Clip-ons vs rx sunglasses
#1
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Sep 2006
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Bikes: Bianchi road bike
Clip-ons vs rx sunglasses
I have been using clip-on sunglasses over my rx glasses for many years, never had a pair of rx sunglasses. But it's getting hard to find the clip-ons I like, so I am thinking about getting rx sunglasses.
But the other day I was out walking in bright sunshine, with my clip-ons, then it got cloudy, so I just took the clip-ons off. If I use the rx sunglasses, I would have had to continue walking with the sunglasses, unless I carried my normal glasses with me. I have thought about the Transitions type of sunglasses, but I wonder if they would get dark enough.
How do others with rx sunglasses deal with this - days going from bright sun to clouds?
Thanks.
Bill
But the other day I was out walking in bright sunshine, with my clip-ons, then it got cloudy, so I just took the clip-ons off. If I use the rx sunglasses, I would have had to continue walking with the sunglasses, unless I carried my normal glasses with me. I have thought about the Transitions type of sunglasses, but I wonder if they would get dark enough.
How do others with rx sunglasses deal with this - days going from bright sun to clouds?
Thanks.
Bill
#3
My other car is a bike
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,303
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From: Wine Country, 1 hour north of San Francisco
Bikes: Specialized Ruby
I have transitional lenses in my normal glasses, but they are too small to serve as much protection from the wind and sun when cycling as large sunglasses. I looked into getting large "Audrey Hepburn" prescription sunglasses, but they were lots of $$$ and very heavy to wear. So I bought a pair of big sunglasses from the LBS and wear contact lenses on most rides.
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#4
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Guelph, Ontario canada
Bikes: Winterbeater;moutain tourbike
I wear bifocal "photogray" glasses.For me they work fine.Even now with heavy snow and bright sunshine
they get dark enough to be comfortable.
However when you go back inside they take a minute to lighten up.I just look over the top or take them
while I get out of the winter coats, heavy sweaters, long johns,heavy gloves,snow boots,earwarmers,
do the big snotblow,-did I get that all?
Also:The halfmoons donot darken completely.
I was told Polarized- plastic lenses
Photo gray-Glass lenses. They are abit heavier.I get them hardened or tempered
whatever it's called.
When inside they are a 'tetch' darker than clear glasses.
They are relatively scratchproof.
In the summer I always wear them on an idiot string.
I hope this helps a bit.
Anton V.
they get dark enough to be comfortable.
However when you go back inside they take a minute to lighten up.I just look over the top or take them
while I get out of the winter coats, heavy sweaters, long johns,heavy gloves,snow boots,earwarmers,
do the big snotblow,-did I get that all?

Also:The halfmoons donot darken completely.
I was told Polarized- plastic lenses
Photo gray-Glass lenses. They are abit heavier.I get them hardened or tempered
whatever it's called.
When inside they are a 'tetch' darker than clear glasses.
They are relatively scratchproof.
In the summer I always wear them on an idiot string.
I hope this helps a bit.
Anton V.
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 50
I've had Transitions before and I'm getting them again on my next pair. They work fine except for one place. They don't work in the car. The windshield blocks enough UV to stop the color change. For the car, I'll keep my Scrip shades. bk
#6
I was thinking about getting those big ol' granny goggles that go over your regular rx glasses and wrap around your face. :
: You know the ones they sell at Walgreens or CVS that look like tinted eye protection shields. I'd just put one of those tube shaped straps on the earpieces to keep them strapped onto my head and be off. Maybe I'll get yellow or those rose colored ones.
: You know the ones they sell at Walgreens or CVS that look like tinted eye protection shields. I'd just put one of those tube shaped straps on the earpieces to keep them strapped onto my head and be off. Maybe I'll get yellow or those rose colored ones.
#7
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 246
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From: Memphis
Bikes: 2008 Specialized Roubaix Elite Compact, 2004 Giant Cypress, 1981 Specialized Sequoia
For cycling I've recently started using Cocoons (https://www.cocoonseyewear.com/), which fit over my regular prescription glasses. These are not those huge over-glasses type, they are just barely larger than my regular glasses. My regular prescription sunglasses are too small to give me enough wind protection, especially in cooler weather, but the Cocoons fit tightly against my face and have a shelf over the lenses that seals out the wind.
#8
His Brain is Gone!
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 9,979
Likes: 1
From: Paoli, Wisconsin
Bikes: RANS Stratus, Bridgestone CB-1, Trek 7600, Sun EZ-Rider AX, Fuji Absolute 1.0, Cayne Rambler 3
I still use clip-ons. Found some on eBay that I liked a lot and purchased 6 pair a couple of years ago. These are nice in that the lower part of the lens has a lighter tint, so you can more easily read the instrument panel in your car when driving. Don't know how they work for biking as I've never worn a pair of sunglasses when riding a bike.
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"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
"Too often I would hear men boast of the miles covered that day, rarely of what they had seen." Louis L'Amour
There are two types of road bikers: bikers who are faster than me, and me. Bruce Cameron - Denver Post
#9
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,701
Likes: 1
From: Moraga, CA
Bikes: 2008 Cervelo RS, 2011 Scott CR1 Elite, 2014 Volagi Liscio
I used to use prescription sunglasses, but they didn't provide sufficient wind protection. Then I tried Rx inserts for Rudy Project Ekynox glasses, but the vision was very distorted so I returned them.
I now use Vistana fit over sunglasses, which fit over my regular progressive glasses. I really like them; great vision and wind protection.
I now use Vistana fit over sunglasses, which fit over my regular progressive glasses. I really like them; great vision and wind protection.
#10
just keep riding
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 13,560
Likes: 44
From: Milledgeville, Georgia
Bikes: 2018 Black Mountain Cycles MCD,2017 Advocate Cycles Seldom Seen Drop Bar, 2017 Niner Jet 9 Alloy, 2015 Zukas custom road, 2003 KHS Milano Tandem, 1986 Nishiki Cadence rigid MTB, 1980ish Fuji S-12S
I bought a pair of closeout cycling glasses for cheap and had my optician add prescription polarized lenses. Look for a model with less than radical curving to be sure they can fit lenses in them.
My regular prescription sunglasses work fine but won't stay in place while riding and don't block wind as well as the sport glasses. Clip ons would make them slide even faster. I'm not a fan of the way the cover shields look or feel.
My regular prescription sunglasses work fine but won't stay in place while riding and don't block wind as well as the sport glasses. Clip ons would make them slide even faster. I'm not a fan of the way the cover shields look or feel.
#11
For cycling I've recently started using Cocoons (https://www.cocoonseyewear.com/), which fit over my regular prescription glasses. These are not those huge over-glasses type, they are just barely larger than my regular glasses. My regular prescription sunglasses are too small to give me enough wind protection, especially in cooler weather, but the Cocoons fit tightly against my face and have a shelf over the lenses that seals out the wind.
#12
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,135
Likes: 108
From: Middle of the road, NJ
Try Wal-mart, I got a pair of fit-over type shades for about $20.00. They have different shapes and sizes, so you should find one that fits. They don't look too bad. But they work very well.
#13
feros ferio

Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 22,398
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From: www.ci.encinitas.ca.us
Bikes: 1959 Capo Modell Campagnolo; 1960 Capo Sieger (2); 1962 Carlton Franco Suisse; 1970 Peugeot UO-8; 1982 Bianchi Campione d'Italia; 1988 Schwinn Project KOM-10;
I have happily used the magnetic Easy Clip system for the past 7 years.
Some of the prescription sunglass systems will not support my strong (-7.5 with 2-diopter astigmatism) prescription.
Some of the prescription sunglass systems will not support my strong (-7.5 with 2-diopter astigmatism) prescription.
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"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
"Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." --Theodore Roosevelt
Capo: 1959 Modell Campagnolo, S/N 40324; 1960 Sieger (2), S/N 42624, 42597
Carlton: 1962 Franco Suisse, S/N K7911
Peugeot: 1970 UO-8, S/N 0010468
Bianchi: 1982 Campione d'Italia, S/N 1.M9914
Schwinn: 1988 Project KOM-10, S/N F804069
#14
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 0
From: S.E. Pennsylvania, USA
I use transitional lenses. However, when I was fitted for them, I took along a hair dryer and let them know that the glasses had to do a very good job of blocking the wind and protecting my eyes when I was riding. Much to my surprise, and the person fitting me, the larger sunglasses didn't do as good a job as the small lens glasses I actually bought. These smaller lens glasses seem to work because the fit the contour of my face and form a good barrier right around the eye socket. Hence, I'm now a believer that it's not the size, but the shape that counts. If I have a complaint about the transitional lens it is that they do not darken the same amount in hot and cold weather.
#15
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Bikes: Cannondale Adventure 400 + Gazelle Medeo
I have been using clip-on sunglasses over my rx glasses for many years, never had a pair of rx sunglasses. But it's getting hard to find the clip-ons I like, so I am thinking about getting rx sunglasses.
But the other day I was out walking in bright sunshine, with my clip-ons, then it got cloudy, so I just took the clip-ons off. If I use the rx sunglasses, I would have had to continue walking with the sunglasses, unless I carried my normal glasses with me. I have thought about the Transitions type of sunglasses, but I wonder if they would get dark enough.
How do others with rx sunglasses deal with this - days going from bright sun to clouds?
Thanks.
Bill
But the other day I was out walking in bright sunshine, with my clip-ons, then it got cloudy, so I just took the clip-ons off. If I use the rx sunglasses, I would have had to continue walking with the sunglasses, unless I carried my normal glasses with me. I have thought about the Transitions type of sunglasses, but I wonder if they would get dark enough.
How do others with rx sunglasses deal with this - days going from bright sun to clouds?
Thanks.
Bill
The only word of caution is that the prescription lens clip has to be handle with care by the optician. They overheated the insert and it broke the first time they tried with mine. Louis Garneau were fast in shipping out a replacement part, at the optician's expense and I was off biking merrily after that.
Cheers,
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Ronald (Ron) Houde
Living Life at 16km/hr, the ultimate Canada bike vacation
Seeing Less, Seeing Better, Living Happier
Cycling Vacation the Bike & Boat Way
Ronald (Ron) Houde
Living Life at 16km/hr, the ultimate Canada bike vacation
Seeing Less, Seeing Better, Living Happier
Cycling Vacation the Bike & Boat Way







