Wiley X

[two gun charlie]

Wiley X , a friend of mine recently bought a pair for the shooting range ... now I don't know about the states but over here in deep dark africa these glasses are pretty expensive , he argues it's "safer" than normal safety glasses (that costs less than a tenth of the price and guess who own a set of those cheap safety glasses yeah me )

He also pointed out that many security contractors wear these glasses because of the seemingly indestructible lenses and blah blah blah

so my question, is it tactical and practical or just tacticool

who of you has similar "make me look mean" glasses and who thinks it's just a waste of money , honestly I could buy a lot of ammo for that money

 

[CajunBass]

Don't worry about what someone else uses or likes. Use what you like. There is always something "better" out there. Or at least someone will tell you it is.

 

[Hanzo581]

They are no safer

 

[two gun charlie]

So if you look at the stats these glasses should be worn by bomb disposal units everywhere because even if the bomb blows you away completely your family will still have your eye balls !

 

[mdauben]

Wiley X , a friend of mine recently bought a pair for the shooting range ... now I don't know about the states but over here in deep dark africa these glasses are pretty expensive , he argues it's "safer" than normal safety glasses (that costs less than a tenth of the price and guess who own a set of those cheap safety glasses yeah me )

I've got a pair of Wiley X wrap-around perscription safety sunglasses that I wear when riding my motorcycle. Ignoring the prescription, they are still definitly higher quality that the sort of $15-20 safety glasses that you would buy at a sporting goods store. I don't think they are all that much "safer" than the cheap glasses, but the optical quality of the lenses is much greater, if that matters to you. I think they are worth the extra cost, but YMMV.

 

[X-Rap]

There is a difference between meeting or exceeding standards and I suppose there is also overkill but optical quality will cost you extra without question. It is a very subjective view without expensive lab equipment but I can't think of a time when I looked through cheap glass be it polarized sunglasses, binos or scopes in which I thought the cheap glass equaled or exceeded more expensive comparisons.
There is always brand markup for the cool guy stuff as well that must be factored for.
The old saw of buying the best you can afford is a pretty good guide line.

 

[taliv]

The difference is probably in comfort and durability and style not in protection.

I had a pair and also the ess. To be honest I found them uncomfortable and preferred a pair of $5 safety sunglasses I found. After losing 3 pair of them over several years they finally stopped carrying them at my local hangouts and I switched to wearin the bolle glasses which are quite comfortable and polarized.

 

[InkEd]

Depends on the quality of the "cheap" ones you own.

 

[JustinJ]

They have better lenses than most of the cheap ones but I doubt they offer any significant amount of protection.

 

[hso]

If they don't say "meets or exceed ANSI Z87.1-2010 standards. CE EN-166 certified. Ballistic Vo Rated - MIL-PRF-31013 3.5.1.1 Ballistic resistance" then there's not much that can be said about them above those US, Mil, and EU standards. Any shooting glasses need to meet the minimum impact resistance standards (ANSI Z87) and be so marked. If not, you really have no idea what protection you're providing to your eyes.

You can get that "meets or exceeds" protection with a number of products that range from $10-100 without getting into the very expensive. http://safetyglassesusa.ecomm-searc...-catalog-safetyglassesusa--keywords-ballistic Even South African souces exist - http://www.fishpond.co.za/Sports_Outdoors/Elvex-GG-45C-AF-Go-SpecsII-withstrap/0729294774526
Since recreational shooters should be wearing plugs and muffs the versions that allow them to be worn with a strap will interfere with your ear muffs less than ones with a kewl looking set of ear pieces.

BTW, I have a couple of pairs of Wiley X SG1s and the lense clarity is excellent, but no so much better than my Uvex that I'd recommend everyone save up for a pair.

 

[pyro073]

I personally wear a pair of ESS eye pro when I am shooting it is ballistic safety rated. But they are low profile enough that I can wear them as everyday sunglasses. I have had pairs of cheap shooting glasses but if you breathed on the wrong they would scratch... I paid about $100 for my ESS eye pro and the have skidded across dirt and pavement a few times. The, frames are no worse for wear and the lenses barely got scratched and they can barely be detected.

 

[mokin]

I bought a pair of SG1s for work in very windy/dusty conditions. I liked those so much that I also tried a pair of XLs to allow me to remove the gasket that keeps the dirt out (on those less windy or long drive days). I also picked up a pair of Romer IIs for more everyday wear. I really like the comfort. I do wish they were less expensive and if I found another brand I liked I'd go with them. As for being more safe, I can't say, but the Safety Inspector on one project I worked on picked out my glasses from across the room, had me come up to the front with him, and encouraged everyone else to look into them. I don't know, maybe he had stock in the company.











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[manithree]

I have a pair of Wiley-X AirBornes and they are the best prescription sunglasses and safety glasses I have ever owned. I've only been wearing prescription glass for about 43 years now.

Like most, I can't say if they provide more protection than anything else, but they look trendy like sunglasses and with the optional foam gasket, they don't leak light, even if I'm on snow or water on a sunny day. Which means the don't leak sawdust or brass either. I'm a fan, but I'm also somewhat desensitized to the cost of glasses since I, my wife, and 2 of my kids all wear corrective lenses.

 

[Dr.Rob]

I have a pair of prescription Wiley X "Blink" glasses I use for shooting and now 4 seasons of roller derby. They are tough. They have prevented me from getting numerous black eyes and they are hard to knock off even without the safety strap.

After 4 years the zipper on the peanut case will wear out. The replacement cases are stupidly expensive.

I like them, though I have to admit even with the gasket in they can fog if its a hot day or you are working hard. They clear fast if you use anti fog wax. Mine don't have any significant scratches and have a pretty dark amber tint.

Wiley makes good stuff.

 

[JShirley]

The Wileys were my overall favorite favorite of 4 sets of glasses I reviewed. I'm testing another set currently: they've made some changes.

John