The 10 Best Tactical Sunglasses

Shooters who want one pair for any light should look at the Wiley X Saber Advanced, a shield kit with smoke, clear and light rust lenses. Wiley X rates it for heavy, high-speed impact and says it meets the military's ballistic standard. Lenses swap without tools but take force, and a foam insert blocks wind and grit. Outdoor Life rated it the best pair it tested. A hard pellet hit can knock the lens loose, though it stays usable.

Shooters who wear earmuffs will appreciate the ESS Crossbow Suppressor One, whose very thin, flexible arms sit flat under muffs and helmet straps. ESS lists U.S. and European safety ratings and the military's ballistic spec for the shield. This copper lens adds contrast in hazy or mixed light, a snap-on strap comes in the box, and a quick-release latch takes other lenses later. Only one lens comes with it, and it's a bit light for very bright days.

A shape that has been on ranges for decades, the Oakley SI M Frame 2.0 comes from Oakley's line for military, police and industrial buyers. Oakley says the grey lens meets the U.S. high-impact standard and the military's fragmentation spec, and it carries a permanent anti-fog coating and blocks ultraviolet light. The thin temples slip under hearing protection, radio headsets and helmets, and the lens changes without tools. The lens is dark, so it's a poor match for low light.

The Wiley X Valor passes for everyday sunglasses, with two lenses under a top rim and open bottom edges. Wiley X still rates it for high impact and says it passes the military ballistic test. The tan kit includes smoke, clear and rust lenses that swap in and out, and rubber tips and nose pads keep it in place when you sweat. It's sized for larger faces and wider heads, so smaller faces can find it too wide.

Dusty rides and job sites call for the Wiley X Gravity, a full-frame wrap with a removable foam gasket that keeps out wind and grit. A strap docks to the temples for a locked-on fit, and both pieces come off on calm days. Wiley X lists high-impact and ballistic ratings, plus anti-fog lenses. The sealed frame traps heat, so it can fog on hot, still days, and the seller's photos and text disagree on the lens color.

For a low price, the Ergodyne Skullerz Odin carries U.S., Canadian and military ballistic safety ratings. The full nylon frame bends and springs back, rubber on the nose and temples resists slipping when you sweat, and a slot in each temple takes a lanyard and lets air through. The smoke lens blocks nearly all ultraviolet light. A dust gasket is sold separately, and each pair has one fixed tint, so a clear pair means a second purchase.

From the tactical line of Pyramex, a big safety-glasses maker, the Venture Gear Semtex 2.0 borrows the half-rim look of high-end sport frames. The seller says it passes the military's impact test, and the forest gray lens keeps colors natural and resists fog. Top Firearm Reviews shot it with birdshot and called it a strong value, though a little heavy. No U.S. safety rating is spelled out, so look for the Z87+ mark on the frame.

Glare off water, snow and wet roads is what the polarized HTS Hunterksy Q37 cuts. Its dark smoke lens carries a U.S. high-impact rating backed by an outside report, though the military claim rests on an in-house test. The nose pads adjust, and a strap, cloth and hard case come in the box. Soap can ruin the anti-fog coating, so clean it with water, and the lens can black out some phone and sight displays.

Anyone who wants to stand out will like the Pit Viper OG 2.0 Ballistic, which puts Pit Viper's loud, flat-top shield on a lens the company says an outside lab certified to U.S. and military impact standards. The wide, dark lens suits bright sun, grip pads and a strap keep it in place, and it covers the sides without extra shields. It's new, with few reports so far, and the look won't suit anyone who wants to stay low-key.

Aircraft-grade aluminum replaces plastic in the hand-built front of the Gatorz Magnum, which is made in the U.S. and carries a lifetime frame warranty. This smoke lens carries high-impact and military ballistic ratings, and the same frame comes with polarized, light-adjusting and anti-fog lenses. The temples and nosepiece adjust, and Gatorz says it fits under helmets and hearing protection. A metal frame can stay bent after a hard hit, the price is high, and stock is thin.