Squash goggles protect your face and eyes while playing squash.
Here are some brands of squash goggles I’ve posted about on Squash Source:
Black Knight | Bollé | Dixon | Dunlop | Ektelon | Eye | Harrow | Head | iMask | Karakal | Leader | Mantis | Prince | Salming | Tecnifibre | Tourna Specs | Wilson
There’s also a separate page for junior squash goggles.
Why Wear Squash Goggles?
You should wear squash goggles every time you play or practice squash.
Squash is played in close quarters and you don’t want a flying ball or racket to make contact with your eyes and potentially damage your eyesight.
Personally, I know two guys who have permanent eye damage from squash. So I wear goggles, because one of my favorite things to do is use my eyes to look at stuff.
The pros don’t wear goggles, but I think that’s a mistake, because even the pros get whacked in the face on occasion.
In any case, many squash facilities, squash leagues, and squash tournaments require you to wear protective eyewear on the court.
Best Squash Goggles
To get sufficient eye protection, you need goggles with polycarbonate lenses. In the US, eyewear must meet something called the ASTM-F803 standard. It’s OK to wear contact lenses as long as you wear polycarbonate lenses over them.
Regular eyeglasses and open eyeguards (with no lenses) are not safe enough to play squash with. If you wear prescription eyeglasses, you’ll need to purchase prescription squash goggles. Talk to your optician about ordering a pair of these. You can also wear squash goggles over your glasses.
Read More
Here are some additional links:
- US Squash protective eyewear guidelines
- England Squash technical information sheet (Word doc)
Thanks to Lawrence for finding those links.
jazzi says
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No need to pay extra for “squash” goggles. Our squash groups all use industrial safety glasses that are military spec for shell casing impact. Have been using for a decade. we ordered in bulk 3M Maxim Sport Silver from safety supply company, dozens of models exist.
They used to be $6 each. The have zero fog, super clear distortion free, temples adjust in length and angle up and down. clear safety glasses available at hardware stores also.
B says
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link to see them?
Pierre says
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Here’s a link. Interesting option!
https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/~/3M-Maxim-Sport-Protective-Eyewear-13274-10000-20-Clear-Lens-Silver-Blue-Frame-20-EA-Case/?N=5002385+3291796252&rt=rud
Nick says
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I had considered posting about industrial safety glasses as I use them, but didn’t want to make anyone more prone to injury through my comments.
I have used Prince and Dunlop squash goggles for several few years, but got fed up with them being uncomfortable and the lenses going cloudy and scratched. That’s on top of the obscured view (from the top and nose of the frame) and noticeable distortion that occurred. I was looking at the iMask for a long time, but wincing at the cost.
I started trying some Bolle safety glasses instead. Bolle has a good reputation in the safety world, makes medium/high-end glasses and skiing goggles, and I’d had some before for cycling and been reasonably impressed for a cheap price.
I tried Bolle Silium, https://www.bolle-safety.com/reference/silpsi
They have great visibility a lovely airy feel, but aren’t able to grip the head well enough as the arms are are able to hinge outwards (the nose piece is very flexible and has very little grip).
I am now using Bolle Rush+ https://www.bolle-safety.com/model/rush+ These have almost as good visibility, but the wider, more solid arms have much better grip, and you can get a headband attachment that hooks securely onto the arms (I didn’t need it in the end) The only downside I found is that the clear reinforcement at the top of the lenses creates a prism effect under the bright lights. I put some black marker along the top to reduce it. Also, comes in a choice of colours!
Please do your own due-diligence before using non-squash rated goggles. Both of the glasses I mention are rated well in the EN166 standard for protective eyeware, however I haven’t been able to find out how this compares to British Standard BS7930.1 necessary for approved squash goggles in the UK..I very rarely have any problems with being hit by the ball, and neither of these goggles have been struck, so I can’t even say they are safe from experience..
Ashley says
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“two guys who have permanent eye damage from squash..” This is something i really worry about. I am not a regular squash player or like not an active or frequent player. Sometimes, i do not know, maybe the influence of professional player on live TV that did not wear any eye protection make me want to do the same. But there is a reason why they are pro. Next time i would purchase one to protect myself.
Bernard says
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Hi, does anyone use prescription lenses in their goggles? if so, where do you buy these?
presently, i just wear my glasses playing
Pierre says
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My friend Peter here in Philadelphia says he bought the Rec Specs Maxx-30 (MX-30) by Liberty Sports from FramesDirect.com about 5 years ago and had the prescription lenses added here locally. He says he really likes them.
Some people go for the iMask over the glasses.
bernard says
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Good man! thanks