On the pickleball court, eye injuries can happen at all skill levels. Beginners and professionals alike are up against a high-velocity pickleball and, if you play doubles, the occasional errant elbow or paddle from your teammate. While pickleball eye protection is not required to play, Sports Opticians strongly recommend wearing pickleball safety glasses to decrease the risk of an eye injury. Join SportRx as we share what to consider when comparing frames and discover Sports Opticians' top five picks for the best pickleball safety glasses!
Table of Contents
A. Video Review
B. What to Look for in Pickleball Safety Glasses
C. Best Pickleball Safety Glasses
1. Wiley X Saint
2. Wiley X Gamer
3. Progear Eyeguard L
4. Rec Specs Maxx 31
5. Rec Specs Morpheus III
D. Shop Prescription Pickleball Safety Glasses Online at SportRx
Video Review
See the frames up close and personal in this video review! Eyeglass Tyler shows off each style that made it into our lineup of the best pickleball safety glasses.
What to Look for in Pickleball Safety Glasses
There are three key categories to consider when picking pickleball safety glasses: frame technology, lens technology, and safety rating. Let's review each of these features and how they affect your frame — and your game.
Frame Technology
The best pickleball safety glasses will be lightweight, durable, and stay securely in place. To achieve all three, innovative materials with strategically placed rubber grip provide the comfort and frame security you need to focus on the match. Additional accessories like elastic straps also further enhance the frame's staying power when you want the most secure fit from your pickleball protective eyewear.
Lens Technology
Depending on if you play indoor vs. outdoor will determine what you need from your lenses. Our Pickleball Eyewear Buyer's Guide provides an extensive review of what to consider for both environments, but we'll briefly cover them below.
For indoor matches, a clear lens with a high-quality anti-reflective coating will deliver the glare-reduction you need when playing under artificial lights. Conversely, for outdoor matches, you'll want a tinted lens that boosts contrast and blocks harsh UV rays. By blocking bright light and enhancing contrast, you'll be able to spot and track the ball more easily.
Safety Rating
As the title suggests, we can't talk pickleball safety glasses without talking safety ratings. After all, there is a small wiffle ball flying at high speeds and coming from not too-far distances.
Most of the frames in our lineup of the best pickleball safety glasses will be ASTM F803-certified. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) outlines the protective eyewear requirements for various sports. Their F803-rating is the strictest safety standard to ensure visual protection during high-velocity/high-impact activities. Velocity-resistance protects against an unfortunate encounter between the ball and your eye, while impact-resistance protects against your animated teammate's elbow or paddle.
Best Pickleball Safety Glasses
Let's check out the frames! We'll work our way up from versatile frames that can do performance and casual wear, to serious pickleball safety goggles that provide maximum protection.
Wiley X Saint
Wiley X safety glasses are some of the most trusted protective eyewear available in the world. Every frame is tested against the highest safety standards and meets or exceeds ANSI Z87.1 or ASTM F803 ratings. The Wiley X Saint is part of the former group (and then some!).
This ballistic-rated performance frame can handle your most intense pickleball games, and virtually any other sport along the way. It also boasts a plethora of other safety ratings, so you can step out onto the court with total confidence — or wear these frames for any other scenario that calls for safety-rated eyewear. With an 8-base wrap around design and shatterproof Selenite™ lenses, you'll get clear vision from all angles and a wide field of view. A proprietary T-Shell™ coating further enhances the lenses' longevity and makes them extremely scratch-resistant. Finally, double injected rubber temples keep the Wiley X Saint comfortably in place, so you can execute your fanciest footwork without worrying about slipping frames.
Wiley X Saint in Black Ops Matte Black with Smoke Grey Lenses
Shop Wiley X Saint
Wiley X Saint Key Features:
- Has the following safety ratings: ANSI Z87.1, ANSI Z87-2, OSHA 1910.133, & MIL-PRF-32432
- Selenite™ polycarbonate lenses are shatterproof
- T-Shell™ hard coating makes the lenses ultra scratch-resistant
- Available with Rx-able CAPTIVATE™ lens technology
- SportRx Frame Width: 130 (What is SFW?)
Wiley X Gamer
Wiley X makes a second appearance in our lineup with the ultra-versatile WX Gamer. It is ASTM F803-certified, as are the rest of the frames on our list.
The Wiley X Gamer is the ultimate performance frame. It can do relaxed drills or be a staple in your gear at the US Open Pickleball Championships. This. Frame. Doesn't. Quit. It has a chameleon-like ability to change based on your frame security needs. With an impressive glasses-to-goggles conversion system, these are the three ways you can wear your Wiley X Gamer:
- Classic sports glasses with attached temples (pictured below).
- Sports goggles conversion with attached temples and added leash at temple tips.
- Complete sports goggles with removed temples and added full elastic strap.
Wiley X Gamer in Gloss Black/Metallic Blue with Clear Lenses
Shop Wiley X Gamer
When it comes to versatility, the Wiley X Gamer takes the cake! Also, a quick note on sizing. Technically, this frame is part of the Wiley X Youth Force Series, but our Sports Opticians have found this to be a perfect fit for adults with small faces. So much so, it's one of our best-selling sports frames.
Wiley X Gamer Key Features:
- ASTM F803 safety-rated
- Impact-resistant lenses are Rx-able
- Optional temple leash & full strap for easy glasses-to-goggles conversion
- Rubber nose pads keep the frame securely in place, no matter how much you sweat
- SFW: 131
Progear Eyeguard L
Following suit, the Progear Eyeguard L also boasts a simple glasses-to-goggles conversion system. A removable neoprene strap attaches to the temple tips for a more secure fit. Interior side cushioning and rubber nose pads further increase staying power and absorb shock to ensure comfort.
As for the lenses, the Progear Eyeguard L is available in prescription with impact-resistant lenses. A 6-base curve makes these a standout frame for picklers with Rx needs, since it can handle both low and high prescriptions with ease. Have questions about getting prescription pickleball safety glasses? Reach out to one of our friendly Sports Opticians! We're happy to help.
Progear Eyeguard L in Shiny Metallic Blue with Clear Lenses
Shop Progear Eyeguard L
Progear Eyeguard L Key Features:
- ASTM F803 safety-rated
- Impact-resistant lenses are Rx-able
- 6-base curve lenses can handle higher prescriptions better than traditional 8-base wrap around frames
- Interior cushioning & rubber nose pads increase comfort while absorbing shock
- Removable neoprene band attaches at the temple tips for easy glasses-to-goggles conversion
- SFW: 132
Rec Specs Maxx 31
We said we'd work our way up to more serious pickleball safety goggles and we've arrived! Introducing the Rec Specs Maxx 31, another 6-base sports goggle that excels on the pickleball court. Strap integration keeps your frames firmly in place as you're dashing to return a lob, and rubber nose pads further enhance grip. Additional interior silicone padding also helps absorb shock and increases comfort for all-day tournaments. Because if you're on a winning streak, you don't dare take off your lucky charm — or the thing that helps you see better.
Rec Specs Maxx 31 in Plated Silver with Clear Lenses
Shop Rec Specs Maxx 31
Rec Specs Maxx 31 Key Features
- ASTM F803 safety-rated
- 6-base sports goggles handle a range of prescriptions
- Interior silicone padding absorbs shock & increases comfort
- Full strap integration guarantees a secure fit that doesn't budge, no matter how much you move
- SFW: 53 eyesize - 128; 53 eyesize - 132
Rec Specs Morpheus III
Who says pickleball goggles can't look good? Turn your court style up a notch with the dual-toned Rec Specs Morpheus III. Featuring similar features to the Maxx 31, these 6-base sports goggles are available in unique colorways that feature two-tone color treatments. It also still has all the protective benefits like an ASTM F803-certification, interior padding (which is now color-coordinated!), and impact-resistant prescription lenses. Protecting your vision has never looked better, and we're confident you'll get the gold when wearing the Rec Specs Morepheus III.
Rec Specs Morpheus III in Metallic Light Brown/Shiny Brown with Clear Lenses
Shop Rec Specs Morpheus III
Rec Specs Morpheus III Key Features
- ASTM F803 safety-rated
- 6-base sports goggles handle a range of prescriptions
- Color-coordinated interior padding absorbs shock & increases comfort
- Full strap integration guarantees a secure fit that doesn't budge, no matter how much you move
- SFW: 53 eyesize; 55 eyesize
Shop Prescription Pickleball Safety Glasses Online at SportRx
Need prescription pickleball safety glasses? Done. When you shop with us, you’ll find video guides and tool tips throughout the build process as you customize the perfect pair. An answer to all your questions is at your fingertips, and if you want to chat with an expert, contact us. We’ll put you in touch with one of our friendly in-house opticians who can help you build your pickleball safety glasses with prescription. And since we can read minds from time to time, yes, your prescription lenses will still be ANSI-rated and stamped!
Ditch risky online shopping with our See Better Guarantee™. Try your pickleball safety glasses for 45 days. If you’re not 100% satisfied, send them back. Get a full refund, exchange, or credit towards a better pair. And return shipping? Covered. Get the best pickleball safety glasses online at SportRx today!
