5 Reasons to Wear Mountain Bike Glasses
A good pair of mountain bike glasses can make all the difference. Look for a fit that allows the glasses to tuck comfortably into the top of your helmet.
Glasses protect your eyes from rocks, tree branches, mud, dirt, and debris. They also protect your eyes from the sun’s glare.
Protection
Riding mountain bikes on rough terrain can result in eye injuries that require medical attention. Wearing the right protective eyewear can help prevent these injuries. Eyewear such as MTB glasses and goggles offer protection from flying debris, dirt, dust, and other hazards. MTB glasses are beneficial when riding extreme terrain like downhill, freeride, and enduro racing, as these types of rides feature high-speed descents with various jumps, drops, and other obstacles that can cause your head to impact the ground. Glasses with a wraparound frame are the most effective for mountain biking activities.
In addition to protecting your eyes from errant objects, a quality pair of MTB glasses should protect them from UV radiation. The best way to ensure this is to look for sunglasses with an ANSI Z87+ impact rating. Some glasses also feature polarization, reducing glare and enhancing contrast to see the trail better. In addition, a good pair of MTB glasses will have a flexible frame and nose bridge that can adapt to your face shape.
Visibility
The best mountain bike glasses help to enhance vision and increase clarity on the trail. A good pair protects eyes from dust, debris, and other trail nasties.
The right glasses can help you see the trail in varying light conditions, especially if the sun is low. A good set of prescription MTB glasses can reduce glare, minimize reflections and boost shades of green – ideal for forest rides.
Some people swear by photochromic lenses that lighten and darken automatically.
Look for small vents in the glasses to prevent them from fogging up, which can seriously hamper your visibility. Glasses made from modern flexy plastics are a good choice because they’re less likely to break in crashes. Also, look for a large coverage area and wraparound style that helps keep rocks, bugs, and dust out of your eyes. Finally, the frame material should feel lightweight and comfortable on your head.
Comfort
The ability to see is a massive benefit of mountain biking. It also helps to prevent wind from making your eyes water and blurring the vision.
A good pair of MTB glasses should be lightweight, comfortable, and secure on the face, even during bumps, jumps, and bails. Look for frames made from polycarbonate or other durable materials and adjustable features to ensure a snug fit.
Different lens types offer different benefits based on the conditions you ride in. Polarized lenses reduce glare and improve contrast, while photochromic or transition lenses adjust to changing lighting and weather.
Wraparound or visor-style sunglasses are ideal for mountain biking as they provide the most eye coverage and fit better under a full-face helmet. Goggles are best for downhill and freeride riding as they work great with a full-face helmet and provide additional protection against rocks, trees, and other debris. Choosing a pair of glasses that fit your style and needs is essential.
Style
The wraparound frames of mountain bike glasses offer protection from bugs, pebbles, and debris as you rip down the trail. They also block sunlight and UV rays, which can cause eye damage. Look for a pair of MTB sunglasses with polycarbonate lenses, which are less likely to shatter in case of an accident.
MTB sunglasses typically feature polarized lenses to help with glare on the trail. This helps with judging depth perception on bumpy terrain or forested rock gardens. If you have glare issues, consider a pair of sunglasses with a mirrored lens that cuts down on light reflections and enhances contrast.
If you ride fast downhill or freeride, you’ll need a pair of goggles compatible with your full-face helmet. Look for a pair with adjustable straps and a snug fit to stay in place through the most intense rides. Some pairs even have anti-fog features to avoid lenses steaming up in the heat of the action. This is important because a steamy lens reduces visibility and can make your ride more difficult.
Ventilation
A pair of glasses or goggles that are properly ventilated can help you to stay comfortable during long rides. This is particularly important for extreme mountain biking activities like downhill and freeride riding. This is because these types of riding typically involve long descents that require a lot of physical exertion. Ventilation can prevent fogging during these periods.
In addition to breathability, a good pair of MTB glasses will also fit securely and comfortably on your face. This is important because if your frames slip during a crash, they could fly off and hit your head or face. A good pair of MTB sunglasses will feature flexible temples and ear stocks that can be tweaked for a secure fit.
Finally, a good pair of MTB glasses should be made from a durable material that can withstand impacts. Spectacles from modern flexy plastics are ideal. These are also much more comfortable than rigid, hard-framed models. Finally, make sure that your glasses offer a good level of UV protection. Some pairs even absorb almost all of the UVA and UVB light that hits your eyes. This is an essential feature that you should look out for, regardless of what style of MTB glasses you choose.
