As pickleball gets faster, wearing eye protection will be something you’ll thank yourself for later when your opponent “accidentally” sends a ball at your head.

Here’s some of the best and worst eyewear for pickleball based on safety and aesthetics (because fashion is almost as important as function in my book). 

The best pickleball eyewear

1. Gearbox Eyewear

At the top of the list, we have Gearbox. These pickleball glasses will not only protect your eyes, but they also won't break the bank. These glasses come in at a great price, they have different lenses based on indoor versus outdoor play, and they actually look good. 

The polycarbonate lenses also have an anti-fog coating and are scratch resistent so they're built to last. 

And better yet, they also come in a slim fit option. And with great reviews, these glasses are a great option for pickleball eye protection. 

2. RIA Eyewear

RIA Eyewear is definitely at the top of the list because their glasses are both protective and fashionable. They have different kinds of lenses depending on the conditions you’re playing in, including clear, full, and partial sun protection, plus all their lenses are shatterproof. 

They also have so many different styles. From a sleek and sporty look to the classic square style, there's lots to choose from to best suit your style. 

Mary and Maggie Brascia wear RIA Eyewear, so if they’re good enough for the pros, they’re good enough for me.

3. CRBN Pivot Pickleball Glasses

Several pros wear these, including Allyce Jones. And watching her volleyball dive on the court with these on, they clearly pass the test. The style of these certainly make a bold statement, and better yet they keep you protected from any targeting or ricocheting ball to the eye. 

These glasses have an edgeless design and come with two different lenses for different lighting. Both lenses fight glare, reduce UV exposure, and help players track the ball. 

The reviews of these on Pickleball Central are immaculate. Trust your fellow players and give them a try!

4. Pilla Pickleball

You might need to refinance your house to afford these, but if World No. 1 Anna Leigh Waters, wears them, they must be incredible.

Both the Vista and Razor models feature lenses that promise 100% UV protection, unmatched optimal clarity to enhance contrast and depth perception, and a multi-layered coating to reduce glare. They also repel water, resist smudging, and reduce eye fatigue to create a cooling effect. Tell me that doesn’t sound pretty immaculate. 

Pilla eyewear is newer to the pickleball scene, but these offer high-quality luxury eye protection. What’s also really cool about these is all the different colored lenses that match your outfit and lighting, which is key.

These glasses rank third on the list, however, because of the insane price point and lack of styles - but they're still top notch.

Along with Waters, Will Howells and CJ Klinger have been spotted wearing them.

The worst pickleball eyewear

1. Kitchen Blockers

Okay, now this is purely aesthetics-based, but I hate Kitchen Blockers. If Genie Bouchard couldn’t even make them look cool, then the rest of us are doomed. These “glasses” don’t even quality as glasses because they’re basically just elevated pieces of plastic that wrap around your eye socket to protect your eyes.

At that point, why not just wear actual glasses? The punched-out glasses look like a bad Halloween costume. There’s a reason you only wear them once a year for a Harry Potter costume. 

I appreciate the sentiment of keeping players safe, but pickleball should still be fashionable. 

2. Your regular glasses 

Now I know I was just talking about fashion, but fashion becomes null and void if you get injured.

By far the worst thing to wear on court are low-quality lenses when you get hit with a pickleball, the glass breaks, and then goes into your eyes. At that point, you’d be better off wearing no glasses at all. 

Opthamology specialist, Dr. Keith Charles, MD, recommends glasses with polycarbonate lenses for optimal eye protection on the 20x44.

Pickleball Central is a great place to start you pickleball eyewear search, and shop using this link to get the best discount on all your products.

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