About nine months ago, I was playing in a tournament. During a fast hands exchange at the kitchen, the player directly across from me hit a quick shot straight at my eyes. I was lucky enough to turn just in time, and the ball hit me on the temple.
This scare made me realize that I couldn't afford to risk my eyesight anymore. With paddle reviews becoming a bigger part of what I do (alongside coaching, training, and playing), I realized that I was now playing a lot more pickleball.
An eye injury could be serious and keep me off the courts for a long time. I knew I needed to start taking some precautions, so I decided to try a pair of pickleball glasses.
Why are more people wearing pickleball glasses?
I'm on the courts all week, traveling to play in tournaments and coaching and organizing events at my local club in Utah. A year or two ago, I'd see maybe 10% of players wearing protective lenses. Now it's around 20%, and I think that number will keep growing.
The nature of the game is changing – the ball is flying faster as players' strategies are getting more aggressive, speeding up balls more often. New paddles are hitting harder and harder, too. They also delaminate faster and the power can become pretty uncontrollable.
This has got people talking about eye safety, and there's an ongoing discourse in pickleball circles around the importance of eye protection when playing. Recent news stories – like famous former tennis star Genie Bouchard getting hit in the eye during a training session and Michelle Pfeiffer getting a black eye – have increased awareness.
There are over 30,000 sports-related eye injuries in the United States per year. Getting hit in the eye with a pickleball can result in a scratched cornea, an orbital bone fracture, and even vision impairment or loss. Apparently, 90% of sports eye injuries could be prevented with protective eyewear.
There's currently no requirement for pickleball players to wear protective eyewear, unlike racquetball where it's been mandated since 1995. With pickleball the fastest-growing sport in America for four years in a row, it's up to players themselves to get protection as the number of injuries increases.
What to look for in pickleball glasses
Impact resistance
Make sure the glasses you get are impact resistant – they should withstand being hit by a pickleball. This is a key difference between pickleball glasses and regular sunglasses or glasses. It's dangerous to wear glasses that can shatter, potentially leading to an even worse eye injury.
Indoor versus outdoor glasses
Some people have glasses that are just for use indoors or outdoors. This is fine if you exclusively play one or the other, or you have a separate pair for each. Some glasses allow you to swap out the lenses for indoor and outdoor play.
For me, the ideal pair of glasses is one that can be used both indoor and outdoor – my CRBN Pivots have a photochromic lens that adjusts naturally to lighting.
Lens types
Related to the above, you'll see different lenses: clear, polarized, photochromic (adjustable to light), tinted. Here's a quick breakdown:
- Clear lenses: these are good for low light conditions, either indoors or in low-light settings outdoors, where they give you clear visibility. They won't protect you from strong sunlight.
- Polarized lenses: these work like sunglasses – they're best for super sunny days as they have a special filter to reduce glare. They aren't great for indoor play as the polarization will interfere with your visibility.
- Photochromic (transition) lenses: these cover both indoors and outdoors, adjusting to the light. They transition from clear to dark when you're in low light, high sun, shade, or under indoor lights.
- Tinted lenses: one of my favorite lenses are the amber-tinted ones with my CRBN Pivot glasses. They enhance the color contrast so the ball looks much sharper, making it easier to track when it's moving quickly.
The pair I play with – CRBN Pivot Pickleball Glasses
After some recommendations, I decided to give the CRBN Pivot Pickleball Glasses a try and, honestly, they were incredible from day one. I knew I wanted protection, but I wasn't expecting to like wearing glasses all that much. I was worried they'd be distracting and affect my depth perception.
I was totally wrong. Rather than distract me, they actually let me focus more on the ball. The visibility is so clear because they shield the glare from the sun and indoor lights. I like the amber lens – it enhances the color of pickleballs so the ball itself stands out more.
One of my favorite features is that I can remove the bottom frames, which means nothing gets in the way of my peripheral vision.
Another standout is the photochromic transition lens. It adjusts from clear to polarized depending on the light, so I can wear these glasses indoors or outdoors without having to switch lenses or glasses. They help block the sun when I'm outside, and they reduce the glare of indoor lighting so I don't lose track of the ball.
The only thing I wish these glasses had was a strap to keep them more secure. Sometimes, when I'm sweaty, they can slip a little. It's not a dealbreaker for me, as I often wear a hat that keeps the glasses in place anyway.
Nine months later, I still wear these glasses every single time I play. They've become absolutely essential for me. I feel safer on the court, and they enhance my visibility to keep my game on point.
Read my full CRBN Pivot Pickleball Glasses review.
Other pickleball glasses
Not all pickleball glasses are created equal, so read reviews before you buy. Here are some other notable choices:
- Blinded Wear Glasses: I tried out two models from Blinded Wear – the Mirror II (clear lenses) and the Rippled X (polarized lenses). They don't have transition lenses like the CRBNs, but they're a solid choice if you just need one type – indoor or outdoor.
- ONIX Pickleball Owl RX: if you want a cheaper pair of court glasses, these ones from top pickleball brand ONIX are just $35. They come with three UV lenses – clear, smoke, and blue tint – so you can easily swap them out. The head strap is a great feature to prevent slippage.
- RIA Eyewear Court HD+ Sunglasses: this is a premium brand that Pickleheads' founder Brandon likes. They offer you 100% UV400 protection and the option to get custom prescription lenses.
Bottom line
If you've been wearing sunglasses or your prescription glasses on the courts, it's time to consider your safety – the last thing you want is a ball shattering your lenses.
If you don't wear any protective eyegear, getting pickleball glasses is definitely worth considering. Eye protection is no joke, and can prevent serious injuries.
I hope I've helped to clear up any doubts you have about wearing pickleball glasses. If you get the right type, they can enhance, not hinder, your performance.
