We know what you’re thinking: Are Edge safety glasses so complicated I really need an owner’s manual? Not at all! Put them on and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with wearing ANSI-approved safety eyewear, whether you’re on or off the job.
But there are some things you’ll want to know to get the most out of your new Edge glasses.
See our top tips and answers to the most common questions below, formatted for quick browsing. We’ve included links to more in-depth articles for some of the topics, so feel free to explore all our available resources.
WHAT IS VAPOR SHIELD?
Vapor Shield is the name of our anti-fog technology. It’s a higher-performing and longer-lasting solution than topical anti-fog wipes or other factory lens surface coatings. Vapor Shield is “baked” in during lens manufacturing, promising durability and performance that many other anti-fogs can’t. Learn more about Vapor Shield in this article.
HOW TO CLEAN VAPOR SHIELD-EQUIPPED LENSES
If you have lenses with our Vapor Shield anti-fog technology, it’s important to know the proper cleaning process. Never use lens-cleaning chemicals on your Vapor Shield glasses. These can leave a film on top of our Vapor Shield technology or simply deactivate our anti-fog solution. Instead, a soft microfiber cloth and clean water should do the trick. Read this article for more information about Vapor Shield.
HOW TO CLEAN SAFETY GLASSES
Grungy glasses? Follow these steps to freshen up your Edge safety glasses. Read this article for more information.
1. Wash any loose dirt or dust off your safety glass lenses under running water.
2. Thoroughly rinse the soap off with warm, running water.
3. Dry your lenses and frames with a soft, lint-free cloth.
HOW TO KEEP LENSES FREE FROM SCRATCHES
Your Edge lenses are made from polycarbonate. While this material is incredibly shatter resistant, it can be prone to scratches. If you need to lay your glasses down, we recommend keeping the temples extended to limit the chance of your lenses ending up face down on a hard surface. Even better, try keeping your glasses in a hard case when they’re not in use. This small investment can greatly improve the lifespan of your glasses.
HOW TO REDUCE GLARE WHEN WORKING OUTSIDE?
Polarized lenses are the best for reducing glare. Polarized lenses work almost like blinds on a window, filtering harsh light. We wrote a lot about the science of polarized lenses in this article.
WHAT ARE AP LENSES?
Aqua Precision (AP) is the name of our mirrored lens technology. AP lenses maximize visual clarity and contrast in bright light conditions. Instead of using a traditional "layering mirror on smoke" lens process, anti-reflective ions are infused into a clear lens, resulting in a mirrored look and a pristine viewing experience. Learn more about our AP mirrored lenses in this article.
WHAT ARE AP+ LENSES?
Aqua Precision + (AP+) builds on the legacy of our long-standing Aqua Precision (AP) lens technology with a fresh take on color rendition. While both lens technologies improve visual clarity, we’ve fine-tuned the performance of AP+ to deliver a unique viewing experience. AP+ lenses amplify red, orange and green hues for better hazard detection on the job. Learn more about AP+ lenses in this blog.
WHAT ARE PHOTOCHROMIC LENSES?
Our photochromic lenses transition when exposed to UV rays. At their lightest state, they allow 87% of light to pass through, but in their darkened state, the lenses only allow 22% of light to pass through. It takes about 90 seconds for our lenses to fully transition from dark to light, and less from light to dark. Learn more about our photochromic lenses on this page.
WHAT IS EDGE-FLEX™?
Flexible thermoplastic rubber (TPR) details on the temples of Edge-Flex™-equipped frame styles provide a custom-like fit for a variety of head sizes, while simultaneously limiting slipping. Edge-Flex™ is available on the Kazbek, Kazbek XL, Taven, Makalu, Lassen and Highline glasses. For a tailored fit, no-pinch comfort and anti-slip performance, Edge-Flex™ temples are the new industry standard.
ARE EDGE OUTDOOR GLASSES SAFETY-RATED?
Our outdoor collection has been updated, and all frame styles are now compliant with ANSI’s Z87+ safety standards for use on the job. Note that some of our outdoor frame styles, including the Whitikar, Renshaw and Harding require the included side shields to be installed for ANSI compliance.
WHAT IS ANSI AND WHAT DOES Z87+ MEAN?
The American National Standards Association (ANSI) is a non-profit organization that helps ensure uniform quality and safety standards for goods sold in the US. It’s ANSI that writes the standards safety glasses need to conform with. The requirements for safety glasses are found in section Z87.1 of ANSI’s standards, thus the “Z87” or “Z87+” marking on safety glasses. In simple terms, the Z87+ marking on the inside of your Edge frame means that they’ve been put through rigorous testing to ensure they’ll protect your eyes in the case of a projectile or other foreign matter striking your safety glasses. Feel free to learn more about ANSI and the Z87.1 standards in this article.
WHAT IS MCEPS AND MIL-PRF-32432?
The Military Combat Eye Protection System (MCEPS) standard was created to meet the need for more robust impact and optical clarity testing for eyewear designed for use in battle. Eyewear tested for compliance with the MIL-PRF-32432 standard (a classification of MCEPS), must withstand the impact of a 22-caliber projectile traveling at more than 660 feet per second. Additionally, MCEPS eyewear needs to satisfy optical clarity and corrosion resistance testing.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAFETY GLASSES AND TACTICAL EYEWEAR?
Safety glasses and tactical eyewear differ in their respective impact resistance. Safety glasses are tested to ensure they can protect your eyesight against hazards found on jobsites, warehouses, factories or other industrial environments. Tactical eyewear, on the other hand, is put to the test to promise impact protection against the most extreme projectile velocities. The Military Combat Eye Protection System (MCEPS) standard tests glasses with a 22-caliber projectile traveling at 660 feet per second, whereas the American National Standards Association’s (ANSI Z87.1 and Z87.1+) requirements are at much lower velocities. In short, if you’re on a jobsite, wear safety glasses; if you’re on the range or on patrol, wear tactical eyewear (although you could always wear MCEPS eyewear on a jobsite for extra protection).