Airsoft, whether for tactical training or recreation, is a dangerous activity.  Eyes are perhaps the portion of the body most vulnerable to the hazards inherent in Airsoft, and proper eye protection is absolutely critical.  As the age-old maxim goes, you only get one set of eyes.  For this reason, and because ESS believes strongly in the “train as you fight” mentality, ESS has developed the Cortex Clip™ Series, a line of products dedicated to making it safer to wear authentic ESS military and law enforcement goggles on the Airsoft Battlefield.

There are currently no ASTM standards specific to Airsoft.  It is therefore more incumbent upon Airsoft Operators to know what eye protection is, or isn’t, safe for Airsoft use.  All statements contained on this website, specifically www.essairsoft.com, are the express opinion of ESS and are not regulated by any federal, state or local agency or any regulatory authority of any kind.

ESS suggests two critical considerations when evaluating eye protection for Airsoft:

1.       Ballistic Impact Protection

a.    Although the ANSI Z87.1 standard is often referenced on many fields as the baseline level of ballistic protection for Airsoft, ESS recommends that Airsoft Operators only use products that can meet the US Military’s more rigorous Mil Spec Test: MIL-DTL-43511D.  This standard, which demands for more than five times the level of impact protection as required by ANSI Z87.1, requires that goggle lenses can withstand impacts from .22 chisel-point projectiles fired at 560 feet/sec (~167m/sec) without penetrating the lenses.  ESS believes that this same standard should be required for Airsoft.

2.       Coverage (You may not be as protected as you think!)

a.    Regardless of its impact protection, ESS believes that any product that does not provide FULL coverage from an Airsoft round is UNSAFE.  ESS strongly discourages the use of ANY sunglass or eyeshield/spectacle in Airsoft.  These products have open areas that leave the eyes vulnerable to impact and should not be used on the Airsoft Battlefield.

b.    In terms of goggles, ESS recommends that only appropriate goggles with Airsoft-specific adaptations should ever be used.  Even a goggle with MIL SPEC–rated lenses can still be hazardous. High-speed Airsoft rounds pose a unique threat to goggles that even military goggles are not intended to protect against.  Because Airsoft rounds do not typically penetrate and embed in the skin, they can bounce and redirect in ways that shrapnel, for example, does not.  Just about any goggle currently in existence can be indirectly infiltrated around the perimeter, especially if an Airsoft round hits a user around the cheek/nose area.  In these cases, the round may continue to push its way underneath the goggle and into the eyes, where it can do extreme amounts of damage. 

So, What IS a Safe Option for Airsoft Eye Pro?

·     ESS will not speak for other brands.  However, if considering eye protection from other manufacturers, be sure to ask yourself (or the manufacturer):  Does this product provide both the Ballistic Protection and Coverage necessary to properly protect my eyes?   

·     In terms of ESS products, only those with the ESS Cortex Clip™ should be used in Airsoft.  The Cortex Clip™ is an adaptor specifically designed for Airsoft, and provides additional coverage from projectiles.  The Cortex Clip™ attaches to Profile Series goggles, which include three models of ESS military/tactical goggles: the Profile NVG™, the Profile Thermal™, and the Profile TurboFan™.  All of these goggles provide ballistic protection that exceeds the US Military’s MIL-DTL-43511D ballistic impact test.  When worn in conjunction with the ESS Cortex Clip™, they also provide the necessary coverage critical to defend the eyes against Airsoft rounds. 

·     Thus, as it pertains to the ESS line of military/tactical eye pro, only the following ESS products should be worn for use on the Airsoft Battlefield:

o   ESS Profile NVG™ goggles with a Cortex Clip™

o   ESS Profile Thermal ™ goggles with a Cortex Clip™

o   ESS Profile TurboFan™ goggles with a Cortex Clip™

Additional Safety Information Regarding ESS Airsoft products: 

·     Airsoft is a hazardous activity.  Failure to adhere to and follow all of these warnings may result in serious or permanent injury.

·     Do NOT use in the sport of Paintball or in training exercises involving marking rounds, such as Simunition® FX® Marking Cartridges.

·     Always use the ESS Cortex Clip™ with ESS Profile™ Series goggles. These goggles should NEVER be used in Airsoft activities without a Cortex Clip™ or other ESS-approved Airsoft mask.

·     This product will not protect the wearer from all eye hazards and other injuries.  Additional face/throat/ear protection should also be worn during Airsoft activities.

·     Never remove eye protection while on the playing field or training center, or near locations where Airsoft projectiles are being shot.

·     Do not use, or compete/train with others who use, Airsoft guns that have been designed or modified to reach velocities over 550 feet per second (~167 m/sec).

·     Do not shoot Airsoft projectiles at others, or allow them to shoot at you, within a 10 foot (3m) radius. Never aim or shoot Airsoft projectiles at the face.

·      At all times, observe the rules of safe Airsoft consistent with these warnings.

·     Check the lens of your eye protection before and after each use and replace any lens with observed cracks. Replace lenses that have been in use for over one year.

·      Modifying any ESS products in any way can potentially degrade its protective properties and will void its warranty.

·      Do not use ammonia, window cleaner, or other solvents to clean lenses or the Cortex Clip™, as they may degrade the integrity of these products. Clean only with mild soap and water.

·     Contact ESS with any questions. 

 Additional Information: 

ESS specializes exclusively in eye protection for some of the world’s most hostile environments, including Military, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and other demanding “high adrenaline” applications.   If you have any additional questions pertaining to eye protection, please do not hesitate to contact us.