View Full Version : Hiking with eyeglasses
So I 100% need eyeglasses in my normal life. I'm starting a NOBO thru-hike next year and I'm still not sure if I should bring contacts and take on the extra weight and risk an eye infection, or if I should just hike in my glasses, which is pretty annoying and consistently fall off my face if I don't duct tape the sides.
Anyone have any advice for me, particularly eyeglass wearing thru-hikers?
Thanks!
MuddyWaters
07-19-2012, 19:36
you should get different glasses or get yours fitted properly at an optical place if they fall off your face. Your choice, glasses are less trouble IMO, thats why I dont wear contacts anymore, except for scuba diving.
Wise Old Owl
07-19-2012, 20:03
Walmart now has the tube socks for glasses in the fishing section. Its a start. $2
Hikes in Rain
07-19-2012, 20:03
You mentioned contacts; do you normally wear them? Like you, I'm free to make whatever I want of the world for distances more than a few inches from my eyes. I wear contacts almost all the time; to misquote Heinlein, in an emergency, I'd be out the window with my pants and contacts. If hard pressed, forget the pants!
If you normally wear them, why not when on the trail? Yes, it's a bit more weight, but for clear vision, it's unavoidable. I've been wearing them for decades, hiking, swimming, skin diving, you name it. I'd be happy to share what I've learned about it. Please feel free to ask.
Maybe get better-fitting glasses? I wear glasses on all my long-distance hikes, and despite many falls, stumbles, etc, etc, mine have only fallen off once (when I fell backwards off a 6-foot ledge--long story).
Straps for your eyeglasses, or adjust your eyeglasses. Falling off shouldn't be an issue.
What are issues is fogging at night, dirty lenses, sweat and rain. A bandana helps with sweat, and umbrella helps with the rain.
Double Wide
07-19-2012, 21:00
I'm going with plastic-framed transition lenses with Croakies to keep the where they need to be. If I take them off, they just hang down and I don't risk losing them by setting them down somewhere and wandering off.
Rocket Jones
07-19-2012, 21:15
+1 on the Croakies to keep 'em in place. And "Cat Crap" (no, seriously, google it) for anti-fogging. It's not perfect, but it does help.
WalksInDark
07-19-2012, 21:18
+1 on Croakies. As soon as I get my hammock setup for the night, I take my glasses off and hook them to the carabiner holding my hammock to the tree.
Having the glasses around my neck or locked to the carabiner have kept me from losing lots of sets of glasses. Also, if you take a break/meal stop and take your glasses off and let them hang down the front of you.....you won't walk away and leave them.
In terms of colors, the bright colored croakies were tempting....but I knew how much sweat and dirt would end up on them...and chose black ones instead. Could not be happier with my color choice
Jack Tarlin
07-19-2012, 21:24
It is certainly possible to hike a long ways while wearing eyeglasses. A few quick tips: Always keep a copy of your prescription with you in case you need emergency replacement. Carry a HARD eyeglass case and USE it, especially in places like hostels or shelters, or sooner or later some idiot (maybe even you) will sit on your specs or otherwise crush them. And tape you name and contact info inside the case in case you lose/leave it somewhere. And carry a clean bandanna in a ziplock in your pocket, you'll want it on rainy or misty days. Oh, and get one of those tiny little eyeglass repair kits at the dollar store. You may only need it once but you'll be really glad you have it.
rocketsocks
07-19-2012, 21:26
I only wear reading glasses right now, but I do clear my eyes by rubbing many times a day. If your outside all day long, I'm sure you'll pick up some dust or pollen, just by virtue of the amount of time spent outside. Can't really say what to do, but the Croakie sounds a lot easier, though less comfortable. happy hiking what ever you decide.
I wear glasses my wife wears contacts. I just cant stand the hassle of taking care of contacts. Which ones are you calling extra weight
theinfamousj
07-19-2012, 21:53
16677 As a matter of fact, I hike frequently with glasses. Since I have mostly-plastic frames (some of the temples are metal, but that is it), when I sweat the glasses get slippery and start heading off my head. I either tuck the ear pieces under my headband to hold them on my face, or do the unfashionable thing of putting on a very short croakie cord across the back of my head to hold them in place.
As for keeping up with the glasses in a tent, I have found that zipper pulls are very useful items. ;)
Since there is rarely nice, soft cotton to clean lenses when out in the field, I recommend taking a lens pen - for a camera - and using the round marker circle end to keep lenses clean and glare free. Whatever the black stuff that goes on that marker circle works wonders against fogging.
I used to hike in contacts but found the extra hassle of it to be ... well ... extra hassle.
I have an rei quarter dome that has pockets in every corner and over both doors. they make it easy
Agreed on the cat crap, along with a small dedicated piece of cloth, keep in a snack sized ziplock ready to hand when humidity is high enough to need it (with or without rain).
Consider ordering a couple of pairs of fairly cheap glasses online. You might have to do minor battle with your optometrist to get all the data needed to order, but it's great to have the option of a cheap backup pair of glasses, especially if you're really blind without them. I just use cheap online glasses all the time now; got some prescription sunglasses too, but those aren't needed for the AT. If it's some other trail you're going NOBO on, however, consider that too.
splash1986
07-19-2012, 22:36
I am terribly near sighted, and have always struggled with contacts and glasses while backpacking. I used to take my contacts out 2-3 times a day to clean them. I am having LASIK surgery done next week and I am super excited.
Thanks InfamousJ. My glasses get tremendously slippery when I sweat as well. I'm going to look into getting a croakie soon, plus I just got a Buff and I think hiking in it will help with keeping my glasses in place.
freckles
07-19-2012, 22:57
Consider ordering a couple of pairs of fairly cheap glasses online. You might have to do minor battle with your optometrist to get all the data needed to order, but it's great to have the option of a cheap backup pair of glasses, especially if you're really blind without them. I just use cheap online glasses all the time now; got some prescription sunglasses too, but those aren't needed for the AT. If it's some other trail you're going NOBO on, however, consider that too.
Zenni Optical is great for this. Delivery is slow but the prices can't be beat- under $20 a pair.
Consider ordering a couple of pairs of fairly cheap glasses online. You might have to do minor battle with your optometrist to get all the data needed to order, but it's great to have the option of a cheap backup pair of glasses, especially if you're really blind without them. I just use cheap online glasses all the time now; got some prescription sunglasses too, but those aren't needed for the AT. If it's some other trail you're going NOBO on, however, consider that too.
Brian or anyone, this may be a stupid question, but what exactly do I need from my optometrist outside of the numbers??
Is there an example, URL or like that I can see what I am looking to receive from them?
Brian or anyone, this may be a stupid question, but what exactly do I need from my optometrist outside of the numbers??
Is there an example, URL or like that I can see what I am looking to receive from them?
I have ordered cheap glasses online. I needed my prescription (which I have anyway) and the distance between the pupil of my eyes. I had a friend hold a ruler up to my face and measure the pupil distance for me. Although I only used them as a backup, the cheap glasses worked out great.
My main glasses have a properly fitting Flexon frame with nice nosepads (that I replace occasionally as needed). I sweat as much as the next three people you know combined and seldom have an issue with them slipping.
vamelungeon
07-20-2012, 09:07
You need an optometrist to FIT your glasses to you. Everyone's face/head is different. My glasses are properly fitted and they never fall off. I have horrible eyesight and have worn glasses for over 40 years, and have to wear them to function. My optometrist spent quite some time fitting my glasses. Cheap online glasses may seem like a good deal until they come off and get lost or broken.
You need pupillary distance and temple length. Then they come unfitted and you have to be very clever or take them somewhere to be fitted. I checked online places for pricing and would save $50 on my preferred frame and some on the lenses, but not all lense blanks are created equal. And then there is quality control. Optician sends back about every third script. Only one lense usually.
Worth the dough to have them fitted by a pro. Don't mind him making some on me as I can walk in and get them tuned up. I can hog sweat, hang my head and shake. They stay there.
Seeing thru the drip is another story.
What PerryMK said sounds about right in terms of what's needed; just find a site that looks good to you and try it out. In terms of needing an optometrist (or associated lense-maker/seller business) to FIT your glasses to you --- dunno. Not my profession, your mileage may vary. Worked fine for me, and pretty cheap to find out. Just again, a bit of a PITA to look carefully at the website on a one-time basis to find out exactly what they wanted from me beyond basic prescription data, and then obtaining that.
FWIW, no recommendation, just FYI mine came from http://www.eyebuydirect.com/
Do expect you'll get spammed occasionally once you buy from them; I use my spam-expected email address for such purchases, so not much of a bother there.
Indeed the quality is a little lower, depending on the model you select. I've found that the little nose cushions will come off eventually; I just wear them without, but this might bother some. I had a screw come out on the AT, lost a lense at Trail Days that way. I was carrying a spare pair of the same glasses, however. For the most part these have been fine and again --- it just bothers me a whole lot less to damage or destroy a pair. On the PCT I managed to lose a very expensive pair of prescription glacier glasses, so never again on that.
Sorry, just checked and there's a little more they want to know to order online, at least for the one place there was (and they did fit me fine): Sphere, Cylinder, Axis, Add, and Pupillary distance. You measure the last item yourself, but the others you need from the eye doctor. In my experience, s/he will give you Sphere but not necessarily all of the other three items unless you ask.
: Sphere, Cylinder, Axis, Add, .
That stuff comes on the script from the eye doc I believe. Can be written in several forms.
Ok, I do appreciate the info here...
So this is closer (shown here)?
http://opticalworld.wordpress.com/2007/01/25/how-to-read-an-eyeglass-prescription/
Half Note
07-20-2012, 13:05
I'm sure it's been posted already but, I wouldn't recommend the contacts route, sounds like an infection waiting to happen.
Hikes in Rain
07-20-2012, 14:55
On the contrary, I've been hiking with contacts for 42 years now, and I've never had an infection of any kind. Just need to wash your hands.
chiefiepoo
07-20-2012, 16:10
My main glasses have a properly fitting Flexon frame with nice nosepads
i have been using Flexon or over 20 yrs. The near crush proof frame and warranty were my prime motivators. Never had a problem till 2 years ago when the single nose bridge piece snapped. Flexon would not wararnty replace the frame as their lifetime warranty was now only 2 years. Seems as though they had been acquired by Vision Service Plan and the $150.00 price did not change but the warranty term did. A month ago, the replacement Flexon frame I bought broke in the same area leaving me with the frames in two pieces while on a canoe trip. My specs were now in two pieces. What to do out on the Suwannee with 2 days to go and my sunglasses left behind in favor of WalMart clipons? Fixed the problem by taking a pencil eraser from my journal kit and using it as a splice to hold the two ends of the bridge wire together. Worked fine as an emergency repair but i got a lot of strange looks back in town.
I think I'm over paying premium prices for Flexon and having ordinary problems. Any one have a replacement suggestion?
MuddyWaters
07-20-2012, 20:59
Once I stopped wearing contacts, every pair of glasses I bought, the frames eventually broke. Not from abuse, just from fatigue.
The fact is, they are usually nothing but cheap metal with a cheap laquered finish. Mass produced in China, and certainly not worth $150.
But glasses are considered almost designer "jewelry" status, like watches. So they can charge what they do.
I have had the last 3 pair be flexon frames, and have been thrilled with them. Not one has broken. I usually put 2 sets of lenses in them before the laquer is worn off enough that I need to replace, then I keep the old ones as backup since frame still structurallysound. I dont abuse them, but I do sleep in them, roll over on them sometimes, etc.
I have been happy using $39 dollar glasses online for lens replacement. For about $55 with coupon or sale, get polycarbonate with AR coating, in my existing frames.
I also dont replace lenses much anymore, used to once per yr until I finally learned something. DONT EVER WIPE YOUR LENSES, EVER. RINSE THEM WITH WATER, APPLY A DROP OF SOAP, GENTLY CLEAN, RINSE WITH MORE WATER, LIGHTLY BLOT DRY WITH SOFT PAPER. Since doing this, even after a year, i cannot even see a minor scratch when holding lens up to light. Wiping SCRATCHES and RUINS lenses, especially wiping when DRY.
On the trail, I rinse, soap, rinse. Shake, period, they dry by themselves in minutes.
I hike in glasses- plain old walmart $90 wire framed ones. They have never fallen off my face in anything less violent than a snowboarding crash. All you have to do is bend them a bit so they have a bit of grip on your head. If you're using plastic ones at the moment it may be a good time to get a spare pair of wire ones, you're going to need another pair sooner or later anyways, so you're not out any money in the long term.
...and don't forget the repair kit. Nothing is worse than crawling around in the cold and rain on top of some mountain trying to find one of those tiny screws. Been there, done that. Despite the weight, I carry a spare pair.
FarmerChef
07-26-2012, 10:08
+1 on Croakies and the repair kit. Me and my wife both hike with glasses and I've had the same pair for about 500 miles of trail. There's a few scratches but nothing terrible and when I don't forget the Croakies they stay on my head. Also, if you hike with Photon lights or similar the screwdriver to repair your glasses is also the right size for the tiny screws on those lights too.
theinfamousj
07-26-2012, 13:22
...and don't forget the repair kit. Nothing is worse than crawling around in the cold and rain on top of some mountain trying to find one of those tiny screws. Been there, done that. Despite the weight, I carry a spare pair.
One of my luxury items is a small disc magnet that I've glued on to my headlamp (gives me a greater range of options on where to stick the thing). I had the misfortune of losing a screw from my glasses while out in the woods, so I swept the area with the magnet and quickly recovered it.
I lost a screw before. Dental floss has an adequate replacement for a long time.
MuddyWaters
07-26-2012, 17:21
...and don't forget the repair kit. Nothing is worse than crawling around in the cold and rain on top of some mountain trying to find one of those tiny screws. Been there, done that. Despite the weight, I carry a spare pair.
My wife has a pair that screws kept coming loose, and lens would fall out. I put superglue on the screw heads, no problem since. not sure if they will come out if needed now.....
Some great ideas here.
One of my luxury items is a small disc magnet that I've glued on to my headlamp (gives me a greater range of options on where to stick the thing). I had the misfortune of losing a screw from my glasses while out in the woods, so I swept the area with the magnet and quickly recovered it.
Was just digging through one of my gear boxes and stumbled across a miniscule barrel-shaped rare-earth magnet sold for use as an emergency compass that someone had gifted me. It always seemed a bit gimmicky, but would be perfect. I doubt it registers on the scale and is probably powerful enough to hold a microlight.
Link here: http://www.leevalley.com/us/wood/page.aspx?c=&cat=1,42363,42356&p=55733
Instead of superglue, why not Loctite as a preventative? The blue stuff is "removable" and is designed for threads?
I think I'm over paying premium prices for Flexon and having ordinary problems. Any one have a replacement suggestion?
I would discuss this with the optician. Quick break like that would be a refund or replace in my mind.
Instead of superglue, why not Loctite as a preventative? The blue stuff is "removable" and is designed for threads?
Clear fingernail polish.