We like the combination of our ANR headsets and Oakley M-Frame sunglasses for short trips but not for long, non-stop hauls. That’s because the clamping pressure and resulting ache it creates on the noggin is unbearable. Sunglasses maker Flying Eyes has an alternative, with pilot glasses that are designed with webbing straps instead of traditional temples. We gave them a try and liked what we saw and felt.When we reviewed sunglasses in the December 2010 issue of Aviation Consumer we judged them, in part, for comfort while wearing headsets. While some brands— including the Oakley M-Frame wrap design— offered exceptional comfort, none were immune to eventual discomfort after hours of headset and temple clamping.
But the adjustable webbing on the Flying Eyes gently wraps around your head and under the tops of your ears. We found the strap to be soft and comfortable. We expected the strap to tug at our hair, but that wasn’t the case. Instead, the strap held the glasses securely on our face without sliding down the nose like traditional glasses do—especially when the face gets sweaty. Speaking of slides, we tested the glasses for ruggedness by accidentally sitting on them as we slid into the seat. They survived this, as we’ll as a slide off the cowling and a drop onto the pavement without damage.