The Problem with Most “Lensless” Pickleball Eyewear Claims

Lensless eyewear is growing quickly in pickleball. Players like the idea for good reasons: no fogging, no lens glare, no distortion, better airflow, and a more open feel on the court. A well-designed lensless product can solve real problems that cause many people to stop wearing traditional protective glasses.

The issue is that many products being sold as “lensless pickleball eyewear” are not actually designed for the sport.

The Common Shortcut

A large number of these products start as generic safety glasses or frames. The lenses are removed (or never installed), and the product is then marketed for pickleball. In some cases, the original ANSI Z87.1 rating from when the lenses were still in place is still shown or referenced.

That rating does not carry over. ANSI Z87.1 applies to the complete device as it was tested. Once the lenses are removed, it is a different product. Continuing to use the old rating is inaccurate and can mislead players about the level of protection.

What ASTM F3164 Actually Says

The relevant sports standard is ASTM F3164-24, which covers eye protectors for racket sports including pickleball.

The standard does recognize lensless designs. It classifies them as Type 3 — “a protector without a lens.”

However, almost all of the detailed testing requirements in the standard are written for products that have lenses. A legitimate Type 3 claim requires that the actual open-frame product be tested as a complete device against the applicable mechanical and impact requirements. Simply removing the lenses from an existing pair of safety glasses does not make it an ASTM F3164 Type 3 protector.

Vague claims of “ASTM F3164 Certified” or “meets ASTM standards,” without clear evidence that the open-frame version was properly tested, should be viewed carefully.

Why Purpose-Built Design Matters

A lensless product engineered from the ground up for pickleball is different from a modified safety frame. Frame geometry, coverage, material, fit, and how the structure handles a pickleball at typical speeds and angles all matter.

When the goal is to help keep a ball from reaching the eye while preserving clear vision and comfort, the design needs to start with that specific use case — not with a product that had its lenses taken out.

Players deserve accurate information. Protection claims should match what was actually tested.

What to Look For

• Clear description of whether the product was purpose-designed or based on a modified existing frame
• Transparent information about any testing that was done
• No leftover ANSI ratings that no longer apply after the lenses were removed
• Realistic language about the limits of any eyewear

Lensless eyewear can be a useful option for players who deal with fog, glare, or the closed-in feel of traditional glasses. The category is still young. The brands that treat design and testing seriously will help it develop in a way that actually serves players.

At Strate we designed our lensless option from the ground up for pickleball. We believe protection claims should be accurate, the design should match the sport, and players should be able to understand exactly what they are getting.