Are you looking for the best tactical sunglasses? If so, you are in the right place. You’ll want to find the best sunglasses that will be perfect for when you are outdoors. If you want excellent quality and the ability to navigate through obstacles or see better when the sun gets a bit too bright, one of these tactical sunglasses might be the best solution for you.
And we have compiled a list that includes some of the best tactical sunglasses on the market. Before we get to the list itself, we’ll be talking about the benefits of wearing tactical sunglasses and what to look for when purchasing a pair for yourself.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Tactical Sunglasses
- OUR TOP PICK: Magpul Explorer
- Gatorz Magnum Sunglasses
- Wiley X SG-1
Comparison of the Best Tactical Sunglasses
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What Are The Benefits of Wearing Tactical Sunglasses?
If you are looking for a pair of tactical sunglasses, it’s good to know of some of the benefits that you can expect. Here’s what you might get out of your new pair:
Excellent UV Protection
Indeed, the sun can be a good thing to an extent. But it’s never a good thing when it’s bright enough to the point where you can barely see what’s in front of you. A great pair of sunglasses will give you excellent protection for your eyes on even the brightest days.
Long-Lasting
There are sunglasses that will often scratch or break even after short-term use. With tactical sunglasses, you won’t have a problem with these. That’s because the lenses will have a protective coating that will be resistant to scratches and will be very hard to break apart in the first place due to impact or similar incidents.
Protection Against Eye Injuries
Believe it or not, eye injuries are common in situations where flying projectiles and blowing dust (among similar elements) will occur regularly. You’d be surprised how a pair of tactical sunglasses will work to your advantage when it comes to superior protection compared to regular sunglasses.
What to Look For When Buying Tactical Sunglasses
Knowing what to look for in a pair of tactical glasses is important. The features and characteristics that will make a pair of sunglasses stand out better than a standard pair are what you need to look for. Here’s what you need to look for:
Price
Obviously, the price will be important if you are on a budget. But don’t let that be the only reason why you purchased a pair of tactical sunglasses. Find the best quality that is fitting for your budget. Never sacrifice quality because of how low the price is. You will be sorely disappointed with how long they will last (even when you bought them at a crazy low price).
High-Quality
These tactical sunglasses will be a lot different than standard sunglasses. One of those major differences is the materials that the frame is made from. You’ll be quite surprised to see that most frames will be made from the same materials like you would find in your concealed carry pistol (aluminum). The better the quality, the better they will last long and handle applications where a standard pair will break quite easily.
Lens Quality
The lenses will play a huge role in how well your sunglasses will perform. One such lens to consider looking for are polarized lenses. They will give you the best protection against UV rays and other environmental elements that may cause strain or damage to your eyes.
Review of the Best Tactical Sunglasses
Let's take a look at this year's top picks:
Best Overall:
Magpul Explorer
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
These sunglasses are not only stylish, but they do a good job providing a good amount of coverage for the eyes according to most users. They said they were able to wear these all day long on sunny days and even when conditions get a bit windy and dirt tends to kick up. So far, they had no complaints about the overall quality and fitting of these sunglasses.
Why it Stands Out to Us
These sunglasses are super tough and give you excellent protection against the elements. Plus, they are sharp in terms of style. While these sunglasses are not intended to make a fashion statement, you’ll look good while protecting your eyes in any given situation. On top of that, the frame is made from high-quality TR90NZZ material. So you are looking for something that will not bend or break easily compared to other sunglasses.
Who Will Use This Most
These are great for those who want sunglasses that are good to wear for everyday use. Or you can wear them on days when you are out hunting or at the range. They are high in quality, stylish, and will certainly give you the best protection possible no matter the conditions.
Bottom Line
The Magpul Explorer Tactical Sunglasses have proven beyond a doubt that they belong on the “best overall” list. Yes, you can wear them every day of the week or when you’re going to be outdoors for a good part of the day. No matter what, these are sunglasses that will definitely fit you perfectly.
Runner-up:
Gatorz Magnum Sunglasses
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Most of the new buyers were very happy with the sunglasses and for a few good reasons. For one, the shades of darkness were enough to provide a lot of UV protection. The fit was perfect and there were no reports of any slippage on hot summer days when sweating tends to be the norm. Another huge plus was the frame. It was super tough and was very difficult to damage.
Why it Stands Out to Us
One of the most interesting things that stands out with these shades is the frame. It is made from high-quality 7075-T6 aluminum, which is a type of aluminum that is proven to have excellent quality and integrity. So if you want something that is lightweight but almost impossible to damage, these shades will have a frame that is guaranteed to last.
Who Will Use This Most
These shades will be perfect for all-day use. But it can stand out as the best pair you’ve worn for hunting, fishing, or range shooting. In other words, these will be the perfect shades that will come in handy when you are headed outdoors for the day so you can do the stuff you love without the sun or any elements getting in the way of your eyes.
Bottom Line
The Gatorz Magnum Sunglasses are a great pair that you’d be hard-pressed to find simply due to its toughness and overall protection. We would not be surprised if this is considered one of the major contenders for the “best overall” spot in the not so distant future (and we have are reasons why it might be).
Best for the Money:
Wiley X SG-1
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
A lot of new users were quite happy with shades overall. They said it provided them with extra protection against the sun and other elements of weather. The adjustments were easy and allowed for a comfortable fit all around for most. One user said that he was quite impressed with the lenses being able to adjust well to the levels of light while he was outdoors.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you are looking for a budget pair of tactical sunglasses, then you might want to give these bad boys a closer look. While some people like to complain, they aren’t really cheap and flimsy. Far from it. They are able to fit all kinds of head sizes with the help of the adjustable straps. And they are fitting for any weather environment. So you can easily keep the lenses clean without leaving the scratches behind. Let’s not forget, these won’t fog up easily like some shades.
Who Will Use This Most
These tactical sunglasses are probably the best that you can afford. Not to mention, they are pretty good in quality as well. You don’t have to go all high-end to get the best protection. If you want a pair of shades to get you every day or when you are venturing outdoors, these will definitely be your best friend.
Bottom Line
The Wiley X SG-1 tactical sunglasses will stand out as the best option you can get if and when you are on a budget. You’d be surprised how these will protect you against the sun and other elements that may be harmful to your eyes. Once you wear these, you’ll be quite pleased with what you can get out of them.
Best Polarized Tactical Sunglasses:
ESS Crossbow Polar One Eyeshields
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
According to most users, they were very impressed with the overall quality of these shades. Not only that, they were able to wear these without worry about them slipping off their faces if and when the warm weather made things a little sweaty. One user said that these shades were perfect for all-weather use. He added that even in the wintertime he wears these due to the brightness of the sun bouncing off the snowbanks.
Why it Stands Out to Us
What you’re looking at here is an excellent pair of shades that will provide you with the best protection against UV rays. Yes, things can get bright no matter the time of year. So it’s always a great idea to get the best protection for your eyes, even when it’s not summertime. Of course, these sunglasses are hard to break and scratch so you have top-class durability.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for the perfect pair of shades that will be useful at any given time of year, then you may want to consider getting these. Whether you are hunting in the fall or snowshoeing in the winter, these shades will definitely come in handy and will fit you perfectly. Who says wearing sunglasses are a warm-weather thing, anyway?
Bottom Line
The ESS Crossbow Polar One Eyeshields are excellent for those who want a pair of tactical shades that will get the job done no matter what time of year it is. You get superior durability and protection against UV rays that will be hard to beat. You’ll be really impressed with these once you try them on for the first time.
Best Military Tactical Sunglasses:
Revision Shadowstrike Ballistic Sunglass
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers were very impressed with the way these sunglasses would fit. Plus, they said that the eye protection against flying projectiles and UV rays (among others) was top notch. They said that nothing would gain access to their eyes even on windy days when it would always kick up dust. This was great for everyday use and even useful at the range on most days.
Why it Stands Out to Us
If you are looking for the toughest, hard-working tactical sunglasses on the market then these might just take the cake and every bit of frosting along with it. These are tough all over and almost impossible to scratch or damage. Plus, the strap comes available with an adjustable feature that allows you to fit it around your head without feeling any looseness or tightness.
Who Will Use This Most
These sunglasses are great for civilians, military personnel, and law enforcement alike. They will provide excellent protection no matter what you do for activities. And they will be the best fitting sunglasses that you’ve worn up to this point. If you want tactical sunglasses that make your standard shades look like some cheap knock off, these might do you some good.
Bottom Line
If you are looking for the best tactical sunglasses that might be the closest you can get to military-grade, the Revision Shadowstrike Ballistic Sunglasses are going to be your best bet. You can wear these and get the best protection possible without having to worry about what is literally being thrown at your face.
Best Oakley Tactical Sunglasses:
Oakley SI Ballistic
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
New buyers were ecstatic with the overall quality of these sunglasses. They were even more surprised when they were able to wear these while utilizing night vision devices that were mounted on their helmets (or strapped to their heads). One user said that he was still able to see at night while hunting for varmint and wearing a strap on LED light that would help him navigate the wooded areas.
Why it Stands Out to Us
These sunglasses are super durable, but make it convenient for you to switch lenses if and when you need to most. Sometimes, the lenses you may have may lose sensitivity over time and won’t change to its level of “darkness” in order to continually protect your eyes. That’s why it might be a good idea to have a pair of extra lenses handy that are compatible with the frame of these sunglasses. Overall, it’s the best pair of sunglasses that you can use for just about any application you can think of. And it’s also one of the best choices for law enforcement and military personnel for when they need protection from flying projectiles or anything that may come in contact with their eyes and cause potential damage.
Who Will Use This Most
If you are looking for the perfect tactical sunglasses to wear in both an outdoor and indoor setting, these might be a good choice. Besides, these can take on quite a beating no matter how rough the going gets. You could be hunting or on the heels of a high-stress tactical situation. These sunglasses are not just for everyday wear. It can double as a piece of protective attire as well.
Bottom Line
The Oakley SI Ballistic sunglasses are ahead of their time and will shock even users like yourself. You expect a pair of tactical sunglasses to be useful in both daylight and nighttime setting? Well, it all depends on the application. But don’t assume that these are just ordinary sunglasses. They can play a vital role in keeping your eyes out of harm’s way.
Pros and Cons of Polarized Lenses
Polarized lenses are by far the best type of lenses that you can find for your sunglasses. But they do come with a set of pros and cons. Let’s take a look at the pros first:
Pros
Purchasing sunglasses with a polarized lens does come with its set of benefits. Here’s a look at what they are:
Reduces Eye Strain
If you plan on being outdoors for an extensive period of time, you may risk eye strain if you are not wearing sunglasses. Wearing polarized lenses will reduce that considerably. And it’s one of the reasons why they are included on most tactical sunglasses.
Can Be Worn Year-Round
Believe it or not, polarized lenses are proven to protect your eyes from UV rays no matter what the season. In fact, you can wear these in the wintertime. There are those who wear sunglasses during the winter months because the sun can be bright enough to bounce off of the snow.
Great For Seeing Underwater
Not only can you see on the surface, but these polarized lenses will also be able to let you see under the surface of the water. However, these shouldn’t be confused for swimming goggles. These are perfect if you want to protect your eyes from the reflections of the sun bouncing off of the water.
Cons
With the pros come the cons. Here are some cons that are common for polarized lenses:
Difficult to See LCD Screens
If you are in a situation where you are wearing tactical sunglasses or polarized lenses and you are looking at an LCD screen (i.e.--police computers), you may not be able to see the screen clearly. That’s because the lenses are designed to process less light than some other sunglass lenses.
May Cost More Than Standard Lenses
If you are looking for lenses for sunglasses, the polarized lenses will be more expensive compared to standard sunglasses. But if you are on a budget, there is a good chance you’ll find the best possible quality that you can afford. Keep this in mind if you believe that polarized lenses will fare better for you.
How to Clean Tactical Sunglasses
If you want to clean your tactical sunglasses without causing any kind of damage, you can follow this guide below on how you can properly clean them. Here’s how you do it:
- Gently blow any kind of dirt from your lenses.
- Clean the lenses under a water fountain. Alternatively, you can a special lens cleaner. DO NOT CLEAN WITH SOAPS OR CHEMICALS.
- Using a soft-bristled toothbrush, clean the frame.
- Wipe your lenses dry with a microfiber cloth or the inside of a microfiber pouch.
Conclusion
The best tactical sunglasses are out there. Find one that will be able to give you the best protection possible for both indoor and outdoor use. These are arguably the best kind of sunglasses that will work to your advantage when you are out and about both rain, snow, or shine. They might just be way better than your current pair of sunglasses.
