For protecting your eyes polycarb is the way to go. Yes it does scratch easier than a harder lens. I usually get 2 to 3 years out of a pair of lenses, and i work as a welder and machinist. Taking care of the lenses correctly helps to make them last longer between changes. With polycarb never ever wipe the lenses when dry, using a shirt tail to clean off that smudge is a sure way to scratch a lense. Flood the lenses with water or lense cleaner and then wipe dry with a clean soft cloth. Yes I know that it is something else to add to your edc.

If you know that you are going to scratch up the lenses buy the warranty, polycarb comes with uv coating and usually scratch coating from the lenses manufacturer so when you pay “extra” for the coatings what you are buying is the warranty to replace the lenses. Before the end of the warranty period have the lenses replaced.

The last time I purchased lenses the shop I went to did not recommend antireflective coatings on lenses for anyone with a dirty job. They said that the coating would be trashed inside of a year. And they went on to add that dirt and smudges show up easier on antireflective coatings so people clean the lenses more often but often don’t take the time to clean the lenses correctly and it will scratch easier because the AR coating is applied on top of the scratch coating.