Pickleball is my new obsession! I love the fast-paced action and the social aspect of the game. However, like many players, I quickly realized the importance of protecting my eyes. A rogue pickleball can cause serious damage, and honestly, I wasn't thrilled with the idea of wearing bulky, industrial-looking safety glasses. My quest began: finding protective eyewear that actually looked… well, normal.
Initially, I thought I could just wear my regular sunglasses. After all, they provide some protection from the sun, right? But after seeing a few close calls on the court – balls whizzing by faces at high speed – I knew I needed something more substantial. The problem was, everything I found seemed either too clunky or just plain unattractive. I wanted something that offered real protection without making me feel like I was about to start a construction project. I was really struggling to find the right balance between safety and style.
My search led me down several different paths, and I tried a few different things before finding what worked for me. Here's what I discovered:
One of the first things I tried was sunglasses with transition lenses. I found a pair from Tifosi, and they were pretty good. The transition lenses were fantastic because they adjusted to the changing light conditions, making them perfect for both indoor and outdoor play. Plus, they came with multiple colored lenses, which was a bonus. The price point was also reasonable for the quality – under $100. This was a good starting point, but I was still looking for something that felt a little more "me."
I even considered just removing the lenses from a regular pair of sunglasses! The thinking was that the frames alone would provide enough protection since a pickleball wouldn't fit through them. While this might work in theory, I decided against it. It just didn't seem like a reliable solution, and I was worried about the potential for the frame itself to cause injury if hit directly.
Then, I stumbled upon Crbn glasses. These are clear indoors and darken in the sun. I really like them. They look more like normal glasses. The transition is smooth and quick, and they provide excellent clarity in all lighting conditions. This was a big step up in terms of both protection and aesthetics.
On a whim, I decided to check out the safety eyewear section at my local Lowe's. I was surprised to find a decent selection of different styles, many of which were quite affordable (under $50). While some were still a bit too industrial for my taste, I did find a few options that were surprisingly stylish and offered good protection. This is a great option if you're on a budget and willing to do some digging.
I also tried Goodr sunglasses. They are about $25 and have UV protection. They are stylish and affordable. However, I wasn’t sure if they provided enough protection against impact from a pickleball.
Recently, I discovered Cinily Products and their range of eyewear. I decided to try the SHINU Reading Glasses Men multifocal glasses. At first, I wasn't necessarily looking for pickleball eyewear, but I needed new reading glasses anyway. I was drawn to the option for custom freeform prescriptions, as I have a slight astigmatism. What surprised me was how sturdy and well-made the frame felt. I opted for the c1 black frame. While these are primarily reading glasses, I've actually started wearing them while playing pickleball, especially indoors. The frame provides a surprisingly good level of protection, and the lenses are crystal clear. I feel much safer on the court, and I don't have to sacrifice style. Plus, the multifocal lenses allow me to see the score easily! You can find them here: SHINU Reading Glasses. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and protection they offered while playing pickleball.