ANSI Z87 vs Z87+: What You Actually Need (2025)

Connor Thomas
2025-10-06T18:52:08-05:00

TL;DR

Z87 = basic impact protection; Z87+ = high-impact testing for faster debris and tougher jobs.

Most active job sites prefer Z87+; add side shields when lateral protection is required.

Match lens tint to the task: clear indoors, gray for bright sun, amber/yellow for low light.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

How to Choose ANSI Z87 vs Z87+

Fit & Coverage

Lens Tints & Conditions

Grip, Weight & Comfort

Editor’s Top Picks (6 Products)

Compare at a Glance

Pro Tips & Use-Case Scenarios

FAQs

Shop the Collection

About Detour

Link Map

INTRO

When safety eyewear is required, the letters and symbols on your frame aren’t just jargon—they determine how much impact your glasses can take and where you can wear them on the job. ANSI Z87 indicates basic impact resistance for lower-energy hazards, while ANSI Z87+ raises the bar with high-impact tests for fast-moving debris and more aggressive tools. If your day involves grinders, nailers, saws, landscaping, or any high-velocity environment, Z87+ is typically the safer bet. For occasional shop work or low-risk tasks, Z87 can be acceptable—always confirm with your site supervisor. To choose quickly: identify your required rating (Z87 or Z87+), ensure the frame fits and seals well at the temples, add side shields if lateral protection is required, then match lens tint to the light you’ll face. Ready to browse compliant options? Shop the ANSI safety collection.

How to Choose ANSI Z87 vs Z87+

Z87 vs Z87+: the real difference
Both ratings indicate impact-rated safety eyewear, but Z87+ must pass stricter high-impact tests (high-mass and high-velocity). That’s why many safety programs default to Z87+ even when Z87 might technically meet minimums.

Fit & Coverage (XL guidance included)

Protection depends on stable fit and full coverage:

Temple and brow coverage should sit close to block side/overhead debris.

Side shields (clip-on or integrated) are often required for lateral protection—don’t skip them if your policy calls for it.

XL fits solve pinch points and lens lift for wider heads; if frames flare or ride up on your cheeks, size up. Breach XL and Big Kahuna XL are Detour’s go-to large-head solutions.

Lens Tints & Conditions

Clear (indoor/overcast/night): maximum visibility; the default for shops, warehouses, and inspection.

Gray / Jet Black (bright sun): neutral color perception; reduces eye fatigue outdoors (road crews, landscaping, construction).

Mirrors (Deep Blue, 24k Gold): add surface-glare control on concrete, metal, water, and snow; pick for bright, reflective conditions.

Amber/Yellow (low light): boosts contrast at dawn/dusk or dim indoor spaces (check your site policy for tinted lenses after dark).

Grip, Weight & Comfort

Look for no-slip nose pads and temples, spring hinges, and lightweight wrap designs so your glasses don’t bounce under a hard hat or creep down your nose. The aim: all-day comfort that you barely notice—until something hits your lenses.

Editor’s Top Picks (6 Products)

Breach XL — Matte Black — Clear (ANSI Z87+) — XL, high-wrap clarity for indoor shops and night work; great for supervisors who need eye contact without glare.

Breach XL — Matte Black — 24k Gold Polarized (ANSI Z87+) — Polarized, high-impact sun blocker for bright outdoor jobs and reflective surfaces.

Breach — Matte Black — Deep Blue Polarized (ANSI Z87+) — Standard fit with mirror for glare-heavy sites (concrete/metal/water).

Breach — Matte Black — Jet Black Polarized (ANSI Z87+) — Everyday Z87+ with stable wrap and no-slip contact; a versatile outdoor workhorse.

Big Kahuna XL — Matte Black — Jet Black Polarized (ANSI Z87) — Maximum-coverage XL with dark tint for bright yards and road crews.

Big Kahuna XL — Matte Black — Clear (ANSI Z87) — XL comfort and clear compliance for fabrication, inspection, and night work.

Compare at a Glance

Model | Fit | Wrap | ANSI Marking | Best For | Lens Base
Breach XL – Clear | XL | High | Z87+ | Indoor/low light, night work | Clear
Breach XL – 24k Gold Polarized | XL | High | Z87+ | Bright sun, reflective sites | Gray base + gold mirror
Breach – Deep Blue Polarized | Standard | High | Z87+ | Glare on concrete/metal/water | Amber/gray base + blue mirror
Breach – Jet Black Polarized | Standard | High | Z87+ | Daily outdoor use | Gray/Jet Black
Big Kahuna XL – Jet Black Polarized | XL | High | Z87 | Bright outdoor crews | Gray/Jet Black
Big Kahuna XL – Clear | XL | High | Z87 | Indoor fabrication/inspection | Clear

Pro Tips & Use-Case Scenarios

If your spec says “Z87+,” don’t downgrade. Choose Z87+ when high-velocity debris is possible.

Side shields = side compliance. Add them when your site requires lateral protection.

Night or indoor work: go clear; darker tints can hide critical detail.

Bright, reflective job sites: use gray or mirror tints to cut eye strain.

Wide heads under hard hats: pick XL frames for stable temple contact without pressure points.

One-pair plan: XL Z87+ with clear lenses for indoor shifts + a polarized Z87+ lens for daytime outdoor tasks.

FAQs

Q: What’s the difference between ANSI Z87 and Z87+?
A: Z87+ must pass tougher high-impact tests than Z87. If high-velocity debris is possible, choose Z87+.

Q: When do I need side shields?
A: Whenever your safety program requires lateral eye protection. Use approved shields that fit your frame.

Q: Can adding side shields make Z87 into Z87+?
A: No. Side shields add coverage, not impact rating. If Z87+ is required, the frame and lens must already be certified Z87+.

Q: Are polarized Z87+ lenses better for work?
A: Polarization reduces glare on water, concrete, and metal—but it isn’t required for the ANSI rating. Choose it for outdoor glare control.

Q: Which lens color should I use indoors?
A: Clear for maximum visibility and compliance in most indoor settings.

Q: What if standard safety glasses hurt my temples?
A: Go XL (e.g., Breach XL, Big Kahuna XL) for more wrap and hinge flex without pressure points.

Q: Do all Z87+ glasses have the same coverage?
A: No. The rating covers impact testing, not fit. Check temple/brow coverage and add side shields if required.

Shop the Collection

Get compliant, comfortable eye protection for real work. Explore the ANSI Z87 safety collection. If you need extra room, the XL ANSI Z87 selection is a helpful place to start.

ABOUT DETOUR

Affordable, polarized eyewear with UV400 protection across sport, work, and lifestyle frames.

Sizes from small to XL, including Z87/Z87+ safety styles.

Practical tech you’ll notice: Hi-Fi contrast lenses, multiple VLT options, and QuickGrip magnetic lens systems on goggles.