|
Donald Lockridge
I can't wear contacts, so I know exactly what you're going through. I had the same problems you describe, plus I took a small rock chip in my eye on CO IX. A scratched cornea is a very painful thing. So, I finally broke down and shelled out the $$ for what I had previously thought of as a luxury - prescription eye-shields.
Lots of models out there. I bought the Bolle "Edge". (The basic frame/lens assembly was on sale at Performance for $35 a little while ago... any color you like as long as it was green, I think... prescription insert extra). Anyway, the prescription insert snaps in to replace the standard nosepiece. No more watery eyes, no more fear of bugs. The outer lenses are replaceable. Keep a dark one and a light one and you're set for all weather conditions. Your eye doc should be able to manage even specialty prescriptions inside the insert frame.
Pick what fits and what you like the looks of. The main thing is that they're worth the money. They're NOT a luxury.
Scott Saulsbury
Don, I can't go down a hill without bawling my eyes out! The wind gets under my glasses perfectly! And my eyes are too bad to not wear them!!!
Boo Hoo.
Stace
Stace has even smaller lenses on her glasses than I do. I have a feeling that the turbulence bubble that swirls around behind the lenses can make wearing standard glasses feel even worse than none at all, but that's just a guess.
Big-name prescription eye protection can be quite expensive, but there are alternatives. Performance (and maybe Nashbar?) have store-brand glasses that can be converted for prescription use for relatively low dollars. Having ridden lots of miles in lots of conditions with standard glasses and my Bolles, I really think 'scrip shields are worth the money and the trouble. There's a world of difference in comfort.
As far as the fogging issue goes, on cold days, I have to rest my glasses partway down my nose for a little while at stops to let the steam vent. I also coat the inside of the "protection" lenses and both surfaces of the prescription inserts with Fog-X. It's not a complete solution, but it works reasonably well. I also coat my clear lens with Rain-X on the outside. This really does work except when big snowflakes are flying.
Scott Saulsbury
Has anyone here ever used the vented type of lenses (holes or half-holes at top of lenses) that Oakley carries for their M-frames? Do they actually help keep the fog off the lenses in cold weather or do they just give your eyes a good cold blow-drying?
Thanks,
Orest Kawka
I haven't used the vented lenses. However, I have two pair of Oakley glasses and both work very well. One pair are M frames. I had a problem with the lenses deteriorating on the other pair and Oakley replaced them. As a result of these experiences, I respect this company and trust them. If you purchased the vented lenses, which are not cheap, and they didn't perform to your expectation I would like to believe that you could return them. You might want to get in contact with Oakley directly before making your decision though. I'm sure that their address is www.oakley.com.
Steve Heim
I wonder if any members of the list have thoughts to share about getting prescription sport sunglasses. I am especially taken with the Bolle Vigilantes and Briko Clip. Anyone have experience with their prescription inserts? Or with those of other makers - say Rudy Project, Smith/Moab and Ducal.
John ("my bike is part red and I had no flats") Carr
I just got a GREAT pair of prescription sunglasses! I go to Carkner on NE 39th, and the type of glasses are Killer Loops. I was able to wear them during my week on the coast and now that I have them, I can't imagine how I ever rode w/o them.
Oh, by the way, the glasses I have are not inserts. They actually made the lenses to fit my very bad eyesight!
Stace Gray
I have the Smith Moab HPs and do not recommend them. The insert rests too close to your eyes so lashes brush unless you push the glasses out farther on your nose than you should have to.
The two piece insert is problematic at the worst times. I'll find myself having to mop a bead of sweat from my eye and it will knock the insert frame off the nosepiece and I'll have to stop and *gingerly* remove the glasses so as not to drop the insert lens frame and reassemble the glasses before I can proceed.
The insert uses a partial metal frame and nylon line to complete the frames. I've had the insert for four years and have had the lines break no less than three times.
Also, I've a greasy complexion and the oils from my skin trap in the line itself and its pocket around the lens making the lenses extremely difficult to get clean as the cleaning cloth keeps sucking oil out from the hollows between the lines and the lenses.
Amy R. has a pair of Bolle's with insert. The insert frame and nosepiece are all a single unit and it’s a full frame around the lenses, the shape allows the lenses plenty of clearance for the lashes, I'll be looking into them eventually.
I currently use a pair of prescription Ray Bans with ultra hard polarized polycarbonate lenses. When riding most of the year, I use the Smiths in winter (the low light lens is awesome) when I don't sweat so much. Rest of the year my Smiths are my in car glasses. Gives me a clear lens for the after dark/pre-sunrise commutes and the dark lens for the daylight runs.
I suggest you find a shop that carries several brands and try them for fit and function.
Don "happy hunting and bring a packed wallet" Bolton
I hate to dis-agree with Mr. Don (knows a lot) Bolton. HOWEVER, I have the Smith Moab/HP with prescription insert and have found they work very well.
I have had them for about 3 years. Like them lots.
Dave the Slug
Like I usually remember to state "your mileage may vary".
Don "maybe your not as sweaty and greasy as I" Bolton
I have a pair of the Bollé Vigilantes and really like them. The peripheral vision is better than other frames I tried. The only disadvantage is when it rains water drips between the prescription lens and the outer lens.
Jeff Hall
I have a pair of Bolle prescription sport glasses that I have had for several years now. They are great I love them.
Cindy :)
I tried photo gray glass lenses 15 - 20 years ago, and have never looked back. I love the fact that I always have prescription sunglasses on, never lose or forget them, don't have to mess with inserts, etc., etc. The last time I got new glasses, I discovered that plastic lenses are finally a viable option. They are now virtually scratch-proof, and they've perfected the equivalent of photo gray - "transitions", I believe? I also made the leap to bifocals, and went with the blended style. I love them. They're light, practically indestructible, double as sunglasses, are also reading glasses. I can't understand why folks would want to do it any other way.
Other than that, I have no opinion.
Don "nearsighted, astigmatism, and now 'old-people eyes'" Gross
An interesting little set of items I found at my local Freddies, are the mini reader lenses that can be attached to the inside of most any of your favorite set of sport shades. This won't be of any help to those who need long distance correction but sure is helpful for those of us who need the close magnification. They come in different powers to fit most of one's reading needs - like reading the computer/heart monitor or map while on the bike. They are found in the pharmacy dept. and run around $20.
Capt. Dink ~
