Table of contents
If you've spent any time on a job site, in a shop, or under a vehicle, you already know eye protection isn't optional. What you might not know is which 3M safety glasses series is actually built for your kind of work. 3M makes a lot of them -- and they're not all the same.
This guide breaks down every series available at ProWork Supply: SecureFit, Virtua, Solus, BX, Nuvo, OX, and Integrated. We'll show you what each one is built for, what makes them different, and which one fits your trade. We'll also cover lens tints, coatings, and what ANSI Z87.1 actually means -- but the products come first.
3M SecureFit Safety Glasses
The SecureFit series runs from a basic everyday pair all the way to IR-rated torch work glasses and OTG models for prescription wearers.
What sets SecureFit apart from every other series is 3M's Pressure Diffusion Temple (PDT) technology -- a self-adjusting mechanism built into the temples that conforms to your head shape as you put them on. If you've always had trouble finding safety glasses that don't slide or pinch, SecureFit is the first place to look.
SecureFit Safety Glasses
The entry point in the SecureFit lineup. Clean, simple, and available in bulk. This is the series you stock on a job site when you need reliable glasses in quantity without overcomplicating it.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray |
Coatings |
Anti-Fog / Anti-Scratch (AF/AS) |
Frame Colors |
Black temples |
Foam Gasket |
No |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
No |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack, 100-pack, 400-pack |
Best For |
Everyday general trade use, high-volume job site stocking |
SecureFit 200 Series
A step up in coating quality with Scotchgard Anti-Fog treatment. Available in blue lens, which works well in certain indoor lighting conditions. Good for all-day moderate-hazard environments.
Lens Options |
Clear, Blue |
Coatings |
Scotchgard Anti-Fog (SGAF) |
Frame Colors |
Blue temples, Clear |
Foam Gasket |
No |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
No |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack |
Best For |
All-day moderate-hazard environments |
SecureFit 400 Series
This is where the SecureFit lineup opens up. The 400 series gives you the widest lens selection in the SecureFit line, a removable foam gasket option on select models, and multiple frame color choices. The X variants (SF401X, SF403X) run slightly larger for guys with bigger heads.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray, Amber, Brown, Indoor/Outdoor Mirror, Orange, Blue |
Coatings |
Scotchgard Anti-Fog (SGAF) or Anti-Fog (AF) |
Frame Colors |
Green/Black, Blue/Gray, Yellow/Black, Black/Brown, Orange/Brown/Black |
Foam Gasket |
Yes -- removable, on select models |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
No |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack |
Best For |
Construction, contractors, dusty environments, workers needing lens tint variety |
SecureFit 500 Series
The most specialized series in the SecureFit lineup. The 500 series adds IR-rated lenses for light torch work and includes the foam gasket as a standard option on several models. If you're a mechanic doing underhood work or a construction worker in a high-dust environment and you want an IR option for occasional torch work, the 500 series covers it all in one pair.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray, Indoor/Outdoor Gray, Light Brown/Olive, IR 3.0 Gray |
Coatings |
Scotchgard Anti-Fog (SGAF) or Anti-Fog (AF) |
Frame Colors |
Black, Black/Green |
Foam Gasket |
Yes -- standard on select models, removable |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
No |
IR Rated |
Yes -- IR 3.0 (SF530AF-GRN) |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack |
Best For |
Mechanics, dusty environments, workers needing occasional IR protection |
SecureFit 600 Series
The 600 series has a wider, more substantial frame profile than the lower-numbered SecureFit models. If you've tried the 400 or 500 and found them a bit narrow, the 600 is worth trying. Available in bulk packs as well.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray |
Coatings |
Scotchgard Anti-Fog (SGAF) |
Frame Colors |
Black |
Foam Gasket |
Yes -- on select models |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
No |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack, 400-pack |
Best For |
Workers who find lower SecureFit series too narrow for their face |
SecureFit 3700 Series -- Over-the-Glass (OTG)
Built specifically for workers who wear prescription eyeglasses. The 3700 series fits over your corrective lenses while still meeting ANSI Z87.1 standards. The SF3701X adds a browguard for overhead work. If you've been removing your prescription glasses to put on safety glasses -- or skipping safety glasses entirely -- the 3700 OTG fixes that.
Lens Options |
Clear, Light Blue, Indoor/Outdoor Gray |
Coatings |
Anti-Scratch (AS) or Scotchgard Anti-Fog (SGAF) |
Frame Colors |
Blue temples |
Foam Gasket |
No |
OTG |
Yes -- designed to fit over prescription eyeglasses |
Browguard Option |
Yes -- SF3701X version |
Reader Option |
No |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
10-pack |
Best For |
Workers who wear prescription eyeglasses on the job |
3M Virtua Safety Glasses
The Virtua series is one of the most widely used safety glasses lines in the trades. It's been around for years, it's reliable, and it's available in more configurations than almost any other series -- including options for prescription readers, cord retention systems, and integrated side shields.
Virtua Standard
The workhorse of the lineup. Available in the widest range of pack sizes of any 3M safety glasses series, including 10,000-pack options for high-volume industrial use. Solid for general trade work across the board.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray, Indoor/Outdoor Mirror, Light Blue |
Coatings |
Hard Coat (HC) or Anti-Fog (AF) |
Frame Colors |
Clear, Gray, Blue |
Foam Gasket |
Yes -- on select models, removable |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
Yes -- +1.5 and +2.0 diopter |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack, 100-pack, 1000-pack, 10,000-pack |
Best For |
High-volume job site and shop stocking, general everyday use |
Virtua AP (All-Purpose)
The AP version adds integrated side shields to the frame for extra side protection without going to a full goggle. A popular choice for construction and assembly workers who need more coverage than a standard frame offers.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray, Amber, Indoor/Outdoor Mirror |
Coatings |
Hard Coat (HC) or Anti-Fog (AF) |
Frame Colors |
Clear, Gray, Amber, Light Gray |
Side Shields |
Yes -- integrated into the frame |
Foam Gasket |
No |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
No |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack, 400-pack |
Best For |
Construction, assembly work -- workers who want more side coverage |
Virtua CCS (Cord Control System)
The CCS designation means these glasses have a built-in cord management system for attaching a retention strap or safety cord. That's useful for overhead work, confined spaces, or any job where dropping your glasses creates a problem. The CCS line also includes reader models for workers who need magnification.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray, Indoor/Outdoor Mirror |
Coatings |
Hard Coat (HC) or Anti-Fog (AF) |
Frame Colors |
Black, Blue |
Cord System |
Yes -- built-in cord management |
Foam Gasket |
Yes -- on select models, removable |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
Yes -- +1.5, +2.0, +2.5 diopter |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack, 100-pack |
Best For |
Overhead work, linemen, workers prone to losing or dropping glasses |
Virtua Sport CCS
The Sport version pairs the CCS cord system with a wraparound lens design for better side coverage. A good pick for active work that requires both retention and peripheral protection.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray |
Coatings |
Anti-Fog (AF) |
Frame Colors |
Blue |
Cord System |
Yes -- built-in |
Wraparound Lens |
Yes -- more side coverage than standard CCS |
Foam Gasket |
No |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
No |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack |
Best For |
Active work requiring wraparound coverage and cord retention |
Privo Protective Eyewear
The Privo offers a wider lens profile than the standard Virtua for better peripheral coverage. A solid mid-range option if you want more coverage than a slim frame but don't need the full Solus build.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray, Amber, Indoor/Outdoor Mirror |
Coatings |
Anti-Fog (AF) |
Frame Colors |
Black |
Foam Gasket |
No |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
No |
IR Rated |
No |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack |
Best For |
Workers wanting wider peripheral coverage than a standard slim frame |
3M Solus Safety Glasses
The Solus series is built around all-day comfort. The frame geometry and weight distribution are designed to reduce pressure points across a wider range of face shapes without requiring adjustments. If you've got guys on your crew who complain that safety glasses give them headaches or leave marks after a full shift, Solus is worth trying.
Solus 2000 Series
The 2000 series is the most versatile single pair in the entire 3M lineup. It covers everything from standard outdoor work to IR-rated torch protection in the same frame. If you're a welder, pipefitter, or HVAC tech who needs IR protection for torch work but wants one pair of glasses for the whole day, this is your series.
Lens Options |
Clear, Gray, Amber, Brown, Indoor/Outdoor Gray, Red Mirror, IR 1.7, IR 3.0, IR 5.0 |
Coatings |
Scotchgard Anti-Fog (SGAF) or Anti-Scratch (AS) |
Frame Colors |
Gray/Blue-Green, Black/Green |
Foam Gasket |
Yes -- on select models |
OTG |
No |
Reader Option |
Yes -- +1.5 diopter |
IR Rated |
Yes -- shade 1.7, 3.0, and 5.0 |
Pack Sizes |
20-pack |
Best For |
Welders, pipefitters, HVAC techs needing IR protection and an everyday pair in one |
What ANSI Z87.1 Actually Means
Every 3M safety glasses model at ProWork Supply is ANSI Z87.1 certified. That means they've been tested and confirmed to meet minimum impact resistance, optical clarity, and coverage requirements for workplace use. Here's what the markings on the lens mean:
Marking |
What It Means |
Z87 or Z87+ |
Base certification. Z87+ passed the high-velocity impact test (steel ball at 150 ft/sec). You want Z87+ for most trade work. |
D3 |
Rated for liquid splash and droplets |
D4 |
Rated for dust protection |
D5 |
Rated for fine dust |
W + shade number (e.g. W3.0) |
Rated for welding or torch work at that shade level |
R + shade number |
Rated for infrared (IR) heat exposure |
Regular sunglasses don't meet Z87.1 standards regardless of how much they cost. If OSHA shows up on your job site and you're wearing non-rated eyewear, that's a problem.
Lens Color Guide
Lens tint isn't just about sun protection. Different tints are engineered for specific lighting conditions and tasks.
Lens Color |
Best Conditions |
Best Fit For |
Clear |
Indoor, low light, nighttime |
Electricians, mechanics, indoor construction |
Gray |
Bright outdoor conditions |
Roofing, general outdoor work -- reduces brightness without color shift |
Amber / Yellow |
Overcast, hazy, variable light |
Construction, landscaping -- sharpens contrast on cloudy days |
Indoor/Outdoor (I/O) Mirror |
Changing light, in and out all day |
Workers moving between indoor and outdoor frequently |
Brown / Light Brown |
High-glare outdoor environments |
Bright sun, especially near water or concrete |
IR Shade 1.7 |
Very light torch work |
Light soldering, brazing |
IR Shade 3.0 |
Light MIG/TIG, torch cutting |
Pipefitters, welders, HVAC |
IR Shade 5.0 |
Moderate welding processes |
Welders needing more than shade 3.0 |
Red Mirror |
Intense outdoor sunlight |
High-glare outdoor work |
Anti-Fog, Anti-Scratch, and Scotchgard: What the Coatings Mean
Coating |
Abbreviation |
What It Does |
Best For |
Anti-Fog |
AF |
Reduces fogging from heat, humidity, or temperature changes |
Hot environments, mask wearers, moving inside and out |
Anti-Scratch |
AS |
Hard surface coating that resists abrasion and keeps lenses clear longer |
General trade use -- scratched lenses create dangerous glare |
Scotchgard Anti-Fog |
SGAF |
3M's dual coating combining anti-fog and anti-scratch. More durable than basic AF in heat and humidity. |
Summer outdoor work, humid environments, heavy sweat conditions |
Hard Coat |
HC |
Basic scratch resistance only, no anti-fog |
Clean, dry indoor environments with low humidity |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does ANSI Z87.1 mean on safety glasses?
ANSI Z87.1 is the American National Standards Institute certification for occupational eye and face protection. It means the glasses have been tested and meet minimum requirements for impact resistance, optical clarity, and coverage. Z87+ is the higher-impact rating you want for most trade work. Every 3M model at ProWork Supply meets Z87.1.
What's the difference between Z87 and Z87+?
Z87+ means the glasses passed the high-velocity impact test, which simulates a steel ball at 150 feet per second. Most trade work calls for Z87+. Z87 without the plus sign only passed the lower-velocity basic impact test.
What's the difference between AF and SGAF coatings?
AF (Anti-Fog) reduces fogging from heat and humidity. SGAF (Scotchgard Anti-Fog) is 3M's dual treatment that combines anti-fog and anti-scratch in one coating. SGAF holds up better over time, especially in hot, humid, or high-sweat conditions.
What IR shade do I need for welding or torch work?
Shade 1.7 for light soldering or brazing. Shade 3.0 for light MIG/TIG welding and torch cutting. Shade 5.0 for more intense welding processes. For heavy arc welding you'll need a dedicated welding helmet with a higher shade. Always check OSHA and AWS recommendations for your specific process.
What's the difference between SecureFit and Solus?
SecureFit uses the Pressure Diffusion Temple (PDT) system -- self-adjusting temples that conform to your head shape. Solus focuses on frame geometry and weight distribution for all-day wear comfort. Both are designed for comfort, just from different angles. If you're unsure, it's worth trying both.