Fallout is the critical and commercial hit Amazon Original Series based on the Fallout series of games. These games got their unofficial start with EA’s Wasteland in 1988, with the official start being the 1997 release of the aptly-named Fallout. Fallout games and expansions, from RPG to action to strategy, have been released regularly ever since, numbering more than two dozen titles and counting.

Now that Fallout is a bigger deal than ever, both with the Amazon series and a resurgence in Fallout game players, including for an April 25 next-gen update to Fallout 4 for PC (including Steam Deck-verified), Sony PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Series X/S, it’s also a great time for merch. One of the more interesting examples is the Gunnar Fallout Vault 33 glasses, which promise not only to look cool, but block potentially harmful blue light. They’re available in GUNNAR-Focus (gaming), Prescription, and Sunglasses lens varieties.

Gunnar Fallout Vault 33 Glasses: What You Get

Included is a metal case, microfiber cleaning cloth, and glasses pouch, as well as the glasses. My particular glasses are the Gunmetal/Olive Clear lens, which blocks 100% UV and 35% of blue light, and, despite the name, has a slight amber tint. These are also available with a full Amber Tint lens, which blocks 65% of blue light, and Sun Tint lens, which blocks 90% of blue light, and has a blue tint. Each retails for $99.00.

Style-wise, Gunnar nailed it. The branding, coloring, and overall look are all spot-on. Even when you don’t wear the actual glasses, the setup makes for a great display piece. Of course, it’s also meant to be functional.

Gunnar Fallout Vault 33 Glasses: How It Works

The science is a bit controversial, but there’s evidence to suggest that excessive blue light exposure can be damaging to the retinal cells deep in the eye. They’re also associated with an increase in energy levels, contributing to a disruption in sleep cycles when exposed at night, be it from your phone, tablet, or computer screen. So, long story short, if there’s a way to cut down a bit on your exposure, it might be worth pursuing.

Since this is the Clear lens, albeit with that slight amber tint, these aren’t really meant for outdoor use. I also had monovision Lasik several years back, so didn’t need the Prescription version. Instead of Natural Focus, however, which is completely unmagnified, with the GUNNAR-Focus, a slight +0.2 diopter focusing power magnification is added. This is designed so that objects about a screen’s distance away will be just a bit sharper and more in focus, meaning PC gamers will benefit the most.

As with any magnification, even one as slight as this one, it will take some personal adjustment. Again, I haven’t worn prescription glasses in several years, so it definitely felt a bit weird to wear them the first few days. And the blue light on my monitors was indeed blocked, giving everything a warmer, more yellow appearance. In terms of sharpness and clarity, after the adjustment period, I did in fact notice an improvement.

In terms of build quality, the lenses are dual-sided coated, anti-reflective, and smudge-resistant. The stainless steel and nylon body feels durable and the flexible spring hinges are definitely in it for the long haul.

Should You Buy the Gunnar Fallout Vault 33 Glasses?

These are premium glasses that look good. Whether or not you want this variation that’s designed specifically for when you sit in front of a computer monitor, which blocks 35% of blue light and has a slight +0.2 magnification, is entirely personal.

The frame width of 139 mm is also targeted more to what are classified as wide or extra wide faces, but I’ve found that many smaller faces look great in them, so I’d take that type of recommendation with a grain of salt. In any case, there’s no question that if you do like the thought of these glasses, pursuing this or one of its other variations is a safe bet, just like the chance of hearing Fallout’s classic line, “War never changes,” in one of its games.

---

Note that I’ll be checking out the Diablo IV and World of Warcraft Amber lens Gunnar glasses as well in future reviews, so be sure to come back for those!