Sunglasses/eye protection

Hi all,

I'm just starting my research into glasses and everyone seems to have great experiences on this board so I thought I'd start here :)

What should I be looking for in a good pair of riding glasses? All of my riding is in and out of woods so I'm wondering what color lenses work best for that situation. Or should I stick with clear lenses? My motivation for looking into glasses is that rocks fly up off my tire and hit my face - it won't be long before they hit my eyes. I also got stung by a bee last week (it got caught in my chin strap :eek: ) and I kept thinking, "ooo, what if it hit my eye!"

I'm seeing good info on Rudy Projects, Zeal Optics and Briko glasses and not so good info on Smiths. Do any of you have experiences with these brands?

I can't believe how expenisive these things are!! I'm tempted to just go to Home Depot and pick up a pair of safety glasses from there! :rolleyes:

Anyway, any and all input is greatly appreciated! :)

Cheers,
Kristina

I like the Bolle brand, because of the prescription adapters. Some other brands do have this capability but Bolle was the first, and still the most popular of the Rx-adaptable brands. I think the current Bolle kits come with about 5 different colors of lenses so you can experiment and find what works best in each type of riding condition. I do a lot of night riding, so a clear lens is a must. For sunny daytime, I have a dark blue lens. (I haven't tried the other colors--some are better for fog, rain etc.)

I think sunglasses are one of the most important things we need. I don't mind spending a few $$ to get good ones. Revo's and Maui Jim's have a special lens that delineates shadows (you said you ride in the woods) from holes in the ground. Really important to avoid "face plant" (and thus ruining your glasses!). I have some Oakleys that are good (and a few dollars cheaper) but I'm so spoiled with the Revo's...

Disclaimer: I ride in Arizona where the sun is relentless. Your mileage may vary! In Tucson, they test sunglasses here. We love cloudy, rainy days.

Performance has a pretty good sale on glasses right now. I just bought a pair of bolles with 4 lenses for $50.00 - I love them and have started wearing them all the time - not just for riding.

Hi I am just starting in this form. and was reading about the glass. I have a very small face and I am having a hard time finding a pair of riding glass that fit with the different lens. If any of you could help I would love it. I went on one of my first large group rides bikefest in North carolina yesterday and found the glasses I had made the gray day look worse then it was. So I increased my speed thinking it was going to rain. I really need to get a better riding sunglass. Any infor can only help thanks::cool:

I love my Smith Voodoos. They are great for small faces. They come with three lenses- brown, yellow and orange. Orange is my favorite. One can still see in the trees with it on a sunny day. It has the option of buying other lens colors- pink is cool, if one wants clear they have that also. I have two pair of Voodoos (I like them that much) and one slider 01. For small faces stay away from the Pivot they fit strange, of course everyone is different.

Zeal Optics! They have a currently trade in option. Send in a name brand and you get a pair of theirs for 1/2 price. I traded in two pair of Smith's and got a pair of Zooni and a pair of Zink's for $100. This included polarized lenses which go for $50. I did not get the regular lense.

I use rose polarized for most situations, they're great on cloudy days and I don't have to keep stopping and changing lenses like I did with the Smith's. I haven't use rose in deep woods but a guy at a local LBS who does mtn bike recommended the rose color to me.

A few weeks ago I went over my handlebars on a gravel rails to trails, trail. I remember seeing my sunglasses on the ground as I was flying through the air and thinking they were broken in 3 pieces. However, they survived the fall better than me. Not a scratch on them.

I have a small face and I love how the Zeal's fit.

They also have a great ski goggle for small faces that fit beautifully with helmets.

I swear by my Oakley M frames despite the high price tag. The boom (the bit across the top of the lenses) comes in a range of different colours and materials, there are several different lens shapes - I found the "sweep" lens good for a small face - and being Oakley they also come with more lens colours than you can imagine. The lenses seem to be near indesructable - see Oakley's website for the testing they put them through! They have pretty good deals on multi lens sets as well - I got a dark grey lens, clear lens and hard case for around £120. To add to the choice you can also go for Pro M frames (which have fixed rather than folding arms) or even the Lance Armstrong signature frames.... Whatever the choice though I'd go to an optometrist who knows about sports sunglasses (mine's a former triathelete) and can advise you on the advantages/disadvantages of the different lens colours, and who will check the frames to make sure they fit you properly.

Oooo, thanks for the tip on the Zeal optics! One of the Sports Authority's that has them is close enough by that I can get one of the T-shirts, if I get the glasses :D :cool:

Cheers,
Kristina

P.S. Did you see the bottom of the add for the trade-in program?

"Not to worry about your old sunglasses. They will be donated to a local non-profit thrift store and the proceeds will most likely go to a local shelter that offers financial assistance for those in need of tats and body piercings"- Man, I hope they're kidding.

thanks I will look into your suggestion. I have never heard of zeal's before. The smiths is the one that a friend told me about but not the voodoo's I will let you know what one I go with. :D
I am also going to have to get a new saddle I took a got spill and tour up the one I have I was looking into the damselfly. Again I am only 5' tall and 97 weight I have heard pro and con on the terry saddle. My cannondale is only 40 cm. I had alot of looks at it because it was so small. saddle for me are a problem because of my small size. Do you have any suggestion for me. :confused:

Kathi - just out of curiousity, do your glasses fog up when you stop? and do they have a "sweat band"?

Yes, I wondered if they were kidding about that, however, I was happy to get rid of glasses that I wasn't wearing and to get something in exchange.

The only time I noticed them fogging was when I got caught in rain (that seems to have happened a lot lately) and only when I stopped riding. They have little air holes in the side of the frame that helps air circulate.

I wear contacts and was having lots of problems with wind drying my eyes and the winks really keep air and dirt out of my eyes, bugs too!

I just got the Zooni's and haven't tried them with a helmet but I called Zeal and they recommended them for helmet use.

No sweat band but haven't felt a need for one.

Williamtash, I made a point of buying the Smith 02's because they were supposed to be small. My Zeal Wink's and Zooni's are actually smaller. I kept the 02's because I got a clear lense for them but I never wear them. The Zeal's are about the size of my prescription frames.

I'm small too, 105lbs.

kathi thanks I will look into those I will also see what my lbs has
Linda can get me what I want usually. How do these glasses work with you helmet I wear a giro what do you wear. Have you heard anything about the smith voodoos for size? :confused:

Sandy

the Voodoos are really small, not as small as the Toasters, if you like the Toasters, my friend loves hers and I did not like the look of them. I wear the Giro and they work great with it, altough I do not like the helmet that much and am looking for a new one. I have heard that if you put the straps on the inside of your glasses that takes the pressure off, but it feels strange to me.

I ride with my trapes inside because of the first glasses I had that is the only way they stayed on. I like the look of the voodoos.
I have tried on oakleys and most were big. I like my giro I had a specilized first but it got damaged when I got hit by a car. I friend told me about the giro. It fits my small head. I almost had to get a child helmet. let me know what you end up with
sandy

Lesn color.... ambers seems to be the most multi use.

I use clear safety glasses from Home Depot when it's early or late season and over cast a lot. ( really stylish)

For my others, I go and get what ever is on sale at Big 5 that has the right color lens and coatings I want and fits... I've lost enough $100 glasses that sale prices are good for me. I don't do mail order because I worry about fit

Irulan

I have a childs helmet, I love the fit. The straps are not as nice as adult helmets. I think they just do not make them as well for children, as far as straps and tightening systems go. Have you ever seen the toddler helmet that has black and white spots, ears and a doggie tongue? It is so cute. Good luck with the glasses.

I can make you all feel good my 4 yr grandson can were my helmet and glasses and almost my shirts. Every now and then I have to see were my stuff is. He plays that he is on a long bike ride with grandma. I have tried to even get kid glasses but they just don't get it for riding. :D I like the sales Idea that is what I ham using now. I would like to get something with change able
lens I think. My lbs has a 49.00 pair with lens change that I have tried on but they are still just a little loose i think I may check them again. thanks sandy:cool:

Williamtash

I use the Zeal "Zinks" wth the Giro Venus helmet. I've been riding with this combination for over a year and no problems.

The rep from Zeal said that the "Zooni" is also good for using with a helmet. I tried them with my helmet and they fit nicely but I've not ridden with them yet.

I think you can tell, I love my Zeals.

This next question may be informative if you use it as a buying factor:

Can we get a quick rundown on what the different colored lenses are supposed to be for?

I never swap mine out from the traditional shade, but I have yellow and clear to choose from (Performance Athena - on sale for $30). Thanks!

kathi, I looked into those but I have not found a dealer around here that I can try them on yet. I hate to have to order online because you can't try them on. Thanks for the info
williamtash

adkoch
the glass you were talking about I was wondering do they fit a small face and how do you like them they were one I had looked into at performance. I thought they look great and they had the other lens to and a good price

williamtash:cool:

Fortunately, I have a dealer here so I was able to try them on. What's their return policy if you don't like them? I've found their sales reps very nice to deal with.

When I had different colored lenses I was always swapping them, such a pain! If the day started out cloudy and I was using yellow or amber and it got sunny then I'd have to change to grey. After I got rose polarized, I do have grey, I never went back to the grey. My new Zeals have grey polarized lenses but I keep wearing the rose. Probably because its been so cloudy and grey here.

What I'm trying to say it that interchangeable lenses are nice if the weather stays the same all day long.

I have never had that problem?

Quote:

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Originally posted by williamtash
adkoch
the glass you were talking about I was wondering do they fit a small face and how do you like them they were one I had looked into at performance. I thought they look great and they had the other lens to and a good price

williamtash:cool:

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I think I have a small face - I mean, I wear an XS helmet size and have a narrow long face, if that's what you mean. The glasses fit perfectly! They never fall off and they don't pinch too tight, either. I wear them to run in, as well. The problem I run into is the whole sweat factor. I am quick to sweat A LOT, and I can't tell if the glasses perpetuate the situation, but I've had a much harder time with salty eyes than ever before. However, does that happen with all sports glasses? I don't know, this is my first pair. I do love the way they look very sleek and feminine and RED!!!

Do any of you know who makes the Performance glasses? I ended up with the Performance Vegas today. After trying on Zeal, Oakleys and Rudy Projects, I was most impressed with the lens clarity on the Zeals and, believe it or not, the Performance glasses.

Oakleys were very good but inconsistent. I found that the different colors in the same model frame sometimes were inconsistent in their clarity. I really liked the half-jackets but couldn't justify spending $170 on the frames and three lenses. Or even $150 just for one lens! Crazy!

The Zeals I tried were the Rush and Zoony. Both were very clear but the fit wasn't right for me. Too bad, b/c they were pretty cool looking :) I really liked the rose lens in the silver frame! At $79, they're a great deal.

I wasn't really impressed with the Rudy's except for the Graals, but even those lenses weren't as clear as I was hoping for. Although, I was really, really impressed with how light the Jeckylls are!! It was like wearing a feather!

Alas, I decided on a whim to stop by Performance and see what brands they carried, hoping to try on some Brikos but none were there. I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity level in every pair of glasses I tried on. It wasn't hit or miss with the different models like the Oakleys. Plus, they came with 3 lenses and were only $22. I figure I won't stress out so much worrying about scratching or losing these and I probably find out more what I'll like and not like in glasses so, these a good experimental pair for me. They reminded me mostly of Zeals in the level of clarity in the lenses, that's why I was wondering if anyone knows who makes the Performance glasses.

Cheers,
Kristina

I have a small face and tried to find glasses to fit. I had great luck with the SMITH Toaster SLiders. The come with 3 lenses, yellow (great for cloudy days), polarized brown, and a med brown/orange color that I wear most often.

I wanted something that gave me more bang for my buck. I wear them everywhere for everything and the 3 lenses are great. Plus the come in a bunch of different frame colors. I have the Rootbeer one.

Cindy