Decent scratch resistant safety/sunglasses?

[jjeff]

Had dozens of pairs of various brands over the years, wondering if anyone owns or makes a decent pair at a fair price, that are somewhat scratch resistant? Parameters would be scratch resistance, look ok for everyday use, meet ansi requirements, maybe polarized in my pipe dream world floating lol. On the pricy level owned 1 pair of Ray bans till they fell off my head and one of the lenses shattered, on the cheaper side owned 3m, I gog's, Milwaukee, and DeWalt to name a few safety sun glasses. Brief lifespan always ending in the same unfortunate demise, of getting so scratched til I can't see out of them. In sight and suggestions appreciated.

 

[oosik]

I've had Ray Ban and now Oakley. The Ray Bans fell off my head and before I could react - I had stepped on them. The Oakleys clamp on my head like a tick going for blood.

For over 60 years I rode motorcycles. NEVER able to find a pair that didn't cause wind buffeting around my eyes. I finally went to a full enclosure helmet. I also had a pair of Scott goggles.

I've had some really exotic, high tech, space age sun glasses. They were great until I got on the motorcycle.

 

[jjeff]

I've had Ray Ban and now Oakley. The Ray Bans fell off my head and before I could react - I had stepped on them. The Oakleys clamp on my head like a tick going for blood.

For over 60 years I rode motorcycles. NEVER able to find a pair that didn't cause wind buffeting around my eyes. I finally went to a full enclosure helmet. I also had a pair of Scott goggles.

I've had some really exotic, high tech, space age sun glasses. They were great until I got on the motorcycle.

Never owned a pair of Oakleys how durable and scratch resistant are they? Imo it would be nice if they made a pair that were hard coated like a hard coated plastic like a UTV windshield?

 

[oosik]

I've been able to keep my Oakleys for five years now. As I remember - they were pretty expensive - $250 to $300. So I keep a microfiber cloth and some lens cleaner in the pickup to clean them. In the house - run under hot water and dry with a microfiber towel.

So far - no visible scratches.

I'm a firm believer - sometimes you are able to get what you pay for. Those glasses advertised for $19.95 might just give you $19.95 worth of protection. I'm blind in my right eye. SO.....I'm pretty careful when it comes to dealing with anything involving my eyes.

 

[WinterDeere]

I destroy expensive glasses as fast, sometimes faster, than cheap ones. I'd rather have new and scratch free, than feel some need to hang onto a damaged pair, for what I paid up-front. So, I've settled on just buying sunglasses and safety glasses all under $15, and replacing them every few weeks/months. With racing sailboats, specifically dinghies in rough weather, I've had some pairs that didn't even last the day.

I don't care how good the lenses are, once scratched, they're worse than the affordable tech.

 

[ArlyA]

If safety glasses is your goal, they are made from some form of poly and not very scratch resistant. Glass is much better at scratch resistant but blow up when stuck by x flying into your face. It's a choice as to what's more important to you.

 

[Omega Woods]

I destroy expensive glasses as fast, sometimes faster, than cheap ones. I'd rather have new and scratch free, than feel some need to hang onto a damaged pair, for what I paid up-front. So, I've settled on just buying sunglasses and safety glasses all under $15, and replacing them every few weeks/months. With racing sailboats, specifically dinghies in rough weather, I've had some pairs that didn't even last the day.

I don't care how good the lenses are, once scratched, they're worse than the affordable tech.

I grab handfuls of smoked wrap-arounds at Harbor Freight when they're on sale. I scratch and lose them no matter how much I paid for them so I go the disposable route with safety glasses and keep a pair or two in each machine/vehicle and half-dozen in each house/barn.

 

[jyoutz]

The best sunglasses are the typical prescription glasses. At an optometrist you can get any frame and have them install a polycarbonate sunglass lens with scratch resistant coating. Often they are cheaper than buying the better off the rack sunglasses. Regarding the Oakleys, they are very nice glasses and I’ve had a few. I had to quit wearing them because of the way they fit. They dug into my head above my ears, especially when I wore a hat. If you buy them, be sure that the fit works for you.

 

[gsganzer]

Crossfire are my everyday sunglasses and safety glasses. The lenses are optically very clear and the glasses are very comfortable. I typically buy the ES4 because they have a better nose piece. The ES5 has a slightly larger lens, but the nose pieces fall off.

Crossfire Safety Glasses

 

[EddieWalker]

If you are wearing them to protect your eyes while working with power tools, be sure that they have a solid fit around your nose. It's been over a decade now, but I was wearing a pair of safety glasses that didn't have a tight seal around my nose, and a tiny piece of wood flew through that gap, and into my eye. I had to have an eye doctor remove it.

For my, the number one goal is having something that 100% blocks out anything flying off of the saw or grinder, or jackhammer. Or whatever I'm using at the time. I usually buy the more expensive ones that they have at Lowes or Home Depot. I'm there almost every day, so it's not a big deal to buy there.

I find all the damage to the lens happens when I put them down. For whatever reason, they always end up with the glass on the bottom. They also do this when storing them in my truck. I've never damaged them while wearing them, it's always when I put them down.

In the last couple of years, I've gotten really good at storing my safety glasses so they are protected from getting scratched in my truck, and when I'm using them, and take them off, I make sure that the glass doesn't end up at the the bottom, touching anything. Doing this has made a huge difference in how long they last. Instead of buying new ones every couple of months, it's been over a year since I bought my last pair.

 

[ning]

I'm a big fan of these type of safety glasses:

Super comfortable - the arms are very thin so wearing them with earmuffs or headband, do-rag, or hat, you can't feel that they're behind your ears, but they have a light texture so they grip just fine. They don't fog readily, and you can get them in clear/light gray/dark gray/blue/yellow. I haven't found medium-gray yet; the dark gray are great for bright sun but a bit dark for shadows.
Optically they're very good.

Their scratch resistance is that they cost about $1 each, so when they get messed up enough they go into the garbage and I grab a brand new pair. I drop them a lot, don't take care of them, get hit in the face with branches all the time, and do a decent amount of grinder work - and I go through probably 15 a year.

A negative could be that they're not going to fit normal glasses behind them.

I can't see wearing anything more expensive, nothing serving this purpose lasts very long so it may as well be good and cheap.

 

[EddieWalker]

Just to add to my previous comment. Buy safety glasses with a bright color on them. I can't count home many times I put them down and then I can't find them!!!!

 

[crreed67]

I'm a big fan of these type of safety glasses:
View attachment 872963
Super comfortable - the arms are very thin so wearing them with earmuffs or headband, do-rag, or hat, you can't feel that they're behind your ears, but they have a light texture so they grip just fine. They don't fog readily, and you can get them in clear/light gray/dark gray/blue/yellow. I haven't found medium-gray yet; the dark gray are great for bright sun but a bit dark for shadows.
Optically they're very good.

Their scratch resistance is that they cost about $1 each, so when they get messed up enough they go into the garbage and I grab a brand new pair. I drop them a lot, don't take care of them, get hit in the face with branches all the time, and do a decent amount of grinder work - and I go through probably 15 a year.

A negative could be that they're not going to fit normal glasses behind them.

I can't see wearing anything more expensive, nothing serving this purpose lasts very long so it may as well be good and cheap.

Same here. They don't seal particularly well around the nose but for most stuff they're great--my opinion for what it's worth. Very good for sunglasses also. Come in a bunch of different varieties and you can't beat the price.

Amazon.com

 

[Runner]

I wear DeWalt safety/sunglasses most of the time. Also like Pugs from Ace Hardware because they are cheap safety glasses that are very stylish (I wear them when cycling).

 

[ArlyA]

I wear DeWalt safety/sunglasses most of the time. Also like Puggs from Ace Hardware because the are cheap safety glasses that are very stylish (I wear them when cycling).

We also wear glasses while cycling.

 

[gsganzer]

For all you folks complaining about damaging or losing your glasses, try Chums, for keeping them around your neck. For those of us in TX, they sell them at Academy.

Chums Eyeglass retainer

 

[jjeff]

Well one thing I learned with kids on the house don't let them use them, when I feel like I'm going to have to extensively remove rust using power tools or extensively grind something I put on a full face shield. I've had great results in terms of scratch resistance using hard coated polycarbonate, wonder why some safety/ sunglasses aren't made like that? Or sunglasses made as tough and as scratch resistant as my tough smartphone screen? This search will continue, one thing I'm pretty sure I will be getting if I find my unicorn sunglasses is like others mentioned a neck strap. Cuz I don't think they will be less than 20 bucks. Basically I'm looking for general purpose wear every where sunglasses with a safety rating. Cuz no way am I going to have several pairs on hand when I'm doing stuff remembering to use my cheaters is enough of a hassle for me anyway.

 

[paulsharvey]

Do you need prescription glasses? I'm not a sunglass wearer, but do have a heavy prescription, and am going to order some decent prescription sunglasses here soon; BUT, I've found plenty of affordable prescription sunglasses Or prescription safety glasses; but not really prescription shaded safety glasses.

Edit: as someone who wears glasses every waking hour; when I say affordable, I'm willing to spend $100-200 on them if I like them. Glasses are like boots, you spend enough hours in them, it's worth getting ones you like. I know my primary glasses take a beating from sparks, grinding dust, ect; and after 5 years, the coatings really do get rough no matter the quality.

 

[jjeff]

Fortunately I only need cheaters when my eyeballs are closer than a foot or so of what I'm trying to do. Definitely not a gazer but over the years I've grown accustomed to wearing sunglasses when it's sunny, without them a headache usually ensues, and feel discombobulated without them. Almost like when I don't wear a wristwatch. Currently in my scratched to sheet inventory is one pair of craftsman, I gog's, pair of Milwaukees , A DeWalt branded pair and a pair of 3m's. I might go with the super cheap ones replacing them much more frequently as someone else suggested.

 

[jyoutz]

Do you need prescription glasses? I'm not a sunglass wearer, but do have a heavy prescription, and am going to order some decent prescription sunglasses here soon; BUT, I've found plenty of affordable prescription sunglasses Or prescription safety glasses; but not really prescription shaded safety glasses.

Edit: as someone who wears glasses every waking hour; when I say affordable, I'm willing to spend $100-200 on them if I like them. Glasses are like boots, you spend enough hours in them, it's worth getting ones you like. I know my primary glasses take a beating from sparks, grinding dust, ect; and after 5 years, the coatings really do get rough no matter the quality.

I do the same. But any of the prescription sunglasses can be ordered without prescription lenses also.