I’ve had the pleasure to try out three different styles of the newly released Wiley X Black Ops collection over the past few months, and am thoroughly impressed with the quality and attention to detail.
While seven different styles are now available, and an eighth is coming soon, the three I’ve presented here for review are the Revolvr, AirRage and Airborne. The Black Ops collection “fuses stealth design inspired by the shadowy realms of covert operations.”
Essentially the goal of the product line is to deliver stylish eye protection that military, law enforcement and shooters can wear both casually, on duty, or at the range. Hence the “covert protection.”
Protection
The entire Black Ops collection exceeds ANSI Z87.1-2003 high velocity impact safety & optical standards, using shatterproof Selenite polycarbonate lenses. Most frames are also prescription ready so you can stop using the boot camp issued BC glasses your friends have been giving you a hard time about.
While these glasses aren’t going to stop a bullet, they can definitely save your eyesight from ricochets. I haven’t been in the situation where these particular glasses have saved my eyes, but have witnessed first hand a pair of ANSI approved glasses save a buddy’s eyes and believe me you’ll be thanking that rating if that happens to you.
Revolver
Revolvr fits medium-large faces and includes a zippered case, leash cord, cleaning cloth and Black Ops morale patch.
AirRage
AirRage fits small-medium faces and includes a zippered case, removable Facial Cavity Seal, T-Peg Elastic Strap, leash cord, cleaning cloth and Black Ops morale patch.
Airborne
Airborne fits medium-large faces and includes a zippered case, removable Facial Cavity Seal, leash cord, cleaning cloth and Black Ops morale patch.
Field Notes
Both the AirRage and Airborne styles feature a removable foam “Climate Control Facial Cavity Seal” that keeps out dust, debris and peripheral light. While this insert did work as advertised, the increased depth of the glasses created a loss of peripheral vision, which I didn’t care for. I can definitely see a purpose for the insert though, and it is very easy to remove and re-install.
The ventilation holes the Facial Cavity Seals provide, adequately kept the lenses fog-free during my use. While they didn’t do much for the sweat running down my face in the Texas heat, the distance that the lenses sat away from my eyes helped keep the sweat from running down the lenses themselves. Without the inserts and on the Revolvers, sweat did streak down the lenses.
All together I really liked the collection and loved that each pair came with a Black Ops morale patch. It’s a nice addition that helps reinforce the name.
Do you wear protective shooting glasses that also double as your casual sunglasses? What do you roll with?
Update: The Wiley X Black Ops Collection is also available from ReactGear at below retail prices. Plank Owners and Crew Leaders, you can also save more at ReactGear by using the discount code available on your resources page!
Video and Photos
[flickrset id=”72157624189049402″ thumbnail=”square” overlay=”true” size=”medium”]