Combining comfort and safety is the number one priority for motorcyclists. But riders who wear prescription glasses know that it’s not always easy to slip corrective lenses under a helmet. Before you get on your bike, follow this practical 5-point guide.
Target the right frames
It’s best to choose flexible frames that aren’t too wide, for comfort and visibility. Above all, biker glasses should be comfortable. Choose frames with straight, ergonomic temples that are easier to put on. Avoid temples with inner faces that do not slide well.
Choosing (also) the right helmet
Most standard « full-face » helmets create pressure points that cause the glasses to move up or down, affecting the field of vision. However, you should know that there are helmets that have grooves for glasses, offering better stability and safety. Beware of the compromise, of course, the « jet » helmet, open, is easier to put on with glasses, but the safety is not optimal.
Anticipate fogging
It is the number 1 enemy of bikers, especially if they wear glasses. Special anti-fog products for helmets and glasses have proven their effectiveness. You can also ask your optician for an anti-fog treatment for your glasses. On the road, don’t hesitate to play with the helmet’s ventilation system, if it has one. Finally, consider carrying a quality pair of spare glasses with you everywhere.
Protect yourself from the sun
You can choose photochromic lenses for your glasses: clear indoors (in the office and at home) and at night, they will tint according to the brightness outside. Some can even be tinted behind the windshield of a car or the visor of a helmet. Alternatively, you can also choose sunglasses that reduce glare, if they are polarized, they also cut out annoying reflections. Be careful, do not choose them too dark: the index 4, too dark, is prohibited for driving. Some bikers prefer a tinted visor to sunglasses. But for others, it hinders the piloting when the luminosity is lower.
Favour specific qualities of glasses
Important in case of impact or projection, polycarbonate glasses will ensure better safety, this material being almost unbreakable. Another important aspect of safety: how to reduce glare when riding at night? All motorcyclists riding at night or in semi-darkness are bothered by headlights, reverberation and image splitting. These inconveniences are even more pronounced for those who wear glasses. For the latter, it is essential to adopt glasses with an anti-reflection treatment, which reduces the effect of light halo produced by public lighting, or by vehicles arriving in the opposite direction.
If you are presbyopic, you should know that there are progressive lenses specifically designed for driving: your vision is perfect at all distances and thanks to the very wide field of vision, you are very comfortable even on the sides. Ask your optician for advice!