Pickleball is such a fun and addictive sport! I started playing a few months ago, and I'm completely hooked. But after a couple of close calls on the court, I realized that eye protection is absolutely essential. Getting hit in the face with a pickleball is no joke, and protecting my vision became a top priority. I've been on a quest to find the perfect eyewear, and I'm excited to share what I've learned.
Early on, I wasn't too concerned about eye protection. I figured, "How often does a ball really hit you in the face?" Well, I quickly learned the answer: more often than you think! The first time, the ball ricocheted off my paddle and shot right towards my eye. Thankfully, I managed to turn my head just enough, and it only grazed my cheek. The second time wasn't much better. A similar situation occurred, and I was lucky to escape with just a minor bruise. These incidents were a wake-up call. I realized I needed to take eye protection seriously if I wanted to keep playing pickleball safely.
After my close calls, I started researching different eyewear options. I quickly found that there are many choices available, each with its own pros and cons. I decided to try a few different pairs to see what worked best for me.
My first purchase was the Gearbox Vision eyewear. I originally paid around $40, but I've seen them on sale for as low as $17. They're definitely worth considering as an entry-level option. They provided decent protection, but I did find that they could sometimes sit a little too close to my face, which wasn't ideal.
I then learned about Kitchen Blockers, which are unique because they are lensless. I was intrigued by the idea of no glare, especially when playing both indoors and outdoors. I even saw that Genie Bouchard was using them after taking a ball to the eye. The lensless design seemed like a good way to avoid any distortion or glare issues. They are great for those who don't like the feel of lenses on their face.
Next, I decided to try some glasses from RIA eyewear. A friend recommended them, and she and her girlfriend both use them. She uses the yellow tint glasses, and her girlfriend uses the clear lens. They both raved about the lens quality and the comfortable fit. She mentioned that they had to go to urgent care once before getting the glasses, so they were very motivated to find eyewear that they really liked and would wear consistently. I was impressed with the clarity of the lenses and the overall comfort.
Another pair I tested were the CRBN glasses. One thing I really liked about these is that they don't fog up easily. Living in a humid climate, this is a huge plus! They're also photochromatic, meaning they adjust to different light conditions. This is great because I don't have to switch between two sets of glasses when playing indoors and outdoors. I’ve been hit in the face a couple of times wearing them, and my eyes were fine. They can be a bit pricey, but they're definitely a high-quality option.
For a more budget-friendly approach, I also tried the Tifosi Crit Fototec for daytime play and the Tifosi Intense clear for indoors and nighttime. The Fototec lenses transition well in sunlight, and the clear lenses provide good visibility in low-light conditions. This combination gave me good coverage for different playing environments.
While I was researching different eyewear options, I came across some stylish options from Cinily Net. I found some Round Amber Glasses that looked really cool. They are UV400 rated and anti-blue light, which is a bonus for everyday wear. I decided to give them a try for pickleball, and I was pleasantly surprised.
These glasses offer a stylish look while providing great protection. The amber tint enhances contrast, which is helpful for seeing the ball clearly. The UV400 protection is essential for outdoor play, and the anti-blue light feature reduces eye strain, especially during long matches. Plus, they are unisex and can be fitted with prescription lenses if needed. For better results, check out these amber glasses on Cinily Net. They combine fashion and function perfectly!