coasting 

I had a pair of very lightweight regular glasses, the type with no frame, which I had been using for cycling. It worked just fine until I lost them. Since then I have been wearing my framed glasses and they are useless. Time to get something that works.

Have you used the cycling glasses with inserts for lenses or do you prefer to just use contact lenses and regular sunglasses?

Cat4Lifer

I've ridden with both contacts and glasses (Performance brand) with inserts. I prefer contacts with regular sunglasses.
They're lighter and can be taken off without hampering my vision.

cheval

My problem with all glasses was while riding in the drops, I'm looking out over the top of the lenses instead of through them.

CB88

Contacts with regular cycling sunglasses.

Machka 

I have a pair of cycling glasses with inserts. Unfortunately they don't work for me because my prescription is too strong to handle the slight curve of the lenses required to fit the cycling glasses. I rode with them once and nearly rode into the back of a stopepd vehicle because my depth perception was way off. If your prescription isn't very strong, they might work for you.

coasting 

that's disappointing. i don't like the idea of contact lenses.

scirocco

I have a reasonably strong prescription and use inserts, which work fine for me from a vision point of view. Peripheral vision is slightly off but I find straight ahead vision is excellent.

They aren't perfect, contacts certainly give better vision, but I have sensitive eyes and don't like contacts. The biggest hassle with inserts is that they smudge easily from sweat because they sit closer to your face than normal glasses. But I find them a pretty fair option - heavy sweaters may disagree. I use the Rudy Project Kalyos ones.

midgetmaestro 

I'd pay the extra money for rx lenses - not inserts.

DaveSSS 

I have a strong prescription and use Rudy Apache SX frames with prescription bifocal lenses, not inserts.

neneboricua

I've got a pretty strong prescription and astigmatism as well. Astigmatism is what really messes up glasses because it needs a good curve. I've found that you need quality glasses that can handle the curve required for a prescription like this. Oakley and Rudy Project are the main ones with that kind of high quality tech. I have Rudy Project Exceptions and they're fantastic. I can use the hoods or the drops with no problems and no warping of vision. They're not cheap, but they're worth it.

coasting 

So this is going to get expensive too. It is never ending this money pit that is cycling.

Creatre

I prefer contacts with normal sunglasses. I use my cycling sunglasses as my sunglasses for everything else, so I don't want to go inside a building and have to wear my sunglasses or I can't see. Plus, makes it easier when I want to swap out lenses for different lighting conditions. Just make sure to get some that are ventilated well. Last thing you need is dried out contacts with sweat dripping in your eyes on top of that.

jwbnyc

I use Smith Moabs with inserts. If I had to replace them I'd go with the Bolle insert models.


They make the Vigilante for a medium to large fit and the Parole for a small to medium fit.

MrTuner1970

This is my problem currently with my regular glasses. I have an appt tomorrow to see about getting contacts again. Timely discussion.

For those using either inserts with sunglasses or prescription sunglasses, a question. With these, does one look over the top of the lenses while in the drops? I'd hate to purchase either inserts or prescription sunglasses and find out that I still can't see while in the drops.

I used contacts years ago and prefer glasses. But I'm thinking maybe I can manage OK with contacts for a few hours at a time.

huytheskigod

I don't wear glasses but my wife does. She prefers the contact lens route because of a couple of reasons. One, when we ride to anywhere, say coffee shop, and go inside, she becomes blind if she were only using prescription lenses. Two, we often ride in the evening, so when we start to run out of daylight and have to take sunglasses off for visibility, same thing occurs.

mzd

another vote for contacts + regular sunglasses.

rjones28 

I used to run Bolle Edge with inserts and they worked fine. It can get expensive. I'm currently using the Bolles without the inserts, since my vision isn't too bad and I didn't want to pay for another set of lenses for the inserts.

I'll be interested to see how this shakes out for you. I really should get a new pair of riding glasses.

Oh, and I vote no on the contacts.

coasting 

I have an instinctive dislike of the idea of contacts. Unless the inserts way has some problem like looking over the top of the prescription insert, then I'm inclined to do that or get prescription lense if it isn't too expensive. It is worrying that most people have posted that inserts are not preferable.

collegeskier

I have a pair of prescription Oakley's and really like them, and hated contacts when I tried them a many years ago. I got the glasses with my HSA as I was leaving a job so it worked out. I think, if i like contacts that would be my first choice but the prescription sunglasses are great. People just think your odd if you stop someplace but lets face it, clicking with every step and wearing a bunch of lycra with nice helmet hair, somehow I don't think people are noticing the sunglasses.

rjones28 

I've also ridden with non-cycling-specific prescription sunglasses. They were just a good quality set of rugged shades. They worked pretty well too.

colombo357

Polarized contact lenses should do the trick. You'll look like some kind of freak, which is the best part.

aggarcia

I can not wear contacts, so I use Ray Ban Rx sunglasses with no problems. Since I have really taken to cycling, I might pony up the $$ for real cycling specific Rx sunglasses.

neneboricua

About having to look over the top of the sunglasses while in the drops... With the Rudy Exceptions, https://www.rudyprojectusa.com/produc.../exception.htm, no I do not have to do this. The RX lenses are attached to the frame. The colored lens part is separate. When I'm in the drops, there is no gap between the RX lens and the colored lens. You can adjust the nose piece easily so that the glasses sit high up on your face so there's no gap as well. The advantage of glasses like these are that if one day you decide to go with contacts, you can leave the colored lens clip at home and attach the colored lenses directly to the frame in place of the RX lenses.

The picture makes it look like the RX lenses are really visible through the colored ones, but in reality they are not. Most people don't realize I have RX lenses behind them unless I flip them up.

Beaker

I rode for a year with Oakley Rx lenses (whisper frames FWIW) and have an Rx of -4. Fantastic lenses, still my favorite sunglasses, but last year went back to daily disposable lenses + jawbones for riding. Despite my great Rx sunglasses the contacts are so much better. The added weight of the Rx lenses means that they have a habit of slipping down your face on hot sweaty climbs, just when you don't want that. Also the choice of frames and field of vision are much better for contacts+non Rx sunglasses. Never looking back.

deep_sky

I wear Rudy Project glasses with inserts, and there is no way they can correct the astigmatism in my right eye, it seems. Right now I am struggling with just returning the damn things, or going back for a 4th time to see if anything else can be done. I might just go back and see if I can get different glasses.