Winter Cycling - eye protection with a full face balaclava

OK I think i have this figured out. the skydiving goggles with a nice elastic strap didn't work cuz they fogged. they were sealed too well around all edges.

even my regular sport glasses fog a little depending on how I breath and how much I sweat even though there's a TON or air space around the edges. I managed to use them anyway successfully but not with a full face balaclava because there was no way to get the frames on my ears (although I just though of cutting holes)

I made a strap with a wheel liner and electrical tape. it worked pretty well, so maybe I saved myself some money buying really nice glasses with a well designed elastic strap

I've been doing some riding without any eye protection but my eyes were sore last night and this morning. not sure if it was the cold from two rides yesterday or if it was from the salt and other road grime dust spewed into my face and eyes.

anyone have really nice glasses with a well designed elastic strap?

here's a crummy cell phone picture

I like to use ski goggles which pinch the top of the balaclava shut.

I am about to try riding without my helmet's sun visor. I hope more air goes through the goggles that way from the top to the bottom.

I just wear my regular cycling glasses w/ the earpieces over the outside of the balaklava (in between the balaklava & the helmet straps). Never had a problem w/ them not staying put. As for fogging up, if you pull the balaklava over your mouth or nose, your glasses will fog up, period. So I don't.

Visorgogs (http://vwrlabshop.com/images/200/np0179.jpg)

You can order them from any number of online safety products catalogues. I've been using them for ~15 years of winter commuting.

I have some "Scott" brand ski goggles that have worked very well. As far as I'm concerned, they're required for temperatures so low that my tears start to freeze (which happens at around 0 F) or in sleet. They're nice to have in snow, too.

They don't fog at all even with a balaclava completely covering my nose and mouth - which I need to do sometimes because the air can be too cold to breathe in without a filter. They will fog if I have two balaclavas completely covering my nose and mouth, so in that case I simply don't cover my nose and mouth with the outer, looser one. With this I seem to have this pretty much figured out.

Ya, how about those Visorgogs. They certainly are nice :innocent:

http://vwrlabshop.com/images/200/np0179.jpg

maybe mountain bike goggles?

http://mxdirtrider.com/h-products/pr-apparel-answer-racing-mx-eyewear-2010-adult-standard.htm

this is a little off topic but nonetheless relates to winter wear with the Balaclava... i have a question about keeping this snug and not riding up my face...i have my helmet on and the chin strap helps keep it put for a while but after a while it stretches out and i cant see anything...i have a Balaclava Coal and the neck covering is big and when worn its not a snug fit on my neck..is this right? i see some gore wear that it looks tight on the neck so it doesnt seem to ride up the face... is there a way that im not aware of in wearing this?

(i never wore this before but know i need one to keep warm!) thanks for any advice.

hkboy - can you provide a link to a picture of your model Balaclava Coal? My experiences have been that they do move and get moist and the fit changes, etc. I think everyone goes through a few before finding one they really like. if you show us what you have - someone here might have the same one and have some suggestions for you.

hkboy - can you provide a link to a picture of your model Balaclava Coal? My experiences have been that they do move and get moist and the fit changes, etc. I think everyone goes through a few before finding one they really like. if you show us what you have - someone here might have the same one and have some suggestions for you.


hello here is the link: thanks for your help!

http://www.trails.com/gear/p/coal/the-under-hat-balaclava-uhb/

I've been using the Visorgogs for my third winter now. The first pair lasted two years cause the UV rays cause the lens to fade over time. They work well with or without eyeglasses. They do fog up in temps below 20. But I just uncover my mouth and nose and I'm good. The best thing about them is they are cheap. Under $10 with shipping. When I wore them below 10f they fog up something fierce. To the point where I just had to pull them down and ride with my eyeglasses. At -12 last year they actually had ice crystals forming on the inside so they were impossible to see with. But my eyeballs didn't freeze.