Wilderness eye protection

In the military we were issued ESS Revolutions, which are 60 dollar glasses. They aren't the hottest looking glasses in the world but they were comfortable and offered a very large area of protection. They claimed they would stop 00 Buck and rimfire pills, so one slow day we tested them, and sure shit- after emptying a 6 round tube from a riot Mossberg 590, and a magazine from a Ruger 1022, the glasses had no cracks or any signs of failure or penetration. That instilled alot of confidence in me, and after that I didn't give a shit that they weren't as cool as oakleys. Now that I am a civilian and rarely need that kind of protection, I usually go with a pair of Rudy Projects.
 
I wear polarized Oakley Half-Jackets most of the time, but my buyer's remorse tells me there are better options. They are a bit small and have some blocked peripheral vision.

I really like some of the stuff I see from Gargoyles and Rudy Project. While less fashionable they have much better prices and appear to have more functional designs.
 
Pretty sure any quality sunglasses will be strong enough for basic eye protection in the wilderness. Start using machinery or firearms and then you may need some that are especially strong.
 
Worn them all in the Military. The best in my opinion are Oakley M frames. Either the original or 2.0. That or the half jackets. Great fit, comfortable, and excellent ballistic protection.

.02
 
I use a pair of Uvex Bandit safety glasses as my everyday sunglasses.

They're adjustable, cheap, and tough and offer a wide verity of lens choices.
 
I have a pair from MEC with swapable lenses, so I have no excuse not to wear them while working at dusk, where I might with only tinted ones. they aren't rated, but were fairly cheap. someday I'll upgrade. I always wear them while using my saw, it throws chips like mad!
 
Ask the optician or optometrist who makes your glasses about the current recommendations. It used to be a strong frame using polycarbonate lenses with a minimum 3mm thickness.

I have a pair of prescription Rec Specs that I use when I need to protect my eyes.
 
wearing even the cheapest safety glasses, on your eyes give more protection than 200 buck glasses in your pocket, in your car or in your pack.
Over the last month, I have worked with a patient, who had a wire from a wire wheel, penetrate the upper eyelid and the orbit of the eye,( Safety glasses were in the pocket). Also a patient whose cornea was scratched so much, the surface of the cornea crinkled when we tried to read a pressure of the orbit.
Eye injuries happen fast, faster than you can blink, I was allowing my 12 year old to cut down a small tree.I was making sure he was safe, and had my safety glasses on. As it started to fall , it hung up , I had him back off, and took ONE swing with the axe, and a 1" x 1" chip flew up and hit my eye. I saw colors then stars, then nothing. That was a long walk back to the house. and longer trip to the doc's.
The chauffer ( wife ) , stopped by the local Walmart and picked up ten pair of Uvex safety glasses , I have clear , tinted and yellow safety glasses. An best of all , I wear them. AND I have regained all sight in the injured eye.
 
This thread really has me thinking. I always wear eye protection for big jobs, but if I'm just going to hit something real quick with the dremel, or quickly take a couple limbs off a tree in the back yard, I might not put on the glasses. Not only is it dangerous, but eye injuries freakin' hurt. In Sept. I took a bug in the eye on the motorcycle at about 45 miles per hour and ended up in the hospital. In my defense, the bike has a tall windscreen, my helmet visor was only cracked an inch, and I was wearing glasses. Just goes to show that you can't be to careful.
 
i just got some cheapo sunglasses i use for work....nothing like weedwhacking sand/rock patch :)


but honestly ive neverthought of carrying a pair for the woods. guess ill be heading to the nearest walgreens!
 
Good discussion, guys. Thanks for the thoughtful replies!

I look on this whole thing as a learning experience that will leave me better equipped. The plan is to wear a pair of prescription sporting glasses and keep my regular specs in a hard-shell case in my pack. This will increase my eye protection and provide backup glasses in case my main pair gets lost or damaged.

All the best,

- Mike
 
Last edited:
I worked as a mechanic for a while and wore cheap-ass shop glasses until I got a sliver of steel stuck in my eye that got all infected and had to be dug out with a needle. I went and bought a pair of Snap-On safety glasses, very similar to Oakley M-Frames, the next day. For the money, I would suggest looking into ballistic lense Oakleys. They are what my brother was issued in Iraq...
 
The ballistic lenses are key -- most glasses don't have them, but they will stop anything, and once you've got those, you don't have to think about it.

I try to remember to wear some sort of eyewear anytime I'm doing anything outside.
 
I use polycarbonate lenses in apair of frames designed for folks with seizure disorders.

They use a strap so stay in place. Heavy padding around nose and bridge of nose. Plus they can be twisted flexed etc. They survive me in the woods and that is sayin somethin for them.

Otherwise the mil issue sun, windand snow goggles are great for just protection from environmental concerns.
 
Back
Top