3M Premium Protective Sunglasses Reviews
About.com Rating
August 8, 2011
Whether you're just cutting the grass or doing a more involved renovation project, safety eye wear is a must. When I realized that the 3M Company - renown for their safety gear, makes protective sunglasses, I wanted to try them out. Being able to wear protective sunglasses outdoors assures me that my sight will be protected, regardless the task. This review covers two distinct pairs of 3M glasses.
3M TEKK™ FUEL™ X2P High Performance Protection Polarized Sunglasses
Product Description:
- Outdoor safety sunwear
- Impact-resistant lenses
- Absorb 99.9% UV
- Polarized for maximum optimum clarity, with anti-scratch coating
- Gray lenses, two-tone black frame with a grooved temple design
- Adjustable nosepiece
- Microfiber bag and lanyard
- Meets the High Impact Requirements of ANSI Z87.1-2003 standards
- Learn more from the manufacturer
Out of the package, these safety sunglasses could blend right in on a rack of high-end trendy sports glasses. Though these sunglasses meet ANSI standards for protective eye wear, you really can't tell by looking at them. That's great for those who want to wear safety glasses, but also want to blend in with the crowd.
These sunglasses feel very comfortable - the adjustable nosepiece helps tremendously. The frame has a circular style frame that fits the head nicely and a sporty look. These glasses seem non-gender specific; we both found them very comfortable on a road trip.
They were also easy on the eyes; being polarized gives them a clearer edge over regular sunglasses. It comes with a little bag to store them in and a handy lanyard - great accessories to have.
3M™ Tortoise Shell Safety Eyewear
Product Description:
- Outdoor safety sunwear
- Gray anti-fog lens; rectangular shaped lenses
- Polycarbonate lenses absorb 99.9% UV
- Stylish, lightweight
- Meets the High Impact Requirements of ANSI Z87.1-2003
- Tortoise shell frame; wide temple for more protection
- Learn more from the manufacturer
- 3M ID 70-0715-3936-8; UPC 1 00 78371 62176 3
With the tortoise shell pattern, these are very trendy and they're comfortable. They look like regular sunglasses, but with the added bonus of eye protection. We both wore these for a few days and had mixed results when it came to comfort level. I found they stayed in place very well and the curved arm design kept them there. However, my hubby found that they tended to slip occasionally, though he found them comfortable otherwise. It really depends on the shape of the face/head, so you should really try them before buying.
Overall Impression
Both pairs of 3M protective sunglasses are very stylish,lightweight and afford the kind of eye protection you need doing maintenance or DIY projects around the yard. And either pair of 3M meets ANSI Standards - extremely important for safety glasses. Both also have UV protection.
But we both seemed to gravitate more to the 3M TEKK Fuel X2P Polarized safety glasses. They won out when it came to overall comfort. As for clarity, you can't beat the Polarized feature of the 3M TEKK Fuel glasses. Hubby also added that he could park the TEKK Fuel glasses on his hat when not in use. (They do come with a lanyard). The 3M Tortoise Shell Safety Eyewear safety sunwear wasn't as cooperative when it came to hat parking.
As for rating, both pairs get full rating for meeting safety standards, UV protection, general comfort and being trendy to boot. The 3M TEKK just have more features all around, plus the way they are packaged, would make a nice gift. As for individual comfort, it varies per user. If you can afford it, buy the 3M TEKK Fuel glasses which are polarized.
When it comes to choosing safety eye wear, make sure it meets the standards for high impact protection. It's always a good idea to try them, since fit will vary with each user. 3M has an extensive line of personal safety gear for home use. Safety eye wear should be part of your home safety tool box and that means a clear lens for inside work, as well as protective sunglasses for the outdoors.
Either pair of 3M glasses would be a good choice when it comes to protecting your eyes outdoors. But make sure they fit you well. And they transition very easily from projects to sports - no one knows you're protecting your eyes, but you!
Related Resources
Read more 3M Reviews
Read more about 3M and the Home Safety Council's DIY projects safety tips in DIY - Do it, But do it Safely!
Learn More About 3M Safety Gear
Find some good DIY projects from About's Guide to Home Renovations and About's Guide to Home Repair, but do it safely.
Compare Prices of 3M TEKK Protection Gear
Compare Prices of Protective Gear
Read More About Safety:
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Every Home Needs Smoke Alarms
Water 101 & Safe Drinking Water
How to Install Child-proof Locks on Cabinets
Assemble a Disaster Kit
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Go to Main Home Safety Page
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Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.