Wiley X P-17 Sunglasses offer exceptional clarity and certified impact protection
I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to sunglasses and I rarely leave the house without a pair on. Whether I'm fishing, biking, shooting photography, or at work, I want the crisp, clear vision that cheap sunglasses can't provide. The problem is those premium models rarely offer ANSI certified impact protection, so I had to switch jobs. Today I'm going to try out the Wiley X P-17 sunglasses for the first time to see if they strike the right balance.
advantage
- excellent visual clarity
- polarization
- ANSI Z87.1 certified safety protection
- light
- Includes box, cleaning cloth/bag and two strap/collar options
shortcoming
- no obvious disadvantages
fit
Like all major brands, Wiley X has a wide range of frame models to choose from to suit the style of your shoot and match the shape of your face. One of the longest running models in the entire range, the P-17 was designed to be shorter compared to its width.
With a 61mm lens width, 36mm lens height, 18mm bridge and 120mm temple length, it's the perfect size and shape for small to medium faces.
I have a medium face shape and usually go with any frame except small ones. The height is a bit of a concern, but the eye coverage is excellent and fits slightly better than some models I wear.
The arms wrap around beautifully. There are rubber grip sections at the end, but the fit is so good it's unnecessary for me.
The P-17 is also very light, unlike my Costa Tuna Alleys or Dragon Alliance Ridge X LL. This makes them an easy choice for long days on the water or at work.
lens
Shot quality can make or break the experience. For this review, I chose the Wiley X P-17 with Captivate Polarized Green Mirror Lenses. My main purpose is to replace my offshore sunglasses, and these lenses are the best choice for high contrast in shallower, dirtier waters.
As you probably know, the mirrored color doesn't determine what color you see, the Wiley X's green mirrored lenses offer a very warm tint combined with some red for high contrast.
Please note that the photos above with and without lenses are unedited except for cropping.
While not every lens in the P-17 group is polarized, this one is part of the Captivate line of lenses. Clarity is excellent, and my ability to see details in water or across fields wasn't affected in the slightest.
What sets it apart from my other sunglasses is the protection factor. Wiley X designed glasses to meet ANSI Z87.1 High Speed Impact and Clarity Safety Standards so they are 100% suitable as safety glasses. They also offer 100% UVA/UVB protection.
Wiley X P-17 Sunglasses Prices
The P-17 variants run between $100 and $180, depending on the lens you choose, though we've seen them for less at online retailers from time to time. Included in the package is a box, a cleaning cloth/bag, a collar and a sports strap. Here is the breakdown (frame color/lens color):
- Matte Black/Smoky Gray: $100
- Gloss black/glamorous polarized green mirror: $180
- Gloss Demi/Captivate Polarized Blue: $180
- Black Crystal/Captivate Polarized Red: $180
This is a prescription-available frame style if you wish to add vision correction lenses to them.
the bottom line
Wiley X nailed it with a P-17. The style, fit and lens quality are all excellent. What really sold us was the Z87.1 rating. A lot of people who like Costas, Ray-Bans, and other high end options can't wear them on the job site unless they get that certification, so they end up using whatever is in their toolbox or buying a cheap pair and sacrificing lens clarity/color . Even brands with Z87.1 sunglasses tend to have a very limited selection, making the Wiley X a very attractive option.