Many thanks to Tzvi, my first guest post on this blog!
Getting eyewear that is customized for your individual needs impacts not only how you see, but also how you ride. While it often comes at a significant cost, it also provides better awareness of your surroundings, enhances your visual experience and protects you from potential hazards. This is a brief overview of the MTB biking eyewear market, intended for those who want a better understanding of all that is out there. Photos are from RudyProject (I am an authorized dealer).
Frames:
Sport frames: Rudy Project and Oakley are the most recognized brands, designed specifically to fit under biking helmets
Traditional/Fashion frames: May or may not fit with a helmet, materials not designed for safety
Hybrid: sporty frames made by Rudy Project or Oakley that can be worn off the trails too
Lenses:
Material: Polycarbonate or Trivex only. Other materials, including “high index” which is typically used for high Rx’s, are not recommended due to safety.
Color: Brown/Red recommended over Grey, to enhance depth perception and differentiate between rocks, dirt and other natural (or unnatural) trail hazards
Photochromic: Actively ranges between 10-70% light filter based on sun exposure. Great for singles riding in the woods. Does not usually stay dark in the car.
Tinted: Solid color 70-80% of light filtered out. Great for open air and desert riding
Polarized: Not usually recommended for biking, especially MTB, but great for watersports
Mirrors: Mirror coatings do not really affect vision from the wearer’s perspective, and may slightly reduce glare for some people. But they look mighty cool.
Prescriptions: Single Vision or Multifocal
Direct Rx: The Rx lens is the only lens on the frame. It can be made in most Rx’s, but there are limitations. Rimless and highly curved frames do not work for most Rx’s above -3.00.
Optical Dock: The Rx goes into a carrier that becomes the only lens on the frame. Wider Rx availability (can go as high as -9.00).
Optical Insert: The Rx lens attaches to another part of the frame as a separate set of lenses. Wider Rx availability than Direct Rx, but not as wide as Optical Dock due to the back curve of most frame designs. Additional advantages are that if your outer lens gets ruined, it can be more easily replaced, and you can swap the outer lenses from clear to tinted to photochromic based on your daily needs. The downsides might be that cosmetically they don’t look as cool, and if the insert is not in securely it can distort vision and fall out.
Shields: These frames are not intended to have an Rx in the outer lens, but many have the option to put an optical insert in the back
Online vs In-Person
Measurements of the pupil distance (PD), centration height, frame/face fit and more are all more accurate in person. A trusted seller would advise on all of the above and would ensure that the glasses would be made correctly and ensure that they meet the safety standards for MTB.
Feel free to reach out directly if you have any questions or comments.
Tzvi Gottesman, OD
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