Our Tech

Spring stainless steel

Every METL Optix frame is cut from thin spring stainless steel. It's the same material principle used in high-end European fashion eyewear, and as far as we can find, nobody else uses it for tactical frames.

Here's why it matters. Polymer frames are rigid. They fit or they don't. When they don't, they either pinch or slide. Spring steel flexes. Put it on and the temples bend outward to your head, then hold with steady pressure across the whole length instead of one hot spot behind your ears. Take it off and it returns to shape. Drop it, sit on it, stuff it in a pack, and it comes back.

The frames are manufactured in Europe and assembled in the USA. Finished in matte black, gunmetal, OD green, or AK brown depending on the model.

Ballistic lenses, prescription or plano

Every frame ships with Z87+ polycarbonate lenses. Ma Deuce is rated to MIL-PRF-32432A, which means it stops a .15 caliber projectile at 700+ feet per second. That's the military standard, and it's a lot harder to pass than Z87.

Every lens gets anti-reflective and scratch-resistant coatings standard. Not an upgrade. Not a checkbox at checkout.

Available in clear, transitions, polarized solid tints, polarized mirrors, and non-polarized solid tints. Every option is available in your prescription.

Here's a breakdown of our lens colors, tints, coatings, and typical use cases:

Clear

Our standard lens. Clear polycarbonate safety lenses protect your eyes from unexpected hazards. Available in prescription or non-prescription, these lenses include an anti-reflective coating and scratch-resistant hard-coat. Ideal for environments where sun and glare are not primary concerns.

Transitions

Transitions polycarbonate ballistic lenses are clear indoors and automatically darken outdoors in seconds. Available in prescription or non-prescription, these lenses include an anti-reflective coating and scratch-resistant hard-coat. Perfect for both daytime and nighttime operations.

Polarized Solid Tint

Polarized, solid tint, polycarbonate ballistic lenses designed for outdoor use. Available in prescription or non-prescription, these lenses include an anti-reflective coating and scratch-resistant hard-coat. Great for environments where sun and glare are primary concerns. Available in the following colors:

Dark Gray

For sunny conditions where you do not want to alter the color of your surroundings.

Dark Brown

Ideal for environments with heavy greenery and cloud cover. Suitable for all-year wear, whether in full sun or overcast conditions.

Gray-Green

Protects and comforts your eyes on foggy, cloudy, or bright days.

Polarized Mirror Tint

Polarized, mirror tint, polycarbonate ballistic lenses designed for outdoor use. Available in prescription or non-prescription, these lenses include an anti-reflective coating and scratch-resistant hard-coat on the backside. Ideal for environments where sun, glare, and style are primary concerns. Available in the following colors:

Blue Mirror

Red Mirror

Silver Mirror

Non-Polarized Solid Tint

Non-polarized, solid tint, polycarbonate ballistic lenses designed primarily for outdoor use. Available in prescription or non-prescription, these lenses include an anti-reflective coating and scratch-resistant hard-coat on both sides. Designed for different lighting conditions based on color:

Dark Gray

For sunny conditions where you do not want to alter the color of your surroundings.

Dark Brown

Ideal for environments with heavy greenery and cloud cover. Suitable for all-year wear, whether in full sun or overcast conditions.

Gray-Green

Protects and comforts your eyes on foggy, cloudy, or bright days.

Quartz

Beneficial during dawn, dusk, or cloudy weather

How to wear spring steel

METL Optix temples are not meant to hook behind your ears like regular glasses. They're meant to curve around the side of your head. Put them on, let the temples flex out, and let the steel do the work. If you're hooking them behind your ears, they'll feel loose. Wear them the way they were built and they'll stay put through anything.

Every frame is XL. Darby and Merrill are base 6 wraps for maximum retention during movement. Rogers and Ma Deuce are base 4 flats, which fill prescriptions with less edge distortion.