Buying guide for best motorcycle glasses
Riding down the open road on the back of a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience, but you need the right gear to ride safely and comfortably. Protecting your eyes from the wind, dirt, and other debris is especially important, which is why motorcycle glasses are such an important investment.
Motorcycle glasses protect your eyes while riding your motorcycle. They can help improve your visibility so you can steer your bike safely. Dirt and other debris can easily fly into your eyes as you drive, while the wind blowing across your face can cause dryness, making it difficult to see. With motorcycle glasses, you can see clearly and drive safely to make your rides all the more enjoyable.
When shopping for motorcycle glasses, start by deciding whether glasses or goggles are right for you. Next, determine if you need prescription glasses to help you see better on the road and figure out which materials will be most durable for your rides. Finally, decide on features such as the frame style and lens type to ensure the glasses fit well and provide the best visibility when riding.
How to buy the best motorcycle glasses
Are motorcycle glasses worth it?
While riding a motorcycle is fun, it can be dangerous. In addition to protecting your head and body, you must shield your eyes from dirt and debris flying up from the road. Not only could flying debris potentially injure your eyes, but it could also reduce your visibility and make it difficult to steer your bike. The wind blowing in your eyes also makes it difficult to see.
Many pairs of motorcycle glasses provide UV protection as well, protecting your eyes from the sun’s rays. Some offer glare protection, making it easier to see when you’re out on the road in bright sunshine.
Glasses vs. goggles
Motorcycle glasses are like any other pair of glasses you own. You simply slip them on and off with temples or arms that hook over your ears to keep them in place. Motorcycle goggles have a headband that wraps around your head and holds them firmly in place.
Goggles usually stay on more securely than glasses, particularly if riding over rough terrain. They cover more of your eye to provide better protection. However, motorcycle glasses are more comfortable for many people because they aren’t as tight or likely to pinch. They also fit more easily under a full-face helmet. Goggles often don’t fit beneath a face shield, though they work well with an open helmet.
Prescription glasses
If you need corrective lenses, you may want to consider prescription motorcycle glasses. Otherwise, you’ll need to wear your regular prescription glasses or contact lenses while riding your bike.
Prescription motorcycle glasses protect your eyes when out on the road, but they have the right lenses to correct your vision. You won’t need to worry about multiple pairs of glasses, which makes riding more comfortable.
Lens material
Your motorcycle glasses should have strong, sturdy lenses that are impact-resistant if you get into an accident. Avoid plastic lenses, which can shatter easily.
The best lens materials for motorcycle glasses include the following:
- Polycarbonate is a highly durable polymer used in bulletproof windows and other items. Polycarbonate lenses provide UV protection and impact resistance while remaining lightweight and comfortable to wear. They’re thinner than other lenses and offer excellent visibility.
- Trivex offers UV protection and impact resistance, but it's even lighter than polycarbonate. Trivex lenses provide better clarity, giving you the best road visibility. These lenses are more expensive.
Make sure your motorcycle glasses fit securely. If they’re too loose, there’s a good chance they’ll fall off when you’re riding.
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What features do motorcycle glasses have?
Frame fit and style
It’s essential that your motorcycle frames fit properly so they offer effective protection. If the frames are too large, there may be a gap between your face and the glasses, meaning wind, dirt, and debris can still get into your eyes. If the frames are too small, they may pinch your skin and squeeze your head, causing irritation and headaches. The right size frames will fit comfortably and offer the best protection for your eyes.
Frame size for motorcycle glasses is measured by the size of your head, which corresponds to your helmet size. Most glasses manufacturers offer sizing charts to help you choose the correct frame size.
Also, consider the frame style or design. Frames with slim temples usually fit best under a helmet. You should always test your glasses for fit with your helmet to ensure you can wear them comfortably on your bike.
Lens type
The lenses in motorcycle glasses are the most important feature in protecting your eyes and maintaining visibility out on the road. You can choose from a few types of special lenses.
- Polarized lenses: These lenses help reduce glare while riding your bike. They allow you to see through vehicle windows more easily so you can be more aware of the drivers on the road with you.
- Transition lenses: These lenses start clear but become tinted in response to changes in the light. They allow you to have a single pair of glasses that you can wear whether you’re riding during the day or night.
- Single vision lenses: These are prescription lenses with one type of correction.
- Bifocal lenses: These lenses have a distance prescription at the top with a reading prescription at the bottom.
- Progressive lenses: These lenses offer distance, intermediate, and reading correction in a single lens.
Lens coating
In addition to different types of lenses, you can choose other lens coatings for your motorcycle glasses. Possible options include anti-smudge, water, fog, and/or glare coatings that help improve visibility when on the road.
Lens tint
Some motorcycle glasses have tinted lenses that may help you see better in certain lights.
- Clear: These lenses work well for riding at night or on overcast days. 0, they aren’t the best optio000n for bright sunlight.
- Yellow: These lenses are best for riding at night and are especially effective for providing better contrast in low light.
- Brown: These lenses provide an excellent contrast to improve your depth perception and work well in most weather.
- Gray: These lenses help cut down on distortion and work especially well in strong, bright sunshine, making them suitable for everyday wear. They don’t offer the best contrast, so they may not be the best option when riding on uneven roads.
Shock-absorbing pads
To cut down on irritation, some motorcycle glasses feature foam and silicone pads around the edges. The pads help absorb impact and reduce friction while riding, meaning the glasses don’t rub against your skin. These pads can make the glasses much more comfortable to wear.
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If your motorcycle glasses require washing, use mild soap and warm water to clean the lenses. Don’t use any cleaning agents with ammonia because it may damage the lenses.
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How do you accessorize motorcycle glasses?
Motorcycle helmet
A motorcycle helmet is the most crucial piece of safety gear you can wear when riding a motorcycle. You can choose from a full-face, open-face, dual-sport, half-shell, or modular motorcycle helmet, depending on how much protection you want.
Motorcycle gloves
Motorcycle gloves protect your hands as you ride. Traditional motorcycle gloves are made of leather, but you can find pairs made of synthetic leather or a combination of leather and textile materials.
Motorcycle jacket
You won’t just look great in wearing a motorcycle jacket on the back of your bike, you’ll also get some protection from the jacket. You can choose from leather or mesh jackets, but we recommend selecting a style with padding at potential impact points on your body.
How much do motorcycle glasses cost?
Inexpensive
The most affordable motorcycle glasses are $13 to $30 and are fairly basic pairs that aren’t the most durable options. They don’t usually have any padding, and the lenses don’t have protective coatings.
Mid-range
Mid-range motorcycle glasses feature high-quality lenses made of polycarbonate or Trivex. They often have padding and may feature protective coatings. These glasses generally cost $30 to $80.
Expensive
The most expensive motorcycle glasses cost from $80 to $165. They have high-quality lenses made of Trivex and are extremely durable. They also have comfortable padding and feature protective coatings that improve visibility.
For highly durable motorcycle glasses, consider getting a pair with an anti-scratch coating. They can take a beating without suffering serious damage.
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Tips
- Wipe your glasses with a microfiber cloth after each ride. If your lenses are dirty or have dust or debris on them, it could affect visibility on your next ride. Get in the habit of wiping the glasses with a microfiber cloth that won’t scratch or damage them after each use.
- Inspect your glasses regularly for scratches. Any damage to your lenses could limit visibility by trapping dirt. Further, scratches can make your glasses more prone to cracking or shattering.
- Store your glasses in a case. To keep them free of damage, make sure they’re protected. Keeping them in a case prevents them from getting knocked around and possibly scratched.
FAQ
Q. Do motorcycle glasses fit under a helmet?
A. Many pairs fit well beneath a helmet, but you have to be sure that the helmet and glasses are compatible. You’ll have an easier time comfortably fitting your glasses under your helmet if you opt for a half helmet or an off-road helmet.
Q. Do motorcycle glasses come with multiple lenses?
A. Some glasses include two or more sets of interchangeable lenses. The lenses may feature different tints so you can choose the right option, depending on the weather or time of day.
Q. How can I prevent my motorcycle glasses from fogging up?
A. Wearing a facemask like a balaclava over your nose and mouth can help keep your warm breath from steaming up your glasses. However, you have to make sure your mask fits tightly, so there’s no chance of air escaping and your visibility isn’t affected.
