Smith Optics Gray Man, and the case for Superior Sunglasses

Cops need sunglasses.  I think we all know that.  Particularly patrol cops, because they spend a lot of time outside.  Even detectives spend considerable time outside on surveillances... or just driving.  We need sunglasses both because glare is uncomfortable, and so that we can just see better.

But why do cops need good - and in my opinion, really good - sunglasses?  Because the sheer number of hours that we wear them means that the detrimental effects of cheap ones will certainly affect us.  There are two main detrimental effects that we need to be concerned with. One, glasses that aren't optically perfect will distort vision.  This will cause fatigue and make us tired, and more so they can give us headaches.  Fatigue and/or headaches will both affect our performance and will make a good part of our lives uncomfortable (if not painful).  Also, optical distortion can cause us to not see clearly things that we'd like to.  Was that Joe Smith that I caught a glimpse of, and for whom there's a BOLO out?  Is that a cell phone or a knife in the hand of someone I'm approaching?  And so on.  We are in the business of noticing little things, and anything that distorts them is bad for business.

Two, significant color distortion can cause us to make mistakes.  If your el-cheapo shades don't let you reliably distinguish between, say, light gray and a light green, then you are at quite a disadvantage as you cruise the streets looking for a robbery suspect wearing a "light green t-shirt". 

That's why, for the 20 years I did the job, I considered a really good, optically perfect set of sunglasses to be an essential tool.  I don't need headaches (I'm prone enough to them to begin with) and I don't want to miss something important. 

Another important aspect a high-quality pair of shades is the impact resistance they provide.  While this is critical on the range, it's also important during the regular part of the shift, too.  People throw stuff at us, after all, and not nicely, and take swings at us with hard objects.  Perhaps more important, if we're in a crash the breaking glass is a serious danger to our eyes...and we do spend a lot of time driving. Also, if we're assisting at or responding to a car vs. whatever, glass and metal bits can go flying at anytime during the rescue and patient extrication.  (Just ask the extrication instructor at your FD.  Modern vehicles can easily contain a dozen pieces of live ordnance in the form of their compressed gas cylinders, plus all the other potential shrapnel dangers inherent at a crash scene.)  In short, things that can cause permanent eye damage are far more likely in our job than an office worker's.  Frankly, I'm surprised that OSHA doesn't mandate eye pro for cops like it does for every factory worker (not that I'm remotely in favor of more government busybody regulation, but just sayin').

(I don't include looking cool as a reason to wear high-quality sunglasses because, although all cops want to, it's legally mandated only in California.)

With regard to impact resistance, there are standards...and there are standards.  Many of us have seen references to ANSI standards in eye pro and sunglasses literature.  ANSI is an industrial standards organization, concerned mostly with controlled factory, laboratory, and construction environments.  Maybe the best-known ANSI spec with regards to eye pro is the Z87 spec.  But this spec is many times weaker than the MIL eyewear impact resistance specs, designed for uncontrolled environments, particularly the MIL-PRF-31013 and MIL-DTL-43511D specs.  These MIL specs are over 600% more stringent than the ANSI Z87 spec.  When that 2x4 is swung at you by the misunderstood yute that you're arresting, or an air bag cylinder goes "boom" as you assess a car wreck patient, which spec do you want the transparent thingy in front of your eyes to meet?

Yeah, me too.

Smith Optics is a company with roots in the sports world.  Dr. Bob Smith created the first-ever ski goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam in 1965.  Smith goggles were my first ski goggle in high school and have remained my choice throughout my adult life.  These days Smith Optics makes products for many different outdoor activities besides skiing.  The Smith Elite product line addresses the needs of military and law enforcement, primarily with specific goggles and glasses.  I'm particularly drawn to the Gray Man Elite glasses, the first MilSpec ballistic aviator-style sunglasses, which meet both ANSI Z87.1 and MIL-PRF-31013 (clause 3.5.1.1).  With optically perfect gray polycarbonate high-impact resistant lenses, they offer 100% protection from UVA/UVB rays.  They are on the larger size for aviator-style glasses, but with their 8-base (a measure of curvature) lenses they are quite appropriate for the average 7 1/4 hat-size head that rides atop my 6-foot, 165-pound frame.  The metal frames sport spring hinges, meaning that the frame will take a lot of not-so-gentle handling and stress from one-hand mounting and dismounting.  The 8-base curvature provides good (but not full wrap-around) side protection, enough that I'm very comfortable wearing them on the range (and I have had splash-back hit my glasses while shooting).  The Gray Mans aren't feather-nothing-light, but they aren't at all heavy either.  They're extremely comfortable (I'm fussy about that), particularly with the adjustable nose-piece which provides an adjustable fit for a variety of face shapes.  The optical quality is perfect.

Smith Gray Man Elite glasses come in two frame colors with a gray lens. They provide 15% light transmission which I'd call a solid Goldilocks "medium" - not too little, and not too much -- just right.  The gray lens, of course, also provides true color fidelity - that is, no color distortion.  Smith also makes other styles of sunglasses in their elite line, as well as many, many other fashionable styles and models for many outdoor activities.

You should really consider upgrading to a first-class pair of sunglasses like the Gray Man.  Your eyes will thank you.  You'll be happier, less tired, get fewer headaches, and perform better.  And most important, look cool.