Key Features
Overview
Heat Wave Visual Performance Rayth Sunglasses: Photochromic Z87+ are performance safety sunglasses built for users who need eye protection that can handle changing light. This is a pair of safety sunglasses designed for impact protection, glare control, and all-day wear across indoor and outdoor environments. Model Number: E_RAYTH_07T.
The big story here is the photochromic lens. Instead of locking you into a dark lens that can be annoying indoors, these lenses adapt from a very clear 75% VLT down to 17% VLT depending on light intensity. Heat Wave states the transition happens in under 30 seconds, which is a practical advantage if your day moves from garage work to the driveway, from the truck cab to the jobsite, or from early morning to full sun.
Protection is not just a marketing claim on this model. The lenses are 2 mm thick polycarbonate and meet or exceed ANSI Z87 mass impact requirements. With the Quick-Latch side-shield system installed, the glasses meet ANSI Z87+ standards while also adding lateral protection from debris and side light. That makes these a more serious option for people who actually need safety-rated eyewear, not just sunglasses with a rugged look.
The Rayth frame is built around a bold, flat-profile lens shape with a compact top-to-bottom design and a standard-width fit. In plain terms, you get a wide, tough-looking frame that does not feel overly tall on the face. Heat Wave also calls out premium frame detailing, and the design adds rubberized Hytrel inserts in the arms and nose area for better grip where it counts.
Those fit details matter more than they sound. The modified arm design is intended to reduce wear and hair snags, while the increased rubber surface at the nose helps the glasses stay planted when you are moving, sweating, or constantly looking up and down. If you have worn safety glasses that slide forward or catch your hair every time you pull them off, this is exactly the kind of small improvement you notice fast.
On the lens side, you also get UV400 protection with 100% UVA and UVB blocking, plus a category 1 to 3 tint range. Heat Wave specifically notes that these will not get as dark as their standard black lenses, and that is actually useful to know before you buy. The tradeoff is better indoor clarity and more versatile day-to-day wear, which is the whole point of a transition lens in the first place.
These Performance Rayth sunglasses make the most sense for users who split time between indoor and outdoor work, drive throughout the day, or want one pair of safety-rated glasses instead of separate clear and tinted pairs. If you are in fabrication, automotive work, shop work, ranch use, property maintenance, or you just want ANSI-rated eyewear that does not need constant swapping, this model has a clear use case.
One Pair for Changing Light
The biggest benefit of this pair is simple: less switching, less hassle. The lens stays clear enough for indoor use, then darkens outside so you can keep moving instead of digging for a second pair.
- Photochromic visible light transmission range: 75% to 17%
- Transition time is listed at under 30 seconds
- Category 1 to 3 lens performance for broader light conditions
Safety Coverage That Goes Beyond Basic Sunglasses
If you need real protective eyewear, this pair is built for that job. The lens material, impact rating, and side-shield system are what separate these from fashion sunglasses with a tough frame shape.
- 2 mm polycarbonate lenses meet or exceed ANSI Z87 mass impact requirements
- Quick-Latch side-shield system adds lateral debris and side light protection
- ANSI Z87+ standard is met with side shields installed
Key Specifications
| Product Type | Sunglasses |
|---|---|
| Lens Material | Polycarbonate |
| Lens Thickness | 2 mm |
| Visible Light Transmission | 75% to 17% |
| Lens Category | Cat 1-3 |
| Impact Rating | ANSI Z87 mass impact; ANSI Z87+ with side shields installed |
| UV Protection | UV400, 100% UVA / UVB blocking |
| Weight | 6.0 oz |
Built For
Pro Tip
If most of your day bounces between indoor and outdoor light, this lens setup is the sweet spot. You give up some of the deep darkness of a dedicated black sunglass lens, but you gain way better usability when you are constantly stepping in and out of a shop, truck, or garage.
Tool Nut’s Take
Heat Wave Visual Performance Rayth Sunglasses: Photochromic Z87+ are the practical pick for all-day transitions
This is the pair you buy when you are tired of swapping between clear safety glasses and dark sunglasses every time the light changes.
- Who it’s for: Anyone working in a garage, shop, yard, or on the road who wants one pair of safety-rated glasses that can handle both indoor and outdoor use.
- Why it stands out: The 75% to 17% photochromic range, ANSI-rated 2 mm polycarbonate lenses, and side-shield system give it real utility instead of just style points.
- Worth knowing: These do not get as dark as Heat Wave’s standard black lenses, so if maximum tint is your top priority, go darker. If versatility matters more, this is the smarter buy.
Common Questions
- Are these safety rated? Yes. The 2 mm polycarbonate lenses meet or exceed ANSI Z87 mass impact requirements, and the glasses meet ANSI Z87+ standards with the side shields installed.
- How dark do the lenses get? The photochromic lenses adjust from 75% visible light transmission down to 17% visible light transmission.
- Do these block UV light? Yes. The lenses are rated UV400 and block 100% of UVA and UVB light.
- Will these get as dark as a standard black sunglass lens? No. Heat Wave specifically notes that this photochromic lens does not get as dark as their standard black lenses.
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