Best night commute glasses?
10-08-10 | 06:15 AM
#26
Living the Dream
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 449
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
Yes, a branch across the face would suck. I highly recommend eyewear when single tracking.
The op asked about commuting and mentioned the problems with glare from oncoming headlights. I also struggle with this and have yet to find a pair of glasses that deal effectively with it. I usually do wear glasses during my commute, particularly in the morning when I have a few high speed descents and there is virtually no traffic. In the evening, there is a fair bit and I find that being blinded by oncoming headlight glare is more hazardous than the chance of catching a faceful of branch or a bug. I have good lighting so I should see the branch ahead of time if one happens to grow along my route over night.
I do have a pair of the yellow tinted glasses and like them for overcast days. I prefer clear ones for riding in the dark though for the reason mentioned above. They inhibit depth perception. You can't have too much depth perception when you are bombing down a hill at 40 mph.
The op asked about commuting and mentioned the problems with glare from oncoming headlights. I also struggle with this and have yet to find a pair of glasses that deal effectively with it. I usually do wear glasses during my commute, particularly in the morning when I have a few high speed descents and there is virtually no traffic. In the evening, there is a fair bit and I find that being blinded by oncoming headlight glare is more hazardous than the chance of catching a faceful of branch or a bug. I have good lighting so I should see the branch ahead of time if one happens to grow along my route over night.
I do have a pair of the yellow tinted glasses and like them for overcast days. I prefer clear ones for riding in the dark though for the reason mentioned above. They inhibit depth perception. You can't have too much depth perception when you are bombing down a hill at 40 mph.
10-08-10 | 08:23 AM
#28
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 8,954
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From: NE Indiana
Bikes: 2020 Masi Giramondo 700c; 2013 Lynskey Peloton; 1992 Giant Rincon; 1989 Dawes needs parts; 1985 Trek 660; 1985 Fuji Club; 1984 Schwinn Voyager; 1984 Miyata 612; 1977 Raleigh Competition GS
Not only limbs, but a direct hit to an eye from a bug hurts like hell. The little gnat type bugs get into your eyes stinging type of pain and then smear all over the lens of the eye causing a watery type of vision, the bigger ones feel like your little 1 year old punched you in the eye and again watery vision for awhile.
10-08-10 | 08:33 AM
#29
Senior Member
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9,102
Likes: 6,009
From: Zang's Spur, CO
Not only limbs, but a direct hit to an eye from a bug hurts like hell. The little gnat type bugs get into your eyes stinging type of pain and then smear all over the lens of the eye causing a watery type of vision, the bigger ones feel like your little 1 year old punched you in the eye and again watery vision for awhile.
A couple months ago I was bombing down my favorite 9% downhill at 40+ mph, and heard/felt what sounded like a rock hit my left lens.
At the same time everything went blurry in my left eye.
When I reached the bottom I took off the glasses and saw that the entire lens was covered with mostly-transparent bug guts.
I don't know what it was, but it must have been *big*.
Thank goodness for glasses!
10-08-10 | 09:06 AM
#30
commuter
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
Below 50 degrees F, I use a Scott Goggle with a night amplifier lens.
https://www.sportloftskishop.com/item...Lenses/571/c79
It doesnt help with the headlight glare, obviously. But its fantastic on trail and unlit roads.
smith also has a silver night amplifier google lens. Not sure if that helps with the glare.
https://www.sportloftskishop.com/item...Lenses/571/c79
It doesnt help with the headlight glare, obviously. But its fantastic on trail and unlit roads.
smith also has a silver night amplifier google lens. Not sure if that helps with the glare.
10-08-10 | 09:38 AM
#31
pedalphile
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,034
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From: ellington, ct
Bikes: trek 1200, 520, Giant ATX 970, Raleigh Talon
10-08-10 | 09:41 AM
#32
pedalphile
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 0
From: ellington, ct
Bikes: trek 1200, 520, Giant ATX 970, Raleigh Talon
Agreed.
A couple months ago I was bombing down my favorite 9% downhill at 40+ mph, and heard/felt what sounded like a rock hit my left lens.
At the same time everything went blurry in my left eye.
When I reached the bottom I took off the glasses and saw that the entire lens was covered with mostly-transparent bug guts.
I don't know what it was, but it must have been *big*.
Thank goodness for glasses!
A couple months ago I was bombing down my favorite 9% downhill at 40+ mph, and heard/felt what sounded like a rock hit my left lens.
At the same time everything went blurry in my left eye.
When I reached the bottom I took off the glasses and saw that the entire lens was covered with mostly-transparent bug guts.
I don't know what it was, but it must have been *big*.
Thank goodness for glasses!
10-08-10 | 10:52 AM
#33
One Man Fast Brick
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,121
Likes: 0
From: Chicagoland
Bikes: Specialized Langster, Bianchi San Jose, early 90s GT Karakoram, Yuba Mundo, Mercier Nano (mini velo), Nashbar Steel Commuter, KHS Tandemania Sport
10-08-10 | 08:08 PM
#34
Living the Dream
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 449
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From: DFW Metroplex
Bikes: 2015 AWOL Frameset with custom drivetrain, 20?? Windsor Tourist, 2010 Specialized Secteur
Mirrored clear safety glasses can be found in a lot of places.
www.safetyglassesusa.com has a good selection online.
They are usually referred to as "indoor/outdoor" glasses.
Lowes and Home Depot have a few in stock.
I've found the best selection in the real hardware stores where contractors buy their supplies.
www.safetyglassesusa.com has a good selection online.
They are usually referred to as "indoor/outdoor" glasses.
Lowes and Home Depot have a few in stock.
I've found the best selection in the real hardware stores where contractors buy their supplies.
10-08-10 | 08:26 PM
#35
Slowpoke
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Near Boulder Colorado
Bikes: old Stumpjumper, Riv Simple One, Riv Cheviot
Safety glasses here. I get them at the hardware store, or wherever. Clear lenses for night, tinted for sunny days. I'm blind in my right eye (since birth) so I always ride with eye protection. I've had enough wasps bounce of my glasses to be happy I've got them.
Whatever you wear. You need to keep them clean! Sweat crud causes flare, especially at night.
Whatever you wear. You need to keep them clean! Sweat crud causes flare, especially at night.
10-11-10 | 02:50 PM
#36
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 265
Likes: 4
I have to say a big "AMEN!" to that one. I wear glasses at all times mainly due to the road grit that my eyeballs suck in. However, a couple a weeks ago, I dropped my concentration for a few seconds and took a branch right across the glasses.
10-11-10 | 04:27 PM
#37
Giftless Amateur
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,319
Likes: 844
From: MD / metro DC
Bikes: Cross-Check/Nexus commuter. Several others for various forms of play.
What's the point of the mirrored safety glasses?
Mirrored is not polarized, which is nice for reducing glare. I assume mirrored only impacts transmission and/or fashion.
Mirrored is not polarized, which is nice for reducing glare. I assume mirrored only impacts transmission and/or fashion.
10-11-10 | 09:44 PM
#38
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 899
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From: Coupeville, WA
Bikes: 84 Raleigh Technium- 89 Shogun Mt. Bike-96 Miyata 914
Neptune brand, yellow tinted, wraparound shooting glasses. Work great with no glare and optically correct.
They are also slightly padded behind the top (eyebrow area) and nose area of the frame which helps keep the wind out and could help save your face a bit of damage in an impact situation. Best part is that they are under 20 bucks.
They are also slightly padded behind the top (eyebrow area) and nose area of the frame which helps keep the wind out and could help save your face a bit of damage in an impact situation. Best part is that they are under 20 bucks.
10-11-10 | 11:41 PM
#39
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,311
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From: Plano Texas
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ef=oss_product
I wore goggles during the coldest parts of last year's winter. However, I found my peripheral vision to be quite impaired so I'm going to try these.
I wore goggles during the coldest parts of last year's winter. However, I found my peripheral vision to be quite impaired so I'm going to try these.
10-12-10 | 08:03 AM
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 12,948
Likes: 9
From: England
I wear normal prescription glasses for all riding, summer, winter, day, night, rain, snow, wind.
Night-time flare is caused by microscopic scratches in the surface, not the big ones you can see. You can scratch a plastic lens if you clean it hard with a cloth. The tiny bits of silica dust turn it into sandpaper.
I only clean my glasses under running water with a dab of detergent on my fingertips. I dry them with a dab of a clean paper kitchen towel. You shouldn't rub with this material, it will scratch.
Night-time flare is caused by microscopic scratches in the surface, not the big ones you can see. You can scratch a plastic lens if you clean it hard with a cloth. The tiny bits of silica dust turn it into sandpaper.
I only clean my glasses under running water with a dab of detergent on my fingertips. I dry them with a dab of a clean paper kitchen towel. You shouldn't rub with this material, it will scratch.
10-12-10 | 08:34 AM
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 634
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From: Rochester, NY
10-13-10 | 01:38 PM
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,846
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From: Fort Worth, TX
Bikes: 2006 Specialized Ruby Pro aka "Rhubarb" / and a backup road bike
I promised my optometrist I would always wear glasses when I ride.
Going without glasses my contacts dry out badly which is uncomfortable as well as severely hampering my vision.
I have some extremely buggy areas to ride through along with the usual road splat and dust.
I do have trouble with the glasses fogging up on humid days and when I am very sweaty. Sorry doc, the glasses have to come off for a bit then.
I have 3 pair of glasses - clear, amber, and smoke. All $4 walmart safety glasses. Amber is good for headlight glare; clear is what I prefer for very dark rides in low traffic.
Going without glasses my contacts dry out badly which is uncomfortable as well as severely hampering my vision.
I have some extremely buggy areas to ride through along with the usual road splat and dust.
I do have trouble with the glasses fogging up on humid days and when I am very sweaty. Sorry doc, the glasses have to come off for a bit then.
I have 3 pair of glasses - clear, amber, and smoke. All $4 walmart safety glasses. Amber is good for headlight glare; clear is what I prefer for very dark rides in low traffic.
