Motorsports continue to grow in popularity in the UK. After all, it has a rich history with motorcycle activities—and, more specifically, with off-road biking, which offers more opportunities for thrill and adventure. Supported by an off-road motorcycle market worth more than $60 million (£46 million) that’s launching more sustainable electric models, as well as the number of tracks and trails already established throughout the country, motorcycle sports in the UK aren’t going away anytime soon.
If you’re an enthusiast and want to get into them yourself, though, you’ll want to do so safely. Motorsports put you at a higher risk of getting into accidents, especially since they’ll see you going faster than your typical, casual ride. Your head is particularly vulnerable, which is why wearing the right helmet is crucial for preventing skull and brain injuries. However, taking this simple precaution can be made even more complex if you wear glasses.
Though crucial for giving you a clear view of a road, trail, or track, they can get in the way of your rides in multiple ways. For example, they can interfere with the fit of your helmet, reducing its effectiveness. Dirty or fogged lenses can also obscure your vision at critical moments. If they’re not durable enough, they can also potentially shatter.
So, how do you reconcile glasses and motorsports? These tips can help.
Choose the right glasses
Leveraging eyewear that can actually withstand the rigours of motorcycle sports is crucial if you want to benefit from both clear vision and safer rides. Ideally, you need shatterproof lenses and flexible frames. If you have a bigger budget, it’ll also help to get additional anti-reflective, anti-scratch, and photochromic lens coatings that darken under the sun. These will ensure your eyeglasses stay effective in various riding conditions, including both rainy and sunny days. The specs from Ray-Ban show what these durable prescription eyeglasses can look like. The brand uses nylon and propionate frames for multiple models, including the iconic Wayfarer. This mix of materials is specifically designed for sports: it’s made to withstand impact and extreme temperatures while still being lightweight enough to wear comfortably for longer. Meanwhile, Ray-Ban uses impact-resistant polycarbonate lenses and offers added technologies, like Transitions’ photochromic coatings, on top of scratch resistance and reflection-blocking abilities. More importantly, perhaps, the brand’s catalogue can accommodate lenses even for higher prescriptions, making these motorcycle sports-friendly features more accessible no matter how much vision correction you need.
Use a glasses-compatible helmet
The next issue you’ll want to tackle is fit. Helmets that can’t accommodate your frames will result in your glasses—plus the helmet’s padding—adding pressure to the sides of your head. The resulting headaches can cause pain and discomfort, which can distract you from your rides and increase your chances of running into accidents. That said, you’ll want to get a helmet that’s advertised as being compatible with eyewear. It’s also best to look for additional features like a flippable chin bar, especially if you prefer full-face helmets. This modular component will eliminate the need for you to remove your glasses before you put your helmet on. The offerings from HJC Helmets, including its i91 model, can give you a good idea of what to get. We’ve noted that this innovative motorcycle helmet is more than just compatible with prescription eyeglasses: its ventilation system will prevent both your eyewear and helmet visor from fogging up, and you can easily operate its chin bar even if you’re already wearing gloves. The i91 further combines durable polycarbonate and an aerodynamic design for a more secure fit. Just make sure to try your chosen helmet on with your glasses—and mimic your riding position in the process—before buying it. Doing so will help you see if the i91, or others like it, still add pressure when you lean forward, and that will help you find the best helmet for you.
Clean your gear regularly
Even if you get the best possible eyeglasses and helmet for your needs, dirt and debris can still build up on your lenses and visor over time. As mentioned above, that can only serve to block your field of view. Since you’re riding at fast speeds, that buildup can also happen quickly. To prevent adverse outcomes, it’s thus best to clean them as often as you can. To safely clean your glasses, steer away from lens-damaging home remedies like window cleaner and washing-up liquid. Instead, opt for gentler microfibre cloths and dedicated eyeglass lens cleaners from brands like ZEISS. These should also be mild enough to clear any dirt and debris from your helmet visor. If either your glasses or visor gets scratched, though, it’s best to get them replaced. This way, you’ll avoid further cracks and fissures from forming and potentially shattering them mid-ride.
