Glasses vs. goggles
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Glasses vs. goggles
Anyone ride with mtn biker goggles vs. conventional roadie glasses?
Any obvious disadvantages to goggles?
eg:
Claims to have good ventilation.
Any obvious disadvantages to goggles?
eg:
Claims to have good ventilation.
Last edited by Cyclist0108; 04-14-21 at 12:42 PM.
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I've worn goggles on rides where it was 32f or below to prevent from tearing up from the cold wind and they still fogged up at times, but my head gets really hot, so that could be why. This time of year, though, I wouldn't dare.
Here's what I use for winter rides.
Here's what I use for winter rides.
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I'm using this, currently:
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Goggles would have more ventilation than cycling specific sunglasses? Thats surprising.
I use some wrap around style glasses that arent goofy large, which means mine arent trendy. And I use some others that are 'sport' designed so they stay on my head and dont slip, which are a larger and more square version of wayfarers.
Not really sure I have ever found myself wanting/needing even more coverage as I can see everything around me, and they dont fog up except for the most specific and rare of instances. Basically they fog up when its humid but not hot and I am slowly climbing. Pretty simple to stash em on my helmet for a few minutes and call it good.
If I rode into/out of town like this, I would totally understand people throwing stuff at me as they drove by.
I use some wrap around style glasses that arent goofy large, which means mine arent trendy. And I use some others that are 'sport' designed so they stay on my head and dont slip, which are a larger and more square version of wayfarers.
Not really sure I have ever found myself wanting/needing even more coverage as I can see everything around me, and they dont fog up except for the most specific and rare of instances. Basically they fog up when its humid but not hot and I am slowly climbing. Pretty simple to stash em on my helmet for a few minutes and call it good.
If I rode into/out of town like this, I would totally understand people throwing stuff at me as they drove by.
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Are those goggles any different than ski goggles?
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Yeah, goggles are great when it’s really cold, but too hot for road work any other time. They can also be very hard to fit on road helmets; DH helmets are designed for them.
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Anyone wear 30 lb downhill helmets with googles on their gravel rides?
Anyway, thanks to everyone for disabusing me of the idea.
Anyway, thanks to everyone for disabusing me of the idea.
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I currently have what is shown in Post #3, but I am thinking of getting a new helmet (and I actually do need something for a XC-type mtn helmet). I like the wide coverage and the ventilation of the lens, and not having something uncomfortable on my ears and nose.
Also, having had skin cancer before, I like the idea of coverage....
Oakley Sutro Lite looks like it might be an option. I hate cold-purchasing stuff like this, and trying on a bunch of sunglasses mid-pandemic scares me a bit, too.
Also, having had skin cancer before, I like the idea of coverage....
Oakley Sutro Lite looks like it might be an option. I hate cold-purchasing stuff like this, and trying on a bunch of sunglasses mid-pandemic scares me a bit, too.
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I bought this today ^^^^^^^
(Prism trail torch).
They are better than I thought.
(Prism trail torch).
They are better than I thought.
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#14
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I sometimes wear ski goggles on really cold (like sub 20F) rides on my fatbike, especially if it's snowing. Ski goggles work better than motocross goggles on super cold days because the lenses are double walled and very fog-resistant. Otherwise, glasses work fine.
One exception really long, cold (20F-35F) gravel rides on days where the air is very dry. The combination of dust, cold and dry air can make my eyes water and eventually completely dry out. This can make it hard to see after ~5 hours, something I learned a few years ago. This is pretty dangerous. I bought a pair of these with clear lenses for $7 shipped for these rides:
https://www.amazon.com/Pyramex-Safet...74630584&psc=1
A bit dorky look but turned out to be extremely effective. I don't use them very often but they're perfect for when I need them.
One exception really long, cold (20F-35F) gravel rides on days where the air is very dry. The combination of dust, cold and dry air can make my eyes water and eventually completely dry out. This can make it hard to see after ~5 hours, something I learned a few years ago. This is pretty dangerous. I bought a pair of these with clear lenses for $7 shipped for these rides:
https://www.amazon.com/Pyramex-Safet...74630584&psc=1
A bit dorky look but turned out to be extremely effective. I don't use them very often but they're perfect for when I need them.
Last edited by Hiro11; 04-19-21 at 06:19 AM.
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I bought the Oakley Sutro Lite prism trail glasses. They fit perfectly, don't clash with the Bontrager Wavecel helmet (others have reported this), and don't look half as bad as I was worried they might (not that I care what I look like on a bike). The lenses are of very high quality, and they work well under our redwood canopy (what is left of it now after the CZU fire).
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I sometimes wear ski goggles on really cold (like sub 20F) rides on my fatbike, especially if it's snowing. Ski goggles work better than motocross goggles on super cold days because the lenses are double walled and very fog-resistant. Otherwise, glasses work fine.
One exception really long, cold (20F-35F) gravel rides on days where the air is very dry. The combination of dust, cold and dry air can make my eyes water and eventually completely dry out. This can make it hard to see after ~5 hours, something I learned a few years ago. This is pretty dangerous. I bought a pair of these with clear lenses for $7 shipped for these rides:
https://www.amazon.com/Pyramex-Safet...74630584&psc=1
A bit dorky look but turned out to be extremely effective. I don't use them very often but they're perfect for when I need them.
One exception really long, cold (20F-35F) gravel rides on days where the air is very dry. The combination of dust, cold and dry air can make my eyes water and eventually completely dry out. This can make it hard to see after ~5 hours, something I learned a few years ago. This is pretty dangerous. I bought a pair of these with clear lenses for $7 shipped for these rides:
https://www.amazon.com/Pyramex-Safet...74630584&psc=1
A bit dorky look but turned out to be extremely effective. I don't use them very often but they're perfect for when I need them.
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I only wear goggles when I plan to go faster than 45 mph, or go colder than 20 F. So....never (at least not anymore).
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I need to start wearing sunglasses and I'm a bit concerned about sweat.
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Air flow is key. That's why I like the lens attached to the helmet in post #3. In fact, I like that arrangement so much, I tried putting three small rare earth magnets on my Wavecel helmet, but the experiment was a bit of a disaster. The Oakley Sutro glasses were the next best thing, but even they fog very slightly when grinding slowly up a hill under sweat-inducing conditions. As soon as you start moving they clear up.
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Cycling cap helps a lot with sweat. Though, by the time July rolls around here in South TX it only helps so much, especially during the really humid mornings.
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Also, I've discovered if I wear a cap, I have to flip the brim up, or it will block airflow through the tops of the glasses just enough to prevent clearing under "fogging" conditions.
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I have super sensitive eyes. So I've tried a few things.
I've got two different pairs of Kroops goggles/glasses hybrids. They're Ok, I neither love nor hate them. Just not quite comfortable enough for rides over 2 hours.
I have a pair of Bolle Shifters, which are light (kinda flimsy, be careful), contrast change, anti fog, and comfortable. I use these most of the time but after many hours, especially in a side wind, it still gets me.
What I've found helps is high quality rewetting and lubrication drops. Get the single use because you'll definitely lose or contaminate a bottle before it's empty. Apply a couple times during the ride if you need to, definitely after. It makes a big difference.
I've thought hard about that helmet pictured above but wear a cycling hat under my helmet every time. It's a bald guy thing.
I've got two different pairs of Kroops goggles/glasses hybrids. They're Ok, I neither love nor hate them. Just not quite comfortable enough for rides over 2 hours.
I have a pair of Bolle Shifters, which are light (kinda flimsy, be careful), contrast change, anti fog, and comfortable. I use these most of the time but after many hours, especially in a side wind, it still gets me.
What I've found helps is high quality rewetting and lubrication drops. Get the single use because you'll definitely lose or contaminate a bottle before it's empty. Apply a couple times during the ride if you need to, definitely after. It makes a big difference.
I've thought hard about that helmet pictured above but wear a cycling hat under my helmet every time. It's a bald guy thing.
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