Smith Optics have for years, been the benchmark on which other companies base their designs. The Aegis Arc is no different in that regard. Read more below.

Design:

The Aegis Arc comes packaged with the standard no-fog cloth and the manual. As for the glasses themselves, we received them with three lenses. Clear, black(polarized) and yellow. It appears the company has updated the product somewhat so that version may not be available anymore. The front glasses are tough and resilient (years of use and only a single scratch) as you’d expect from Smith Optics. The lenses are interchangeable and to remove and insert them is one of the simplest and effective systems currently available on the market. There are two tabs you can flip about 90 degrees on top of the frame which easily releases the current lenses and replacing them is the same, just reversed. Easy as you like. What really impressed us about this pair however, is the nose piece. Too many pairs of shooting glasses have rigid nose pieces that either are uncomfortable, or don’t sit well on your nose and slide off as soon as you start running or sweating, or both. Not the Aegis Arc. Made of flexible rubber, it adapts nicely to your nose and sits well, almost grabbing your nose ever so slightly and avoids sliding. The frame on the sides is very flexible but they’re not formable. While many other types of glasses offer moldable earpieces, Smith Optics have steered clear of this with the Aegis model. Whether you like it or not is really a matter of personal opinion. Personally, I think the types that can be molded, sit somewhat loosely behind the ear and are less balanced, but again, that’s a matter of taste. The piece that sits on the ear is a little thicker, which for some may be a problem. I’ve been using over the head ear protection for years and have never had this issue, but friends have mentioned their pair causing issues, specifically with headsets and it opening the seal. This could be a factor to think about if that’s something that matters to you. There is of course, a slim strap in the back, which is attached with a very nice button system, which for me seems much higher quality than many other brands seem to make. They also don’t seem like they’d easily break when pulling them out. The lenses of course offer great ballistic protection (US MIL-PRF-31013 standard) and while the lenses are slightly bigger than other models, it is slanted so as to afford greater protection of the eye sockets, which is crucial, especially for LEO and Military. As for the fog. Anyone who’s ever profusely sweated or used a face mask, knows most glasses tend to fog up instantaneously, even if they claim to be “fog free”. We’ve put this to the test completely, and used this while breathing heavily and wearing a Balaclava. While showing fog for a second, it disappears almost instantaneously. Very good performance.

Material:

Made out of very high quality plastic that’s bendable as well as durable, the materials do not disappoint. The lens quality is top notch, as is the ballistic protection. Smith Optics offers a lifetime warranty which in and of itself is a testament to the quality they offer. In addition, every part is replaceable in case something breaks which is an unlikely scenario. The only minus could be the nosepiece which tends to soften up too much and start loosening up.

Comfort:

One of the more comfortable glasses you’ll wear for sure. They don’t sit too tight on your face, yet grip it firmly without too much pressure. It sits comfortably behind the ears, even after prolonged use. The great protection these glasses offer however, puts the upper of the frame very close to your forehead, so you will have sweat gather on your glasses more easily which you might have to wipe off, though that is a sacrifice and trade-off if make.

Storage:

The Aegis comes packaged in a relatively large nylon pouch. On the back, you have two detachable belt loops with snap closures (not a big fan of those*) for easy carry on the belt. In addition in the side a little plastic hook for attaching to clothing or gear. The pouch is hard and not soft, seeing as sown into the sides to keep items inside to be damaged. As mentioned, it’s definitely big, and the pouch being stiff, even when not full, may not be everyone’s thing. People who wish to stuff it in a compact bag may find it to be oversized. Keep in mind though, this stiffness may save your glasses. Inside there is a large compartment for the glasses and a small netting on the side for the extras.

*See Agilite K3 review for more information on snap closures and why to avoid them.

Versatility:

With lenses in multiple colors, this baby can be used literally anywhere. From shooting range to field use by Military. You name it and it can do it. It has slightly bigger lenses though, which people who shoot at a range might dislike but again, that comes down to personal preference.

Price:

Running at a solid $80, this is definitely a great pair for that price. If you’re going to use it a lot, it’s a worthwhile investment.

All in all, this is an amazing pair of ballistic protection glasses and you can’t do much better than this. Especially for military and LEO professionals, this comes highly recommended, but it’s great to have on the range too.