What glasses do you wear competing

[eccles alley]

I have just decided that I need to wear glasses when S/J and going cross country and wondered what sort people wear. I have tried contact lenses but do not get on with them and my ordinary glasses are quite heavy. Been trying to see what Andrew Nicholson wears Any suggestions.

 

[Magnetic Sparrow]

Don't forget to try asking the optician, there are options for sports people and the common problems we have aren't unique, so they will have suggestions too. I'm not an event rider (coward, me) but I've ridden in glasses for years. The best move I made was the super lightweight lenses which means that if you have an unplanned dismount your specs tend to stay on your face rather than following a trajectory all their own.

 

[Jesstickle]

I jast can't. I have to wear contacts. Everything juat slides off my ski slope shaped nose and drives me mad. Will be interested in the replies you get

 

[rachel_s]

Prescription oakleys could work http://uk.oakley.com/store/products/men/sunglasses/prescription

Certainly the glasses seem to stay put no matter what.

 

[meesha]

I wear glasses for driving etc but wear disposable contacts riding etc.... Might be with persevering as they are really convenient.

 

[clippi]

I don't event. But wear my glasses for all activities. I've tried contacts in many forms and just don't get on with them, especially when moving at speed.
I have lightweight, scratch resistant plastic lenses. I've never had them come off when I've made an unplanned dismount even when landing headfirst. I do always have a spare old pair in the car, just in case.

 

[its_noodles]

i have been thinking about it lately as i have to keep adjusting my glasses while riding. can't get on with contact either so my only option is to try to get some straps...

 

[GlamourDol]

Try a sports strap on your glasses. It goes round the back of your head like goggles.
Also ask about sports goggles.

You want to make sure your lenses are as light as possible, so ask about having them thinned, and I would also consider a Titanium frame. Light and super strong! Be wary of plastic frames, the nose cannot be adjusted and if its not perfect it will slip.

 

[funkymunky]

Do you need prescription? If so I would go for Bolle they do the widest range of prescription in sports frames and the lenses are amazing. I've got some and love them hth x

 

[ellie_e]

I work in an opticians, I would suggest titanium frames, or anything that's plastic. It could be your lenses that are heavy, maybe ask your dispensing optician about high index lenses, which are thinner and lighter than standard and also have an anti reflective coating as standard which is great for glare.

 

[ellie_e]

Do you need prescription? If so I would go for Bolle they do the widest range of prescription in sports frames and the lenses are amazing. I've got some and love them hth x

We are a Bolle stockist and must admit they are great, much better than Oakley and similar brands. Great customer service from them too

 

[GlamourDol]

I work in an opticians, I would suggest titanium frames, or anything that's plastic. It could be your lenses that are heavy, maybe ask your dispensing optician about high index lenses, which are thinner and lighter than standard and also have an anti reflective coating as standard which is great for glare.

ooo Ellie where do you work?

 

[Daytona]

I wear glasses have done since about 14 years old, hack, school, show jump, XC, jump cross you nane it, never had a issue, just normal bog standard glasses, I've broken 1 pair that whole time and fell off way more times than I care to remember. You don't need no fancy specs.

 

[Daytona]

i have been thinking about it lately as i have to keep adjusting my glasses while riding. can't get on with contact either so my only option is to try to get some straps...

Are you maybe looking down so they are sliding down your nose.? If you keep head up they should be fine.

 

[Befney3]

There are a couple of options you could look into. Do you know what your prescription is as this will make it easier to advise you?

As people have suggested, titanium frames are great from a weight & strength point of view. High index (thinner & lighter weight) lenses may be a good idea as they will minimise any extra weight on your face. If you are concerned about damaging the lenses, etc if you fall off you could look at a polycarbonate lens. This will be tough & impact resistant & is also very lightweight but make sure you ask to have an anti-reflection coating on the lens to allow the maximum light to pass through, giving you the clearest vision.
Personally I would avoid the current trend for large plastic frames as they will add weight due to the larger lens size & will not necessarily give the best vision if they slide down your nose causing you to be not looking through the centre of the lenses. Smaller plastic frames (adjusted well so they don't slide forwards) may be more comfortable as you will not have the nosepads that you get on metal frames.
I think adjustment of your frames is key to them being comfortable to ride in. For example, if the sides are too long behind your ears they will not sit neatly under your hat which may cause your hat to move them. Make sure they fit you well on your nose, don't feel excessively tight on the sides of your head & are well adjusted behind your ears.

As other people have mentioned you could try a more specialist frame like an Oakley or Bolle frame but these may be an expensive option. Bear in mind though that once you purchase a frame you can always have it reglazed if your prescription changes so you may not always have to spend out on new frames.

Another option (particularly if a major concern is damaging your everyday pair at the yard) is to just buy a well fitting cheap pair of specs purely for riding in.

Is there a reason you can't wear contact lenses? I only ask as most people will be able to manage their contact lens wear in a way that suits them even if it is a bit unconvetional. Obviously this isn't the case for everyone but contact lenses should be an option for most people if they want that option. I am very lazy with my contacts & only really bother with them for social wear/vanity but also my vision will never be quite as good in them as my glasses. I have been known to wear my glasses to drive to a show, put my lenses in when I arrive & take them out once I've ridden which means a wearing time of only a couple of hours & no compromised vision for driving but my vision is easily good enough to ride in.

Good luck finding an option that suits you & if you struggle I would strongly recommended seeing if you can find an Opticians with an experienced Dispensing Optician or Dispensing Assistant who rides or is involved in another sport as they should have plenty of experience & ideas to help you.

Feel free to pm if you have any questions I might be able to help you with.

 

[blitznbobs]

It may seem extreme but I had laser eye surgery because of this problem (and I swim a lot too) it's not cheap but is simply the best decision I ever made. No more glasses slipping down my
Nose or dust in my contact lens - and over the last 5 years I reckon I've made most of the cost back by not needing prescription glasses lenses and sun glasses...

Just something to ponder...

 

[elliebrewer98]

I wear glasses have done since about 14 years old, hack, school, show jump, XC, jump cross you nane it, never had a issue, just normal bog standard glasses, I've broken 1 pair that whole time and fell off way more times than I care to remember. You don't need no fancy specs.

It may seem extreme but I had laser eye surgery because of this problem (and I swim a lot too) it's not cheap but is simply the best decision I ever made. No more glasses slipping down my
Nose or dust in my contact lens - and over the last 5 years I reckon I've made most of the cost back by not needing prescription glasses lenses and sun glasses...

Just something to ponder...

I've had glasses since I was seven and have ridden in them ever since. I've never broken a pair but bend the nose pads a lot! Easy enough to fix but irritating when completely out of place.

I got contact lenses when I was ten and I used to wear them for everything horsey expect general riding but as I've got older I've become more relaxed, wearing glasses for dressage, etc and only wearing contacts for jumping comps and xc schooling Yesterday I picked up a new pair of glasses which coincidentally are hopefully going to be Ideal for riding as the frames are made out of flexi metal so they will hopefully bend under blows and then return to position. Haven't ridden in them yet but faired well during gymnastics on Saturday

On the subject of glasses falling off, ask for the frames to be bent really securely around your ears. I have a small face so all my glasses arms are bent far round so they fit but it may be worth asking your opticitions if it'd be possible?

My mum had laser eye surgery two years ago and although it was expensive (£4000 - had it done in Cambridge) it was well worth it! Mum rides, swims and plays a lot of ball sports so it has helped immensely in that sporting aspect. So if you can afford it, it may be a valid option!

 

[CrazyMare]

I wear contacts. I find my vision much better with contacts that glasses as I find my peripheral vision is poor with glasses.

Might be worth trying a different type of lense?

 

[its_noodles]

ooo Ellie where do you work?

hi ellie,
thinking bout changing my spec soon. could do with some advice...

 

[ellie_e]

Work in South Wales, near Cardiff, pm me if you want any advice, will try and help!

 

[eccles alley]

Thank you all for your advice will go and see what I can find outh there

 

[Eventer96]

I have really heavy lenses but I compete with my big Roxy geek glasses! I only have a problem when I'm doing medium canter I have been cross country in them without a problem

 

[its_noodles]

i always have to adjust my spec when he does big flying changes...
sometimes i feel he was bouncing me off the saddle...