Wiley X Sunglasses are a family owned company producing military spec eyeware that focuses on eye protection as much as visual acuity. They have a wide range of polarising lenses made of polycarbonite that are shatterproof and meet MILspec requirements. Many of the options will also keep fine dust, pollen and peripheral light at bay making them suitable for everything form the desert to the arctic and from leisure activities to the shooting range.
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Full review
Its not often I write a review for gear that I’ve used for nearly 5 years but with the Wiley X sunglasses I’ve finally got round to it. I’ve used their sunglass in the Sahara Desert and in the Frozen Conditions of Mongolia and they are my go to googles/sunglasses when I need protection and sharp vision in challenging light conditions.
Literally Bulletproof
Its a phrase that’s used a lot with gear I use but with Wiley X they are LITERALLY ballistically resistant which is what makes then so suitable for firing ranges or rough use. The sunglasses have ANSI rated frames and lenses that have been tested to withstand the impact of a quarter inch steel ball. This is one of the reasons they meet the MILspec requirements for use with the armed forces. Its important to look for sunglasses with polycarbonite construction too because super cheap sunglasses will not only shatter and break easily but they also tend to create sharp shards that can cause serious damage.
Wiley X Lenses
All of the Wiley X lenses are geared for crisp clear optics and the polarizing options allow you greater accuracy during extremely challenging light conditions such as being in the desert or snowy conditions. The lenses are tapered and decentred so you dont get the distortions you sometimes get with cheaper lenses.
Ive changed out the lenses a number of times and find that the lenses are pretty resistant to scratches provided you look after them reasonably. There is a cloth and case provided to help you store the lenses too.
The captivate polarized technology they use helps reduce glare and increase the ease of seeing colors in bright light conditions. When fishing or out on boats I notice how much easier it is to see through the glare of the water into the depths below. All of the lenses also give UV protection.
When in extreme conditions or where humidity is very high you can find the lenses can fog slightly despite their anti fog coating. This is to be expected when you are sweating a lot and in high humidity. In these situations I suggest using Catcrap optic cleaner to help keep them from fogging up.
Wiley also do a ‘LA” light adjusting lense that changes darkness amount depending on light conditions.
Removeable Facial Cavity Seals
The reason I chose Wiley X sunglasses in 2016 was for the facial seals that effectively turn these sunglasses into lightweight goggles. I used them when I competed in the Marathon des Sables which is one of the toughest races on earth and they did a fantastic job keeping the sand and dust out of my eyes while also protecting me from the glare of the Saharan Sun.
These light sponge coverings work to keep our dust, sand and pollen out and can be easily added on and taken off when not needed.
Wiley X Prescription Lense Option
Wiley X also do a prescription lense option which is great. they use digital edge thinning to make sure they use their existing quality lenses for the prescription versions as well. They can create any prescription between -7 and + 5 Diopters.
Quality Case
My Wiley X Sunglasses also came with a high quality zip pouch case that can be attached to a belt or backpack and included a microfibre cloth for cleaning, a neck strap and I also opted for changeable lenses and an elastic head strap.
Verdict
Wiley X Sunglasses are a family owned company producing military spec eyeware that focuses on eye protection as much as visual acuity. They have a wide range of polarising lenses made of polycarbonite that are shatterproof and meet MILspec requirements. Many of the options will also keep fine dust, pollen and peripheral light at bay making them suitable for everything form the desert to the arctic and from leisure activities to the shooting range.
About Wiley X
Wiley X is a family owned company founded by U.S. Veteran Myles Freeman Sr. with a focused determination to create the world’s best protective gear for those that protect our country.
We won’t let up. Ever. That’s the only way to make sure that our products continue to inspire confidence in everyone that wears them. Regardless of situation. In spite of whatever they encounter.
