How safe are mesh goggles as eye protection?

TommyKnocker

As the heading asks, How safe are mesh goggles as eye protection?

I like the idea of mesh goggles and not having to deal with normal goggles fogging up. But what are the chances of a BB shattering on impact and small shards getting through the mesh and into the eyes?

Decoy

No mesh eyewear conforms to the necessary ANSI standard to be 100% safe for airsoft use, the only eyewear that is guaranteed to be safe are those that conform to the ANSI Z87.1 standard and you don't find many of them in airsoft-branded products.

Will mesh stop a whole BB from impacting on your eyes? Probably. But in my opinion BBs are far more likely to shatter on contact with mesh than with standard eyewear materials. A friend raved about his mesh goggles then had a BB shatter on them and a shard/splinter went into his eye. Thankfully no damage was done but he continued to use them until he moved over to Bolle X800 goggles. He was lucky, most people won't get a second chance.

Soberts

I use mesh goggles and swear by them. I too have had a bb break through them though (no damage done), but the bbs in question were bio-degradable ones which were banned at the particular site

Decoy

So you've been lucky enough to have dodged a bullet once (pardon the pun) and still wear them?!? Last time I checked eyes weren't too easy to repair or replace, why take such a risk?

Soberts

Decoy wrote: »

So you've been lucky enough to have dodged a bullet once (pardon the pun) and still wear them?!? Last time I checked eyes weren't too easy to repair or replace, why take such a risk?

I cant stand glasses/goggles fogging up so i havent changed

MerryDespot

I'm with Decoy above. Chances are that a decent quality bb won't break into pieces that'll go through the mesh and potentially into the eye unless fired at practically zero distance (and probably not even then).
But ... given that a load of people seem content to use rubbish bbs, I wouldn't have any confidence in mesh goggles - it's not the mesh I don't trust, it's the shíte bbs that lads use.

jeawan

I use them and have found them to be very good again like Kev and decoy if you get a direct hit to t he mesh with crap bb's it may shatter but i have never had that problem and have being hit in the mesh a few times .

thermo

ive used mesh glasses/goggles in one shape or for for over 3 years without ever having a bb shatter on them, i really like the mesh as they dont fog up and you dont need to worry about scratching them.

Arkslippy

The mesh are good if you have to wear prescription glasses. Even a broken bb should be deflected by prescription lenses after slowing down by mesh.

Although on the rating thing, the ansi ratings are targeted at ballistic protection for end users against shrapnel and projectiles with a much higher lethality than a bb. The rating is stated for airsoft as a guideline here and other forums.

Rooky1

I have used my Bitter end mesh goggles for the last 2 years with no hassles at all.
I have never had a bb shatter on impact, either bio or standard.
I have also played at CQB sites with no issues as well.

I understand that they are not at a certain standard, but the fogging up issue wrecks my head with normal glasses/goggles.

I've never posted in the airsoft forum before, and only been to one skirmish. About goggles fogging up though, there is a spray made by Muc Off I use on my glasses/visor to keep them clear when I have my bike helmet on. Most motorbike shops will have it. Brilliant stuff.

Rooky1

Deleted User wrote: »

I've never posted in the airsoft forum before, and only been to one skirmish. About goggles fogging up though, there is a spray made by Muc Off I use on my glasses/visor to keep them clear when I have my bike helmet on. Most motorbike shops will have it. Brilliant stuff.

I agree the Muc Off range of products are very good, but doesn't work for long enough on any of my airsoft goggles or glasses. I have tried many different products, but my sweaty head still steams them up.:)

Inari

The thing about Motor bike stuff is that visors are being exposed to a larger volume of air which effectively regulates the temperature, more so than the sweaty Airsofter behind the mask.

The stuff that Red Barn sell, which no-one really knows the name of, is pretty good. It doesn't fog on me, but it doesn't stop condensation. So yes, vision will still be restricted, but it's the trade off for having a full seal, with no room for any particulates to get through...because I'm a wuss

Bobby Baccala

your better off just wearin a mesh mask i think there safer than goggles because i was at a skirmish and a lads tooth was shot out and he was only wearin goggles

Inari

P4DDY2K11 wrote: »

your better off just wearin a mesh mask i think there safer than goggles because i was at a skirmish and a lads tooth was shot out and he was only wearin goggles

Goggles + Mesh lower mask = sorted

Evade

Inari wrote: »

Goggles + Mesh lower mask = sorted

Keeping your mouth closed works too.

Zomg Okay

Evade wrote: »

Keeping your mouth closed works too.

Not when you have to communicate.

Alan b.

Zomg Okay wrote: »

Not when you have to communicate.

Zomg Okay

At first I thought that was serious. I haven't laughed so hard in ages. :pac:

facemelter

i feel better when wearing goggles that i know are made to protect my face and i wear these

http://www.hobbyairsofter.com/Bolle-X1000-Dual-Thermal-Lens-Goggle

and there are great until they fog :rolleyes: but i really only enjoy myself when wearing mesh because they only gripe i have about airsoft is the fogging and mesh sorts it , ive worn mesh on sites requiring bio's which are know to shatter , some of the marshalls did aswell !!! , in my experience there is no such thing as anti fog , everything thats not mesh fogs !! (for me at least )

Witcher

Bolle X800 goggles have never fogged on me..wouldn't wear anything else. They don't even get condensation build up..brilliant.

Zomg Okay

Blay wrote: »

Bolle X800 goggles have never fogged on me..wouldn't wear anything else. They don't even get condensation build up..brilliant.

Where'd you get them?

Decoy

I know both MIA and HobbyAirsoft carry Bollé eyewear, I'm sure other airsoft retailers do as well. You could also check anywhere that sells ski gear.

There are also clone X800s available that are cheaper than the genuine article, they work the same in terms of non-fogging but you need to be aware that they are not ANSI Z87.1-compliant. In real terms this probably won't make any difference for airsoft but you need to be aware of it all the same.