At the beginning of July, Gatorz began shipping its latest eye pro, the Blastshield ballistic glasses. You can read the initial details and specs from the original story below. I was fortunate enough to receive an early pair and got them out on the range recently. And I was not disappointed.
Gatorz Blastshield Ballistic Glasses on the Range
Full disclosure, I have never been a fan of floating lenses on shooting glasses. Every pair I have ever seen felt flimsy and cheap—not something I would trust my eyes with. So, when I saw that the Blastshield had a floating lens, I was a bit skeptical. This is even though I like Gatorz a lot and have a couple of pairs of Magnums in smoke and photochromic lenses.
However, my skepticism quickly dissipated when I pulled the Blastshield out for the first time. Even though they are a floating lens design, they have a very substantial feel. In fact, the aircraft-grade aluminum construction keeps them flexible but sturdy and solid.
Likewise, the solid clamp that attaches the lens to the frame is tight and holds the lens securely in place. Nothing flops around or wiggles when the glasses are shaken, like on most floating lens designs. Everything is tight and feels how protective glasses should feel.
Likewise, the arms are held in place via two hinges on each side for a strong connection to the frame. Correspondingly, the hinges are tight and require intent to open the arms, only adding to the solid presentation of the glasses.
In short, these are not the flimsy floating lens glasses I am used to seeing. They are solid and exactly what I would expect from Gatorz.
All-Day Comfort
Just recently, some friends and I hit the range in the backwoods of a friend’s property. So, this was the perfect opportunity to see how well the Blastshield felt over an extended period.
One of the things that sets Gatorz apart from other brands is the custom fit of its glasses. They are not one size fits all, and hope for the best. When you get the glasses, there are adjustment points throughout, allowing you to fit them perfectly to your face.
However, with the Blastshield I didn’t need to change anything other than the nosepiece, just slightly. They came ready to wear, and the temples fit perfectly—tight enough to stay in place but not so tight that they were uncomfortable.
One thing I noticed while wearing them is that the floating lens design held the lens away from my face. This is something I really liked a lot. Mainly because I don’t like glasses that ride on my cheeks and move around when I talk or move my face.
But the lens has a large profile, which provides full wrap coverage. So, even though they are slightly away from my face, I still had full protection from airborne particulates.
I wear prescription glasses and tend to fuss and fidget with them throughout the day. However, after about four hours, I had almost all but forgotten that I was wearing the Blastshield. The only real reminder was that I was wearing contacts, and they still bothered me. But the glasses virtually disappeared on my face.
Changing the Lenses
The modularity of the design is where the Blastshield really shines. I have sensitive eyes to the sun and need good UV protection when I’m outside. So, the smoke lens is great for a sunny day. However, cloudy days or shadowy areas require a little less dark and something more adaptable. Like the photochromic lens.
So, instead of carrying multiple pairs of shooting glasses, it is much easier to carry extra lenses. Then, you can swap between them as needed. Not to mention, if you are going to an indoor range, you can quickly swap to the clear lens before you head in.
The lens is held in place via a sturdy clamp in the center of the frame. When closed, top and bottom jaws clamp down onto the corresponding top and bottom slots on the lens. The jaw is then held in lockup via a tight mechanism on the nosepiece itself.
To open the clamp, pinch the nosepiece together and pull it away from the lens toward the inside. This allows the bottom jaw to be pulled down and away from the lens. Then, just pull the lens out of the slot in the upper jaw and away from the frame.
Once you have removed the lens, place the replacement lens into the slot in the lower jaw. Then, move the top of the lens toward the frame and push the lower jaw up until the lens seats into the slot in the upper jaw. Finally, push the nosepiece back into place to lock the clamp around the lens for a secure hold.
One thing worth noting is that although the nosepiece is adjustable for the perfect fit, you have to adjust it after every lens swap. So, the fit may feel slightly different after each exchange.
Final Thoughts on the Blastshield
Overall, I really like the Blastshield a lot. The comfort was undeniable, and they are solid and provided excellent protection. Not to mention the versatility. It is much better to slip an extra lens or two in your bag than to carry extra glasses around. And it is cheaper to buy extra lenses than to buy full pairs of spare glasses.
As I said, having to adjust the nosepiece every time you swap lenses is kind of a bummer. But it’s not difficult. You just don’t get the set-it-and-forget-it convenience of other Gatorz models. It’s definitely not a deal breaker, though, and it only takes a few seconds. Once you know where you like it set, you can eyeball it pretty quickly.
The case that comes with the Blastshield is a nice softside hardshell case that offers good protection for the glasses. However, one thing I would like to see, maybe a future offering, would be a case with slots for extra lenses.
As it stands, trying to fit extra lenses in the provided case is too cramped, especially if you have all three. A case that can fit the glasses and all three lenses would be a great additional accessory.
Overall, when it comes to protective eyewear, Gatorz is doing it right. And the Blastshield just took the Gatorz line to a whole new level. If you are looking for good eye pro for yourself or a loved one, the Blastshield cannot be overlooked. Your eyes will thank you, and you will thank me.
On July 3rd, 2023, Personal Defense World reported:
Earlier this year at SHOT Show, Gatorz offered a sneak peek at its innovative new ballistic eyewear, the Blastshield. The newly available glasses follow the same quality many have come to expect from the company but with a twist. Well, a clamp, to be more accurate. The new Blastshield allows users to swap out the lenses based on operational requirements—and it’s easy.
Gatorz Blastshield Ballistic Glasses
Like all Gatorz eyewear, the Blastshield is constructed of aircraft-grade billet 7075-T6 aluminum with Cerakote coating for additional wear resistance. And they are made right here in the United States by expert craftsmen. As a result, the lightweight glasses are as tough as they are comfortable for all-day wear.
In addition, the center-mount frame fits any head size without affecting optics. Likewise, the ultra-thin (thinnest of any Gatorz offering) Ghost Temples are designed to fit under comms, ear protection, and helmets comfortably. Similarly, the center mount and streamlined frame provide reduced visual impairment and a wider field of view.
The true genius behind the Blastshield is the adaptability of the platform. Utilizing the Innovative Clamp Mechanism (ICM), users can quickly switch between four different free-floating lenses based on operational requirements, weather, or environment transitions.
Among the four lenses are three ballistic and one regular lens. The ballistic offerings are Clear, Smoke, and photochromic, while the non-ballistic comes in Smoke only. All lenses feature scratch-resistant and anti-fog coatings and provide UV 400 protection.
The Blastshield is available with a single lens or in a Smoke and Clear lens bundle. However, additional lenses are available for $75.00 – $160.00 each (depending on the lens). Swapping lenses is as easy as pulling out the nose piece, removing the current lens, and then placing the new lens into the ICM. Once you’re used to it, you can have it done in well under a minute.
The high-impact resistant polycarbonate MILSPEC lenses Meet MIL PRF 32432A, Clause 4.8.4 Ballistic Fragmentation Protection. In addition, they are compliant with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 2015 standard and can withstand two hits from a .15-caliber projectile, between 700-725 feet per second, without cracking or dislodging.
Editor’s Note:
When ordering, make sure to pay attention to your selection, as there are non-ballistic lenses as well. So, check that the “Ballistic” tab is selected to ensure that you are getting the lenses intended for shooting sports. However, if you are just looking for great sunglasses, then check the “Non-Polar” tab.
I personally have these glasses and can attest that they are very comfortable and easy to switch between lenses. However, I will admit that when I first pulled them out, it took some time—and watching the video—to figure it out. Mostly because I didn’t want to just start yanking on things. But now that I know, I can switch between lenses quickly and easily.
Availability
The Gatorz Blastshield Ballistic Glasses are available now with an MSRP of $180.00 – $340.00, depending on model and options. For more info, please visit Gatorz.com.
Features
- Quick and easy lens changes with Innovative Clamp Mechanism (ICM) for weather or environment transitions
- Center mount functionality for reduced visual impairment from adjustment or impact, with a wider field of view
- Extreme comfort under helmets or ear protection with thin, adjustable Ghost Temples
- Milspec ballistic
- Anti-fog coating
- Scratch resistant coating
- Uv 400 protection
- Reduced weight
- Cerakote finish
- MILSPEC Ballistic, Lenses Meet MIL PRF 32432A, Clause 4.8.4 Ballistic Fragmentation Protection
- Compliant with ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 2015 Standard
- Impact testing to withstand two hits from a .15 caliber projectile between 700-725 feet per second, without cracking, shattering, or dislodging.
- MSRP: $180 – $340
