Last updated on January 27th, 2024 at 07:37 am
Despite an ongoing debate about wearing pickleball safety glasses; the overwhelming majority say YES
Pickleball was created in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, WA. It’s a fun, social, and friendly game that involves hitting a perforated whiffle ball back and forth over a net using a paddle while running around a court. The game’s rules are simple, making it easy for beginners to learn. Since it’s easy to learn, with limited equipment, many forget about injury prevention. Pickleball safety glasses are a must-have if you want to protect your eyes.
Pickleball at the intermediate, advanced, and pro levels is a fast-paced and competitive game that requires experience. The question of whether or not players should wear pickleball safety glasses has been ongoing, and experts have concluded. They advise wearing protective eyewear as eye injuries can occur on the pickleball court at any level of play.
Are you required to wear safety glasses while playing pickleball?
Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, playing pickleball means dealing with a ball that moves quickly and has a high chance of hitting you in the eye. While the game doesn’t require players to wear protective glasses, sports opticians recommend wearing pickleball safety glasses to reduce the risk of injury. It’s always better to prevent an injury than treat it later.
Finding the right safety glasses to provide protection and comfort is critical to your game.
Top 10 Best Pickleball Safety Glasses
We have researched and compiled a list of the best types of safety glasses for pickleball available on the market today. Take a look at the detailed list below:
These safety glasses are modern, lightweight, and have an impact-resistant frame. The lenses offer 99.9% UV protection and anti-fog and anti-scratch features. The glasses also come in two different colors, which are clear and blue tint. They are designed to fit the owner perfectly, so you don’t have to worry about them falling as you play your game.
These safety glasses are designed to protect your eyes from peripheral threats like sunlight. They have “Vanguard plus coating” so there is no fogging, no scratching, and zero optical distortion. The clear lenses block 90-100% of harmful UV radiation. They can be customized for a perfect fit and maximum comfort. Plus, they have a lifetime guarantee to ensure your peace of mind.
These safety glasses are designed to protect your eyes from peripheral threats like sunlight. They have “Vanguard plus coating” so there is no fogging, no scratching, and zero optical distortion. The clear lenses block 90-100% of harmful UV radiation. They can be customized for a perfect fit and maximum comfort. Plus, they have a lifetime guarantee to ensure your peace of mind.
These safety eyeglasses for playing pickleball are equipped with rubber pads designed to resist scratches and fogging. The lenses come in a variety of shades depending on your preference. The Gearbox brand is well-known for producing durable and affordable eyewear (as well as paddles!)
The Onix safety glasses are lightweight and offer 99.9% protection from harmful UV rays They also consist of soft ear pads for a secure fit and safer play. They come in three color options: clear, smoke, and blue tint. Onix is a trusted brand known to produce quality products, so you can be sure that these glasses won’t disappoint on the court.
These glasses have a super cool design that protects against eye injuries while playing the game. Amazon reviews indicate they offer superb comfort, allowing players to concentrate fully on the game without worrying about getting hit by projectile pickleballs!
Gearbox '10 Vision Eye Wear is pickleball eyewear that has polycarbonate lenses for maximum safety and clarity, Anti-Fog coating, Scratch Resistant coating, meets ball Impact Standards, U.S.R.A. Approved, Light Weight, Rubber pads keep the frame secure during play, well ventilated, protect your eyewear includes EVA Protective case.
These glasses are some of the best pickleball eyewear on the marketplace today. The lenses are distortion-free and anti-fog. They’re also known to be scratch resistant, lightweight, and they’re super comfortable. Wilson is a well-known brand in the pickleball and other racquet sports industry. This is a very affordable option!
These are very stylish safety glasses to wear when playing pickleball. They are modern, lightweight, anti-scratch, and have anti-fog-treated polycarbonate lenses. Most importantly, they are comfortable, and players can wear them for hours without discomfort. They have interchangeable lenses included, which is fantastic. They are as well UV-resistant, so you don’t have to worry about the sun damaging your eyes when playing outdoors.
These glasses are designed specifically for pickleball players and have two-way adjustable side arms for a customized fit. You can adjust the length of the arms to find the perfect size for you. They're also anti-fog and anti-scratch, ensuring clarity throughout your game. These glasses are comfortable and won't distract you from focusing on the ball. Plus, they come in various colors to match your pickleball outfits (which is fun!)
Top Reasons to Wear Protective Eyewear when Playing Pickleball:
There are several reasons why pickleball players should consider wearing safety glasses when playing the game, and we take a look at the advantages of doing so below:
1) They prevent eye injuries
Even though pickleball is a simple, fun, and friendly game, pickleball-related eye injuries are becoming quite common in the sport. The injuries often occur when an errant ball flies at a player’s face, and a player’s elbow or paddle can accidentally lend on one’s face. Wearing safety glasses can prevent any severe injuries, making the game a safer and more fun sport for everyone. Not to mention, who wants to walk around town with a black eye?
2) They protect against UV rays
Pickleball is usually played in an open area where players are exposed to the sun. While UV-resistant creams and lotions can protect the rest of the body, there’s no other way you can protect the eyes except by wearing safety glasses.
3) They protect the eyes from the wind
When playing the pickleball game outdoors, you’ll also be exposed to the wind and other elements of nature. Yes, these elements can affect the entire game, but they’ll affect your vision, too. Having your safety glasses on can make it easier to play the game in less ideal weather conditions outdoors.
4) They protect the eyes from the sun
When playing the game outdoors, you’ll also face bright light from the sun during the day, and even at night, you can be blinded by floodlights. Wearing a good pair of safety glasses will help prevent these effects.
5) They protect against dust & pollen
When playing pickleball outside, especially in the summer, it’s important to wear safety glasses to protect against dust and pollen. These particles are often present during gameplay and can pose a serious risk to those who spend a lot of time outdoors. By wearing safety glasses, you can better protect yourself from those allergans.
6) They protect against sweat
When sweat drips onto your eyes, it can be distracting and cause you to lose focus. To avoid this, wearing safety glasses for pickleball can be helpful. By doing so, you can keep your eyes on the ball without any interruptions.
Key Factors to Consider Before Buying a Pair of Protective Pickleball Eyewear
By now, you should clearly understand how important it is to wear safety glasses when playing pickleball. Now we’ll discuss the factors you must consider before buying your pickleball safety glasses.
1) The safety glasses should fit well
This is very important because you don’t want to buy something that will give you a hard time while playing the game. The glasses shouldn’t be too loose or too tight. They should be just a perfect fit.
When safety glasses are too tight, you will feel uncomfortable and lose focus, on the other hand, when the glasses are loose, they will not stay in place and might distract you as well.
2) The glasses should be lightweight
When playing pickleball, it’s important to wear lightweight and comfortable safety glasses that don’t feel heavy or strain your face. Fortunately, most safety glasses manufacturers prioritize lightweight designs that seamlessly integrate with your movements during the game. Opting for lightweight safety glasses is crucial to avoid feeling weighed down and distracted during play.
3) The glasses should be anti-fogging
Dealing with glasses that fog up is frustrating and can hinder your vision. It’s easy to lose focus when trying to clear the fog caused by sweat or humidity. While some sprays can help prevent fogging, the most convenient solution is investing in safety glasses with anti-fog properties. This will save you the hassle of constantly dealing with impaired vision due to fogged-up glasses.
4) The glasses should be UV resistant
If you enjoy playing pickleball outdoors, especially in sunny areas, it’s important to protect yourself from harmful UV rays. These rays can not only damage your skin, but also your eyes. Even if you use sunscreen, it’s crucial to invest in UV-resistant safety glasses to keep your eyes safe.
5) The glasses should be anti-scratch
You definitely don’t want to purchase glasses that will easily get scratches or marks on them. Scratches will make you lose focus as you won’t be able to see properly through the glasses, and they’ll definitely be uncomfortable. So, make sure to purchase safety glasses that are anti-scratch.
6) The glasses should offer impact resistance
When looking for sports eyewear, it’s crucial to find a pair that won’t break into small pieces if something happens during the game. After all, the whole point of safety glasses is to prevent eye injuries, so you don’t want them to become the cause of an injury themselves. Keep this in mind when making your purchase.
7) The glasses should provide better contrast
Some pickleball safety glasses are designed to offer good contrast between the paddle and the ball, which makes it easy for you as the player to focus on the ball. This is a feature you must look for when selecting the best safety glasses for pickleball, even though such glasses can be expensive.
8) They should be stylish (why not?)
Safety glasses for pickleball aim to protect you from any eye damage. However, they do not have to look old-fashioned. It’s important that they look stylish so that you can look good while playing the game.
Luckily, there are many stylish safety glasses for you to choose from, many of which we have listed above. Hopefully, you now have a clear picture of what you should look for when choosing the right type of safety glasses for your pickleball game. These considerations are important and can help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I invest in safety glasses for playing pickleball?
Though not mandatory, wearing safety glasses is highly recommended for pickleball players due to a rising number of eye injury cases. Protecting your eyes is essential, so investing in a pair of safety glasses is a wise decision.
What are the advantages of purchasing safety glasses for playing pickleball?
You prevent any eye injury that could happen while playing the game. Several accidents could happen while you’re playing, for example, the ball might fall on your eye, or the other players can accidentally hurt you with their elbows. All these incidents can be avoided by wearing safety glasses.
What factors deserve consideration when shopping for effective safety glasses for pickleball?
When shopping for safety glasses for pickleball, it’s important to consider factors like their lightweight design, anti-scratch and anti-fogging features, and protection against UV rays. While pickleball is a fun and thrilling game, it’s crucial to ensure that nothing impedes your performance while playing.
Is it necessary to wear safety glasses when playing pickleball?
While it is not mandatory for pickleball players to wear safety glasses during gameplay, there has been a rise in cases of eye injuries. As a result, there is ongoing discussion regarding the necessity of implementing a rule that requires the use of safety glasses during competitive play.
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