Looks surprisedly at the protective wear (7)
I believe the answer is:
goggles
'looks' is the definition.
(goggling is a kind of looking)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for goggles that I've seen before include "Spectacles worn to protect the eyes" , "Tight-fitting spectacles worn for protection" , "Swimmer's glasses?" , "Stares open-eyed, with special specs" , "Protective spectacles" .)