I’ll be very honest with you, racquetball goggles are definitely not among compulsory gears you need to play racquetball. Not wearing goggles will not improve your performance. On the contrary, some players believe that wearing goggles will hamper their performance because the discomfort they feel while wearing a pair. Regardless, I would highly recommend you to wear goggles in racquetball. What if a rogue racquetball ball hits your eye and damages your eyesight for life? No one should take that risk. That’s why I would like to introduce you to the best racquetball goggles of 2020. I understand that not everyone has the same budget, so I have recommendations for three price points: affordable, mid-range, and premium.
HEAD Impulse Racquetball Goggles: Affordable Option
Overview
HEAD Impulse Racquetball Goggles Review
Overall Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Color: Clear
Frame: Plastic
Lens: Polycarbonate
Length: 6.5 inches
Width: 2.5 inches
Height: 2.5 inches
Weight: 1.6 ounces(45 grams)
While HEAD is not famous for producing budget sports gear, their basic racquetball goggles is an exception to that. Firstly, you won’t find too many cheaper options from a reputable brand. Secondly, it comes with features that might even beat mid-range goggles.
I am not a big fan of plastic frames and polycarbonate lenses, and this pair of goggles has them both. However, HEAD has made the goggles anti fog and scratch resistant too. I won’t guarantee that it will never become fogged up because of the technology used to manufacture the single lens. However, it is way better than most other relatively cheap goggles that don’t have any protection at all.
The impact resistance in these basic HEAD racquetball goggles is satisfactory. I would not recommend it to someone who plays racquetball competitively, but for those who play racquetball socially it gets the job done very well. It also comes with adjustable elastic straps. You won’t have to worry about your goggles slipping off your head.
Pros
- Anti-fog and scratch resistant
- Meets ANSI Z87.1 for impact protection
- Lightweight design
- Very affordable
Cons
- The plastic frame is not as strong as pricier goggles
Reviews By HEAD Impulse Racquetball Goggles Wearers
“I was skeptical about these because they’re fairly cheap. Similarly priced goggles I’ve had in the past always fogged and didn’t fit super well. These fit me really well, and surprisingly, don’t fog at all! I get REALLY sweaty during games and I don’t wear a sweatband. They sit really close on my face, and within a minute of putting them on and starting game play, I don’t even notice them.” Review by Payel from the United States
Python Xtreme View Racquetball Goggles: Mid Range Price Point
Overview
Python Xtreme View Racquetball Goggles Review
Overall Rating: 4.4 out of 5
Color: Black
Frame: Plastic
Lens: Polycarbonate
Length: 7.4 inches
Width: 3.9 inches
Height: 3.1 inches
Weight: 1.4 ounces(41 grams)
If you can extend your budget a little, you will be able to get racquetball goggles that take a massive leap in quality compared to the more affordable goggles or protective glasses. That’s why I always recommend the new players to go for the mid-range priced options. These goggles will be able to give you a premium experience at a decent price. The Python Xtreme View is my favorite at this price point.
Python is very reliable when it comes to racquetball accessories. The Python Xtreme View eyeguard is the best choice in the mid-range racquetball goggles category by quite a margin. If you look around, you will surely find quite a few goggles that are cheaper than the Python Xtreme View, but those goggles are simply not worth the money. Let me tell you why this one is the best in this price range.
The most common problem people face with cheap and mid-range goggles is that the lenses fog up too soon. To keep the price down the quality of lenses is not that great in these goggles. Python Xtreme View does not have much better lenses than other relatively cheap goggles. However, it is designed in a way to address this fogging issue I mentioned. The lenses are set in a way so that they don’t come too close to the user’s face. As a result, even if the user sweats a lot, they won’t become foggy.
It also does the basic things right. The body is made of plastic and rubber, but durable enough to protect your eyes from getting hit by rogue balls. The two-piece lens design takes care of the aesthetics as well. On top of that, it’s design makes sure one can wear it with or without the head strap.
Pros
- Does not become foggy
- Comfortable to wear
- Great design
- Durable
- Great value for money
Cons
- Lens quality could’ve been better
Reviews By Python Xtreme View Racquetball Goggle Wearers
“I bought these to replace a pair of Head racquetball glasses that I really liked (note to all: don’t try to use Magic Eraser to get a ball mark of your lenses). I went with these due to price and style. Having now used them for a bunch of times playing, I would definitely recommend them. Besides not fogging up, they fit so well that I don’t need to use the strap anymore, which is one less thing to wash. Assuming they hold up well to a ball strike (not looking to test that out anytime soon!), I will definitely get these again, should the need arise.” Review written by Seth from the United States
Gearbox Vision Eyewear: Premium Protective Eyewear
Overview
Gearbox Vision Eyewear Review
Overall Rating: 4.6 out of 5
Color: Red
Frame: Plastic
Lens: Polycarbonate
Length: 9 inches
Width: 2.75 inches
Height: 3 inches
If you are looking for something that falls into the ‘best money can buy’ category, then my obvious pick would be Gearbox Vision Eyewear. It comes with a lot of features that you won’t find in budget options. If your pocket is deep or you’re looking for good quality racquetball goggles that’s a long term investment, you should consider the Gearbox Vision Protective Eyewear for sure.
These racquetball glasses are designed to last with the durable anti-fog and scratch resistant coating. You won’t have to worry about your vision being blocked due to these glasses fogging up.
No racquetball goggles in the same price range does a better job of protecting the players’ eyes from ball impact. The Gearbox Vision exceeds ASTM F803 standards easily, and provides ultimate eye protection to aggressive players who prefer fast paced play.
If you are against goggles because you don’t find them comfortable, I would suggest you to give the Gearbox Vision a try. It has rubber nose pads to make sure that wearing a pair does not become a nuisance for the player. I am pretty sure that you will find it very comfortable and wouldn’t mind wearing a pair during your racquetball matches.
Pros
- Very comfortable to wear
- Exceedsd ASTM F803 standards
- UV 400 protection
- Anti-fog and scratch resistant coating
- Beautiful design
Cons
- None we could find
Reviews By Python Xtreme View Racquetball Goggle Wearers
Which One to Choose
It depends on two factors, your budget and your priorities. If you are an occasional player who only plays with friends during weekends & don’t want to spend a lot on your hobby then go for the cheapest option. . If you want to take racquetball a bit more seriously and possibly wish to attend competitions in the future, then I would suggest you to purchase a pair of mid-range goggles. Competitions are way more intense than occasional matches, so you will need better gear and accessories. And lastly, if you want to become a more serious racquetball player, you should get the best pair of racquetball goggles, provided you have the budget to do so. Most professional players use premium gear, and they will get an advantage over you if you have below par accessories.
Take a look at our Ultimate Racquetball Equipment & Accessories List, along with the best recommendations, to see what else you need to be the best racquetball player possible.
Which one is your favorite? Let me know in the comment section.
