Helmets for people with glasses [Archive]

Hitcher

10th May 2007, 20:10

Speaking as a four-eyed rider, my experience is that any difficulties will more like be caused by the eyewear rather than the helmet. Next time you're getting new frames, take your helmet with you when you go to your optometrist for a fitting.

Flimsy temples are no good on in-helmet glasses, which rules out most of the flimsy titanium-style frames. Also you don't want frames that are too wide at the front, otherwise the temples will catch on the helmet and move on your face everytime your helmet moves. Etc.

disenfranchised

10th May 2007, 20:17

Got a basic HJC helmet and it works fine..tried on the more expensive helmets and they're all so snug that my glasses just don't work with them.

Flimsy temples are no good on in-helmet glasses, which rules out most of the flimsy titanium-style frames. Also you don't want frames that are too wide at the front, otherwise the temples will catch on the helmet and move on your face everytime your helmet moves. Etc.

I have flimsy titanium style frames, and they're fine...have straight arms too, so I can slide them straight in (nothing to hook over ear)

Saying that my flimsy steel framed sunnies with ear hook arms fit in fine too

Madness

10th May 2007, 20:26

Heads tend to come in different shapes and sizes so trying on as many as possible will find what suits you. I find the biggest problem is my glasses fogging up at the servo as I tend to leave my full-face on when I pay for the gas. Might be time to try a flipper?

yungatart

10th May 2007, 20:31

I'm another 4 eyed biker. I had heaps of trouble trying to get a helmet to suit as my glasses have the ear pieces that are bent right behind my ears. I also have an extra small head, which does not help.
After trying heaps of helmets on I settled on an HJC Flip Front. It is extremely comfortable, not overly noisy, and priced at about $250 ish. It was good value, I think, and certainly cheaper than replacing my $1000 specs.
Go and try them all on and pick the one that suits you best tho. Don't take my word for it!

riffer

10th May 2007, 20:51

Shoeis and Nitros seem to be the only ones that work for me.

Depends on your budget. The new Shoei Multitec is rather good for glasses wearers. The new Nolan flip front isn't too bad either.

As Hitcher said, its important to ensure your optometrist is aware you are a rider.

My optometrist has been great in that regard. He made sure that my glasses both looked really good and worked well with the helmet.

He has experience with outfitting riders too. He's Hitcher's little brother...

Panther

10th May 2007, 21:07

NEW HJC CARBON FIBRE HELMET
its high at the back so it doesnt bash into the collar of your leathers
its long at the front for aerodynamics etc
and it seems to be wide at the glasses entry point
very comfortable for wearing glasses under
i wear silouettes and they are pretty flimsy so if the helmet isn't a great shape then they are really hard to get on. with the hjc carbon fibre the slip on easily. almost like a tampon.

some guy called jayracer is plugging them

def worth the money

Mental Trousers

10th May 2007, 21:12

Flip fronts are excellent for glasses.
Otherwise, Shoei all the way. When I bought my helmet Shoei didn't do a flip front in my size so I got a Raid 2. Fantastic with glasses. Haven't found anything else that came close.

Hitcher

10th May 2007, 21:20

almost like a tampon.

Are they good for near-sightedness or long-sightedness?

Panther

10th May 2007, 21:30

Are they good for near-sightedness or long-sightedness?

nothing slips past you does it Mr Hitcher?
depends who you are playing mousey mousey with
i am short sighted and prefer my tampons once a month

although i have been alerted to a "new" invention, known to the tribes of africs for hundreds of years

www.thekeeper.co.nz

Hitcher

10th May 2007, 21:48

although i have been alerted to a "new" invention, known to the tribes of Africa for hundreds of years

I think I'd prefer to be poked in the eye with a tampon.

Panther

11th May 2007, 08:00

I think I'd prefer to be poked in the eye with a tampon.

we can make that happen

Pwalo

11th May 2007, 08:09

James Deuce

11th May 2007, 08:21

Get Contacts.

Wasp

11th May 2007, 08:22

just do what I do - wear contact lenses!

pros:
1) you look normal (more normal in your case)
2) no "double layer glare" (hate this)
3) i find wind rushes around the frame and into my eyes so they water

editL: beaten by jim :(

yungatart

11th May 2007, 08:26

Get Contacts.

just do what I do - wear contact lenses!

pros:
1) you look normal (more normal in your case)
2) no "double layer glare" (hate this)
3) i find wind rushes around the frame and into my eyes so they water

editL: beaten by jim :(

Not all of us can wear contacts !
I wish I could tho, but at least my hair and my glasses are colour co-ordinated!

Wasp

11th May 2007, 08:30

oh, didnt know that. why not? (have heard about people who wear contacts damaging their eyes so not being able to wear them anymore)

Rosie

11th May 2007, 08:37

I would agree that you need to try on lots of different helmets, and see what is best for you, and your frames. I've got a KBC TK-8, I really like it. My partner also has glasses and has the same helmet.

When I got new frames the optometrists weren't terribly helpful about the motorbike helmet thing, I was having to explain to them that having flexible frames, wide arms etc wasn't going to work. They did let me take a few frames home for several days, which was useful, so I could see which frames would be comfortable under my helmet. Unfortunately the frames I got are being trashed by being taken on and off so much, being held in one hand while I put my helmet on etc.

As an almost-related aside, if you are getting prescription sunglasses (or clip on sunglasses for normal prescription glasses), mine have polarising lenses, and it interferes with the UV coating on my helmet and turns everything various shades of luminous green and purple.

The Pastor

11th May 2007, 08:47

Niggas.

I just got a flip face helemet from m2r. what a POS. its good for glasses though, I tend to strech it out wards when putting on the helmet with the filp up. I think thats bad for it.

Freakshow

11th May 2007, 09:11

I have no issue with the helmet and it's a Xpeed. Getting straight Arm glasses definalty helps

Big Dave

11th May 2007, 09:12

I do not understand this conversation - I've been wearing sunglasses (various styles) inside helmets for 40 years. Put the helmet on and then put the glassses on.

????

vifferman

11th May 2007, 09:55

bascally i need to wear glasses to drive/ride.

i just wanted to know some brands models and prices of helmets that are made with a section with less padding on the sides where the arms of glasses are, so i dont bend my glasses.

(sorry for bad spelling)]

any information and help is welcome.
You just need to go into shops and keep trying till you find summat that's right. It depends so much on the shape of your glasses frames/head/the helmet.
We were looking at flip-fronts for the vifferbabe, as she had a loaner BMS System 3 helmet. but it turned out they were all crap (fitted badly). Plus she has a small, square head.
In the end, she bought a Shoei Raid. Not what she had in mind, but she loves it! It's comfy, quiet, and with a bit of practice, her glasses fit OK .

Before I got my XVent with its tinted visor, I used to wear sunglasses nearly all the time under my helmets (all AGV). But my current sunglasses won't fit under the current AGV anyway, as it's too tight, even though they fit under the previous one (AGV Vento).

Pwalo

11th May 2007, 09:57

I do not understand this conversation - I've been wearing sunglasses (various styles) inside helmets for 40 years. Put the helmet on and then put the glassses on.

????

Same (but only for 35 years). But I do like my HJC.

Big Dave

11th May 2007, 10:28

Same (but only for 35 years). But I do like my HJC.

hmmm- I wasn't taking the piss - just never had any issues.

Pwalo

11th May 2007, 10:59

No offence taken mate.

kiwifruit

11th May 2007, 11:21

i've never had problems with glasses in lids.... had trouble with contacts tho, they would get really dry and end up being blinked out.... not good when you're as blind as me! (-6.5)

yungatart

11th May 2007, 16:08

oh, didnt know that. why not? (have heard about people who wear contacts damaging their eyes so not being able to wear them anymore)

Sensitive eyes that are prone to hayfever, allergies etc - trust me, they don't want to be irritated further by plonking a pair of contacts in them!

aderino4

11th May 2007, 18:45

It depends with your head size and glasses style.

Both my Oakleys (glasses and sunglasses) fit well with my Arai.
It was hard in the beginning but it's all good now.

With the straight frame be careful with the end of the frame hitting the helmet causing the glasses to get pushed forward.

Another problem is frameless glasses. they are too weak. I broke the glass on my frameless Oakley on one ocassion and second ocassion the screws came off. I've given up on frameless glasses

breakaway

11th May 2007, 18:58

www.thekeeper.co.nz

That site makes my eyes bleed

Horney1

11th May 2007, 19:26

As others have said try a few helmets, and let your optometrist know that you'll be wearing a helmet when you choose your frames.

I wear an HJC CLSP (basically the same shape as the HJC carbon), and it's really easy getting my glasses on and off. I considered the flip front helmets, but they seem to look like duck bills when they're flipped up, and only seriuos bikers seem to wear them. (Now that should be good for a few retorts).

How could someone wear one of those things and remain serious? I don't like 'em never have, doubt I ever will.

I've had Shoeis (full faces) and glasses for many years - no problems except for wearing out the felt around the temples a bit quicker and the nose pads (not to be compared with the tampons and plug above!) pressed against the nose with a larger frame. As others have said, try the frames with your helmet - everybody's different (or if you already have the glasses, try helmets with your glasses - 1. helmet on 2. open visor 3. glasses on).

I just thought of one occassion when I had a light glasses frame in a cheap helmet at speed. I turned to see where my mates bike was and ZIP, the visor was open and the glasses were gone. They were smashed into dozens of pieces unfortunately. A Shoei would never have opened like that!

Wrap-around glasses are great, I was going to try Oakleys and I've had a couple of other types. I bought some you beaut Italian Ralph Lauren Polo Sport ones in Austria in 1999. I had problems organising prescription lenses because of the width and wrap of the lens. But before I could organise the lenses some prick stole them. Unfortunately, I never saw the culprit wearing them around after that, luckily for them.... That's Darwin for you.... I haven't been able to find that particular frame for sale anywhere since.

$CENSLS1$

11th May 2007, 20:17

I use a HJC CLXS with my glasses and it works a treat :rockon:

K6K

12th May 2007, 12:11

I use a Shoei Raid II with Oakley T-wire glasses. The only other helmet that would fit in my particular case was a bloody expensive ARAI.

timg

12th May 2007, 13:03

Nolan 102 flip works well for me & my specs. T.

Silverfern

13th May 2007, 22:08

I recently had to go back to specs (to see if i had thick enough corneas for laser surgery - I didn't) and every bump and pot hole on the road made the glasses bounce on my nose, ergo, double vision, it was terrible and I was so glad to go back to contacts, sunglasses usually arent worth as much as prescription glasses and for some unknown reason (maybe cos they are lighter than my 1 inch thick glass lenses) we all (head/sunglasses/helmet) seem to go up and down in unison and I can still see! Weird . . . Those who have perfect vision, be thankful. . .

Blind spot

14th May 2007, 11:48

Yep ,i have the basic HJC and wear glasses, flimsy frames no problem, recently stabbed myself in the eye putting them on which was a bit embarresing, hard not to get tears when you do it believe me.

Matt

14th May 2007, 17:08

My thin rimmed glasses were terrible with my Shoei, solution = LASIK!

Hanne

14th May 2007, 20:24

Yep ,i have the basic HJC and wear glasses, flimsy frames no problem, recently stabbed myself in the eye putting them on which was a bit embarresing, hard not to get tears when you do it believe me.

You're not the only one who's done that :p I also have an HJC, was a bit annoying at first when it fitted super-snugly as my glasses tended to moves round with the helmet, but after a couple of months they have worn themselves a slight channel and sit in the same position... I do have to go and get my glasses straightened every couple of months though, becasue YES they are the 'flimsy titanium' sort mentioned earlier :dodge:
(They look good though :second:

limbimtimwim

14th May 2007, 20:49

My Suomi is too close to my face, and my glasses fog up.

No problem with my old HJC.

Tinted visors are also much cheaper for the HJC than for the Suomi, since I can't wear sunglasses. Saves on sunburn too.

Try 'em all, and huff and puff inside the helmet a bit to if they fog up your specs or not.

I've never thought helmets had spaces down the side for the arms of the glasses..

Enjoy buying a new helmet, it's fun.

aroberts

18th May 2007, 19:49

I bought a Nolan N102 flip-front. It works well with my glasses. I don't have any issues.

Baldyheed

1st June 2007, 23:36

Personally, I have a Shark helmet and wear specs. Seems to fit fine.

howdamnhard

2nd June 2007, 00:32

I've got a basic HJC helmet and have never had any problems,except for the hassle of having to remove and refit them every time doffing and donning helmet.Suppose it depends on type of glasses and type of helmet.Would take glasses with when trying on helmets.:yes:

mbazza

9th June 2007, 14:10

I use a Nolan 100E flip face with my glasses and this works very well. I read that the new Nolan helmets are excellent too. I also use a Grex (cheaper Nolan) full face because it fits under the seat on my scooter. I need to take my glasses off each time I put it on, take it off! No real problem, I just balance the glasses on the gloves while I attend to the helmet. Both systems work! Cheers - :scooter:

clint640

14th June 2007, 13:10

My KBC is good.

To get around the flimsy frames issue I get metal sunglass frames now, way cheaper & way stronger. Just look for some without much wrap so they can easily fit lenses.

Cheers
Clint

ceebie13

18th June 2007, 17:30

I don't wear glasses. But for extra eye protection I wear those old Spitfire Pilots' goggles on the outside of my Arai.

Sidewinder

23rd June 2007, 20:55

hey

Shoei has a new visor out for all their helmet models. you can get you're lenses intergraded with the visor

the mouse

9th January 2008, 21:35

I have astigmatic vision ( that's basically both long and short sighted) and a crock neck, both the result of a head injury prang in my youth. I can't wear contacts or a helmet with flipped up visor which is a pain in the neck (pun).
I fitted a big ugly Givi screen to the bike and wear an old school open face helmet,and smile for the bugs. At least it means i can ride.
The screen despite gay looking is very good and is great for reducing neck tension in wind. For cold / wet, i use a wrap around thermomask, or put up with the full face helmet and the fogging up.With the visor slightly open fogging is reduced. Just have to remember to take the i i i i's off before taking the helmet off or putting it on.

Hitcher

10th January 2008, 08:31

I have astigmatic vision ( that's basically both long and short sighted)

Not quite. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astigmatism

vifferman

10th January 2008, 08:35

I have astigmatic vision ( that's basically both long and short sighted) and a crock neck, both the result of a head injury prang in my youth. I can't wear contacts or a helmet with flipped up visor which is a pain in the neck (pun).
My wife (who wears glasserz) started out with a borrowed BMW System III flipfront helmet. When we went looking for a helmet for her, we initially started trying out flipfronts, but they were all pretty much inferior to standard fullface helmets, so we switched to seeing which helmets fit well AND allowed glasses to be worn underneath. The trick was matching the arms on the spectacules with the gaps in the padding on the helmet lining.
LO! (and behold!) - the Shoei Raid was the answer. :niceone:

kiwibryn

11th January 2008, 16:15

Got glasses.. helmet is an HJC CL-14... no problems :P

MGST

11th January 2008, 16:24

My $0.02c

I have just been around the bike shops looking at helmets. I didn't realise how glasses-unfriendly a helmet could be until I tired to put my glasses on with some helmets on. I couldn't get them on at all with FFM, some others were average, but by far the best of the ones I tried was Shoei XR1000. It is like it was designed to be worn with glasses. No pressure at all on the arms of the glasses, absolutely first class. A very nice and comfortable helmet too. The price is worth it in my opinion ( $799 rrp ). That's what I will be getting in the coming weeks.

Hitcher

13th January 2008, 14:45

The Shoei XR1000 is good. So too is the HJC CP12.

the mouse

14th January 2008, 18:31

The Wiki site about astigmatism leaves me thinking my description was perhaps a little general, may have been easier to have said "i'm blind too".

A better description would have been blurred vision at all distances as described here http://www.lasik.co.nz/astigmatism.aspAlso, i stand to be corrected as astigmatism can be corrected by a quick laser operation that quickly takes 3 grand per eye out of your pocket.
Now that i know this, the proposition of a getting new helmet is looking good.

rocketman1

16th January 2008, 18:31

Next time buy glasses with straight arms, ie no hook over the old ear lug.
The optician put me onto them , they knew all about this problem, my new glasses are great no problems, the old hook ones were a proverbial paint in the ass., Same applies for sunnies

titirangi

22nd January 2008, 11:19

Suomy Gunwind with titanium rimless frames (the bendy ones). Took a few days to get used to sliding them in right - now i dont even notice. Only problem i have still unresolved is fog. I tried antifog spray stuff from the gas station which helped a lot but not a complete solution. I am forced to raise my visor one click to clear it from time to time. Bummer.

backinthesaddle

27th March 2008, 21:01

My wife & I have the new nolan flip face helmets. Find them really good for glasses plus you can pay for your fuel without removing your helmet.

BiK3RChiK

27th March 2008, 21:28

I don't wear my glasses when I ride, I always put my contacts in. I don't want to wreck my fancy schmancy flimsy frames which cost me a small fortune!

Littlewheels

27th March 2008, 22:19

am newbie, with FFM helmet, at times coming round corner into the wind it nearly gives me whiplash, are there helmets out there that reduce the buffeting? A rider we talked to in Wellsford mention the shark brand. anyone able to give advice on this as I am not very big and find the wind buffeting, quite hard work. ride a cruiser

CookMySock

28th March 2008, 06:07

[...] I tend to leave my full-face on when I pay for the gas.I am surprised they permit that. I got told quite rudely when I wandered in with my helmet on.

DB

WierNixie

28th March 2008, 14:44

Have you thought about getting some UGLYFISH wraparounds (with RX GFasket for prescription Lense fitting) they seem to fit inside a helmet well and have anti fog etc. I wear glasses and am thinking of taking this route. Have already changed my glasses (had the flimsy arm glasses before). There is an ad for these glasses in the latest Kiwi Rider.

nick69

28th March 2008, 14:54

as a fulltime rider for work and pleasure i find that the BMW system 5 helmet is the best for glasses. The comfort is great and the protection is well just look at the picture it saved my life. It may not be the cheapest but what price can you put on your head or in fact life! I ind the BMW is the best and the System 5 doesnt have the problems of a flip helmet of noise and letting rain in. I would strongly recommend the BMW helmet.

twotyred

28th March 2008, 18:11

Biggles2000

30th March 2008, 08:49

I have a series 5 BMW as well, I usually only use it in cold weather but it is great with glasses. I also wear a couple of open face helmets if the weather is hot. My problem is I wear a size 64 lid c/w glasses, big brain I guess, there are only a couple of makers that I can fit my nut in.

I also recommend the BMW, but it is a big ticket item.

xtskinz

31st March 2008, 10:10

I see someone has already mentioned the KBC helmets but for what it's worth they work for me. However as others have said, it differs with they type of frames you have (I have 3 different types and one of them is much easier than the other two...) Try 'em all out with the glasses you'd normally wear.

Good luck!

Oh yeah, worth around $299 for mine. Can't remember the model off the top of my head but will check if I remember when I get home.

GaZBur

31st March 2008, 10:48

I have a Zeus flip top that is OK but flip tops are not OK for race meetings as they are considered 2 piece construction and therefore breach MNZ rules. I went to the bike shop and tried on every helmet and the ones that fit i tried to put my glasses on. Most were no good but funnily enough it was another Zeus that had a good channel to put the glass arms through and is real snug fit for racing. I also was looking at the lower end of the cost scale so Zeus are not overly expensive and have the same standards rating.
So try em all till you get a comfortable one. I don't care how much you spend on a helmet if it aint comfortable its a waste of money.

steved

31st March 2008, 11:06

My wife & I have the new nolan flip face helmets. Find them really good for glasses plus you can pay for your fuel without removing your helmet.
I have never been asked to remove my helmet when paying for fuel. Does it happen to you often?

Tony.OK

31st March 2008, 11:19

My head must be odd.......hjc was no good as was the Shoei XR1000,tried a Shark,couldn't even get my glasses in it.Ended up with a Shoei Raid II,its got plenty of room around the ears for glasses,trade off is slightly more noise.

backinthesaddle

31st March 2008, 19:08

I have never been asked to remove my helmet when paying for fuel. Does it happen to you often?

only when I go in with a gun as well

NordieBoy

31st March 2008, 19:44

My KBC FFR is fine with sunnies on but not as good as my old Zeus flip front.
That was a very comfortable under-rated little helmet.
I want a Zeus adv/motard helmet now.

Hitcher

31st March 2008, 21:46

I want a prescription visor.

PrincessBandit

5th April 2008, 16:24

Both my husband and I are spec wearers. He has a flip front Shoei, I have a Shark RS2. Both of us have "flimsy" lightweight titanium frames and rimless lenses. He is pleased as punch with his helmet and the way his glasses fit; I was royally cheesed off initially with the arms of my glasses bending when trying to put them on inside my helmet, but have now gotten the hang of it so it's not an issue any more. I used to wear contacts (before the days of being a rider) and recall having to pull to the side of the road in the cage to move a contact which had somehow creased against my eye - bloody painful! I would hate to experience that on a bike so will stick to being a four-eyes.