SHOT Show 2019: Gatorz Inferno Eye Protection Saved My Bacon

The 2019 SHOT Show greeted me as it normally does: By reminding me that I'm not very good at packing for adventures. Fortunately, the kind folks at Gatorz managed to save my bacon while introducing me to my new favorite eyewear: the Gatorz Inferno.

Each year, SHOT Show hosts something they call Media Day at the Range, which is when we get our first in-person look at everything new and cool for the coming year. It's held out in the Nevada desert, where the sun bakes the hardpan into mirage even in January. The regular, run-of-the-mill eye protection I keep on hand was plenty to keep my eyes safe while shooting...problem is, all that desert sunshine was so bright I couldn't see to shoot.

That's when I learned it was time to step out of the frying pan and into the Inferno, with these ANSI Z87+ photochromic sunglasses. They adapt to the amount of light available, so you can have clear lenses indoors...and nice, dark sunglasses when you're trying to shoot on what is apparently the surface of the Sun.

The Inferno glasses are also stainless steel, with adjustable ear- and nosepieces, so fit can be customized from person to person. Hardy and durable, they come attractively packaged in a stainless-steel carrying case, which ought to make them Wendy-proof. (As long as I remember to bring them with me.) You can find them here, from $160-$200.