Wiley X Axe Sunglasses Review: Clearly Bold Protection

Wiley X dropped several new models in the first quarter, and two of them landed in the Spring edition of our new workwear guide. One is the WX Apex that PTR Editor-in-Chief (and my husband) has been wearing, and you might already have read our review of that model. The other is the closely related Wiley X Axe, and in this review, I’ll walk you through what I’ve learned after wearing them for a few months.

Wearing Wiley X Axe Sunglasses

Fit and Style

If you look at the Axe and Apex straight on from the front, you’ll notice that the lens and frame shape are nearly identical. The difference is that the Axe is a little shorter, favoring small to medium-sized face shapes. If you’re debating between the Axe and Apex, that lens height is the biggest shift between the two.

Instead of a full Triloid nylon construction like the Wiley X P-17s, the arms are metal. That makes them very durable but slightly heavier. More importantly for the style part of the conversation, it gives them a bolder look if you sport a short hairstyle that keeps them visible. The arm height is a little shorter than its cousin, so even though it’s bold, it’s a bit less industrial looking.

The Axe an excellent everyday wear style. The eye coverage is very good, though not quite as broad as the Apex thanks to its shorter profile. It’s a great fit for driving, safety, or a day at the beach. Hiking and fishing are in, though cyclists, runners, and other athletes are better off with a more athletic style like the new JAKL.

Comfort

At 29 grams, these are lightweight considering the metal component. Since the weight of the metal is balanced between your ears and nose, it wears with much better stability. On the other hand, sunglasses I’ve worn with heavier glass lenses tend to creep forward since the extra weight is on the front.

By nature, the low weight helps keep the Axe from slipping during most activities. But there’s some additional help to make sure they stay where you put them, too. There’s plenty of rubber at the temple tips and nose pads to offer a comfortable, slip-free grip.

There’s a consequence for those of us with long hair, though. The temple rubber is substantial and has a tendency to grab my hair slightly. Depending on how I’m wearing my hair for the day, I switch between these and the Wiley X Founder that slides through more easily.

Lenses

The lenses are why we recommend Wiley X glasses to literally anyone who wants a combination of clarity and impact protection. Like every model in the lineup, the Wiley X Axe includes impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses. When you add the side shields, they carry the ANSI Z87.1+ rating that make them approved as safety glasses.

All four lens options for the Axe are in the polarized Captivate line. These multi-layered lenses include 100% UVA/UVB protection, impact resistance, clarity enhancement, and a hydrophobic coating on both the front and back to give you far better performance than a cheap polarized lens.

I went with the Captivate Green Mirror lenses. As I expected, I’m extremely pleased with the clarity. The copper base reduces haze, makes greens and blues pop, and the contrast makes it easier to sight fish the flats when we’re on the water.

If you’re interested, this is a prescription-ready design. As part of Wiley X’s Active 6 series, the Apex has a flatter six-base lens profile than other models, making it compatible with a higher range of prescription lenses.

Wiley X Axe at a Glance

• Protection: 100% UVA/UVB protection, impact-resistant lenses with ANSI Z87.1+ rating when using the side shields
• Comfort: Lightweight (29 grams) with slip-resisting temple tips and nose pads
• Clarity: Captivate polarized multi-layer polycarbonate lenses
• Durability: Shatterproof lenses, super-tough full Triloid nylon frame
• Fit: Small/medium, 17mm bridge, 56mm lens width, 40mm lens height, 137mm temple length
• Prescription-ready: Active 6 six-base lens profile allows for a higher prescription range

Wiley X Axe Price

There are four versions of the Apex available, with slightly different pricing depending on the model:

• Grey Lens/Matte Black Frame: $206
• Tungsten Mirror Lens/Matte Black Frame: $216
• Black Mirror Lens/Matte Tortoise Brown Frame: $216
• Green Mirror Lens/Gloss Crystal Grey Frame (featured in the photos): $216

Shipping is free when you order from Wiley X directly. They back the Axe with a lifetime warranty against defects.

The Bottom Line

The Wiley X Axe has earned its place as one of my go-to sunglasses for everyday wear in most conditions. They’re lightweight with excellent lens clarity, and the Captivate Green Mirror lenses are in perfect harmony with the outdoor activities I enjoy.

If you’re into high-intensity athletic activities, consider a different style, like the P-17 or JAKL. However, if you’re on the hunt for something you can wear in nearly any other environment, the Axe has a stylish, versatile design that’s great on the boat, on the trail, behind the wheel, or on the jobsite.