I'd like to start this post with a list of problems that I've encountered with sunglasses in the past.
These include:
- Weak plastic joints
- Unsupported lenses
- Lenses that scratch easily
- Flaking and peeling rubber pieces
- Fragile plastic frames
- And having a bad fit (both with hearing protection and without)
Gatorz Eyewear sunglasses don't suffer from any of these issues.
In fact –
Ever since I received my pair of Gatorz Magnum Z's, most of my sunglass problems ended right there and then.
In this review, I'm going to take a closer look at my pair Gatorz Magnum Z's, and how they've held up for the last 6 months of rough usage.
Ready? Let's get started…
About Gatorz Eyewear
Gatorz Eyewear makes some of the best tactical sunglasses in the world.
Their extra-tough aluminum sunglasses are popular among:
- US Navy SEALs, SWAT Teams, Special Ops. Groups
- Shooters
- Skydivers
- Crossfitters
- Bikers (OCC)
- Outdoors enthusiasts
- … and me
People usually compare Gatorz to Oakley. But the truth is – Oakley does not make full-aluminum adjustable frame sunglasses. So if you want to go for (1) full adjustability and (2) aluminum frame – at the moment Gatorz is your only choice.
Here's a short 1-min video of a former U.S. Marine raider explaining the versatility of Gatorz sunglasses to MilitaryTimes:
Compare Gatorz Sunglasses: Magnum vs. Wraptor vs. Boxster
There are currently 3 main models of Gatorz Sunglasses available – Magnum, Wraptor, and Boxster. Gatorz Magnum Z – the model that I got – is the upgraded version of Gatorz Magnum that comes with ANSI Z81 ballistic protection.
Here is a breakdown of differences and similarities of the 4 models:
| Image | Model | Ballistic Protection | Lens Size | Side Vision | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Gatorz Magnum Z | ANSI Z81.1 | Large | Yes | Military and Law Enforcement | |
| 2. Gatorz Magnum | No | Large | Yes | Military and Law Enforcement | |
| 3. Gatorz Wraptor | No | Medium | Yes | Skydivers, Bikers, Runners | |
| 4. Gatorz Boxster | No | Large | No | Universal |
Gatorz Magnum
Gatorz Magnum is the most popular of the three frames, especially among the military. With Magnum, you have the most variety when it comes to different models.
While the glasses are made for larger faces, the frame is easy to adjust to fit medium-sized heads as well.
But… if you know that your head is on the smaller side, I'd recommend looking at the Wraptor below.
Past and present Gatorz Magnum models include:
- Magnum Regular
- Magnum Polarized
- Magnum Cerakote
- Magnum Patriot
- Magnum Z
- Magnum 2.0 (Asian Fit)
- Magnum Specialty Lens
- Magnum Elements Collection
- Magnum Mirrored
Important: Magnum Z is the ballistic version of Gatorz Magnum glasses, and comes certified with the ANSI Z81.1 ballistic protection. Other models of Gatorz Magnum do not have the ballistic certification!
Gatorz Wraptor
Gatorz Wraptor is the “sports” version of the sunglasses.
It has a smaller lens than Magnum, offering less face protection.
But the smaller lens also makes for slightly better ventilation.
Wraptor is better suited for smaller heads.
Gatorz Boxster
Gatorz Boxster, as the name suggests, has a more “boxy” design.
While the lens is bigger – which is a good thing – one of the main flaws with this model is its reduced side vision.
I'm sure that some will find this type of frame more comfortable.
But the lack of side vision makes Gatorz Boxster unsuitable for military and any serious tactical activity.
Gatorz Magnum Z Sunglasses Review
Below is a detailed review of my Gatorz Magnum Z Sunglasses.
These premium sunglasses have a few main selling points, and I'm going to break them down one by one below:
- Certified Ballistic Protection
- The Fully Adjustable Metal Frame
- Optics Quality & Lens Options
- Gatorz Lifetime Warranty
- Takeaway & Conclusions
Ballistic Protection
When talking about firearm safety, the use of proper eye protection gets overlooked a lot. It makes me cringe when I see beginners learning to shoot with no eye protection.
I've used several different brands of shooting glasses before. But Gatorz Magnum Z's are by far my favorite shooting glasses – based on how well they've held up on the range and in personal life over the last 6 months.
When it comes to ballistic regulations, Gatorz has all the certifications that a pair of sunglasses can have, including:
To put a picture in your head, a pair of Gatorz Magnum Z sunglasses will stop a .22 steel ball traveling 550fps. For comparison – a shotgun pellet travels at about 1000fps. This amount of protection is enough to keep your eyes safe from smaller debris.
Gatorz sunglasses are officially certified for military use and are included in the Authorized Protective Equipment List (APEL).
But fit & comfort is what really sells these glasses for me…
The Fully Adjustable Aluminum Frame
The frame of Gatorz glasses is made out of lightweight 7075 Billet Aircraft Aluminum and fully surrounds the lens.
On the sides of the frame, you have two strong 5-barrel steel hinges per arm. The hinges are riveted in place, which is a noticeable jump in quality compared to single plastic hinges that most sunglasses come with.
The full aluminum frame is a unique feature of Gatorz sunglasses and has three important advantages over plastic frames:
Let's break these down one by one…
Impact Resistance
I'm rough with my glasses.
I've broken countless pairs in the field.
But after 6 months of wear and tear, Magnum Z's have held up perfectly and surpassed my expectations. Both the frame and the joints are still in perfect condition – a pleasant surprise.
The metal frame has also maintained its shape for 6 months since the first fitting. I just placed them on the table to confirm this – and the hands are in perfect alignment.
Adjusting The Frame
If you bend the frame slowly, you can contour it to your face to get the perfect fit on your sunglasses. The result – Gatorz are more comfortable than any other pair of sunglasses that I've ever worn.
I can do a handstand without my sunglasses falling off – that's how good of a fit you can get. That's just something you can't do with your standard pair of plastic sunglasses.
Now, you'll have to do the fitting yourself, but there is an instruction booklet included. The adjustment is easy and intuitive – “bend slowly until the fit is right” pretty much summarizes it.
Even the rubber covered nose piece is adjustable to fit wider or narrower noses. You can also adjust the distance of the sunglasses from your face with the nose piece – you can either have them right up against your face or leave more space between your eye and the lenses.
They Work Great With Hearing Protection
Gatorz sunglasses have one of the thinnest frames I've ever tried.
This makes them comfortable to wear with helmet & hearing protection. I also get a tighter fit on my hearing protection, which makes for better sound insulation.
Additionally, I have no headache that I usually get from thick plastic glass frame pressing against my head when wearing hearing protection or headphones.
Watch Out For The Heat
One of the downsides of the aluminum frame is that it gets hot under intense heat – as any metal would.
I've had a couple of bad surprises after slipping them on in intense heat, but it's only slight discomfort that goes away after 2 minutes.
Optics & Lens Quality
Gatorz's proprietary TruRay optics technology is supposed to give you better impact and scratch resistance than other lenses, and a clearer vision.
And I don't know if there's something special about their optics, but…
… the clarity on Gatorz Magnum sunglasses is superb.
One of the first things I noticed when I put these on is how sharp everything looks through them. And the few smaller scratches that the lens has sustained over time haven't reduced that clarity a single bit.
The glasses also check all the boxes when it comes to the field of view. The frame is slightly curved and wraps around my head, giving me a good field of sight.
I can comfortably see everything that's around me, including side vision. You can get an idea of how much you'll see through the sides from looking at the photos.
Lens Covers
The lens is made out of scratch-resistant polycarbonate and comes with the following coatings:
- Hydrophobic Coating (Water repellant)
- Oleophobic (Dirt/Grease repellant)
- 100% UV Protection
- Anti-scratch Coating
There are a couple more specialist coatings that you could potentially apply to a pair of sunglasses. But for general use, these are more than enough to keep you covered.
Different Lens Types
You have all the possible lens combinations available on Gatorz, including:
- Polarized Lenses in various colors (glare-resistant)
- Photochromic Transition Lenses (darken with sunlight exposure)
- Prescription Lenses
- Clear Ballistic Lens
There's something for everyone here. I got a pair of grey polarized prescription lenses. They did a good job on the prescription – just the right amount of vision correction, as specified.
Lens Scratching & Durability
I talked to my buddy the other day who has had the same pair of Gatorz Magnums for 3 years. His lenses have held up fine, even though he's been on multiple deployments with them. And despite all the abuse that the glasses have taken, there are only minimal scratches on the lenses.
But don't expect miracles! The lens on these glasses is still a piece of thin plastic, and it will develop small scratches over time.
From personal experience, the amount of scratches on these is significantly less than you'd see on cheaper sunglasses. The few small scratches that I've managed to gather on my pair are invisible from the inside and don't affect my vision in the slightest.
So overall, I'm satisfied with the lens quality and how it's held up over time.
About The Gatorz Lifetime Warranty
One last thing you should know is that Gatorz eyewear is made in America and come with a lifetime warranty that covers defects due to material or workmanship.
The lifetime warranty is often misunderstood, so here's a clarification of what's covered and what's not:
The Gatorz warranty covers defects due to material or workmanship. Gatorz will repair or replace any frame that is deemed to possess a manufacturer's defect.
Please note the warranty does not cover; but is not limited to the following:
- Scratches, breakage from improper adjustment or accidental damage, misuse, tampering, harmful substances/ elements, customer modifications
- Hinge-screws, nose pieces, and nose piece screws will be covered for the 1st Year after the purchase of your Gatorz. Replacements and maintenance kits can be purchased on the Gatorz website.
- Lens ejection as a result of misuse or accidental damage
In other words: If you were to smash up your pair with a hammer, the Gatorz lifetime warranty won't cover it.
Replacement Lenses
Gatorz offers lens replacement on most of their lineup for a nominal fee – see more at their service page.
The way it works is:
- You order the replacement lenses online
- Send in your glasses via mail
- They do the replacement
- And send your glasses back to you with a fresh set of lenses. The original lenses are discarded
Purchasing: Price & Where To Buy
Worth the money?
Gatorz sunglasses aren't cheap. But considering how often you use them – and the level of protection that you're getting – the investment is worth it.
Because you only get one vision – and I don't know about you, but I want to have the best protection possible. Eye injury is an easy way to end your career prematurely.
Where To Buy
You can buy Gatorz nearly anywhere. We recommend buying from either:
- Amazon
- or the Gatorz's website
At the time of writing this article, there is no price difference between the two stores.
Keep in mind that you get free shipping and free returns with Amazon.
Coupons, Deals, Military Discount
Gatorz has a running military- and first-responder discount that you can find by clicking this link. The discount is extended to “active, retired, and veteran military and first responder personnel” at the time of writing this article.
To receive the military discount, you'll have to register and provide Gatorz proof in the form of an official document.
Other than the military discount, there are no outstanding coupons or discounts available on Gatorz glasses. The price on Amazon is fairly stable as well with no significant drops.
Takeaway & Conclusion
The only downside to these glasses is the high price.
But looking at how many headaches these glasses have solved for me, I say they're worth the money.
If you buy these, you should count on them lasting you at least 2 years. Going for about double the price of Oakley's, it's easy to see that the price is worth it in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are There Any Sunglasses Similar To Gatorz?
Gatorz is currently the only company that makes fully-adjustable aluminum frame ballistic sunglasses. While there are no sunglasses that are quite like Gatorz out there, take a look at our best tactical military sunglasses list to judge the competition. We've listed quite a few “bang for the buck” picks in there, in case you're looking for something cheaper.
Gatorz vs. Oakley
When it comes to sunglasses that are used in the military, or among special forces groups, you'll see all kinds of brands. But Gatorz and Oakley are the two main ones.
The key difference between Gatorz and Oakley is that:
- Oakley's frames are made of plastic, and partially adjustable depending on model
- Gatorz frames are made of aluminum, and fully adjustable
Based on specs and performance, Gatorz is the clear winner. It's hard to compete with the custom fit, and plastic is no match for aluminum.
It's important to note that Oakleys are also cheaper – around half the price of a pair of Gatorz. So when it comes to bang for the buck, it depends on how long you can make your Oakleys last.
But I'm siding with Gatorz on this one. I don't mind Oakleys – in fact, I wore a pair for a couple of years way back. Many of my friends and coworkers own Oakleys and love wearing their pairs.
But believe me – when you touch the Gatorz glasses for the first time, you'll understand that these sunglasses are from a different league entirely. The aluminum frame feels solid and is unlike any other pair of sunglasses that I've ever worn.
But comfort is the real selling point for these glasses. Having a pair of glasses that are custom fit to your head – when you try it, you'll be wondering about why you didn't do it sooner.
Side note: Admittedly, Oakley has released aluminum sunglasses before, most notably the ultra-expensive C-SIX model. But they don't have anything in their current lineup that could compete with Gatorz.
Are Gatorz Sunglasses Ballistic (ANSI/MIL-PRF)?
Yes, Gatorz sunglasses have all the certifications that a pair of ballistic military sunglasses could possibly have, including the ANSI/MIL-PRF/Z.81 certifications.
Are Gatorz Sunglasses APEL Approved?
Yes, Gatorz sunglasses are APEL approved and widely used in the army and among special operations forces.
How To Adjust & Fit Gatorz Sunglasses?
You can adjust the fit of your Gatorz sunglasses by slowly bending them until the size is right for your face. Check the video above for a visual demonstration.
Sources:
Read the original article in its entirety at survivalmag.net.
