

[azrocks]

UPDATE: Making progress, gents.

I've decided to try out the Wiley-X Hudson. Thanks to the good guys at Dillon Precision, which I'm fortunate enough to live near, I was able to try on a few Wiley-X models. Everything they carry is sunglasses, and they can't do prescription work themselves, so I was unable to see what they'd look like in clear lenses or order through them. But my imagination tells me they'll probably be a close equivalent to BCG glasses - which I can live with - but with a subtle curvature that helps protect at least somewhat from stuff coming at you from the sides. The construction seems rugged and the fit was great for my relatively small melon. The cool thing about Wiley-X is they can make prescription lenses for any of their sunglass models.

Then I went down to 20/20 eye care - who is a dealer of Wiley-X products but doesn't carry any floor models because the demand is low (really?) - and they're going to be able to apply my eye-plan insurance to the purchase. So total cost out the door's going to run me $60.00 (single vision). Nice because if I went directly through Wiley-X I couldn't have used insurance. Either way Wiley-X does all the work... all the optometrist is doing is ordering them like I would. A little cut & paste on the specs (minus the polarization):

• Shatterproof Selenite™ Polycarbonate Lenses that Meet ANSI Z87.1-2010 High Velocity and High Mass Impact Standards as well as US Federal OSHA 1910.133(b)(1)(1) Standards

• 100 percent UVA/UVB Protection with Distortion-Free Clarity

• T-Shell™ Lens Coating Resists Scratching in Extreme Environments

• Polarized Platinum Flash (Green) Lensis a Multi-Coat Z-Oxide Mirror Over Smoke Green Lenses which Provides maximum Glare Reduction Without Distorting Colors: Light Transmission 13%

• Rx Ready

I'm probably going to get a set of flexon / ti-flex / memory metal frames, like the twist-n-clip like you mentioned Entropy, for my second set, if nothing else than to keep the wife from divorcing me.

The Hudson:

 

[entropy]

Good to go, azrocks. Yes, get the regular ones for dress wear, she will appreciate that.

As for safety/ballistic rating of titanium frames, there are Z87 (safety) glasses made with titanium bridges, but IIRC, the temples aren't. I don't believe any of them are ballistically rated.

If it will give you comfort, I have worn dress titanium frames with poly lenses at the range for many years, have had hot brass and black powder hit them, and none the worse for wear.

 

[LiveLife]

Hudson looks good! Stylish!

 

[whughett]

If it will give you comfort, I have worn dress titanium frames with poly lenses at the range for many years, have had hot brass and black powder hit them, and none the worse for wear.

I have a GoldCup, 45 Colt that will bounce an injected case off my forehead, and on at least one occasion, my eyeglasses. I also feel particles hitting my face on occasion when shooting black powder revolvers. I note this as many people don't wear eye protection when shooting.

 

[herrwalther]

I bought one pair of shooting/sport glasses from sportrx about 7 years ago. They are prescription and transition polycarbonate lenses in Wiley SG-1 frames. Total cost was about $220 back then.

 

[WhiteFoot]

I've loved my flexon frames. They did cost a bit more up front, but I'm convinced that I've saved money in the long run. I used to break a lot of frames, but I've had no problems with mine for years. I recommend them to everyone.

 

[azrocks]

UPDATE:

I got my Wiley-X Hudsons (clear prescription lenses), and I couldn't be happier. They look a bit like Birth Control Glasses, but as shooting-appropriate eyewear goes, they're pretty darn stylish. I have no problem wearing them all day, every day, though I am thick-skinned and already married

I did have to have them redone initially, however. The combination of my myopia (around -3.00 in each eye) and the curved, close-fitting glasses was problematic... my near vision was compromised, which made seeing my front sight when handgun shooting clearly quite difficult. I contacted both my optometrist and Wiley-X, and learned that for higher prescriptions (mine is considered borderline for curved glasses like these), a digital prescription was best. So I upgraded for an extra $70.00. Wiley-X made an entirely new set of glasses - allowing me to keep the ones I had while I waited - and had them back out to me in a hair over a week. The digital prescription made all the difference in the world!

The glasses are quality manufacture, quite light but obviously durable and, of course, rated as such. Wiley-X's customer service was equally appealing.

If you have myopia of any significant degree, I suggest going with the digital lenses up front (and no, I'm not really sure what digital means other than I can see the way I should!).

 

[entropy]

Digital refers to the manufacturing method. Basically, it's CNC machining for glasses. The lenses are digitally mapped out in a computer, then cut with a diamond tip. Lenses made this way can be very precise; much more so than the measuring methods currently used by most opticians.
Glad to know Wiley-X's customer service is top notch-but not surprised. We sell DVX glasses, which is a subdivision of Wiley-X, and i have dealt with their customer service, which is great. I recommend digitally made lenses often, wear them myself in fact. (Nikon Affinity progressive) But sometimes people try to cheap out on their vision, and it's hard not to say "I told you so...."
Glad your shooting/ every day glasses worked out, azrocks!

 

[azrocks]

Digital refers to the manufacturing method. Basically, it's CNC machining for glasses. The lenses are digitally mapped out in a computer, then cut with a diamond tip. Lenses made this way can be very precise; much more so than the measuring methods currently used by most opticians.
Glad to know Wiley-X's customer service is top notch-but not surprised. We sell DVX glasses, which is a subdivision of Wiley-X, and i have dealt with their customer service, which is great. I recommend digitally made lenses often, wear them myself in fact. (Nikon Affinity progressive) But sometimes people try to cheap out on their vision, and it's hard not to say "I told you so...."
Glad your shooting/ every day glasses worked out, azrocks!

Thanks for the education, Entropy! I knew I dug them, just didn't know why (lol).