We all know firearms recoil to some extent, the result of a powerful explosion inside the gun’s chamber. And this explosion just happens to be less than an arm’s length from your face! Plus, some firearms eject hot shell casings at significant speeds. Add in the outdoor hazards of the wind, flying debris, pesky tree limbs and you can see why wearing a pair of quality, protective eyewear simply makes sense for hunters.
In addition to protecting your eyes, safety glasses can also increase shooting your accuracy. Certain lens colors can actually enhance your depth perception and increase visual acuity. Those are some nice advantages to have when you’ve got that trophy buck in your sights.
Quality safety glasses will do an excellent job of protecting a hunter’s eyes from impacts. However, with so many safety glasses to choose from, you’ll want to consider the following features when selecting a pair.
- Choose wrap-around shooting glasses for extra protection from bright light, flying debris and eye scratches from pesky tree limbs.
- Make sure lenses are shatter resistant. Accurateshooter.com reports that safety glasses marked with the Z87.1+ high-impact rating performed the best in testing by the NRA’s American Hunter magazine.
- Look for styles with adjustable options. The ability to adjust the fit of nose pads and temples can go a long way to increasing the comfort of eyewear, which means less distraction and better focus.
- Consider styles with foam padding on the frame for protection from excessive dust and flying debris. Keep in mind the foam padding may increase lens fogging in certain conditions.
- Look for frame styles with a “sweat bar” to add stability and ensure a more secure fit. The “sweat bar” will reduce the likelihood of excess sweat from dripping down into your eyes.
- Choose anti-fog lenses. Changing temperatures along with the physical exertion of the hunt can cause the glasses to fog up and impair your vision.
