Eye protection whilst cycling - goggles?

pburns

I just put a deposit on a pretty serious road bike (Trek 7.5) with the view to racking up a lot of miles over the summer but there's a potential fly in the ointment...

I was out today, only did about 10 miles but it was mostly against the wind. My eyes are feeling rather delicate tonight. My eyes are rather sensitive, not great at wearing contacts etc. I was wearing semi-wraparound sunglasses but wind just kinda goes through them - hence my interest in something akin to goggles (http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/index.php?category=2147).

Has anyone any advice or experience on eye protection whilst cycling? Preferably with cycling goggles similar to these? To complicate matter I need prescription lens but please don't let that stop you from giving advice.

TinyExplosions

Personally, I find a wraparound shade more than enough -I use Oakley Radars, and they keep most of the wind out

Morgan

Downhill goggles like those would look very unusual on a road-bike. Depends how self-conscious you are of course.

There are plenty of prescription-ready cycling glasses available which will do the job just as well.

e.g.
http://www.bbbparts.com/sportsglasses_optiview-bsg3309.php

http://www.rudyprojectuk.com/products/index_p.php?idLivello1=2&idLivello2=3&idLivello3=9&headquarter=0&prodottiInglesi=0&ecommerce=0&isADealer=1&idDealer=9&idL=1&unicode=

Victor

I just have a pair of normal glasses and don't have a problem. The lenses are slightly on the large size, but not exceptional. I also have matching sun glasses.

I think the goggles are more suited to downhill MBing and may have poor peripheral vision (trees and bushes don't side-swipe you like cars and trucks).

Lumen

If I was to wear ski goggles...how crazy would people think I was?

ryan_sherlock

Oakley M Frames - http://oakley.com/mframe

Best there is - I've been using them since I started cycling and never had an issue.

Lumen

ryan_sherlock wrote: »

Oakley M Frames - http://oakley.com/mframe

Best there is - I've been using them since I started cycling and never had an issue.

These do the same job, and are much cheaper for three times as much lens-age.

zzzzzzzz

Edit - I'm not sure if it's embeding correctly so here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvsWd1NoXYo

ryan_sherlock

These do the same job, and are much cheaper for three times as much lens-age.

Ahh, but is the lense quality the same - I have not tried those, but I have tried a mix of cheap/mid priced glasses and a lot of them either had poor optics and/or scratched easily.

The Oakleys cost a lot, a chunk goes to marketing etc... etc... but after 3.5 years, I'm on the same pair (same lens) and they are used everyday. Cheap in the long run, assuming you don't lose them!

ryan_sherlock

I was sold on all the tests that Oakley do on their lenses when I was buying them (what's $100 versus a broken eye) - I was in an Oakley store in the US and they had a stand setup showing some tests.

Not saying that there are not other glasses that don't offer the same protection, just that the ones that do offer the same protectiuon are probably cost wise in the same ballpark as the Oakley ones.

Lumen

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

Youtube

Stupid accent (says the Brit).

I think the hammer protection is bit irrelevant (except to my corneal donor recipient) since I don't wear a helmet.

I'm a great fan of expensive things. I think my normal sunglasses are Oakleys. For whatever reason it didn't seem worth it for using on the bike.

How much are m-frames with a couple of lens choices?

zzzzzzzz

Lumen wrote: »

Stupid accent (says the Brit).

I think the hammer protection is bit irrelevant (except to my corneal donor recipient) since I don't wear a helmet.

I'm a great fan of expensive things. I think my normal sunglasses are Oakleys. For whatever reason it didn't seem worth it for using on the bike.

How much are m-frames with a couple of lens choices?

You're looking at around £25-30 for each lens and the actual frame at £80 on CRC (including one lens)

TinyExplosions

Lumen wrote: »

How much are m-frames with a couple of lens choices?

I'm very much an Oakley fan (though only on the bike, of bike I prefer Ray Ban)

M Frame will run you about 80 quid, lenses between 30 and 80 each, depending on the type

zzzzzzzz

TinyExplosions wrote: »

I'm very much an Oakley fan (though only on the bike, of bike I prefer Ray Ban)

M Frame will run you about 80 quid, lenses between 30 and 80 each, depending on the type

actually, now that you mention it - any lenses I bought, I got on ebay from a shop called "Premium Optics" as I recall, they worked out a fair bit cheaper than CRC. But that said, the prices in CRC seem to have dropped since i was last looking

TinyExplosions

aidan.offbeat wrote: »

actually, now that you mention it - any lenses I bought, I got on ebay from a shop called "Premium Optics" as I recall, they worked out a fair bit cheaper than CRC. But that said, the prices in CRC seem to have dropped since i was last looking

Yeah, I've seen a few pairs on there myself, seem like a good store

linky

Mucco

I use these (+ disposable contacts):

http://www.bolle-safety.eu/Contour--1389.html

They cost £7.50.

Junior

I use a pair of these - best glasses I ever got

pburns

Junior wrote: »

I use a pair of these - best glasses I ever got

Do you know if these can be got on prescription & if so where?

rottenhat

I worked with a guy who wore what looked like old pilot's goggles for a while - fantastic look, like Donald Sutherland in Kelly's Heroes or something. To be fair, the resemblance didn't stop at the eyewear.

Anyway, I have a real problem with my eyes watering in the wind, but I've always found that a decent pair of wraparound sunglasses are all the protection I need. Smith or Oakley for me, and replaceable lenses are a big plus, not so much because I'd be bothered switching them during a ride as because you're a lot more likely to scratch the lenses than break the frames.

TinyExplosions

Use these:


Grow one of these:


Ride one of these:

ROK ON

@ Ryan: Oakleys are good, but are for people with really narrow heads. I have always found them to be way too tight.

I use Serengetti - exceedingly comfy glasses (but expensive).
Got them in an opticians after going thru all of the various SPF/antiglare/polarisation factors etc etc.
http://www.serengeti-eyewear.com/


I used to use Tag Heuer sports glasses. These are the best I have ever worn. Very expensive, very good SPF and anti glare, very very expensive.
You wont even feel that you are wearing these. (My daughter broke them, so I am looking for a new pair). If you have the cash then but these.
http://www.hdosport.com/categories.php?cat=17&PARTNER=google&gclid=CP6ahdPhhpoCFR1N5Qod6T7NFQ

Vélo

I find this to be a great help

blorg

Aquinas73 wrote: »

I find this to be a great help

Triathlon forum is over here

Ghost Rider

Where did you get these? Are they any use in strong sunlight or are they just for protecting the eyes from dust/wind?

Mucco wrote: »

I use these (+ disposable contacts):

http://www.bolle-safety.eu/Contour--1389.html

They cost £7.50.