Tactical sunglasses are definitely among the most important accessories for both military and outdoor enthusiasts. The best tactical sunglasses are not just designed to shield your eyes from the harmful rays of the sun, but also made to withstand impacts from small debris, protection from wind and dust and auto adjust to different light conditions.
There are many things to consider when choosing a pair of tactical glasses.
Combat ready – If you are planning to be in a combat area, you will want sunglasses or goggles that offer maximum ballistic protection to protect yourself from shrapnel and debris. Look for military rated (MCEP or MIL PRF) ballistic polycarbonate lenses. You will also want glasses that protect you from dust/wind, so make sure to get gasketed glasses.
Environment – If you are in the desert, you will definitely want to get gasketed style glasses, which create a seal around your eyes to protect them from wind, dust, and sand. If you are going to be somewhere with no wind/sand, then wearing non-gasketed glasses offer better peripheral vision and are more comfortable to wear over long periods of time.
Lens choices – If you are in a non-combat area, then your main focus should be more on protecting your eyes from bright sunlight. For example, if you are near the ocean often, you probably want to get polarized lenses to protect from glare and reflections off the water.
You may want to consider getting sunglasses with lenses that auto adjust to light, or that have interchangeable lenses, so you can swap them out depending on the situation. For non-combat glasses, you still want to check if the sunglasses are at least ANSI rated for ballistic protection.
When it comes to choosing the best tactical sunglasses it is all about knowing the environment you will be using them in. Not every pair of tactical sunglasses are made equal and you can expect that the expensive ones have better quality and construction.
The Best Tactical Sunglasses — Top 5
Here are a few of the best tactical sunglasses on the market today. We have made a list ranging from combat to no
Wiley X Valor Sunglasses – $63.97
The Wiley X Valor Sunglasses are some of the most popular and highest rated tactical glasses on the market.
These sunglasses feature interchangeable, shatterproof, ballistic polycarbonate lenses. They also meet ANSI Z87.1-2010 high velocity and impact standards, as well as U.S. military specifications for combat protective eyewear (GL-PD 10-12 MCEP).
The lenses are 100% polarized and provide maximum UVA/UB protection, as well as glare protection without distorting colors. The lenses are also RX-ready, meaning you put in prescripti0n lenses if necessary.
These Wiley X Valor sunglasses come with 3 different lense colors (smoke, clear, rust), so that you can swap them out depending on the lighting conditions. The package also includes a leash cord to prevent accidental drops, as well as a case and cleaning cloth.
These are easily one of the best tactical sunglasses on the market today. You will not be disappointed with your purchase!
Buy the Wiley X Valor Sunglasses here!
Also check out the Wiley X Revolvr Sunglasses here!
For wind/dust protection, check out the Wiley X SG-1 Goggles
Jackson Safety Nemesis Tactical Sunglasses – $9.05
Don’t let the cheap price fool you. These budget friendly tactical sunglasses are awesome!
The Jackson Safety Nemesis Tactical Sunglasses are made of polycarbonate and meet the basic ANSI Z87.1 ballistic standards. The extremely dark lenses provide excellent protection from strong sunlight, and also have the following features — anti-fog, impact resistant and UV protection (99.9% UV protection rating).
Best of all, they are less than $10!
The lenses do tend to scratch easier than high-end glasses, but for ten bucks, you can’t ask for much more.
If you are looking for a cheap pair of non-combat sunglasses that you can wear around while you work, or go to the shooting range with, then you should definitely pick a pair up.
Buy Jackson Safety Nemesis Tactical Sunglasses here!
Edge Tactical Eyewear Acid Gambit – $49.95
The Edge Tactical Eyewear is an impressive tactical sunglass built for optimum protection and comfort. It features an extremely flexible nylon frame that can withstand rough use without any issues. The lens is made of scratch resistant polycarbonate material as well, and have anti-fog coating.
These sunglasses have also passed the standard military ballistic tests and are ANSI Z87.1 compliant.
Overall, these are a great looking, and reasonably priced pair of tactical sunglasses. If you are looking for a great alternative to more expensive brands, then the Edge Acid Gambit are an excellent choice.
Buy Edge Tactical Eyewear here!
Oakley Radar Path Sunglasses – $160
Oakley. A sunglasses list is not complete without an entry from the iconic brand. You know you are going to get a quality pair of glasses when you buy Oakley, and the Radar Path is no exception.
The Radar Path offer everything you would want in a pair of (non-combat) tactical sunglasses. They meet ANSI Z87.1 standards for high-mass and high-velocity impact resistance. The prescription ready, glare-reducing polycarbonate lenses offer 100% UV protection from UVA / UVB / UVC & harmful blue light up to 400nm. They also offer optimal fit thanks to its 3-point fit system, and interchangeable nose pad.
The Oakley Radar Path glasses are also super lightweight which makes them comfortable to wear over long periods of time.
The only downside of these glasses is the price. For $160, they are easily the most expensive option on this list.
If you don’t mind the price, and want a super stylish pair of sunglasses to strut around in, then these are for you!
Buy the Oakley Radar Path Sunglasses here!
Also check out the slightly cheaper Oakly Gascan Sunglasses here!
Venture Gear Overwatch Frame Tactical Sunglasses – $24.95
The Venture Overwatch Tactical Sunglass is designed for full eye coverage. This means that your eyes will be protected from extreme winds and dust as well as the blinding sunlight. It has a permanent side protection design which ensures that not one speck of dust will be able to get in.
As for comfort, it features a soft nose piece construction that utilizes rubber temple tips that will fit into the nose bridge without strain. The lens has a 99.9% UV protection rating and is impact resistant. It is great against fogging problems.
These tactical sunglasses are also military rated impact resistant, making them one of the most affordable, best tactical sunglasses on the market.
Buy Venture Gear Overwatch Frame Tactical Sunglasses here!
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Those are our picks of the best tactical sunglasses. For combat-ready glasses, we definitely recommend the Wiley X sunglasses or goggles. For non-combat situations, the choice is more of a matter of style preference. Let us know which is your favorite!
Stephen Ryan
April 5, 2022 at 11:11amI love the Venture goggles. I like the look! they appear very expensive (comparable to the Oakley look). The nice, slim and sleek logo doesn’t draw an excessive amount of attention. Great color! The lenses are DARK, so if you favor lighter lenses, these might not be suitable for you. They hug comfortably so you do not must worry about them coming loose. They looked as if they would slow down a touch after wearing them for some weeks. Honestly, I’ve got nothing negative to mention about these glasses.