Glasses for under a crash helmet

Glasses for under a crash helmet

Author
Discussion

The Selfish Gene

Original Poster:

5,582 posts

217 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
the time has come............lost my last set of glasses in Vegas (not as interesting as it sounds).

I use contacts every day, and that's fine.

I'm about to spend a lot of hours riding a motorbike a long way in dry conditions - so figured I should have a back up glasses to ease the eyes over the duration of the 8 plus hours a day, 7 or 8 days.

Does anyone recommend something that fits under a helmet, quite resilient and I can get prescription (minor) in under two weeks biggrin

TA

Salted_Peanut

1,541 posts

61 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
Welcome to the four-eyed club!

Fit and comfort are personal. So, I recommend taking your helmet with you to the optician, enabling you to try several frames to find which suits you.

However, I strongly recommend Zeiss DriveSafe lenses because they make a noticeable difference. They’re in another league compared to regular anti-glare lenses.

Rollin

6,171 posts

252 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
I use some RayBan Round Metal with transition lenses. They've survived a few long bike trips.

Caddyshack

11,826 posts

213 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
It seems taking them off before taking the lid off is something often forgotten and then I guess putting them on after the lid? I tried some straight arms like oakleys use but the lid pushed them too hard in to my head….i wonder if something like motolegends scan of the head and bespoke fitting would be good with the shoei, I had this done so may try with a set of driving glasses and try to get the thinnest arms possible.

I have some very thin titanium frames that are near indestructible

tvrolet

4,403 posts

289 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
Never found a problem with glasses and crash helmets - I have Oakleys (regular and sunglasses) with prescription lenses and relatively straight legs. Easy enough with typical ‘bent’ legs behind the ears but straight legs easier. All my Shoei helmets seem to have a seam/lack of padding where the legs go, which I assume is a design feature.

And yes, helmet on first glasses second. And glasses off first then helmet. Even with flip fronts and open faces.

gareth h

3,763 posts

237 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
Oakley’s with straight arms work for me, but if I was buying again I’d go for very slim frames as mine limit vision a bit when doing a life saver

Janluke

2,682 posts

165 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
Check out "Flying Eyes" they do a whole range of glasses designed for bikers, pilots etc basically anyone who wears helmets, headsets etc etc

John D.

18,487 posts

216 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
I've always worn Oakleys too since the optician recommended them to begin with.

Altitude

68 posts

9 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
Most modern helmets these days will have little 'channels' for the arms of your glasses. The biggest annoyance I find is both the glasses steaming up, and that they shift in the helmet a little, meaning when i'm leaning forward or the roads not smooth, i'm looking half through the glasses and half over.

I'll probably just get a pair with much bigger arms and lenses to help that in future, but if you are a fan of more rectangular glasses you might find the same

Tango13

8,921 posts

183 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
Oakleys with straight arms here too...

https://www.oakley.com/en-gb/product/W0OO4075?vari...

MrGman

1,618 posts

213 months

Tuesday 24th September
quotequote all
I tried Oakley’s with the straight arm (they call it skull grip) and they’re amazing on and off the bike, the only glasses I’ve ever had where you don’t need to adjust them.

Biggest thing I’d say is go for a slim fit, take your helmet in and try the glasses, I always do, I feel like a plum but it’s worth it.

As for lenses, I’d agree with the Zeiss recommendation.

AKjr

532 posts

18 months

Wednesday 25th September
quotequote all
Honestly, I used two sets of glasses from Specsavers, their own line/style, about £140 a set I think so not earth shattering compared to what is available, and I find them fine. Noting that I only use them for driving/riding.

They sit well within the open portion of the helment and the arms are quite thin/unobtrusive, but my helment has space enough for them and thicker besides, I am sure.

This is a very personal question, my only suggestion as others, is to give things a try as best you can, on both glasses and helmet.

Edited by AKjr on Wednesday 25th September 22:44

hiccy18

2,984 posts

74 months

Thursday 26th September
quotequote all
I'm long sighted, but noticed a slight deterioration in my sight overall. Spoke to my optician about getting a set for extreme distance, they recommended straight legged Oakley frames. I can't read with them on, but they're fantastic for riding and I use them for driving now. Not cheap but worth it.

Next time I get some I'll ask about the Zeiss lenses.

shirt

23,467 posts

208 months

Thursday 26th September
quotequote all
My ex wore all sorts of glasses under her helmet. This was a shark lid which has recesses for the arms and supposedly better visor optics.

The trip sounds interesting and arduous, where are you headed?

RJO

712 posts

278 months

Thursday 26th September
quotequote all
I've had glasses since school days, and after smashing a couple of sets, have had shatter proof lenses since before my riding days. I would insist on shatter proof lenses. I'd hate to think of the consequences of a stone hitting standard glass lenses.
I don't know about Oakley etc lens as mine have always been prescription.
I also switched over to flip front helmets years ago.

myvision

1,989 posts

143 months

Thursday 26th September
quotequote all
I use a set of these without the strap they stop any wind getting into your eyes.
Bolle safety glasses. Think they were £140 with my prescription lenses.

Caddyshack

11,826 posts

213 months

Thursday 26th September
quotequote all
Doesn’t the adjuster on the back of the elasticated strap get pushed in to the back of your head? I had my shoei custom fitted to my head and there isn’t a lot of room around it?

myvision

1,989 posts

143 months

Thursday 26th September
quotequote all
Caddyshack said:
Doesn’t the adjuster on the back of the elasticated strap get pushed in to the back of your head? I had my shoei custom fitted to my head and there isn’t a lot of room around it?
I take the strap off and just use the arms.

Tango13

8,921 posts

183 months

Thursday 26th September
quotequote all
RJO said:
I've had glasses since school days, and after smashing a couple of sets, have had shatter proof lenses since before my riding days. I would insist on shatter proof lenses. I'd hate to think of the consequences of a stone hitting standard glass lenses.
I don't know about Oakley etc lens as mine have always been prescription.
I also switched over to flip front helmets years ago.
Oakley will do prescription lenses on quite a lot of their sunglasses, I usually have a pair of straight sunglasses for the car and a reactive pair for day to day use and on the bike, both with genuine Oakley lenses.

Marquezs Stabilisers

1,577 posts

68 months

Thursday 26th September
quotequote all
I had Oakley frames as prescription glasses for years, even played football in them, and are superb.

The main thing you need are titanium frames, which are strong, light and flexible. Mine are currently from Specsavers and do the job well. I've been riding with glasses for the past 20 years - I hate contacts.