Whether you’re a hunter, forester, police officer, or soldier who shoots as part of your profession, or a sport shooter in a shooting club – protecting your eyes is essential for being able to pursue your job or hobby over the long term. That’s exactly what uvex shooting glasses are designed for: to keep you protected both on the job and in your free time.
What are shooting glasses?
Shooting glasses are protective eyewear worn when using firearms to guard against projectile impacts (ballistic protection), shielding the eyes from both the front and the sides. In addition to protection, distortion-free vision and high wearing comfort are key priorities for shooting glasses used by rifle, shotgun, and pistol shooters.
Why are shooting glasses so important for professional and sport shooters?
Protective glasses for professional or sport shooting are essential to safeguard your highly sensitive eyes and field of vision from flying particles such as cartridge cases, (bullet) fragments, sparks, and gases released during shooting. In Germany, shooting glasses have been mandatory for sport shooters using centerfire weapons since January 1, 2018, according to the regulations of the German Shooting Federation. Regulations may vary from country to country, so please check them carefully if you are involved in shooting sports.
To ensure that shooting glasses for pistol or rifle shooters do not become a hindrance, it is important to choose models that offer clear, distortion-free vision through the lenses. Comfort is also crucial – especially when worn together with hearing protection earmuffs, which are often used simultaneously.
What injuries could occur without shooting glasses?
If you shoot without wearing shooting glasses—whether with a pistol, shotgun, or rifle—you risk serious injuries to your eyes and field of vision from ricochets or other mechanical hazards. In the worst case, you could even lose your eyesight!
What rules and standards apply to shooting glasses?
Shooting glasses must comply with the military standards NATO STANAG 2920/4920. Standard 2920 defines a ballistic test method used to measure the ability of materials to stop fragments and similar mechanical hazards. STANAG 4296 outlines the specific requirements that ballistic shooting glasses must meet:
- Lightweight
- Comfortable fit
- Lenses that are fog- and scratch-resistant
- Clear field of vision of at least 160°
- Compatibility with other personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Impact resistance according to STANAG 2920
uvex shooting glasses – whether for hunting, police, military, or private use in shooting clubs – meet the NATO STANAG 2920/4920 military standards. Ballistic testing is carried out by the Beschussamt Mellrichstadt, a German proof house responsible for testing the safety of weapons, ammunition, and materials.
Am I allowed to shoot without protective glasses as a professional or sport shooter?
Regardless of whether you use a firearm professionally or recreationally, it is highly recommended to wear protective glasses when shooting! Since January 1, 2018, the regulations of the German Shooting Federation have made protective eyewear mandatory for hobby shooters.
You can find more details in our blog article “Duty to wear safety spectacles – what you need to know”, which explains additional hazards that shooting glasses can protect you from and when wearing them is required.
Are the lenses of shooting glasses allowed to be tinted?
Especially in bright sunlight, it’s important that shooting glasses can be tinted to ensure clear vision and sufficient contrast – even when facing directly into the sun. Some lenses are intentionally tinted gray for this purpose, effectively doubling as sunglasses. Shooting glasses with uvex supravision variomatic technology feature a self-tinting filter. This means the lenses automatically darken in bright light conditions within ten seconds and brighten again when the light becomes less intense.
Should shooting glasses be compatible with hearing protection?
Since shooting produces noise levels that are too loud for the human ear, you should always wear hearing protection in addition to eye protection. When purchasing shooting glasses, make sure they are compatible with earmuff-style hearing protection and do not cause pressure points. This ensures long-term comfort while also protecting your hearing.
Which shooting glasses does uvex have for professional and sport shooters?
Our tactical shooting glasses for sport shooters, military personnel, police officers, hunters, and more are designed for everyday use and stand out with high durability, comfort, top quality, excellent visibility, and modern designs. With our various protective eyewear technologies, we can also address specific needs in different environments – ensuring optimal vision under varying conditions.
Our shooting glasses do not include an iris diaphragm or built-in prescription lenses, but certain models can be combined with so-called RX inserts.
uvex apache goggle
Our full-vision safety goggles from the uvex apache goggle series are especially comfortable and meet the EN166 and STANAG 2920/4296 standards. The polycarbonate lenses are equipped with the uvex supravision excellence coating, making them extremely scratch-resistant, resistant to chemicals, and fog-free. Additionally, the inner surface features a market-unique, permanent, and truly non-washable anti-fog coating.
They are also completely distortion-free, making them ideal for precise aiming. This robust shooting goggle, developed for professional armed forces, features a flame-retardant headband and is compatible with standard combat helmets and tactical earmuffs – ensuring effective all-around protection. Thanks to the RX insert, these shooting glasses are also suitable for people who wear prescription glasses.
In addition to the protective eyewear for professional or sport shooters who wear glasses, the package also includes two replacement lenses – one in orange to enhance contrast in poor visibility conditions, and one in gray for sun protection – as well as a protective pouch.
uvex apache spec
The slim and durable uvex apache spec safety glasses impress with their modern design, excellent wearing comfort, and high durability. The anti-fog coating – a permanent and truly non-washable anti-fog layer – ensures clear vision at all times. Additionally, the uvex supravision excellence coating provides chemical resistance and exceptional scratch resistance to the protective lenses.
Thanks to its RX insert and non-slip nose pad, these safety glasses are also suitable for professional or sport shooters who wear prescription glasses. The robust frame has been tested for mechanical strength according to EN166 and STANAG 2920/4296 standards.
Included accessories are:
- Two replacement lenses:
- Orange for enhanced contrast in poor visibility
- Gray for sun protection
- A protective case, microfiber cloth, and glasses cord
This model is also available as the uvex apache spec variomatic version, featuring self-tinting lenses that automatically adjust to ambient light conditions.
uvex megasonic
The uvex megasonic full-vision goggle fits comfortably and snugly against the face thanks to its facial foam padding. It stays securely in place with a wide headband and a silicone insert, and can be easily combined with helmets and, thanks to the side cutouts, with prescription glasses.
This tactical safety goggle offers the widest possible field of vision thanks to its frameless lenses and features lenses with uvex supravision excellence coating.
uvex i-3 tactical
The uvex i-3 tactical safety glasses set protects your eyes with polycarbonate lenses coated with uvex supravision excellence, shielding against UVA and UVB radiation (up to 400 nm). With an additional frame, it can also protect against airborne dust, dirt, and particles. Thanks to the Nano Clean effect, the lenses are easy to clean.
The multifunctional premium shooting glasses can be individually adjusted to your needs in the following ways:
- Temple inclination
- Nose pad
- With or without frame
In addition, the uvex i-3 tactical safety glasses offer exceptional comfort: The soft forehead pad, flexible temple ends, and comfortable nose pad ensure a secure yet pleasant fit on the face – without creating pressure points.
uvex super f OTG
The uvex super f OTG is a highly comfortable safety goggle with excellent eye area coverage.
As an over-the-glasses model, it fits easily over conventional prescription glasses, and its anatomically shaped nose pad ensures all-day wearing comfort.
uvex pheos cx2
The uvex pheos cx2 tactical is a sporty safety glass model featuring ergonomically shaped temples and soft temple ends for a comfortable, secure fit without pressure points. The robust polycarbonate lens is equipped with uvex’s proven supravision coating technology, including a permanent, non-washable anti-fog coating for consistently clear vision.
Are there shooting glasses with prescription lenses for people who wear glasses available at uvex?
Models with RX inserts are designed to be combined with a corrective lens insert that carries a prescription. This way, you as a wearer of glasses can also benefit from the excellent technologies of our shooting glasses.
High-quality shooting glasses from uvex
Protect your eyes and your field of vision while shooting by using durable, high-quality shooting glasses with advanced coating technologies from uvex! If you’re active in other sports and looking for sport glasses, you’ll find what you need with us as well! For people who wear glasses, we also have prescription sport glasses that provide optimal support thanks to modern lens technologies.
We’re happy to advise you on our products. Simply contact us via the contact form.