why you need GOOD sunglasses with contacts

DRY EYES! :eek:

Apparently Walmart sunglasses just don't cut it on a slightly windy day - even for the short term - I had to stop 20 minutes into the ride. Thank God for rewetting drops. I'm placing my order tomorrow!

make sure to try them on. Even expensive pairs might not fit enough to protect. But then, I got a free pair from my contact company which worked marvelously - until they ran away :rolleyes:

Cheap sunglasses often don't have protection against UVA and UVB rays. This makes things WORSE for your eyes. The dark glasses make the pupils expand, which lets more of those nasty rays in. Over time, there could be damage to the retina. Take it from me, you do not want damaged retinas!

Buy the best sunglasses you can afford. Your eyes are worth it!

i only wear oakleys one and off the bike! they are SOOOO clear.... and the half jackets work great for cycling (i have 3 pair of half jackets in different colors!) i love my haylons for everyday (i've got 2 of those!) but they are too small for riding... once i wore oakleys.. i knew that nothing else would live up to their standards for me!

My point was not buy the cheapest, but that the most expensive might not be the best choice of glasses. if it doesn't fit right and your contacts fall out (been there), and you have to bike home 14miles half blind during rush hour, is that a safe alternative?
:)

good point to have UV protection. But you can get those for under 20$ at target too...

Ladyjai - you make a good point. I have a tendency (a bit of an obsession really) to research things ad nauseum.

I'm in this major search for sunglasses right now and am asking anyone and everyone their opinions (as you may have seen on other posts of mine). I'm trying to go for the best quality for a reasonable price (i.e., not $150).

I went to the eye doctor today (fitting for the contacts) and he had some interesting things to say about the popular brands. He said most of the good brands (smith, native, etc.) are fairly equal in quality and some are massively overpriced and that Wiley X stands out as far superior. No-one seems to know about this brand, but it's mid price-range. More research to do...

I'm impressed that any of you can ride with contacts in at all. I ahve to wear my prescription sunglasses and compensate for the lost periferal vision. I have yet to find glasses that allow me to ride with contacts. Sensitive eyes, I guess.