Airsoft goggle review – Pyramex XSG ballistic goggles

Introduction

I recently purchased the Pyramex XSG ballistic goggles and in short, these goggles are amazing.  I have recently gotten into Airsoft and as part of the ‘gear up’ process I have been looking for a good pair of low-profile goggles.

The goggles that I had been using prior to the Pyramex XSG were simply double-paned safety goggles.  While these goggles were great at eliminating fog due to the double lenses, they were about the size of a slim-profile ski goggle.  From a safety standpoint, these goggles did the job as the lenses were polycarbonate safety lenses, even though they were not ballistic rated.  From the standpoint of form factor, these goggles were too big to obtain good cheek contact on my Airsoft rifle, making it difficult to use my iron sites…

Goggle requirements

After weeks of scouring the internet, reading reviews, searching forums and checking out nearly every online Airsoft store for a pair of goggles that I liked, I realized that I had the following requirements.

The goggles must:

  1. be ballistics rated, meeting at least the ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Velocity Impact Standards
    1. A mil-spec rating such as MIL-PRF-31013  would be even better
  2. be full seal
    1. I am not interested in safety glasses.  I want a full seal goggle…
    2. With glasses, I think it’s way too easy for a BB to come in at an odd angle and get behind the lens
  3. have a low-profile on the face for ease of use when in a firefight
  4. have a wide field of view both horizontally and vertically
  5. not fog excessively
  6. have some tint
  7. be at least 95% UV-A and UV-B protective
  8. be reasonably priced
    1. I’ll admit, I am on a tight budget when it comes to Airsoft, and a $90 pair of goggles just doesn’t fit…
  9. look cool

That’s a lot of requirements, and it really did take several weeks of research to find a goggle that met every single one of them.  Fortunately, the Pyramex XSG ballistic goggle satisfies every single one of them.

The field review (aka The after action report)

So how do the Pyramex XSG ballistic goggles actually perform given the requirements?  In short, very well.  here are my thoughts:

  1. exceeds ANSI Z87.1-2003 High Velocity Impact Standards (YES)
    1. passes MIL-PRF-31013  (YES)
  2. be full seal (YES)
    1. the goggles are full seal, with little vents along the edge where the frame contacts the face
  3. have a low-profile on the face for ease of use when in a firefight (YES)
    1. I have found that the goggles do not get in the way of using my iron site
  4. have a wide field of view both horizontally and vertically
    1. horizontal: great field of view (YES)
    2. vertical: looking up is excellent, while looking down is better than a face mask or ski goggles, but not as good as wearing glasses.  But, the goggles are full seal, there has to be a frame somewhere… (OK)
  5. not fog excessively (OK)
    1. I was actually quite pleased with the performance in regard to fog.  Sure, they fog up a bit, but nothing that a little fog juice can’t handle.  Even without fog juice, they are far better than any full face mask I have used.
  6. have some tint (YES)
    1. I got the Amber lens because I really like the increased contrast.  You can also purchase Smoke and Clear lenses.
  7. be at least 95% UV-A and UV-B protective (YES)
  8. be reasonably priced (YES)
    1. I’ll admit, I am on a tight budget when it comes to Airsoft, and a $90 pair of goggles just doesn’t fit…
  9. look cool (YES)

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Met all of my requirements
  • Came with a strap AND normal glasses type ear frames
  • Solidly built

Cons

  • Still fog a little when not using fog juice

Where to purchase

Fortunately, you can purchase the goggles directly from Amazon.
Here are some other products.

6 month update

I have had the goggles for approximately 6 months now and I am still very pleased with them. I have used them in numerous field conditions including bright sunshine, overcast clouds, dawn, dusk and even at night. In all lighting situations, the goggles have been flawless. Of course, there is still the slight fogging issue to deal with, but a simple cleaning with an anti-fog wipe before the game removes any fogging issue for the entire day.

During game play, I have taken numerous airsoft shots directly on the frame and the lens of the goggle. in each case, the goggle has performed it’s purpose with no damage or scratching from direct hits.

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