As a cycling enthusiast with less-than-perfect vision, I know the struggle is real. Finding the right eyewear that allows me to see clearly while protecting my eyes from the sun and wind has been a long and sometimes frustrating journey. I tried several things, and I want to share what worked (and what didn't!) in my quest for clear vision on the road.
I remember one particularly sunny day when I was training for a local race. My regular glasses were a disaster – they kept slipping down my nose, and the sweat made everything even worse. I tried wearing my sunglasses over them, which was even more ridiculous and dangerous. It was clear I needed a better solution for cycling with my prescription.
Like many others, I initially thought about ditching glasses altogether. I mean, who wants to wear glasses while trying to be athletic? The options seemed limited: either squint my way through the ride or find a way to integrate my prescription into my cycling eyewear. The struggle was real!
Over time, I experimented with several different approaches, drawing from the experiences of other cyclists and my own trial and error. Here's what I discovered:
The most straightforward solution I found was getting prescription sunglasses. This is a great option if your prescription doesn't change frequently. It's easy to grab them and go, knowing you'll have both sun protection and clear vision. I found a local optician who specialized in sports eyewear, and they helped me choose a frame that fit well and offered good coverage. It was a good starting point, but I felt like I was missing something - flexibility.
I'll admit, I was hesitant to try contact lenses. I have astigmatism and always found them uncomfortable in the past. However, I decided to give disposable contacts another shot, focusing on dailies. I discovered that disposable contacts were a game-changer for sports. No more worrying about glasses slipping or fogging up. I could wear any cycling glasses I wanted without worrying about prescription inserts. If you don't wear contacts regularly, daily disposables are a fantastic option. I could finally enjoy cycling without the distraction of ill-fitting glasses.
However, I understand the aversion to disposable things. So, I kept looking for other solutions.
Prescription bike glasses are another solid option, especially if you’re dedicated to cycling and want a dedicated pair of eyewear. This eliminates the need for contacts and ensures optimal vision correction while cycling. The downside is that your Rx can change year to year and you have a wider selection of glasses if you use contacts. I also found that the best performing glasses I found don’t take an Rx, limiting my choices.
For some, the issue isn't distance vision but near vision, especially when looking at cycling computers or maps. In this case, reading glasses might be the answer. I even stumbled across some interesting options, like the 3D Painting Small Rectangle Reading Glasses from Mozaer Sunglasses. They're not specifically for cycling, but the vintage square green eyeglasses could be a stylish and functional solution for those who need a little extra help seeing close up. While not a traditional cycling solution, these glasses offer a unique blend of style and functionality for those needing reading assistance. You can find them at Mozaer's product page. The thick frame and blue light protection could even be beneficial during longer rides.
Based on my experiences, here are some practical tips to consider when choosing cycling eyewear: