Part of the spring 2024 rollout in the safety glasses/sunglasses category is the Wiley X Recon. I’ve been wearing a pair featuring Captivate Polarized Black Mirror lenses for work and driving for the past several weeks and have some thoughts to share so you can decide if they’re the right fit for you.
Before we jump in, I would like to point out that all Wiley X glasses include ANSI Z78.1 certified safety lenses. That’s a big deal for our industry. It means that we’re able to look at these glasses through the lens of style and safety knowing that you don’t have to change glasses when you get to the jobsite.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Excellent lens clarity
- Rugged frame
- Comfortable wear
- Aggressive styling
- ANSI Z87.1 safety rating
Cons
- Few lens color options
- More expensive than most safety glasses
Wiley X Recon Sunglasses – What They Say
The Recon is designed to be tough (and that’s saying something considering Wiley X’s standard level of toughness) with a tactical style that provides maximum eye protection.
Leaning on Captivate lenses, including polarized, expect crystal-clear vision with the benefit of certified impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses. Improving eye protection from off-angle debris, UV rays, glare, and more, removable side shields also come in the box.
If your sunglasses need to thrive in tough outdoor, athletic, or tactical environments, the Recon is built for the way you work and play.
- Meets ANSI Z87.1 safety standards for optical clarity and high mass/high velocity impact protection
- 100% UVA/UVB protection with distortion free clarity
- Dual-Injected Rubber Temple Tips and Nose Pad
- Lightweight frame
- Prescription Ready
Wiley X Recon Sunglasses – What We Say
When I pulled these sunglasses out of the box, I immediately noticed the no-nonsense style. While there are other color configurations available, the combination of polarized black mirror lenses, angled black frame, and metal arms screamed out, “think twice before you mess with me.”
Personally, it’s a style I really like. It’s not so much that I want to give off an unapproachable vibe, but I do enjoy looking like I know how to handle myself.
Fit
In terms of fit, medium and large faces will find the best comfort. If you have a narrower face, the fit might be a little too loose if you’re bouncing on waves, on horseback, or sprinting toward the finish line.
The eye coverage is excellent, though not quite as full as the Founder. The lens isn’t as tall and the angled point at the bottom of end lens draws upward more quickly. For my face shape, there’s not much light leaking in from the sides, and the smaller lens profile is more up my alley than the larger Founder lenses.
- Bridge: 17mm
- Lens Width: 59mm
- Lens Height: 40mm
- Temple Length: 135mm
Lenses
My Recons came with Captivate Polarized Black Mirror lenses. It’s not what I turn to for fishing (I like copper-base lenses for higher contrast when I’m on the flats), but for everyday work, driving, cycling, and other general outdoor use, they’re great. The clarity of the lenses are outstanding for poly while the combination of color and low light transmission make these the perfect choice on bright, sunny days.
If you’re looking for other lens options, you can also go with Clear or Captivate Grey (non-polarized).
Comfort
I normally gravitate toward Wiley X because of the lightweight focus, so I was slightly concerned about how much weight the metal arms would add. It might not seem like much, but even a fraction of an ounce can make a difference in the overall comfort of glasses.
On our scale, they weigh right at 1 ounce—the same as the WX Founder sunglasses that also launched recently. Compared to some of the other poly lens sunglasses I wear frequently, I can feel the difference that even a couple of tenths of an ounce makes as the day wears on. When I’m fishing, I love the clarity of glass lenses, but they feel like boat anchors compared to the Recon’s weight.
Wiley X Recon Sunglasses Price
There are four models available with prices ranging from $150 – $216. Here’s how they shake out:
- Matte Black frame/Captivate Grey lenses: $150
- Crystal Clear frame/Clear lenses: $195
- Matte Grey frame/Captivate Polarized Black Mirror lenses: $216
- Matte Black frame/Captivate Polarized Black Mirror lenses: $216
The Bottom Line
Wiley X Recon sunglasses feature a rugged build and tactical style while remaining true to its core of providing lightweight glasses with high-quality impact-rated lenses. My only hesitation is that the lens color options are limited, so whether they’re a good fit for you may boil down to what outdoor activities you enjoy the most. If that’s not a deal-breaker for you, expect excellent clarity, eye coverage and comfort, along with a deeper level of respect from the people around you.
