At the risk of sounding like a walking TV Infomercial, I have come across some items that are well worth the money, and I thought I would pass on some recomendations to you.

Not all of these things may appeal to you, but I am very happy to recommend them, based on their price, function, durability, comfort, and or convenience. For best quality, why not go where the police and military go for their supplies?

I am on my feet all day at work, and I need some good shoes for support. I do a lot of constant moving around, and I have had my share of limping home due to shoes that don't support my feet very well. The best shoes that I have found are Bates shoes. These shoes are the most comfortable and long lasting. Like all cross training type shoes, you can buy them for anywhere from $79-$120. They have 10 inch high shoes that are waterproof, and shoes like I wear to work that are 8 inches high. While these lean toward Military combat boots in appearance, they are very comfortable, like cross trainers, and well worth the money. For general wear, I enjoy the SWAT brand of shoe. These are a very rugged and durable police style tennis shoe that is also very comfortable. Some of these shoes even have zippers on the side, so there is nothing to lace up. Just slip them on, zip them up, and you are gone. $59-$99.

One problem I have run into when I edge the yard or use the snowblower is that I get a lot of snow and sometimes debris in my face. For snowblowing I bought one of those head coverings that leave small slits for your eyes, nose, and mouth--$2.00. But I still get pelted with a lot of snow in the face from the snowblower--it seems the wind doesn't listen to me--and to solve this I use a military style goggle that covers about 99% of the eye area. These goggles are the same types used by those in tanks and other vehicles while in the desert. The neat thing about these goggles is that they can double as clear lens safety glasses, or as attractive sunglasses for extremely bright days. They come with two interchangable lens. Here are the specs on two of them, made by Willey X. Their Ballistic series is supposed to withstand impact from a bullet traveling 700 feet per second. These goggles can be easily changed from a strap style to traditional behind the ears style.

--CQC model (close quarter combat) looks more like a small shield that covers the eyes:

Meets and exceeds ANSI Z87.1 safety standards
Meets and exceeds ANSI Z80.3 optical standards
Meets and exceeds Milt. Spec. MIL-STD-662 for fragmentation
Lenses are 2.5mm thick ballistic polycarbonate
Lenses provide 100% U.V. protection
Lenses have scratch resistant coating for longer life
Lenses are anti-fog coated
Lenses are die-cut, ground and polished to eliminate distortion
Lenses are encased in their own frame for prescription capabilities
Lenses are lined with rubberized "Ultra Foam" for perfect facial seal
"Ultra Foam" is much more durable than traditional goggle foam


-SG1 model:  has a more traditional sunglasses look to it--about half way between a goggle and traditional sunglasses, and has a greater variety of lens to choose from, including polarized neutral slate colored sunglasses. Also comes with both a headband and a traditional behind the ear style.

You can view these items at the place I found to be the cheapest--LA Police Gear: www.lapolicegear.com. They were as much as $12 cheaper than other sources, and offered free shipping on Wiley X products. I ordered some things on Tuesday, they shipped the same day, and arrived on Friday. Wiley X also makes more traditional looking sunglasses, but their strongest ones are from their military ballistic series. I own a pair of these, and with the clear lens, I will be wearing them to work as clear lens safety glasses, and on the weekends I can change them to the dark polorized sunglasses style. The cost on the CQC model ranges from $58 with free shipping to as much as $70 plus shipping, depending on where you shop. The SG1 model ranges from $89 on up depending on what you order. Prescription lens is also an option.

The rubber coating on the inside of these glasses are designed to absorb moisture and to keep your glasses from slipping. I haven't owned them long enough to see how this works, but the rubber really adds a heavy duty look and feel to the glasses.

Maybe you think you can't afford things like this, but the quality is there, and most required safety glasses are pretty dull and blah to wear
Now you can have a nice style along with meeting any OSHA safety requirements--and get a nice pair of poloarized sunglasses at the same time. I sold a pair of Revo glasses on ebay for $70, so my final cost on these glasses was a lot less. It is money well spent.

I'd be happy to show you the glasses some time, and help you find the best source for buying junk like this if you are interested.

Thanks,

Dan.