Best Tactical Sunglasses

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 4, 2024
Although military sunglasses are not widely available on the market today, there are quite a few decent alternatives that feature ...Read more
PROS

The frame and earpieces of this model are connected using metal hinges that won't get loose over time. On top of that, a soft rubber nosepiece provides the user with an additional level of comfort.

CONS

Not suitable for people with larger heads (the size is not adjustable).

OUR VERDICT

These tactical shades are ideal for both military and civilian use. The glasses firmly protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, soft particles, dust as well as from small projectiles such as 12-gauge shells (tested at a distance of 50 feet). This is by far one of the toughest models available.

detailed parameters
Impact Resistance

MIL-PRF 32432 Standards

Material

Lenses: Polycarbonate

Frame: Polycarbonate, Nylon

Lenses

Anti-fog, Scratch-resistant, UVA/B/C protection

Extras

Soft nosepiece, Rubber temple tips

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The advanced design of the earpieces and their increased thickness make it easy to use this pair of sunglasses together with ear-protection headphones - an essential piece of equipment at the shooting range.

CONS

The earpieces may get loose after a while.

OUR VERDICT

This stylish model from Venture Gear will be your go-to pick for paintball, airsoft, and shooting ranges since it is MIL-PRF 32432 certified and will protect your eyes from both soft particles and small calibre rounds.

detailed parameters
Impact Resistance

MIL-PRF 32432 Standards

Material

Lenses: Polycarbonate

Frame: Polycarbonate

Lenses

Anti-fog, Scratch-resistant, UVA/B/C protection

Extras

Custom-fit rubber nosepiece, Non-slip flexible co-injected temples, Microfiber cleaning bag

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The headband of these sunglasses can turn them into goggles and back in just a few seconds. Moreover, the construction features removable inner foam lens clips that can be utilized to protect the wearer's eyes from dust.

CONS

The adjustable strap loses its grip quite fast.

OUR VERDICT

This tactical shades model features two unique Sky Red Mirror lenses that boast a double layer and red mirror coatings. Thanks to these additions, they can absorb UV rays, blue light, and even infrared radiation of up to 2000 nm.

detailed parameters
Impact Resistance

ANSI Z87+ Standard

Material

Lenses: Polycarbonate

Frame: Polycarbonate

Lenses

Anti-fog, Scratch-resistant, UVA/B/C protection

Extras

Removable inner foam lens clip, Quick-release headband system (adjustable strap)

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

The adjustable strap of this model is 1" thick and is long enough for the goggles to be worn together with a helmet. To add more, it is fairly elastic, so you can adjust it so the goggles won't fall or make you uncomfortable.

CONS

The lenses are not very well ventilated, so the goggles can get foggy in a hot environment.

OUR VERDICT

Although this model is not suitable for shooting ranges, it will still be great for paintball matches and airsoft games. The 3 additional frame colors that are optionally available make it easy to choose the right one that fits your uniform.

detailed parameters
Impact Resistance

Basic protection against wind, dust, and other soft particles.

Material

Lenses: Polycarbonate

Frame: Plastic

Lenses

Anti-fog, Scratch-resistant, UVA/B/C protection

Extras

Inner foam padding, Headband (1" adjustable strap)

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

PROS

On top of the 3 lenses, the glasses come supplied with a neck strap, hard shell carrying case, and a cleaning cloth. This allows prolonging the service life of the shades significantly.

CONS

The nosepad can be a bit too tight and narrow for people with bigger nose sizes.

OUR VERDICT

If you value the protection part of tactical glasses just as much as a stylish appearance, then this model will be right up your alley. The 3 changeable lenses make it easy to pick the right color for the sunglasses according to weather conditions and temperature.

detailed parameters
Impact Resistance

ANSI Z87+ Standard

Material

Lenses: Polycarbonate

Frame: Plastic

Lenses

Changeable (3 lenses included), Anti-fog, Scratch-resistant, UVA/B/C protection

Extras

Neck strap, Drawstring pouch, Hard Shell carrying case, Cleaning cloth

Warranty

Amazon's 30-day return policy

High-End Tactical Shades

The Overwatch from Venture Gear is an essential piece of equipment when it comes to military and civilian use. Perfect for police work and general purposes such as construction operations or simple airsoft games, it can become your best companion. So, what makes it so interesting after all? Let’s take a closer look at the core aspects of these sunglasses and find out.

To start off, the frame of the military sunglasses is made of polycarbonate with additional nylon attachments for users' comfort. These include a soft nosepiece for a tighter non-slip grip with your nose and rubber temple tips to fix the sunglasses in place even during the most extreme and fast-paced situations.

As for the lenses, they are also made of polycarbonate but with the addition of anti-fog coating that provides a crystal-clear view at all times regardless of weather conditions. Speaking of which, the lenses also provide the user with UVA/B/C ray protection, which makes wearing them on sunny days an absolute pleasure. Additionally, different lens color combinations are optionally available so you can choose the one that fits your style or matches the uniform color.

Affordable and robust, the Venture Gear Overwatch will provide you with one of the toughest military-grade eye protection, so, provided you are looking for something mean-looking, this model has the best construction and will be the right pick for you.

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B07KRZ9NWV

A Complete Package

The Venture Gear Semtex 2.0 shades have all it takes to be considered a top-notch tactical model for virtually any possible purpose. Be it sawing lumber, playing airsoft, or even participating in a police operation, this product will handle it without breaking a sweat. This is achieved thanks to the polycarbonate lenses that are designed to be utilized in the toughest environments possible. The glasses easily surpass the general ANSI Z87.1 (+1) civilian standard for ballistic eyewear and can be safely labelled as true military-grade glasses.

Protection aside, let’s take a closer look at what makes these glasses not only look great but also comfortable to wear. First of all, this model features a custom-fit nosepiece made of rubber for the user’s comfort. You can adjust the piece according to the size of your nose, so it won’t either slip down or make you uncomfortable during use.

Moving on, the frame is reinforced with non-slip flexible temple fixators (or simply co-injected temples). These might look like a bit too much protection, however, they actually do keep sunglasses in place in case of any sudden head movements.

Wrapping things up, the Venture Gear Semtex 2.0 is a complete package for both military and civilian use.

Last updated price $24.23
Stock In stock
ASIN B07CT92FN5

Maximum Protection for the Civilian Market

The Pyramex Safety Highlander is a UV-protected pair of tactical sunglasses that in their core design lean more towards the civilian market instead of aiming to fit the military-grade product range.

Even though the headband system of the glasses can be tightened up, it still leaves enough room for ventilation, so the lenses don’t fog up even in extremely hot temperatures. If you don’t need it, you can remove the adjustable strap at any time and wear this model as regular protection sunglasses.

The lenses themselves will protect your eyes from UV rays, while the special scratch-proof finish provides a clear view through them no matter what. Additional protection parts include an inner lens clip made of special foam that will protect your eyes from dust and other soft particles.

As for the actual protection certificates, this pair of tactical sunglasses surpasses the standard ANSI Z87+ testing and is eligible to be used for any civilian and industrial job. Though the standard testing makes them safe for the industrial high-impact applications, they are not suited for military use, despite being just slightly below the needed specifications to pass the MIL-PRF 32432 test.

If you are searching for something a little more fancy-looking rather than a military-related product, then Pyramex Safety Highlander will be a solid choice.

Last updated price $0.00
Stock In stock
ASIN B07Q38YNRV

An Essential Pair of Goggles

The Ventec tactical goggles from Rothco are not exactly what you would call tactical shades or even sunglasses since they don’t have any means of temple support and can only be used with an included headband.

The lenses here feature all standard protection means from soft particles, dust, and strong winds, however, they cannot be used for something more dangerous because they are not ANSI certified for industrial protective eyewear. That being said, they will still be a great choice for paintball or airsoft games as well as a means of general-purpose eye protection. The sunray protection includes a regular UVA/B/C rating, which should be more than enough to wear them on a daily basis.

On top of the comfortable foam on the frame, the lenses feature small vents for better air circulation and a clearer view in hot temperatures. Even though the lenses have an anti-fog coating, they can get a bit foggy when the weather gets a touch too damp.

If camo finish is not your cup of tea, there are 3 additional colors optionally available that may be a better pick for your particular style or taste. All things considered, if you are looking for an affordable pair of goggles and you don’t need a military-grade product, the model will fit the bill just fine.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $12.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B003EHAE2U

Uni-Lens Makes It Better

The 3-color lens tactical shooting glasses from XAegis feature one single lens instead of two. On top of that, the kit is supplied with 3 lenses of different colors (smoke, yellow, and clear) that can be switched in a matter of seconds thanks to this convenient construction.

The frame of the product is made of high-quality plastic, while the lenses are produced using polycarbonate that provides the user with a good view. Additionally, the lenses are UVA/B/C protected and can be used in all environments.

Some users may think that a semi-rimless frame is a bit fragile, however, that is more of a misconception. All three lenses are extremely durable and are ANSI Z87+ certified, making them ideal for shooting ranges, airsoft, and paintball games.

This minimalistic yet highly efficient design makes the XAegis one of the best models in its class available on the market today. And that is no wonder since these tactical sunglasses have all it takes for the aforementioned title - great build quality, premium materials, and extremely durable lenses that provide the user with excellent visibility at all times.

In the end, if you are searching for a good-looking tactical sunglasses model that is not overpriced, this one will be an excellent contender for the role.

Last updated price $18.99
Stock In stock
ASIN B07GWJ4CCL

What Are Tactical Sunglasses?

The ballistic eyewear or tactical glasses, to put simply, are designed not only to look cool but to actually protect your eyes from the impact of high-velocity projectiles.

There are two main types of tactical eyewear that you can choose from in order to protect your eyes. The first one is a civilian-grade type of sunglasses. These products require to pass the ANSI Z87+ certification process in order to be labelled as ballistic eyewear. The other one would be a MIL-PRF 32432 type of eyewear that can be safely used by military, police, or private contractor forces.

On top of the regular soft-particles, dust, or construction debris, these military sunglasses can withstand the impact of smaller rounds such as of 12-gauge shotgun from 50 feet. This makes them great not only for military application but also for paintball and airsoft games and battle reenactment, which are becoming more and more popular.

If you are looking for more shooting range gear, we also recommend taking a look at the best reflex and red dot sights that are available on the market today. If you need something more robust in terms of eye protection, then a pair of shooting glasses will fit this bill just right.

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