Advice - goggles or glasses for multi-altitude riding?

[Usarka]

Hi yall,

Not normally a poster in here but doing a bit of an extended hoon at alpine altitudes in a couple of weeks, will be going from hot down low, up high to around freezing, dusty roads etc. Never done any decent adv riding and trying to work out what to do in regards to eyewear. Am borrowing a mates dual sport lid, and the riding itself will be fairly tame.

Options I've been looking at are 1) sunnies 2) MX goggles, or 3) Snow goggles (for bike/snowmobile)

Any advice or thoughts on what would be suitable? Ie good for dust at all temps/altitudes/sun, but won't fog.

Cheers in advance!

[FJRider]

There is a product called "Fog Off" that is applied to the inside of the visor/googles.

[brp]

Have found entry level scott mx goggles do the job real well in conditions encounted so far (high alt) - well ventilated - around $50

[ADVGD]

Any advice or thoughts on what would be suitable? Ie good for dust at all temps/altitudes/sun, but won't fog.

I've tried nearly every anti-fog product available, "some" do an ok job to limit fogging for a short period but at the end of the day they are poor performers for extreme conditions and need to be repetitively reapplied. As for goggles, if the helmet you are using doesn't have a visor then you will be in for a unpleasant experience if/when it rains and/or gets very cold. Unless you are running them in conjunction with a visor helmet and a flipped visor for increased ventilation on hot days, then goggles in a visorless helmet is not a good adventure riding option for NZ, especially not the high altitude/freezing conditions you mention. On screaming hot days I flip the visor and use safety glasses to protect eyes and get sweet sweet cool fresh air blowing past my magnificently handsome face.

For NZ conditions and avoiding fogging up I recommend a pinlock system.

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/ECC9HtRGVmM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[FJRider]

As for goggles, if the helmet you are using doesn't have a visor then you will be in for a unpleasant experience if/when it rains and/or gets very cold.

The wind chill factor ... along with the problems associated with going through the temperature range in a short time ... makes for an unpleasant day if you don't get it right.

[Padmei]

Damn that was interesting Josh- but I don't think that dude breathed thru the whole spiel.

[Usarka]

Cheers guys, yeah the lid has a visor but no pinlock.

My original thinking was for using the goggles + open visor when it's hot and dusty and then mix & match depending on what it's like further up / colder.



PS - Been watching a few of those revzilla clips recently, good place to get some info on kit.

[ADVGD]

The wind chill factor ... along with the problems associated with going through the temperature range in a short time ... makes for an unpleasant day if you don't get it right.

+1


Damn that was interesting Josh- but I don't think that dude breathed thru the whole spiel.

Haha, yeah Anthony is classic, a million miles and hour! He covers so many products and does a grouse job


My original thinking was for using the goggles + open visor when it's hot and dusty and then mix & match depending on what it's like further up / colder.

Safety glasses are pretty popular for hot days when you want more ventilation than goggles, but if it is crazy dusty then goggles are a better option.

By safety glasses I don't mean the old school type, there are some sharp looking safety glasses now with all the options for tinted ones for bright days etc. Many have flat arms so they are comfortable to wear in a helmet unlike many conventional sunglasses

https://www.rsea.com.au/images/TemplateImages/ProductImages/145010.jpg



PS - Been watching a few of those revzilla clips recently, good place to get some info on kit.

Revzilla have awesome service. I live RD3 rural and even still every order I place arrives within 4 to 6 days from the states. There delivery service and customer support is crazy good

[Padmei]

Where exactly do you plan on riding here getting hot & dusty? This time of year & after this rain it shouldn't be too dry & dusty. A visor with maybe sunnies underneath would be ok.

[gav24]

There's only 1 way to properly stop fogging/condensation on your visor or lens (or your house windows for that matter!) sealed double glazing.
I used to rate those fog city stick in inserts, but they don't seem to be around any more so I use the pinlock inserts. Not as simple to fit to a standard visor but a bit of care and time with the drill and no problems really. I also once used a double glazed lens on my mx goggles - that worked great but too cold for adv riding. As for shades, use any that fit under your fog proof visor.
Those anti fog sprays have to be applied in a certain way to work at all, and then it's only temporary.
I use eBay for small items either USA or uk is good, but USA post is twice as fast (then again it's only 1/2 as far!)

[Woodman]

road helmet and sunnies.

[gav24]

road helmet and sunnies.

...with a pinlock visor...;-)

[Usarka]

Where exactly do you plan on riding here getting hot & dusty? This time of year & after this rain it shouldn't be too dry & dusty. A visor with maybe sunnies underneath would be ok.

India :D ....

[Padmei]

India :D ....

Ah well - an open face helmet it is then:niceone:

[Waipukbiker]

Re the tinted safety glasses, A while ago a guy I was riding with had a pair on and the lower part of the glasses were slightly magnified, he said they were great for glancing down and reading things like a GPS, trailtech vapor or phone etc. He got them from somewhere like protector safety.

[pomgolian]

Helmet with peak & visor, fishing sunnies - cheap under $ 20, lightly tinted, allows you to see the boulders to avoid crossing rivers, strangely shows up wet patches in corners as a green tinge to avoid, and only one pair to carry to go fishing as well:shifty:

[XF650]

Re the tinted safety glasses, A while ago a guy I was riding with had a pair on and the lower part of the glasses were slightly magnified, he said they were great for glancing down and reading things like a GPS, trailtech vapor or phone etc. He got them from somewhere like protector safety.

They work for me.
Clear or tinted bi-focal, I got mine here: www.basisnz.co.nz
Product Code: RX-420G. Price: $21.70 incl GST. Postage: $5.60 courier bag non-rural.
Remember to mention what strength you want.

[NordieBoy]

Open faced helmet with visor and safety sunnies (dark or yellow depending on conditions).

[Usarka]

Ah well - an open face helmet it is then:niceone:


Open faced helmet with visor and safety sunnies (dark or yellow depending on conditions).

Open face helmet as in fully open face rather than dual sport (or road) lid?

I can dig the open face at the low altitudes & temps but thought it might be a bit dusty and a bit cold up in the hills......

[FJRider]

Remember that any damage to your gear may impair your ability to continue without some health/safety issues. Look at spares/replacement solutions ... half way up Everest is not a good place to find your visor is unusable and glasses are not a fix in the conditions you have.

[Padmei]

Remember that any damage to your gear may impair your ability to continue without some health/safety issues. Look at spares/replacement solutions ... half way up Everest is not a good place to find your visor is unusable and glasses are not a fix in the conditions you have.

Ed still carried on.

[NordieBoy]

Open face helmet as in fully open face rather than dual sport (or road) lid?

I can dig the open face at the low altitudes & temps but thought it might be a bit dusty and a bit cold up in the hills......

One of the many things Colebach and I agree on. Open face helmet for touring.

Or a flip front.