Hearing damage is typically cumulative, while damage to the eyes tends to be immediately obvious. That often means customers treat hearing protection with less urgency and eyes with a certain level of annoyance. It’s important to firmly nudge customers into buying and using eyes and ears, but it’s often easier said than done. To make the task of choosing what’s in stock a bit easier on you, we’ve compiled this list of eye and ear protection. Options range from the bare basics to high-end headsets.
Selling Hearing and Eye Protection to Customers
Assisting customers with your selection of eye and ear protection might sound tedious, but it’s a valuable skill. Not only are these necessary pieces of equipment, but they’re also fantastic add-ons to pretty much anything and everything your business carries. People often lose their ear pro, especially when they use foam earplugs or earbuds without a connecting wire. As for eye pro, it easily gets scratched and beat up to the point it needs to be replaced.
Train employees to automatically mention eye and ear pro to customers purchasing not only firearms but also ammunition, cleaning kits and optics. There’s a wide array of protection on the market, making it simple to suggest truly cost-effective items (or steer customers to high-end options).
In cases where you’re confident the customer has a partner or children, don’t forget to mention the importance of having extra eyes and ears on hand for group shooting sessions. It’s also smart in case a customer is shooting with a friend who forgot theirs or if the customer themselves ends up with broken gear mid-shoot. Backup hearing protection is a must, and it’s easy to toss extra eye protection in the range bag.
Faced with a customer who readily dismisses using earmuffs or eyewear? Remind them that hearing loss is a cumulative event and they’re not likely to notice how bad it is until it’s far too late to recover. It might be annoying to drag out the earbuds or earmuffs, but it’s less annoying than ending up increasingly harder of hearing with every passing year. This goes for hunters, too.
Walker’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds
Walker’s Game Ear is well known for producing quality hearing protection, from basic foamies to impressively high-tech muffs. The company’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds are a stellar choice for customers interested in protecting their hearing digitally and with minimal bulk. These earbuds are not connected by a wire but do come in a handy charging case that doubles as a good way to keep track of them.
Customers will appreciate the Sound Activated Compression that delivers a noise reduction rating of 25 decibels. These earbuds hook into position in the ear and stay quite secure despite the simplicity of their design. That’s due in part to the trio of locking fins and silicone tips that are included to ensure a good fit.
A major selling point for this hearing protection is its Bluetooth capability that makes it possible to listen to a connected device and functions as a two-way device thanks to built-in microphones. Take a moment to point out the four omnidirectional microphones to customers who’d like a little more than basic digital ear pro. There are also four frequency modes for Walker’s Suppressor Bluetooth Earbuds — Universal, Clear Voice, High Frequency, and Power Boost — meaning customers get the best audio possible for the situation. Battery life is listed as up to 36 hours depending on use. The charging case makes it easy to toss the earbuds in and let them recharge during breaks, and as long as it’s fully charged, the case can pass that life on to the earbuds for three full charges.
MSRP $129.99
Visit walkersgameear.com to learn more.
Walker’s Firemax Bluetooth Digital Ear Muff
You’ll find many tactically minded customers prefer digital earmuffs for hearing protection. Earmuffs provide more complete noise reduction, are less prone to slipping, and offer extras the tiny earbuds cannot. Walker’s Firemax Bluetooth Digital Ear Muffs are the ideal combination of comfort and functionality for shooters who demand the best.
These earmuffs deliver Bluetooth 5.0, a feature you can explain as giving shooters faster functionality and lower power use. Customers who take classes and spend time running their guns in high-round-count scenarios will appreciate the drop in power consumption, too; when fully charged, these earmuffs keep going for up to 200 hours. That long runtime is facilitated by auto shutoff. And when it’s time for a charge, the user simply plugs them in with the included cord.
Features to mention include a noise reduction rating of 23 decibels, high-definition speakers for enhanced clarity, and split-second Sound Activated Compression. Soft-button controls operate silently and are elevated from the housing in different shapes to make identifying them without looking first pleasantly straightforward. An IPX4 waterproof rating keeps them going on rainy or humid class days.
MSRP $129.99
Visit walkersgameears.com to learn more.
Axil GS Extreme 3.0
There’s a definite need for wired ear pro, both to ensure earbuds don’t fall out, never to be seen again, and to make operating buttons easier. Axil GS Extreme 3.0 earbuds are wired next-generation hearing protection made to deliver fantastically clear audio, great noise suppression, and no-nonsense controls. This is the perfect ear pro for customers who want the minimized profile of earbuds but understand how easy it is to lose them.
Axil GS Extreme 3.0 earbuds come with Bluetooth connectivity and can process more than one million nuances in sounds per second. That means the earbuds make adjustments to all types of noises, which protects the customer’s hearing before the customer even notices what’s happening. Lightning-fast reaction time is a major selling point for hearing protection because it does matter. Even the tiniest delays mean there’s a potential failure to protect the user’s hearing.
These earbuds are connected by a wire that has a panel of controls attached. Those controls include volume and Bluetooth connections. Tap and touch controls on the earbuds themselves make handling hear-through easy and keep it separate from the lanyard controls related to Bluetooth. These earbuds boast IP65 water resistance for durability and feature SonicShieldX protection to help the user hear what they need to remain situationally aware on the range.
MSRP $119.99
Visit goaxil.com to learn more.
Axil Foam Ear Plugs
Even though technology has come a long way — and shooters benefit greatly from those advances — there’s still a place for the basics. The most basic hearing protection doesn’t break, run out of battery life, or cause tears to be shed if it gets lost. That’s where foam ear plugs come in. Axil Foam Ear Plugs are available in various quantities, and it’s the 20-pair set that’s best. Twenty pairs of foamies can be tossed into the customer’s range bag or backpack and pulled out when the need arises. They don’t take up much space, weigh next to nothing, and have incredible lifespans.
Axil Foam Ear Plugs are an inexpensive add-on for customers who don’t want to “get fancy” with their hearing protection or who see the value in having cheap extras for friends. These foam ear plugs are also fantastic when used under earmuffs because they significantly improve the level of hearing protection. Make sure to remind customers that foamies aren’t just for that friend who forgot their ear pro — they’re for shooters who wear earmuffs and want to add a layer of protection to their precious hearing.
These foam ear plugs are made in an eye-searing bright green to ensure they’re easy to spot if they’re dropped (and simple to spot in the user’s ears). They can be rolled down before insertion to ensure a better fit, and although they’re disposable, they can also be re-used several times. The Axil Foam Ear Plug 20-pair pack comes with a keychain carrying case that holds two plugs to keep ear pro at the ready regardless of where the rest of the box goes. Customers can put the keychain on their key ring but could also attach it to their range bags. Plugs are made with ultra-soft polyurethane foam, deliver 31 decibel hearing protection, and are washable and reusable up to four times. And for customers with allergies, it’s important to note that these are latex free.
MSRP $7.99 for 20-pair pack
Visit goaxil.com to learn more.
Howard Leight Impact Sport Black Multicam Electronic Earmuff
Customers looking for the ideal electronic earmuffs for their next class will gravitate toward Howard Leight Impact Sport Black Multicam Electronic Earmuffs. This hearing protection is both functional and aesthetically pleasing thanks to the black multicam pattern on the housing. It’s a great set for customers taking classes where they absolutely cannot miss range commands.
When the electronics on these earmuffs are turned off, they continue to deliver a noise reduction rating of 22 decibels. Turning the electronics on makes things even better by amplifying relevant sounds to 82 decibels. That means customers won’t miss commands to holster their handguns, start drills, or go to parade rest. Hearing is further protected by an active listening feature designed to cut off those amplified sounds when loud noises such as gunshots occur.
Patented Air Flow Control Technology streamlines the ear cups, making it more comfortable — and doable — for customers to wear these earmuffs while running long guns. In addition, the headband is padded and adjustable for an ideal fit. And if a customer needs to attach their earmuffs to an outside audio source, there’s an external audio jack. Howard Leight lists these earmuffs as boasting a 350-hour battery life with a four-hour automatic shutoff.
MSRP $120.17
Visit howardleightshootingsports.com to learn more.
ESS Rollbar Polarized Mirror Green
A great deal of training takes place outdoors, and that means your customers are going to look for eye protection that’s more plain, clear plastic. ESS Rollbar Polarized Mirror Green eye pro is made to give customers trustworthy eye protection while also cutting down glare. This eyewear features green polarized lenses with 15% VLT (Visible Light Transmission). That means customers can see better in bright or sunny conditions, and that translates to getting a better look at targets.
This is higher-end eyewear, but when you point out its dual functionality, customers are likely to be more interested. Thanks to how much bright light ESS Rollbar Polarized Mirror Green eye pro cuts out, these can be used off the range, too. It’s always good to have versatile gear, and this eye pro gets it done whether the customer is running their gun on the firing line or driving to class on a summer day.
ESS Rollbar Polarized Mirror Green eye protection is made in the USA and offers a medium-large fit. It’s also prescription-compatible. Lenses meet industry safety standards and are compliant with ANSI Z87.1-2020, CE and U.S. Federal OSHA. And as an added bonus, these ESS lenses provide 100% UVA/UVB protection.
MSRP $168.00
Visit esseyepro.com to learn more.
Wiley X Saber Advanced
Wraparound-style safety glasses are a smart pick for dedicated shooters. Explain to customers that accidents happen to everyone, and problems such as flying, hot brass and unexpected ricochets can do irreversible damage if they’re not wearing good eye protection. Wiley X Saber Advanced eyewear is made to be comfortable, aesthetic, and tough enough to protect the user’s eyes from harm. These glasses meet MIL-PRF-32432 ballistic safety standards.
This eye pro is lightweight and features a flexible nose piece — two things that really do increase comfort during long range days. And if it’s sunny out, the lenses offer 100% UVA/UVB protection. This eye pro is manufactured with a wide variety of lens colors, each promising different types of visibility. For example, classic Smoke Grey lenses are ideal for reducing bright light, while Clear lenses are good for indoor range days. There’s even a Vermillion lens designed to enhance contrast — a great idea for paper targets. Lenses are interchangeable if a customer wants to get a different color for an existing frame.
When eyewear is available in different colors, it can be challenging to decide what to keep in stock. Smoke Grey and Clear lenses sell well thanks to their being recognizable colors for bright or dim conditions. Consider adding a Vermillion set for customers who like the color or understand the value of greater contrast on paper targets.
Wiley X Saber Advanced eyewear offers a universal fit. Frame color depends on specific model selected.
MSRP $84.00
Visit wileyx.com to learn more.
Oakley SI Ballistic M Frame 2.0
Oakley is a recognizable name that’s bound to draw certain customers based on its name alone. The fact that the company’s eyewear is well-made and durable only adds to its appeal. Oakley SI Ballistic M Frame 2.0 eye pro with Clear lenses and a gray, ergonomically-designed frame turn what might otherwise be plain-looking eyewear into something special. This eye pro is going to be a good fit for almost every adult customer who walks through your doors.
Impact protection lenses ensure the customer’s eyes are safe from high-velocity projectiles. This eye pro meets both ANSI Z87.1 Industrial Standards and mil-spec MIL-PRF 31013 for high impact protection. Clear lenses make it easy to see while shooting indoors or on overcast days outdoors. Oakley states that lenses are made using pure Plutonite, a proprietary material that provides exceptional optical clarity.
Light transmission when wearing Oakley SI Ballistic M Frame 2.0 eyewear is 93%, so shooters won’t miss what’s going on in low-light scenarios. These are wide, high-bridge fit glasses made to fit most shooters. The Hydrophilic Unobtainium® nose pad helps glasses stay put during range time. As for the frame, it’s made to be ultra lightweight with thin stem technology meant to increase compatibility with over-ear hearing protection.
MSRP unknown. Retail price averages $129.99.
Visit oakleysi.com to learn more.
Radians Crossfire Badge Ballistic-Rated Eyewear
Eye protection is a must, but it doesn’t have to be fancy to be effective. Radians Crossfire Badge Ballistic Eyewear provides a reliable level of protection without the higher price point. It’s a great set of eyewear to keep well stocked due to its appeal to a wide customer base. The lenses of this eye pro are clear and the frame is black.
Customers who want a simple, durable pair of eye pro at a reasonable price will love Radians Crossfire Badge Ballistic Eyewear. It’s made to keep the customer’s eyes safe from impacts and meets MIL-PRF-32432 standards while exceeding ANSI/ISEA Z87.1+ impact requirements. The Crossfire Badge is designed with a half-frame, leaving the lower portion of the lenses open and unobstructed. Dual-mold rubber temples help keep the eyewear in place, and the adjustable, vented nose piece improves comfort while enhancing air flow, the latter of which cuts down on lenses fogging up.
You’ll find Radians Crossfire Badge Ballistic Eyewear is favored by new gun owners who aren’t quite ready to invest heavily in gear as well as long-time customers who prefer a no-frills design. Consider stocking these where they’re readily visible alongside basic ear pro, encouraging customers to buy eyes and ears whether they originally planned to or not.
MSRP $21.99
Visit radians.com to learn more.
