ESS (Eye Safety Systems) is a subsidiary of Oakley and has spent years designing and manufacturing eyewear for the US military. In fact they’re the only authorized eyewear manufacturer for the USMC. During SHOT Phil and I spent some time at the ESS booth taking a look at what’s coming in 2015, and one of the products we were able to take a look at was the Influx.

When it comes to extensive use of eyewear there are a number of issues that can arise, especially when the eyewear in question is enclosed like goggles are. Goggles present a number of challenges including the way heat, dust, and moisture can become trapped inside, causing burning and tearing as well as overall discomfort and a physical strain to your eyes. And then there’s the fact that the majority of eyewear forces your eyes to constantly refocus and readjust, meaning prolonged use goes beyond comfort to become an issue of performance and clarity. With the Influx, ESS addresses all these issues and more by utilizing their patented Adjustable Ventilation Ssytem (AVS) and the advanced technology their reputation is built upon.

The AVS is an innovative system of vents and screens that allows the wearer to choose between sealed and open modes. From ESS:

“As part of the goggle’s patented AVS, the Influx RotoClip silently pivots the position of the lens inside the goggle frame: choose either a dust-free, fully-sealed mode, or a fog-free, open-ventilation mode. With Influx, troops can always see clearly and act fast when seconds count. In addition to controlling the AVS, the RotoClip enables one of the fastest lens exchange systems ever found in a goggle. Operators can switch between lens tints with speed and ease, accelerating environmental adaptability and shortening down time. Combined with a host of other significant advancements, the Influx stands ready to cut through the fog of war and help clear a path to victory.”

These are US MIL-SPEC battle rated goggles with 3.00mm high-impact polycarbonate lenses, 100% UVA/UVB protection, and the distortion-free optics ESS is known for. In fact, these goggles actually exceed US MIL-SPEC MIL-PRF-32432. The Influx will be available in Terrain Tan with lenses of clear or smoke grey. Although this kit is designed for the military, there will be a civilian model coming available.

These are lightweight goggles that are quite comfortable on. Looking at objects up close and far away is easy thanks to the broad field of vision and unobstructed peripheral vision as well. These goggles are the kind of exceptional quality I’ve come to expect from ESS and I’m looking forward to trying them out when they hit the market. MSRP is not yet available for the civilian model.