Vortex jumping into eyewear was bound to happen eventually. They’ve been putting quality glass in front of shooters’ eyes for years through scopes and red dots, so safety glasses are just the next logical step. Their newer option is the Vortex Banshee. Fellow AllOutdoor writer Adam already covered these Banshees alongside the Jackals when they launched, but I wanted to give the Banshees some solo attention. After a month with the gold mirror version, here’s what I found.
Vortex Optics Coverage on AllOutdoor
Specifications: Vortex Banshee Sunglasses
The Banshees bridge what Vortex calls the gap between “hyper-tactical eyewear and uncomfortable safety glasses.” Translation: they wanted something that doesn’t scream “I’m at a tactical training course” while still meeting ballistic protection standards.
- Lens Width: 56mm
- Bridge Size: 16mm
- Temple Size: 135mm
- Base Curve: 6
- Rating: ANSI Z87.1+ ballistic rated (full frame and lenses), MIL-PRF 32423-A 4.8.4 Ballistic Impact tested lenses
- UV Protection: 100%
- Includes: Protective case and microfiber cleaning cloth
- Warranty: Vortex VIP Lifetime Warranty
- Shatter-resistant
- Polarized
- Anti-scratch coating
- Smudge-resistant coating
- Anti-reflective
Available Colors:
- Black/Amber – Gold Mirror (my test pair)
- Black/Smoke – No Mirror
- Green/Amber – No Mirror
At the sale price of $129.99, these are solid. At full MSRP of $179.99, you’re paying a premium for the Vortex name and warranty. The quality justifies the price, but barely.
“Protection against impact and designed to make one. Banshee sunglasses bridge the gap between hyper-tactical eyewear and uncomfortable safety glasses, delivering UV and ballistic-rated protection, comfort, versatility, and casual style all backed by the lifetime Vortex® VIP® Warranty.”
First Impressions: Vortex Banshee Sunglasses
The gold mirror lenses immediately caught my attention. They’re not subtle – these things have serious flash to them. The frame feels solid without being heavy, and the build quality seems on par with what I’d expect from Vortex. The case is genuinely nice and well-designed, though I wish it had a more uniform shape instead of the current contoured design.
The cleaning cloth is standard microfiber stuff – nothing special, but gets the job done. What really stands out is knowing that Vortex’s legendary warranty extends to these glasses. That’s a big deal since most eyewear companies treat scratches and damage as your problem.
Range Time & Real-World: Vortex Banshee Sunglasses
I put these through three range sessions over the month – trap shooting, pistol work, and some rifle time. No steel target shooting, so I can’t speak to actual spalling protection, but the ballistic ratings give me confidence they’d handle it. The polarization really shines during trap shooting. Clay pigeons pop against bright skies much better than with regular tinted glasses. The gold mirror lenses provide excellent clarity without any weird color shifting or distortion. Glare reduction is solid – definitely noticeable compared to cheaper safety glasses.
Wearing them with hearing protection worked fine. The temples are thin enough that they don’t create pressure points under muffs, which is more than I can say for some chunkier tactical eyewear I’ve used. Here’s where I hit my main gripe: the bottom of the lenses rest on the tops of my cheeks during extended wear. Not a dealbreaker, but noticeable after a few hours. The non-slip areas work as advertised – they stayed put during active shooting without feeling overly grippy.
The fit is what I’d call standard – similar to most quality sunglasses I’ve worn. They’re not trying to reinvent the wheel here, just execute the basics well. After a month of regular use, including tossing them in range bags and general daily wear, I haven’t picked up any scratches or damage. The coatings seem to be holding up well. Build quality feels mid-range – better than cheap safety glasses. That said, for the price point, the quality is solid. The frames feel substantial without being heavy, and everything fits together properly.
The Good and The Not-So-Good
What Works:
- Excellent clarity with the gold mirror lenses
- Effective polarization and glare reduction
- Comfortable for most activities
- Great warranty coverage
- Nice included case
- No fogging issues
- Ballistic protection without looking overly tactical
What Doesn’t:
- Limited color options (seriously, give us more choices)
- Bottom of lenses can rest on cheeks during extended wear
- Case shape could be more practical
My biggest complaint is the limited color selection. Three options isn’t enough, especially when one of them is green/amber. More lens colors would make these much more appealing for different conditions and personal preferences.
Final Thoughts: Vortex Banshee Sunglasses
The Banshees deliver on their promise of bridging tactical protection with casual style. They’re comfortable enough for daily wear while meeting serious ballistic standards. The gold mirror lenses look good and perform well, though I’d love to see Vortex expand the color lineup. Would I buy them with my own money? Yes, but only if they offered more color options. The build quality and warranty make them worth considering, especially at the current sale price. For shooters wanting ballistic protection without looking like they’re cosplaying military contractors, the Banshees hit the mark. Just don’t expect them to revolutionize eyewear – they’re solid execution of proven design.
In closing, I want to say thank you to Vortex Optics for allowing AllOutdoor and myself the opportunity to try out their Banshee sunglasses. That is greatly appreciated. Also, we would like to know what all of you guys and gals think? Do you believe that the Vortex Banshee sunglasses are something worth spending your money on? Would you take these out to the range? Let us know all of your thoughts in the Comments below! We always appreciate your feedback.
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