commuting in the rain – visibility

I skip the glasses in the rain, I just find them annoying. I stick to a cycling cap under my helmet to help deflect most of the rain away from my face, plus if you get a waterproof version it solves two problems.

My helmet has a brim, and I don’t have any problems. I think maybe once or twice I’ve stopped to wipe the glasses, but in both cases I was as much stopping because it was crazy raining, and I wanted to take a break.

I wear my contacts JUST for the ride in and home–I switch into glasses once I’m at work since I also can’t wear contacts without enough sleep.

For the rain, they make clear sunglasses, or ones with orange/yellow lenses. The yellow/orange lenses work great on cloudy days. If I have contacts in, even if its pouring rain I need to wear glasses. If water gets into my eyes while I’m wearing contacts I am blind for a few minutes

Also, rain-x your glasses. It really does help…Some vision stores also carry more eyewear specific sprays for this purpose, but my last dr just told me to try rain-x before buying a more expensive one.

@consularrider 82384 wrote:

There have been various warnings about using Rain-X with coated lenses. That said, I use it on my riding eyewear which is non-perscription. I’ve also used CatCrap which is marketed for skiing eyewear but has to be applied before each outing.

I don’t think my lenses are coated, hence the dr making the recommendation (I have the cheapest ones available). I know they sell fancier stuff at optometry places that specialize in sports though…My brother used to buy some spray that did the same thing as rain-x since he had to wear his glasses on the track field.

I have the same issues. I use rx cycling glasses and while my vision is not too bad, taking the glasses off is not a good option. Wearing a cycling cap does help, but I find that rising in heavy rain still makes seeing tricky. I tend to switch to contacts on very rainy days — e.g. tomorrow? — and then remove the glasses if it gets bad. I realize that isn’t very helpful advice if contacts aren’t an option. Cycling cap (and keep your head down) is probably the best advice in that case.

@hozn 82396 wrote:

Cycling cap (and keep your head down) is probably the best advice in that case.

I only have one pair of glasses, and I MUST wear them to see at all. On rainy days, I find that the brim on my helmet (much like the brim of a cycling cap) does a reasonable job minimizing rain on my lenses, especially if I pull the helmet brim slightly lower than usual, and keep my head down a bit. The rain that gets on my lenses tends not to bother me much—much less than I thought it would when I started riding in the rain. My most miserable ride ever was in cold, foggy, mist that coated my lenses with ultra-fine droplets; I couldn’t see a thing the whole way. It’s only happened once, but it has caused me to try to think of other vision correction options, including getting contacts. I think I’m due for a new prescription in the next couple of months anyway, and I plan to ask about it when I see the optometrist.

@vern 82452 wrote:

Kansas City Monarchs baseball cap worked just fine in today’s conditions on what was a good, fun ride. I’ve got an appointment with the optomotrist in 2 weeks to look into getting contacts again. Thanks to all for your suggestions and advice.

I have really screwy eyes (terrible astigmatism in my left eye) and have a really hard time finding contacts that will fit. If you decide to go the contacts route make sure that you give the trial pair they give you a thorough test ride before you order a full set. I can’t really drive or ride at night with my glasses so I usually go with contacts and a pair of wraparounds like this:

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For sweat/salt I keep a cotton bandana/kerchief tied to the handlebars for my clear/sun glasses most seasons. It kinda works in the rain/mist when wet (turns droplets into non-beaded moisture) but you still do have to stop every once in a while to clear them.