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When you’re outside having fun, you might not think about your prescription glasses right away. But they are one of the things that are most likely to get lost or broken while you’re having fun, like hiking in the mountains, going to the beach, or mountain biking. It’s important to keep your prescription glasses safe from damage. This guide will show you the best ways to keep your glasses safe while you’re having fun.
Why it’s important to keep prescription glasses safe
You need to wear prescription glasses to see clearly and feel good, but they can get broken by a lot of things in the environment, especially when you’re outside doing something active or fun. Things like dropping them, being in bad weather, or just normal wear and tear can really hurt glasses. When the frame bends, the lenses crack, or the coatings get scratched, it can be both costly and frustrating to fix or replace them. You should make it a priority to find ways to keep your prescription glasses safe when you’re outside because you use them a lot and need them every day. It’s good that there are many ways to keep your glasses safe while you enjoy the great outdoors.
Things that can happen to glasses during outdoor activities
When you’re outside, prescription glasses are at risk of a number of things. The most common ones are:
- Damage to the body: It’s easy to drop, sit on, or knock off glasses. When you’re busy doing things outside, accidents are sure to happen.
- Scratches: Dust, dirt, and grit from the outdoors can scratch lenses, making it hard to see and making your glasses uncomfortable to wear.
- Weather exposure: Rain, snow, or strong sunlight can damage your glasses and make them last less long, especially if they aren’t protected.
- Damage from UV rays: Even with anti-glare coatings or UV protection, lenses can be damaged by long periods of time in the sun.
You should be careful to protect your glasses when you’re outside, keeping these risks in mind.
Use of Protective Gear
One of the best ways to keep your glasses safe is to wear protective gear that is made just for that purpose. Let’s take a look at some of the most useful extras.
- Protective cases: One of the first things you should do to keep your prescription glasses safe is get a case for them. If you want to keep your glasses safe when you’re not using them, like when you’re hiking, camping, or biking, you need a good case. There are two main types of cases to think about: hard cases and soft cases.
- Hard Cases: These are the safest and protect your phone the best from drops, knocks, or any other impact. A hard shell case is best for places where things hit hard because it protects the frame and lenses from damage.
- Soft cases are easier to carry and lighter, but they don’t protect your stuff as well as hard cases. But a lot of soft cases are padded and made to give some protection. A soft case is a good choice if you want something smaller, but be careful about where you use it.
Some high-end protective cases are waterproof and shockproof, so they offer the best protection even in the worst weather. If you’re going to be in wet or rough places where your glasses could get wet or be in bad weather, these cases can be very helpful.
- Straps for Glasses: You might lose your glasses if you do a lot of outdoor activities while wearing them, especially if you do things that require a lot of movement or wind. This is where glasses straps come in.
- Keeping Your Glasses Safe: Glasses straps keep your glasses from slipping off or falling off when you’re running, hiking, or biking. These straps go around the temples of your glasses and hang around your neck or head, making sure your glasses stay in place.
- Adjustable Straps: When it comes to glasses straps, comfort and fit are very important. The adjustable straps let you get the right fit, so the glasses stay in place without being too tight. This feature is very useful for people who do things that require a lot of energy, like cycling or trail running.
When you spend a lot of time on the trails, you quickly learn which gear works and which does not. Many people find that their needs change as they gain more experience and visit different types of terrain. For those who are just starting out, documenting these mountain biking travels helps track what equipment survives the bumps and falls. It is common to see that a simple strap or a better case is the only thing between a great ride and a broken pair of lenses. Keeping a log of these small gear adjustments makes future trips much easier to manage.
Protecting the Lens
The lenses need more protection than just the frame. There are a lot of ways to keep your lenses safe so they don’t get scratched and you can see clearly when you’re outside.
Coatings that protect against scratches
One of the most common problems with glasses when you’re outside is that they get scratched. Lenses that don’t have scratch-resistant coatings are much more likely to get damaged by dust, rocks, or other things in the environment.
There are anti-scratch coatings for almost every kind of lens, such as standard plastic lenses, polycarbonate lenses, and high-index lenses. These coatings make a thin layer that helps keep the lens surface from getting scratched by everyday use and being outside.
More Benefits: A lot of lenses also have coatings that keep light from bouncing off of them or glare from the sun, which makes them easier to see in bright light. These coatings can also make your lenses last longer by making them less likely to get smudged or fingerprinted.
Cleaning Kits and Lens Wipes
Your glasses can quickly get dirty, oily, and wet when you’re outside. This can leave smudges that make it hard to see, which makes them harder to clean well.
- Lens Wipes and Cleaning Cloths: Always have lens wipes or a microfiber cloth made just for cleaning prescription glasses with you. These will get rid of oil and dust without scratching.
- Cleaning Kits: A portable cleaning kit can help you keep your glasses clean while you’re out and about. These kits usually come with lens spray, a microfiber cloth, and other tools that help clean the lenses without scratching them.
Covers for Lenses
Temporary lens covers can help your glasses in very bad weather, like snow, rain, or very strong winds.
Some glasses come with removable protective films that you can put on when you’re not wearing them. These films protect the lenses from dust, rain, and other debris.
How to Pick the Right Glasses for Outside
Choosing the right prescription glasses for outdoor activities is important for comfort and durability. When you choose glasses, keep these things in mind:
- Glasses for specific sports
Prescription glasses made for sports are tough enough to handle the wear and tear of biking, hiking, and skiing outside. These glasses are often made with materials that are flexible and can handle more impact, which means they are less likely to break or bend when they are in very bad conditions.
- Frames that last
The frames of your glasses should be made of strong materials that can handle the bumps and scrapes that come with being outside. Titanium is a strong and light material that is often used to make expensive glasses. It is tough and bendable, and it won’t rust. Flexible plastics are strong and comfortable, so they’re great for things that need a lot of movement.
- UV Protection
If you like to be outside, you need UV protection. Being outside for a long time can hurt your eyes and your glasses. To protect your eyes from harmful rays that can hurt them for a long time, choose glasses with lenses that block UV rays.
- Clip-On Sunglasses
Clip-on sunglasses are the way to go if you would prefer to keep on your original frames while outdoors. “Effortlessly transform your prescription eyewear into prescription polarized sunglasses, whether it’s blue light-blocking lenses or progressive lenses.” ~ The Glasses Shop
Useful Advice for Outdoor Activities
Here are some useful tips for keeping your glasses safe while you’re doing outdoor activities:
- Tips for Storing
It’s very important to store your glasses correctly when you don’t have them on. Put them in a safe place, like a backpack, pocket, or case, so they don’t get scratched or broken. Don’t leave them on the ground or in places where they could get wet or crushed.
- Reducing Risk During Activities with a Lot of Impact
When you’re doing things that are hard on your eyes, like skiing, mountain biking, or rock climbing, think about whether or not wearing prescription glasses is the best choice. If you can, wear glasses made for sports or switch to contact lenses for activities that are more likely to break.
- Things to Think About Regarding the Weather
Know that rain, snow, or extreme heat can all affect your glasses. Long-term exposure to moisture and strong sunlight can damage the lenses and frames of your glasses, so keep them safe.
Regular Care
After doing anything outside, you should check your prescription glasses for damage. You should clean and fix your lenses if they are scratched, cracked, or foggy. Another good way to keep your glasses in great shape is to have a professional clean them and replace the lenses.
When you’re outside, it doesn’t have to be hard to keep your prescription glasses safe. You can keep your glasses safe and in good working order for a long time by using the right protective gear, putting them away carefully, and cleaning them often. Taking care of your glasses will help them stay strong and your vision stay clear, whether you’re playing sports, hiking through rough terrain, or just relaxing on the beach on a sunny day. Your trips will be a lot more fun and stress-free if you get the right eyewear protection and learn how to care for your glasses when you’re outside.
*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.