There are a lot of quality prescription safety glasses on the market these days. But Oakley consistently tops the list for excellence, with high-quality, cutting-edge frames and lenses.
So whether you work with industrial hazards, heavy construction, or in high velocity tactical situations, you know you can count on Oakley when it comes to eye protection (and not look half bad while you’re at it.)
But are all their safety glasses ANSI- or ballistics-rated and able to accommodate your prescription? Let’s check them out:
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Best Oakley Prescription Safety Glasses
Oakley SI Industrial Det Cord
The Oakley SI Industrial Det Cord is one of the most popular models of safety glasses on the market. And for good reason: it meets or exceeds both ANSI-Z87.1 and MIL PRF 32432 ballistic standards for impact resistance on both the frame and lens, as well as in optical clarity.
It’s a full-rim wraparound frame made of lightweight O Matter™ material, with Unobtanium no-slip grips on the nosepiece to keep them in place no matter how much you sweat.
Oakley’s HDO (High Definition Optics®) Plutonite lenses are made of purified polycarbonate, which is a plastic material that’s lighter than standard plastic lenses. It’s also impact-resistant so it won’t shatter if projectiles or other debris flies your way, and also provides 100% UV protection.
If you’re looking for top-of-the-line prescription safety glasses that can withstand even the most extreme environments, the Oakley SI Industrial Det Cord should be at the top of your list.
Of course, the Industrial Det Cord can be customized with your prescription in either single-vision or progressive lenses, in your choice of clear or tinted for sunglasses.
Oakley Det Cord PPE
If you’re wondering what the difference is between the SI Industrial Det Cord and the Det Cord PPE, it’s in the safety rating.
The Det Cord PPE is ANSI-certified only (not ballistics-rated), so it’s perfectly acceptable for civilian work, construction, or industrial settings.
Like the Industrial Det Cord, it’s also made of nearly indestructible O Matter™ material.
It’s a full rim frame with Oakley’s Unobtanium rubber grips on the nosepiece, and is slightly cheaper than the Industrial Det Cord. But it still provides the same great optical clarity and protection from 100% of harmful UV rays.
The Det Cord PPE is available in your choice of clear or tinted lenses, and can also be customized with your prescription in single-vision or progressive styles.
Oakley SI Ballistic Shocktube
For those who need the absolute best in safety and protection, the Oakley SI Ballistic Shocktube is MIL-SPEC certified and surpasses ANSI Z87.1 (2015) impact standards.
It’s a streamlined frame made of O Matter™ material, with Unobtainium nose pads and ear grips for a comfortable, secure fit. The sleek temple tips are thin so they can be worn easily under helmets, over-ear hearing protection, or other headgear.
The lenses are also made of polycarbonate for superior clarity and protection from harmful UV rays, and are treated with an anti-fog coating to prevent them from steaming up in humid conditions.
Oakley Industrial M Frame 2.0
The Oakley Industrial M Frame 2.0 is a great pair of military-grade safety glasses. The single-lens shield allows for unobstructed vision and excellent, distortion-free clarity.
The frame and lens meets the MIL PRF-31013 military ballistic rating, as well as surpassing ANSI Z87.1 industrial standards for impact protection.
Unobtainium nosepads and temple tips ensure a secure, non-slip fit along with Oakley’s three-point fit system.
The lens is treated with anti-fog and built with Oakley’s HDO (High Definition Optics®) for crisp vision in pretty much any environment.
For vision correction, there’s a separate Rx insert that attaches to the nosepiece. You can either get the frame and insert together with Rx lenses installed, or purchase the insert individually for your optician to fill with your prescription.
FAQs
What is ANSI Rated?
ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute, and they create voluntary standards for products used in the United States.
The ANSI Z87.1 standard for protective eyewear is set for impact resistance on both the frame and lens, as well as optical clarity.
It’s a uniform method for testing safety glasses to see how well they protect against impacts from various sources.
ANSI-rated safety glasses means they’ve been tested and certified to protect your eyes from flying debris or other objects that could cause injury.
There are three levels of protection, with level 3 being the highest.
All tested lenses must meet certain optical requirements, but the standard doesn’t specify any particular type of lens material or shape.
Are all Oakley Glasses ANSI Certified?
No, not all Oakley frames are ANSI-certified. While Oakley does extensive field testing on all of their performance glasses and sunglasses, only those with the proper marking (Z87+ or Z87-2+ for prescription lenses) meet ANSI-standards for impact resistance.
What Oakley Glasses ARE safety rated?
All of the frames mentioned in this article are ANSI-rated and stamped as such. There are a few additional models such as the Tombstone Spoil, Industrial M Frame, SI M Frame 3.0, and the SI Ballistic M Frame Alpha that are also safety-rated. However, these models are not able to be customized with prescription lenses.
Are Oakley Glasses Bulletproof?
No, Oakley glasses are not bulletproof. However, they are designed to withstand high-impact activities and protect your eyes from flying debris or other objects that could cause injury if you were wearing a non-safety rated frame.
Where Can I Find The Z87 Stamp On Oakley Safety Glasses?
There are 2 places where you should look for the Z87 ANSI safety marking or etching. On the frame, you can find the Z87 ANSI safety marking inside one of the temple arms near the hinge.
The lenses should also be stamped with the appropriate safety marking depending to indicate that they are ANSI-certified.
Non-Rx lenses should be marked Z87, while Rx lenses should be marked Z87-2. You may also see additional lettering or symbols like “+” appended to the end, which signifies that the lens is also impact-rated or that a tint was applied for sunglasses.