These Stylish and Tough Stoggles Safety Glasses Are Family Handyman Approved

Whether you work in the trades or you're a DIY enthusiast, safety glasses are an essential tool. Recently I picked up a pair of stylish and sleek Stoggles safety glasses and put them to the test.

Not long ago, Family Handyman recruited me to help with a two-week spring backyard decking and landscaping project in New Mexico. Before I packed my tools and belongings, I chatted with the homeowner and took a quick look at the weather forecast.  It was exactly what I expected for March in the Southwest — cool mornings with warm afternoons, and lots of sun.

Earlier that week, I broke my safety glasses climbing into my pickup. I’m not a fan of tinted safety glasses, so I began researching 100 percent UV protected options for my next pair. In my search I stumbled across Stoggles and decided to give them a try.

What Are Stoggles?

Stoggles are safety glasses molded with Polycarbonate frames and lenses. Polycarbonate is the same material used in bulletproof glass and windows. So, it’s not only strong, but more lightweight and shatter-resistant than acrylic plexiglass and glass itself.

The lenses feature blue-light blocking and 100 percent UV protectant technology, and can be ordered with prescriptions if needed.

All Stoggle’s eyewear is certified and approved by the American National Standards Institution, which makes them Occupational Safely and Health Administration (OSHA) approved as well. They’re sealed with an anti-fog coating, great for wearing with masks or respirators.

The glasses seemed durable and well-made with a classic look to them, similar to something your high school shop teacher might have worn.

How We Tested Them

The only way to test the Stoggles was to wear them in real-world situations. This backyard project proved ideal since it featured sawing, framing, routing, nailing, anchoring and grinding. I was confident these glasses would face every test possible over two weeks.

Performance Review

Performance

The Stoggles were impressive. They feel lightweight and comfortable, even when worn for prolonged days on the jobsite. They did indeed feel durable and well-made.

The side and top shields kept debris out of my eyes, especially during filthy jobs using the router and angle grinder. The all-out UV protection, blue-light blocking technology and safety certifications are welcome perks that offered great peace of mind.

Value

At $40 for a non-prescription pair, the Stoggles aren’t cheap compared to other safety glasses. That’s fine with me.

In my mind, safety glasses are like motorcycle helmets and other essential pieces of personal protective equipment — price is always the last factor to consider. Safety, comfort, THEN price. I’ll never wear a pair of cheap, ill-fitting, sub-par quality safety glasses just to save a few bucks. My eyes are too important, and so are yours.

Reliability and durability

The Stoggles look and feel durable, but I put the durability to the test in a real-life situation. A few times I was careless and tossed them, unprotected, onto the work bench or in my backpack. As I write this, I can honestly say The Stoggles are still free of scratches or scrapes, though I recognize I was “playing with fire.”

After two intense weeks in New Mexico, I’ve become fond of the Stoggles because of their comfort and durability. Since then, I’ve purchased a cheap, hard-sided, protective case to keep them from bouncing around my toolbox, and hopefully they’ll last for ages.

Why you should buy them

If you’re in the market for a comfortable, durable and safe pair of safety glasses with a pinch of classic styling, give the Stoggles a try. They’re available in lots of shapes, sizes and colors to fit any head and compliment any style.