kmac27

I often hear that glasses are necessary for riding. Why is that? Also what types of lenses are good enough and how much should I plan to spend?

EventServices

Catch an insect in the eye. Or road grit. Or just plain wind.

You don't have to spend a lot. There are decent brands out there that will suffice.

CastIron

Generally, yes. Stuff gets kicked up by tires pretty easily. You're moving at 10-50 mph and need to see to ride.

Polycarbonate and similar lenses are best. ANSI Z87.1 is a common impact resistant standard for glasses. You can spend $15 to over $500. It's up to you.

Vertr

Because cars kick stuff up and it hits your face. Also, lots of air in the eyes bothers them.

kill.cactus

Glasses are really essential.

Anything that is designed to be worn while exercising (read: no D&G or Chanel) will suffice - just make sure the lenses are UV proof.

operator

They're there to protect you from debris. Rocks and pebbles can be thrown up by other riders or cars. Worst case is you get blind -

Creakyknees

More of "really nice to have" than "required"

Your eyes get really dry and red after a couple hours in the sun and wind.

Safety-wise, there's always little chunks of stuff that could get in your eyes, especially when riding in a group, in traffic, or on a windy day.

I go to the big box sporting goods stores and spend around $25. Make sure the label/sticker says 100% uv protection, try them on and look up over the top of the frame since that'll bug you while riding if they don't fit right. The fishing section usually has a good supply of wraparounds.

Always buy in person instead of mail order, because they all fit differently and some them will pinch or just not feel right.

I don't have any clear / yellow but probably should for the low light situations.

LanceFanBoy

Performance cheap $30 multi-lens sunglasses. amazing and affordable to replace

the beef

Not a must, but nice to have. Spend anywhere from $10-$15 to $300, whatever suits you.

BlazingPedals

Some of my favorite sunglasses for riding have been wrap-around shop glasses, about ten bucks at Home Depot. Or, watch the sunglasses displays at the local gas station. I look for a solid bridge, coverage down to my cheeks, and either wrap-around design or at least wide temples to help deflect the wind past my eyes instead of swirling into them.

mrbubbles

I value my eyes. Lose one, no depth perception. Lose two, I'm blind. Eyesights are the single most important senses in riding a bike. I've met deaf people riding bikes, because they can see.

Anything will work, from $10 Home Depot safety glasses to $200 Oakleys.

Machka 

Necessary ... definitely! Why? I'm as blind as a bat without them!!

scotch

i wear them for eye protection mostly. i don't see the point in spending more than $15 on sunglasses because if i do, i am guaranteed to lose them.

Porter20

Do be careful when picking out the darkness of the lenses. I orginially used a pair of old glasses that I had but they were way too dark when I would get in a heavily wooded area and have trouble seeing bumps & stuff. Or if becomes cloudy or near dusk; you get the picture. When I finally bought a pair of with orangish lenses, I have been much happier as far as distance and when I push a ride too long with limited daylight.

markyore

just bought a new pair at tj maxx for $7.99........you dont have to spend much!

laryanshabaz

+1

keisatsu

https://www.safetyglassesusa.com/cl112.html

These are what I use... uber-cheap and they work well (Meets or exceeds ANSI Z87.1-2003, CSA & CE safety standards. (plus if you buy 12 they're all of 2.10 a pair))!

I don't like to buy expensive glasses because I will lose, break, or eventually scratch them all to hell.

Walter

I wear RX so yes they're pretty much required. My wife wears contacts but always wears glasses as well.

I've never been an advocate of real expensive glasses as they break about as easily as cheap ones do and hurt the wallet alot more. For RX I find that the people who make RecSpecs make a few models thatr work well for cycling and even with polarized RX lenses are still under 2 bills. My wife seldom (never actually) spends more than 30$.

Perhaps b/c I also fish (when I can) and spend time dealing with glare I really think polarized lenses are essential. I have a hard time "getting" 300$ "sports" glasses that aren't polarized. Maybe for an indoor trainer but not in the sunlight. Of course there's lots of things I don't get.....

recursive

I usually ride without them. And I've caught several bugs in the eye. It's unpleasant, but it never caused me to stop riding.

Sometimes I ride with glasses, but usually don't find it to be a necessity.

zacster

I start on my long rides with them but they invariably aren't on my head when I get home. They get dirty. I rode for a long time without them and I still prefer not having them on. I gave in to them only because the club requires them. I have a mid-price pair and a cheap pair.

Creakyknees

"the club requires them" **********

WTF?

kirkcubs

Everyone forgets to mention polarized... as in suggesting not to use them. Usually won't be able to see your computer with 'em.

Six jours

No.

If you are looking for something to block the wind and the bugs, about five bucks at Wal-Mart. If you're looking for something to impress the matching-socks-and-helmet crowd at BF, at least three hundred.

dobovedo

+1 on all the reasons mentioned: bugs, dust, wind, rain, sleet, etc... but especially the chance of getting something kicked up by a car or another rider. I've had small rocks blocked by glasses before.

Obviously they aren't 'required', but I can't imagine not wearing them and know very few people who go without.

I get whatever's on sale from Performance, since most come with clear/amber/smoke lenses. There's almost always something at %50 off, for around $20 or so. But any cheap pair is better than nothing. I have two identical pairs right now with six sets of lenses to mix match. That way when I misplace one pair (frequently-I'm a slob) I have the other.

NYJayhawk

Try this test:

Repicate a fast descent by turning a blow dryer on and aiming it at your face. Can you read a newspaper under these conditions? If yes, you don't need glasses. If no, it might be a good idea.

You don't need to spend $500 on them. You can get totally "above average" gogs for $30-$40 at Nashbar or Performance with interchangeable lenses so you can adjust to the conditions (dark tinted for sunny, yellow for low visibility, clear for cloudy/night).

IMHO, it's always nice to be able to see where I'm going when I'm bombing down a hill at 45mph. For some reason I get nervous when I close my eyes at that speed.