Winter Cycling - eye tearing

My eyes tear when temps dip below ~15F. To date, I've only used wraparound safety glasses (good coverage). I have several years of winter commuting and have basically just dealt with the tearing.

But is there a solution to this...other than ski goggles ($$$)?? And how bike-friendly are goggles if that's the only remedy? (I didn't find anything on icebike.org or BF)
Thanks for the input

http://www.manufacturer.com/images/buyLeads/www.alibaba.com/1228/p/Welding_Mask.jpg

^ thanks but no, I have no plans to weld...or joust

My eyes tear when temps dip below ~15F. To date, I've only used wraparound safety glasses (good coverage). I have several years of winter commuting and have basically just dealt with the tearing.

But is there a solution to this...other than ski goggles ($$$)?? And how bike-friendly are goggles if that's the only remedy? (I didn't find anything on icebike.org or BF)
Thanks for the input

I've had good sucess with wraparound safety glasses into single digits on my 14 mile commute, and even down to minus 9 F for a few miles. In fact safety glasses have been my only satisfactory eyewear because I wear prescription eyeglasses that easily fog up with the $$$ goggles. The safety glasses are so wide open on the sides that the ventilation of exhaled warm, moist air is excellent, yet the lenses are wide enough for an adequate wind screen. Plus the rigid earpieces allow me to firmly affix my eyeglass-mounted rearview mirror, unlike the elastic straps of $$$ goggles.

You can get a cheap pair of ski goggles, but I've also found that cycling sunglasses work exceptionally well. I have a pair of Serfas glasses that keep the wind off my eyes, which makes them great both for cold and snow.

Have you tried looking for motorcycle wear? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001N7SWPY/ref=ox_ya_oh_product .

That's what I use, you can switch the lenses from clear to smoked for different times of day/night. They work pretty well but with everything else I wear, I have been getting some fogging.

Ski goggles are really good. Most fog up when you stop, but powered-fan ones work great, reportedly, and conceptually, and that seems right to me: keep the airflow moving. If you have some kind of glasses, move them as far as you can to the front of your nose, or on top of your helmet when stopped.

Have you tried looking for motorcycle wear? http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001N7SWPY/ref=ox_ya_oh_product .

That's what I use, you can switch the lenses from clear to smoked for different times of day/night. They work pretty well but with everything else I wear, I have been getting some fogging.
I also motorcycle and bought a pair of cheapo wind resistant sunglasses. They stink on the motorcycle. I'll give em a go on the bike. Thanks!


Ski goggles are really good. Most fog up when you stop, but powered-fan ones work great, reportedly, and conceptually, and that seems right to me: keep the airflow moving. If you have some kind of glasses, move them as far as you can to the front of your nose, or on top of your helmet when stopped.

Jeez I thought you guys were kidding about goggles with fans! A friend was gonna try snowboard goggles although I never heard how that panned out for her...if they're even any different than ski goggles. They don't look any different to me.

My eyes tear when temps dip below ~15F. To date, I've only used wraparound safety glasses (good coverage). I have several years of winter commuting and have basically just dealt with the tearing.

But is there a solution to this...other than ski goggles ($$$)?? And how bike-friendly are goggles if that's the only remedy? (I didn't find anything on icebike.org or BF)
Thanks for the input


Dude, come on... basic ski goggles are like $15 maybe. Quite your lacrimation and buy a pair, your eyes will thank you.

17.50 CAD. (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442631338&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302726141&bmUID=1258468576160) No fans at that price.

Skijor, what do you wear over your eyes while skijoring?
http://www.meliving.com/skijoring/skijornow_johnsandberg.jpg

Dude, come on... basic ski goggles are like $15 maybe. Quite your lacrimation and buy a pair, your eyes will thank you.
I confess that I didn't dig into goggle prices sufficiently. All I looked at were the usual names...Smith, etc which are ~$100+


17.50 CAD. (http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442631338&FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302726141&bmUID=1258468576160) No fans at that price.
Worth a shot :thumb:

Skijor, what do you wear over your eyes while skijoring?
http://www.meliving.com/skijoring/skijornow_johnsandberg.jpg
I wear some old Smith wraparound glasses. They're well-vented at the brow since I generate more heat while on skis with or without the pooch. And I don't encounter the same winds while skiing compared to biking due to skiing mostly in woodsy settings...another reason I have little tearing issue on skis.

I wear contactlenses and had the same problem. Now I use a pair of WileyX spectacles - Look like sunglasses but the frame has an extra foam padding that fit snugly against/around your eyes. Still there are some openings that can let in some fresh air, this helps preventing fogging up. I like them - and no crying eyes anymore.

^ sounds like motorcycling eyewear...similar to the cheapos I'll be trying

I use cheap ski goggles and carefully configured face mask, no fogging issues.

Another vote for ski goggles. I have two pairs - rose lens for day and clear lens for night rides. I think they cost me $18 each. They fit best on my winter helmet which is a ski helmet rated for cycling. I look nuts but I'm warm and my eyes don't tear any longer

^ pics please :D

You asked for it! And since I'm feeling generous, I'll give you the bonus Xtreme Cold Weather Nuts Look:

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae96/ZionaRK/Photo10.jpg

Go on, giggle away.

You asked for it! And since I'm feeling generous, I'll give you the bonus Xtreme Cold Weather Nuts Look:

http://i961.photobucket.com/albums/ae96/ZionaRK/Photo10.jpg

Go on, giggle away.

Giggle? Hardly. That's a great look. I like that style helmet...snowboard? And is that a mask or balaclava? How cold is too cold to ride? Or is there no such thing with this "I'll take on anyone" gear?

That's a ski helmet and a neoprene mask with an attached scarf. I like the ski helmet because it not only has a tab on the back to hold the goggles but it's lined AND has earflaps. It's wonderfully warm! The neoprene mask is super warm too so I save it for below freezing rides or windy nights riding home. It gets pretty warm under the face mask but it's easy to pull down when I get to hot and then yank back up when I've cooled off enough.

I don't like riding in the snow because I don't have the strength yet. And since I primarily ride on the streets I worry about that one nasty fall on ice or snow that slides me under a bus (I know, it's a bit crazy). But I don't mind riding in cold weather since I have warm gear and clothes.

I wear ski goggles that are big enough to fit over glasses. The only problem I have is that I can't wear a balaclava, or they fog up completely.

I basicaly look like cyclokitty but with a black helmet, yellow googles, and a scarf instead of a facemask

i find that with the scarf i can breath easier and less fogging of goggles / glasses then a facemask, and can go down to easily 30 and 40 below zeroi

I wear glasses, but my correction is mild, so I can do without my glasses when I ride. I wear the type safety glasses (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100013688/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053) that you can get at a hardware store:

126612

I wear a pair of wraparound shades a nd they seem to shield my eyes enough to stop me from tearing up.