About Wiley X Mission and History | Tactical Sunglasses Online Store (2024)

OUR STORY

Originally founded as Protective Optics in 1987 by U.S. Army Veteran Myles Freeman Sr., our mission continues today as it did then – “Build the world’s best protective eyewear”. Over the years, we’ve become an iconic American brand and the most trusted name when it comes to protective eyewear. We’re proud to be a second generation, family-owned American business and continue to build on a legacy of creating innovative eyewear products without compromising on protection.

People Matter

When it comes to personal safety and protection, we believe our customers expect, and deserve, more than the minimum available option. Protection is our code of conduct, and we take it seriously. Real serious. Just ask anyone that’s been to our facility and experienced the level of commitment and resources we apply to testing our products. We never forget that behind every pair of glasses is a real person–trusting us to protect their eyes, and in some cases even more, to the integrity of the products we design and build.

Do Hard Things

We don’t make “safety glasses” and we certainly don’t make “gas station” sunglasses. We do something much more difficult–and rewarding. Our moonshot inspires us to design and build eyewear that people truly enjoy wearing anywhere, at any time, without compromising on performance or protection. It’s never easy and hardly simple. Doing hard things drives us to perfect the ordinary while pushing the boundaries of the extraordinary.

A Higher Standard

We hold ourselves to a higher standard when it comes to testing. Protection has always been the core of what we do, and meticulous testing is how we validate our mission. Decades of persistent refinement have kept us at the forefront of our industry, and true to our purpose. Every pair of eyewear we design is put through rigorous U.S. and International testing standards to ensure it meets or exceeds the highest ratings possible for safety and optics. Our entire range of eyewear is tested to meet or exceed at least one of these industry standards for safety and optics: [ANSI Z87.1+, MIL-PRF-32432(GL), MIL-PRF-32432A, ASTM F803]

Giving Back

Supporting first responders, military service members, veterans, and their families is a core value for our company. Our aim is to honor the memory and recognize the sacrifices of those who have served, and continue to serve, our communities and our country. We are grateful to be a contributor to non-profit organizations and proud to give back to our nation’s heroes through charitable donations, eyewear products, event sponsorships, employee community service programs and marketing resources.

established in 1987

Wiley X is a family-owned company founded by U.S. Veteran Myles Freeman Sr. with a focused determination to create the world's best protective gear for those that protect our country.

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PIONEERS IN PROTECTIVE EYEWEAR

We believe there is a singular way to make gear for the world's harshest environments. Decades of innovation and design refinement have taught us that you never cut corners. You take care of those you're supposed to protect. You stand behind your promises.

WE BELIEVE IN CONSTANT INNOVATION

We won't let up. Ever. That's the only way to make sure that our products continue to inspire confidence in everyone that wears them. Regardless of situation. In spite of whatever they encounter.