With lots of companies supplying safety eye protection sometimes it’s pretty hard to choose the right one if you don’t know what are your alternatives. There are various kinds for you to consider from. Based on how much you are willing to invest you can obtain it with different kinds of frame materials and styles. Since it is intended for protecting your precious eyes it is a good idea to obtain the most effective one regardless of the price. The most common material used is the polycarbonate both for the frame and lens due to the impact proof characteristic of it. This type of plastic is also very lightweight for extra ease and comfort, best for extended period of usage and also to minimize fatigue while using it.
Like most plastics it is also very tough and durable and won’t easily break just in case you accidentally dropped them. They are also flexible so you can remove them with your one hand while working without worrying it might snap into two. The only disadvantage with plastic is that they are softer than glass, so having it as the lens makes it prone to scratches when come in contact with sharp edged metals and rocks. That is why some brands offer it with a replaceable lens which you can easily purchase just in case they become cloudy with scratches instead of ordering the whole unit. Others provide it with a coated lens for scratch resistance.
You can also have them with an over the ear mount just like the standard sunglasses or with a rubber or polyurethane strap that allows it to securely attach around the back of your head. Most people love to wear the usual over the ear mount, one reason is they look really nice just like your cool sunglasses plus if you want the feature of the elastic head strap you can just purchase a separate strap that easily fit to it and are adjustable too. Stretchy head straps are best to use where there’s high winds or in jobs that requires you to look downwards specially in elevated areas where it can fall. And if you are done working you can just wear them on your neck just like a necklace which is more secure than putting it in your pocket. Depending on the nature of your work they are also available in different styles. If you work in a rugged environment you might want to use the tight fit eye protection that seals your eyes so that dust and other small flying objects like sparks and debris from a grinder or sander won’t get into your eyes. The only drawback about them is they tend to develop fog on the lens because of poor ventilation. To avoid this and to have extra fog control and air circulation a dual mold safety goggle is developed like the Dewalt DPG82-11C. It offers the protection like the tight-fit goggles and at the same time allows the air from entering and circulates inside it. The only downside is the size. It is a bit bulky and probably heavier than ordinary safety glasses goggles. There is also a goggle that has a side protection, so not only it protects you from what’s in front of you but at the side as well.
If you want a simple eye protection for outdoor activities like biking or cycling you can have the Pyramex Mini Safety Glasses. It is very basic in design and doesn’t have any color other than the black end of the ear mounts so nobody can even notice you’re wearing them. It also provides 99.9% protection from damaging UV-A and UV-B rays and is also available in other tint colors if you want it other than the basic clear color.
Some goggles are made specifically for a specific application like the welders welding cutting safety goggles. Like most welding eye protection and mask it has a dual lens, clear and tinted which you can easily switch by flipping it upwards. Not only it protects you from the sparks and debris from molten metal that fly around while you work but also it protects you from the bright light coming from the welding equipment itself. The lens is made of glass to avoid it from burning and the frame also is made of special plastic that is heat and burn resistant.
