If you’re a fan of BJJ Jiu Jitsu, you know how important it is to stay safe while training. One area of safety that is often overlooked is eye protection. The speed and intensity of a BJJ match can lead to unintentional contact with your opponent’s fingers, elbows or even feet. In order to protect your eyes from potential injury, it’s essential to take the proper precautions. In this guest blog post, I'll speak on my background, eye wear experience, and discuss how to keep your eyes safe while training BJJ Jiu Jitsu.
My Background & Search for the Perfect BJJ Goggles
My name is John. I have been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) on and off for the past 7 years and while I thoroughly enjoy the sport, there is one thing that has always worried me - my pre-existing condition of retinal detachment on my left eye.
I remember when I first started training, I was really apprehensive due to my condition and I was always concerned about taking the necessary precautions to protect my eyes. Especially because I only have one good eye, and simply put that good eye is my livelihood.
Initially, I tried using some cheap basketball goggles, but it did a very poor job of protecting my eyes; I still ended up with bruises and even a black eye on occasion. Below is an old Instagram post I made about my injury.
After searching for something better, alas I had found something! It wasn't until I tried a brand called Bangerz field hockey/racquetball goggles (not an affiliate link) that I found the kind of protection I needed. This eye guard is not specifically designed for Jiu Jitsu, but it has provided my eyes with superior protection from any potential injuries during practice. Not only does the mask provide complete coverage for my eyes, but it is also comfortable and breathable due to its lightweight construction.
7 years of rolling in them has been proof enough. I am now able to train with confidence knowing that my eyes are well protected from any potential harm. Wearing the Bangerz protective eye wear has enabled me to enjoy BJJ without worrying about any potential eye damage.
Features of Bangerz HS-3000
As someone who has been involved in BJJ for several years, I have experienced a few close calls where I have been elbowed or kneed accidentally in the eye area. As I mentioned before, the thing that sets the Bangerz HS-3000 apart from other options such as basketball goggles is the protection it provides.
These goggles are designed to be extremely durable and unbreakable. They use high impact, one-piece shatter-resistant polycarbonate lens. They meet ASTM F803 standards. This is extremely important because during sparring sessions, there can be a lot of pressure exerted across the face, and these goggles are designed to take the brunt of that. I have yet to experience any issue with them breaking or shattering due to the pressure applied.
I am also fan of the brow bridge which stops the sweat from going into my eyes. And with my slopy Asian forehead this is a game changer (lol)! The fully removable silicone side pads provide a good comfortable fit as well.
Overall, if you are looking for a reliable and protective pair of eye goggles for BJJ, then I definitely recommend the Bangerz HS-3000 model. I have personally used them and can vouch for their quality and effectiveness.
Cons
There are some cons to keep in mind when considering this type of eye protection. One of the biggest issues with Bangers goggles is that despite the lenses being coated with anti-fog solution, they do tend to fog up easily. But in my opinion, this is unavoidable in a close-contact grappling match, as the combination of heat and humidity can cause your goggles to become covered in condensation.
In addition, these goggles may come off during a roll in certain positions, due to the pressure applied to your face. This can be a nuisance, as it interrupts the flow of the match and you must take a break to put them back on. It’s important to ensure that they fit tightly and securely before engaging in any grappling.
Although the Bangers goggles do have some drawbacks, they are still much better than traditional basketball goggles which provide very limited protection against eye injuries. I still believe it's the best choice for practitioners of BJJ.
Cleaning & Maintenance
Bangerz Goggles are easy to take apart and clean. By taking them apart, you can really make sure that all the parts are getting a thorough cleaning.
After every BJJ session, I take my goggles apart and wash the brow bridge and adjustable head strap in the washing machine and then air dry them. This helps keep the mask clean and smelling fresh.
For the rest of the parts, I just use cold water for the lens, silicone side pads, and padded nose protector.
These simple steps ensure that my eyes are safe and protected during my Jiu Jitsu training. Taking care of your goggles will help ensure that they last longer and prevent them from smelling funky.
Happy rolling~!
