Tactical Mask or Ballistic Glasses, Which to Choose?
For several years, the pair of ballistic protection glasses and the tactical mask have become essential elements of a soldier's individual equipment in the field. In fact, since 2008, every soldier deployed in the field receives a ballistic mask as standard issue. But which of these two accessories (glasses or mask) should you wear during your operations? This is a question every soldier asks before going on a mission, and although there is a good chance that you will carry both a tactical mask and a pair of protection glasses in your gear, it is obvious that you will not wear them at the same time, hence the importance of knowing when to wear one or the other.
Often, the choice between a pair of glasses and a mask is based on the operator's personal preferences, mainly concerning the comfort of wearing and the size of the field of vision that these ballistic protections provide. Nevertheless, there are always determining factors that you need to know to understand which of these two accessories is most appropriate for the conditions you will encounter in the field.
Generally speaking, compared to tactical glasses, ballistic masks offer better protection against debris and dust, and a larger field of vision. The choice seems obvious, doesn't it? Yes, but this is without considering the most frequently encountered problem in the field: fogging. Although manufacturers have invested millions of dollars to develop anti-fog tactical masks, this problem is recurrent and prevails over all others because if you can't see, you can't work. Hence the following question: when should you wear protection glasses, and when should you wear a ballistic mask?
When to Wear a Ballistic Mask?
To avoid fogging in the mask, it is imperative to consider the climatic conditions of the field. Fog forms on the mask's screen when it comes into contact with warm air. The phenomenon is amplified due to heat and humidity, for example, when you sweat or breathe heavily. Thus, if you expect to exert significant physical effort during your mission or training, wear glasses instead of the mask. Conversely, if you know you will not sweat excessively, the tactical mask will be an excellent option. Generally speaking, if the weather is dry and mild, favor the mask; if it is hot and humid, wear tactical glasses.
Most people wear a ballistic mask for better protection against debris and sand, but the problem is that in most cases, sandy environments are synonymous with high heat. When faced with this type of problem, it is best to weigh the pros and cons of each protection. Is it better to apply an anti-fog product occasionally and protect perfectly against sand grains, or is it better to wear protection glasses to avoid fogging problems? This choice belongs to each individual.
When to Wear Protection Glasses?
As mentioned earlier, if you find yourself in conditions where there is no risk of dust or debris flying, the pair of protection glasses will be the best option. While glasses were traditionally considered less protective (lack of protection around the lenses), today major brands (Wiley x, Smith Optics...) have made great technological advances, and almost all military ballistic glasses now offer extensive eye protection without the fogging problem of a tactical mask. New designs, for example, offer lenses with foam seals around them, which cover almost the entire eyes, thus providing effective protection against sand. Of course, if you are facing a sandstorm, this protection will not be adequate, and the mask will be necessary.
The protection glasses will also be a better choice if you need to wear an additional accessory with your eye protection. Masks remain large in most cases, and it is not often easy to remove them, unlike glasses that can be taken off or put on with a simple gesture. Ballistic protection glasses are, for example, a very good choice if you wear a night vision system.
All This to Say: Wear Your Glasses; Carry Your Mask.
The mask occupies a priority place in your gear, but the pair of glasses is an accessory you will want to have access to most often, mainly because glasses can also be worn occasionally, unlike the mask which is more specific to operations.