Let's talk about airsoft eye protection: your goggles.
They're a hugely important piece of safety gear, but your goggles can also make or break your day on the field.
Ever drive your car when the windshield suddenly starts fogging up? It's not just annoying — it's dangerous.
Now imagine that fog blocking your field of vision while you maneuver uneven terrain with the enemy in pursuit. You don't stand much of a chance, you poor gazelle.
Unless you have what we consider the best airsoft goggles. Then it's your opponent who's playing the role of fateful prey as you, the lion, attack!
From best overall goggles to best tactical goggles to best goggles for people with glasses, this list has something for everyone.
Let's dive in.
Hands down, these ESS Influx Ballistic Goggles are the best airsoft goggles (and because they have a fan for extra ventilation, that also makes them the best airsoft goggles with fan included). They feature the Influx RotoClip, allowing you to pivot from fully-sealed to fully-ventilated with ease, and their lenses swap in and out in seconds. They're also night vision-compatible and offer UVA/UVB/UVC protection. These ESS Influx Ballistic Goggles easily are the highest-performing, most flexible airsoft goggles and the no-brainer choice if you want nothing but the best.
The Valken Tactical Zulu Thermal Goggles are a great low-profile pair with 99.9% UVA/UVB/UVC protection and a thermal anti-fog system for clear vision in all conditions. They have both great ventilation and dust-prevention with efficiently-designed airflow and are both sleek and comfortable.
If we're sticking to true airsoft gear only, the 2nd-ranked Valken Tactical Zulu Thermal Goggles are the best low-profile option. But if you're looking for the lowest of the low, these SolidWork Shooting Glasses are about as minimalist as it gets without compromising eye safety. Their lenses offer UV protection and integrated panels at the corners of your eye give you enough peripheral protection for use on the airsoft field.
If you're looking for airsoft goggles that fit over glasses, you want the Lancer Tactical Airsoft Goggles. These vented goggles are fully-sealed but offer enough space to comfortably wear glasses during play.
I'm a sucker for tactical gear, and these Valken Tactical V-TAC Sierra Goggles are my go-to tactical goggles. They're incredibly sleek with a TPU frame that fits snugly around your face, making them resistant to temperature change with great anti-fog capability. Despite their slender profile, they exceed ANSI Z87.1 high-impact requirements and will keep you safe without added weight.
Not airsoft goggles per se, these Nightfox Swift Night Vision Goggles pair well with almost all of the best airsoft goggles on this list. They have a comfortable strap that secures to your head for up to 3 hours of clear-as-day vision in dark playing conditions. They offer both standard 1x magnification with up to 2x digital zoom to help you spy on unsuspecting prey in the distance.
Sometimes all you need is a pair of cheap airsoft goggles. If that's the case, these Pyramex Highlander Plus Safety Goggles will get the job done for a bargain-basement price. Their scratch-resistant polycarbonate lenses offer UVA/UVB/UVC protection that's strong enough to exceed MIL-PRF 32432 high-velocity impact standards. All you need to know is these are the best budget airsoft goggles, even if they're technically safety goggles.
If you're looking for more protection than goggles alone provide, check out the VISMIX Full Airsoft Face Mask. It provides coverage from your forehead to your chin with a ton of front-facing cents and two distinct eye lenses that are sure to strike fear into your opponent while providing protection from impacts up to 600 fps in sub-freezing conditions.
Not quite what you're looking for? Check out an expanded list of the best paintball masks, which work just as well for airsoft.
More Valken Tactical gear as their Kilo 2G is the best airsoft mesh mask. It's the most popular entry-level mesh mask and provides full coverage from the bridge of your nose, around your cheeks, and down to your chin. It has two adjustable straps for a custom fit while securing the breathable wire mesh around your face to reduce fogging.
If you're looking for the best airsoft mesh mask and goggle combo, check out this combo from Outgeek. Full disclosure: You'll get better gear by purchasing Valken Tactical goggles and the above mesh mask separately, but Outgeek's affordable 2-in-1 combo makes the buying process easy (and provides over-ear protection).
What, the Lancer Tactical Airsoft Goggles (our pick for best airsoft goggles for people with glasses) aren't good enough for you?
Fine.
You can also find prescription inserts like these from ESS that let you ditch your traditional frames for a more comfortable experience.
Whether you're looking for the best airsoft goggles overall, the best budget airsoft goggles, the best low-profile goggles, or something else, chances are there's a pair on this list that's perfect for you.
