Ohub Review: Gatorz Marauders With Photochromic Ballistic Lenses
Nicolas Lenze 04.28.23
If you’re a product of the 90s, or raised your children in the 90s, you probably remember Simba looking out over the elephant graveyard in The Lion King. That graveyard is exactly what I’ve created by discarding all of the low-quality eye protection that I’ve used through the years. Whether they’re the $1.83 Grainger special or from more notable brands, they never seem to last. What do they all have in common? Plastic! So, I decided to try the new Gatorz Marauders.
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Gatorz Marauders With Ballistic Lenses: Specifications
- Rating: ANSI Z87+
- Frame material: Aluminum
- Frame color: Black
- Lens color: Clear/Smoke
- MSRP: $300
Marauder? I Hardly Knew Her
The Marauders, just like the other options from Gatorz, have a number of lenses available. Since these are for shooting, I decided on ballistic lenses. I mostly shoot outdoors, but sometimes I have to utilize a nearby indoor range. Just as I did with my Deltas, I opted for the photochromic lenses, as well. These will darken when exposed to sunlight but will remain clear indoors.
The Gatorz Marauders frames are CNC machined from aluminum and it’s clear from the start. They’re heavier than what I’m accustomed to, and get hot or cold, depending on the weather, when left in my car. They also feel way more rigid than most glasses but are still flexible thanks to the thin temples.
I love my Deltas, but the Marauders provide a larger lens for less peripheral distraction.
Pillage And Plunder: Using the Marauders
I almost always wear eye protection when shooting. The only time I don’t is when shooting long-range, precision rifles. Another lens isn’t something I want to deal with when I’m using glass. I shoot a lot of steel, and fragmentation can be a real problem, which is the main reason I wear ballistic-rated glasses.
Gatorz doesn’t offer any special fits, like Asian fit glasses. Instead, all adjustments are made by bending the metal frames. What I found even more helpful was the ability to bend and adjust the nose pads. This allowed me to get the glasses up and off of my face. My wife has a tiny nose and I’m Sicilian, so the ability to quickly adjust, depending on the wearer, is very convenient.
I wore them to the range for a bunch of different types of shooting and they remained comfortable and unintrusive throughout. Something I like that’s specific to the Marauders (versus my Deltas) is that the lenses are huge. It’s similar to the first time I drove my wife’s Subaru Forrester. The windshield was gigantic and I felt like I could see everything. In this case, that also means more area of protection for your precious face.
My wife is a badass and will be taking these glasses to the A Girl & A Gun National Conference in Grand Junction, Colorado. She’s been shooting, moving, and getting dirty in preparation. These are her thoughts.
I really love these Marauders glasses because the transitional lenses are amazing and I can wear them in an indoor range or outdoor. It’s like having two pairs of glasses in one. Another huge perk is the way they’re shaped. I don’t get a headache after wearing them with my hearing protection for a long period of time.
Ranting And Raiding: The Stunning Conclusion
Of course, I like them. They come from a company that’s known for its quality products, so I was expecting to like them. As I mentioned, this isn’t my first pair. The added durability of metal frames is something that I really appreciate.
They’re a bit heavier than plastic, but the trade-off is worth it. This is a very specific, personal thing, but the weight also helps me not lose them. When I’m not wearing my glasses, I typically hang them off the back of my shirt. I always know they’re there.
The ballistic protection is a great way to add some peace of mind to your range day. The photochromic lenses also take a lot of the guesswork out. What’s the weather like today? Will it be sunny or cloudy? Should I bring clear or dark lenses? Here, you don’t even have to think about it. Be warned, though. If you’re giving dirty looks to the guy next to you with the obnoxious muzzle brake, there’s a chance he can see your eyes.
There are two downsides, as I see it. First is the cost. These aren’t cheap. However, this is one of those cases where the juice is worth the squeeze. These things are going to last a lot longer than the $40 pair you picked up at Cabelas. We’re all so willing to drop three bills on a gun, so why not our safety equipment? The second is that the frames are reflective of the weather. This isn’t a huge deal, but I stopped keeping them in my car because Colorado weather is so unpredictable. One day, the glasses could feel like ice, then like the surface of the sun the next.
Be advised, if you’re wearing these as driving glasses, they’re probably not going to darken due to the UV coatings on your windshield. If you’re using the Gatorz Marauders for any other purpose, you’re going to look cool as hell. These things are just sexy. Their history of use with elite military units just adds to the cool factor, and they look mean. If you’re interested in picking up a pair, head to the Gatorz Eyewear website. Make sure to also follow them on social media. You can find Gatorz on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
