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Goggles are the first requirement to play airsoft. To play in any well organized game,
wearing goggles is primary. Players are turned away from events for not meeting the
eye protection requirements.
Some groups of players will use shooting or safety glasses when skirmishing. This
may be acceptable for some backyard play with springers, but any experienced player
usually knows a horrible tale or two of people that didn't wear proper eye wear.
BB's are fired at speeds of 200 fps to 500+ fps using various forms of electric,
spring or gas power. Shooting glasses are designed for minimal impact to deflect
stray bullet casings and the like. ANSI-rated airsoft goggles are designed to take the full impact
of a plastic bb fired at more than 500 fps. Proper goggles provide a full seal around the
player's eyes, preventing most bb's from entering the space around the eye. Yes, we said
most. BB's have been known to impact around the goggles and still slip between
the seal between the equipment and the player's face and rolls around inside the goggles.
BB's are fired at players from all angles, everywhere from marksmen on ridges and snipers
in the grass. Shooting glasses do NOT provide the protection that prevents bb's from entering
the sides or from the bottom and they are NOT rated to withstand the impact of a bb
at 500 fps. Bottom line:
Shooting glasses are NOT acceptable protection for playing airsoft.
Goggles come in all shapes sizes, colors and lenses. Choose goggles that are rated
ANSI 87.1 2003
for playing airsoft. Most large events require this goggle rating. Dust goggles from the
local surplus store do NOT meet this requirement.
Wire mesh goggles
Wire mesh goggles are NOT suitable for airsoft. The greatest danger in using wire mesh goggles is
that low-grade or bio-degradable bb's have the potential to shatter on impact, sending fragments
through the mesh and into the eyes. This is a fact. Field and lab tests have proven this to be a real danger.
Do NOT buy wire mesh goggles
Face masks
Full face masks are required for paintball but normally not for airsoft. Some places that play CQB will
have face mask requirements for all players or players under a certain age. This is because bb's can
do some damage to skin, but especially at close range. BB welts don't disappear overnight, so using it
for the skirmish weekend before pictures might be a good idea.
Fogging
What is fog and why do my goggles always fog up?
The most common problem with using goggles is their tendency to fog up. Often this
happens during the intense portions of play where one need's to see the target
clearly. Once they fog, getting them to stop fogging becomes a repeated hassle.
the scientific response
Fog occurs when there is a difference in humidity and temperature between two environments.
In the case of goggles, the plastic lens is the barrier between the outside air and
air trapped behind the lens. Moisture condenses when it meets cooler air. The air
behind the lens becomes warmer from body heat and lack of air movement. Sweat evaporates from
the skin and condenses on the lens creating fog.
the layman response
It gets hot and when one sweats, the goggles start fogging.
Anti-fog measures
air flow
One of the best ways to reduce or eliminate fogging is to provide air flow through the
space behind the lens. A good stream of air flow will bring in outside air and
export the moist air as well, creating less humidity and therefore less fog behind the lens.
anti-fog chemicals
Anti-fog chemicals and solutions can be applied to the inside of the goggle lens to
create a coating. The coating fights moisture build-up on the surface of the lens
and reduces or eliminates fog. The problem with these solutions is that they normally need
to be applied in low-humidity environments so that the solution can evaporate and leave a
clear coating. Various companies make anti-fog products. Each has its own set of procedures
so they won't be covered here. A good airsoft supply store will carry an anti-fog
product.
Goggles with anti-fogging designs
ESS Turbofan series of goggles have a battery-powered fan built in the upper edge. The
single fan pulls air from the bottom and pushes it out the top vents. The
goggles cost a bit much (~$160) but the ability to keep the fog out is
incalculable advantage during humid summer games.
Some players wire mini computer fans to their goggles and receive results as well.
A number of goggle manufacturers will advertise their products are fog-resistant
or nearly fog-proof but all goggles have the potential to fog under the right conditions.
Steps to reduce or clear fogging in the field
Cool down. Take off the goggles in a designated safe zone where this is allowed. Wipe down
the moisture using a dry cloth around the seals and from one's face. Don't wipe down
the lenses as that may smear or remove anti-fog chemicals on the goggles, perhaps making
fogging worse. Rough cloths may also scratch the lenses. Give the lenses plenty of air
to evaporate the moisture naturally. Cool one's body before putting the goggles back on.
The moisture build-up will occur less rapidly the less a person sweats around the goggles.
A good pair of goggles may also allow one to swap out replacement lenses or tinted lenses.
This is very useful if the lenses get scratched. Follow manufacturer instructions when
dealing with scratched lenses.
Do the homework and ask around what other players use in the field.
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