Forney 55301 Fixed Welding Goggles — Shade 5
EDITORIAL REVIEW: 4.4/5 WC Safety Review — Forney 55301 Fixed Welding Goggles — Shade 5 Best For: Budget-minded gas welding, cutting, and brazing where a simple fixed Shade 5 cup goggle is all you...
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Best For: Budget-minded gas welding, cutting, and brazing where a simple fixed Shade 5 cup goggle is all you need — the lowest-cost way to put a compliant shade goggle in every gang box.
Not For: Arc welding (use a helmet), light soldering (use Shade 3), or jobs needing a flip-up lens for frequent inspection.
Bottom Line: The value pick — a no-frills fixed Shade 5 gas-welding goggle. If you inspect work often and want to flip the lens, step up to the Forney 55320.
Editorial assessment by the WC Safety Editorial Team. WC Safety did not laboratory-test this product; scoring reflects published manufacturer specifications, ANSI Z87.1 marking, application fit, and category expertise.
Forney 55301 Fixed Welding Goggles — Shade 5 Overview
The Forney 55301 is a fixed-lens oxy-acetylene welding goggle with a Shade 5 filter (2 in x 4-1/4 in) and 99.9% UV protection, ANSI Z87.1 rated. With no flip mechanism it is the simplest, lowest-cost sealed shade goggle for gas welding and cutting. Browse the full welding goggles collection and the broader safety goggles and eye protection ranges, and see when a goggle beats glasses in safety glasses vs goggles.
Where the Forney 55301 Fits in Eye-Protection Selection
Match the eye protection to the process. Shade 5 is for oxy-acetylene welding, cutting, and brazing; arc welding needs a helmet instead. Confirm filter density in our welding shade-number reference, the impact/marking rules in ANSI Z87.1, and the employer requirement in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133.
Who Should Buy the Forney 55301?
- Buy it if you want the lowest-cost compliant Shade 5 gas-welding goggle for trucks and tool cribs.
- Buy it if you gas-weld or cut and do not need to flip the lens to inspect.
- Choose another shade if your process differs — Shade 5 Lincoln K3118-1 or Shade 3 K3118-2.
- Choose open glasses instead for quick incidental torch work — see welding safety glasses.
- Choose a helmet instead for arc welding — the welding helmets guide.
What Does the Forney 55301 Protect Against?
| Hazard | Fit | Buyer guidance |
|---|---|---|
| IR/UV from oxy-acetylene welding, cutting, and brazing | Shade 5 | Correct density for this process class. |
| Sparks, slag & spatter | Sealed | The goggle body blocks multi-angle spatter open glasses miss. |
| Grinding particles & impact | ANSI Z87.1 | Impact-rated — see Z87.1 explained. |
| Arc-welding radiation | Not suitable | Arc work needs a helmet, not a fixed-shade goggle. |
What the Forney 55301 Does NOT Protect Against
- It is not for arc welding (MIG/TIG/stick) — those require an auto-darkening helmet.
- No flip-up — if you inspect work frequently, the lift-front 55320 is more convenient.
- It is not a face shield — add one over the goggle for full-face grinding coverage.
Important: Filter shade must match the process intensity — too light underprotects against IR/UV (risking photokeratitis and retinal damage), too dark causes strain that leads workers to remove protection. Verify the correct shade against the shade-number reference and OSHA 1910.133 before use.
Best Applications
Budget gas welding & cutting
The economical choice to outfit a crew with compliant Shade 5 cup goggles.
Brazing
Shade 5 suits heavier brazing; light soldering is more comfortable with the Shade 3 Lincoln K3118-2.
Grinding & fabrication
The impact-rated lens lets it double for grinding; round out the kit with welding respirators and the helmet range.
- Lowest price of the cup goggles
- Shade 5 filter, 99.9% UV
- Simple, nothing to break
- ANSI Z87.1 rated
- No flip-up to inspect work
- Shade 5 too dark for soldering
- Not for arc welding or heavy grinding
- Basic comfort/fit
Forney 55301 vs Other Welding & Cutting Goggles
| Goggle | Shade | Style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln K3118-1 | 5 | Wide sealed | Cutting + grinding |
| Lincoln K3118-2 | 3 | Wide sealed | Light cutting, brazing |
| Forney 55320 | 5 | Flip-up cup | Oxy-acetylene, inspect between cuts |
| Forney 55301 | 5 | Fixed cup | Budget oxy-acetylene |
| Jackson WS (round) | 5 | Round, OTG indirect-vent | Over-the-glasses cutting |
| Jackson WS (flip) | 5 | Flip-front, OTG | Flip to inspect + OTG |
| Sellstrom Odyssey II | 5 | Sealed indirect-vent | High-temp / foundry |
Forney 55301 vs 55320 (fixed vs flip-up)
Same Shade 5 cup goggle; the 55301 is fixed and cheapest, the 55320 flips up to inspect. Verdict: 55301 to save, 55320 if you inspect between cuts.
Forney 55301 vs Jackson WS (round)
The 55301 is a basic fixed cup goggle; the Jackson WS round adds indirect venting and fits over prescription glasses. Verdict: 55301 for lowest cost, Jackson WS if workers wear Rx glasses.
Forney 55301 Specifications
| Manufacturer | Forney |
| Model / SKU | 55301 |
| Shade | 5 (IR/UV filter) |
| Standard | ANSI Z87.1 |
| Style | Fixed-lens cup goggle |
| Use | Oxy-acetylene welding, cutting & brazing (economy) |
Helpful Buying Guides
- Best eye protection for welders
- Welding shade-number reference
- Safety glasses vs goggles
- Can safety glasses be used for welding?
- ANSI Z87.1 standard explained
- OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 eye & face protection
Forney 55301 Fixed Welding Goggles — Shade 5 Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Forney 55301 cost?
WC Safety lists it at $15.98 — the lowest-priced of the welding cup goggles.
What shade is the 55301?
Shade 5 — standard for oxy-acetylene welding and cutting.
Does the lens flip up?
No — the 55301 has a fixed lens; the Forney 55320 is the flip-up version.
Can I use it for arc welding?
No — arc welding requires a helmet, not a fixed-shade goggle.
Is the lens replaceable?
Yes — it uses a standard 2 in x 4-1/4 in filter plate.
Why is it cheaper than the 55320?
It has no flip-up mechanism — simpler and lower cost.
Does it block UV?
Yes — it provides 99.9% UV protection at Shade 5.
Is it OSHA compliant?
An ANSI Z87.1 Shade 5 goggle meets OSHA 1910.133 when the shade fits the task.
Does it fit over glasses?
Room is limited; for over-the-glasses use choose the Jackson WS goggle.
Is Shade 5 right for my cutting?
Shade 5 is the common density for oxy-fuel cutting; verify against the shade-number reference.
Can I grind in it?
For incidental grit only; heavy grinding wants a polycarbonate wide goggle.
Can I pair it with a respirator?
Yes — wear it with a welding respirator for fume protection.
Reviewed by: WC Safety Editorial Team · Last reviewed:
Standards referenced: ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2020, OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133, ANSI Z49.1, Forney product data.
Editorial standard: Zero sponsored listings. No manufacturer input. Shade/marking verified against published specifications; not WC Safety laboratory testing.
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