Slow Motion Video Shows Pickleball Protective Eyewear Exploding on Ball Contact

Even at realistic speeds around 40 mph, some frames shatter into sharp shrapnel, the lenses pop out, and the shock wave transfers directly to the eye socket

Paddle reviewer John Kew is back with a new podcast episode packed with new paddle reviews, microscopic grit analysis, and something totally unexpected and oddly entertaining: high-speed impact testing on pickleball eyewear.

Kew and his co-host Eddie test pickleball protective glasses at speeds up to 210 mph, and reveal which frames they think actually protect your eyes on the court.

The results might surprise you.

Love pickleball? Then you'll love our email newsletter. We send the latest news, tips, and highlights for free each week.

Not All Pickleball Eyewear Is Created Equal

John and Eddie tested several popular pickleball eyewear brands by shooting balls at a ballistic gel head using a ball cannon, starting around 40 mph and going all the way up to 210 mph.

The results are sobering.

Some models fail catastrophically when tested with a direct shot to one of the lenses.

The frames shatter into sharp shrapnel, the lenses pop out, and the shock wave transfers directly to the eye socket.

Even at 46 mph, a realistic speed in and around the kitchen, the impacts can be brutal.

Prescription glasses are especially risky, says Kew, because the lenses pop out easily.

Which Glasses Held Up?

It's not all bad news, though.

Two brands stood out to the guys: Brioti and RIA.

• Brioti Focus (Z87.1+ rated) absorbed impacts at 57 mph with zero damage. At 123 mph, the glasses came apart at the designed seams, which is actually a good thing. The frame didn't shatter into shrapnel.
• RIA Reflex (ASTM F3164 rated) was even more impressive. At 55 mph, no damage. At 210 mph, the temples finally broke, but the lenses stayed intact and the frame didn't turn into needles.

The key difference? These glasses are engineered to break apart in controlled ways, not explode into sharp fragments.

The Takeaway

This is just one test of a handful of eyewear options, of course. And it's important to note that the ball impacts here are hard and direct.

But Kew knows what he's doing with a ball cannon and has built a reputation around testing pickleball-specific products in controlled environments.

If you're on the fence about using pickleball eyewear, or are already sold but don't know what model is best for you, give this a watch.

It's eye-opening to say the least.

Pilla Signs Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright To Performance Lenses Built For Pickleball

Pilla has officially signed Anna Leigh Waters and Anna Bright to its pickleball line. The two join CJ Klinger and Will Howells, who were among the first pros to wear the brand’s lenses on court.

The Dink PickleballLuke Burton

Heads up: hundreds of thousands of pickleballers read our free newsletter. Subscribe here for cutting edge strategy, insider news, pro analysis, the latest product innovations and more.