# Can you wear eyeglasses with a motorcycle helmet? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 23, 2006, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829 "2006-04-23T04:34:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/1 "2006-04-23T04:34:20Z")
This is the summer I’m finally going to do it - get a motorcycle. What I want to know is, do motorcycle helmets, specifically full-face ones, fit comfortably over eyeglasses? Or would I be better off wearing contacts for riding? I hate contacts, I’d do anything not to wear them. Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/2 "2006-04-23T04:40:36Z")
I wear sunglasses with my helmet. (FWIW I currently wear an Arai Quantum/f. My previous helmet is a Shoei RF-200.) It all depends on the glasses. My Ray-Ban Wayfarers are very uncomfortable. My Ray-Ban Aviators fit fairly well. My Oakley OOs and the other Oakleys, the model of which I don’t remember, fit very well in a helmet. I recommend a full-face helmet. If I were you I’d wear my glasses while helmet shopping to see which helmet they fit best with. Or you can get a helmet you like and get new glasses that fit with it. ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Bruin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Queen\_Bruin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Bruin)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/3 "2006-04-23T04:47:47Z")
Get glasses with a straight arm. Curved ones tend to hurt under the helmet, IME. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/4 "2006-04-23T04:51:06Z")
This was definitely posted in Great Debates by accident. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 5:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/5 "2006-04-23T05:42:56Z")
Well, we could debate it if you’d like. While this seems to have a factual answer (which even seems to have been provided), I’d bet that any number of Dopers would love to share their opinions on the topic, so it’s off to **IMHO**. ---
**Author:** ![Manatee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@Manatee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manatee)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/6 "2006-04-23T07:37:20Z")
I wore glasses with my helmet for years, using mostly full-face helmets. I never had a problem. Later, after switching to contacts, my sunglasses fit easily, too. In both cases, the arms of the glasses weren’t anything fancy (plain, nerdy plastic frames for the glasses; Gargoyles for the sunglasses). ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/7 "2006-04-23T14:04:28Z")
I’m a big baby about my eyes and couldn’t ever bring myself to trying contacts. My wire frame normal glasses have always fit under every helmet. I’m a Shoei head type. Helmets are funny they all fit different. Take your time picking one out. Comfy for two minutes in a store, or I think it’s OK, could suck later when it’s on your noggen for hours. Wheeeee, enjoy! ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/8 "2006-04-23T14:11:01Z")
Hint for the clueless: Remove eyeglasses when donning and removing a full-face helmet. But yeah, I’ve worn one with both prescription glasses and contacts with non-scrip sunglasses. Easy peasy. ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/9 "2006-04-23T14:29:22Z")
[QUOTE=Scarlett67] Hint for the clueless: Remove eyeglasses when donning and removing a full-face helmet. [/QUOTE] That never worked for me. My helmets tended to flatten my ears against the side of my head and the arm of the glasses wouldn’t hook my ears. I never had any problems putting on helmets with my glasses on. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/10 "2006-04-23T14:42:16Z")
[QUOTE=racer72] That never worked for me. My helmets tended to flatten my ears against the side of my head and the arm of the glasses wouldn’t hook my ears. I never had any problems putting on helmets with my glasses on. [/QUOTE] Weird! The neck of my helmet totally mooshes up against my face when it slides past; my glasses would never survive. Same for Mr. S and his full-face helmet. Different strokes, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/11 "2006-04-23T15:39:53Z")
I’d guess that there’s a lot of variation in size and shape of heads and helmets, so I’d recommend trying on plenty. As an ER nurse I can tell you that I always wear a full face, oh the things I’ve seen. Having said that I have one of the flip ups, I find if far better for use with glasses (never worn contacts), but I’ve got a bid head so YMMV. have fun, ride safe ---
**Author:** ![SpectBrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a87d85/32.png) [@SpectBrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpectBrain)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2006, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/12 "2006-04-23T16:41:43Z")
You might wnat to consider a [flip up helmet](http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com/item.aspx?style=314&department=101&division=1). Several of my glasses wearing friends use them and like them. You don’t have to remove your glasses to put one on. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/13 "2006-04-25T04:32:53Z")
I wear wire frame glasses and have a full face HJC helmet, the only helmet brand that barely fits my freakishly oval head. Works fine for me. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/14 "2006-04-25T11:15:07Z")
I wear my glasses all the time with no problems. I like having my face shield open and the glasses provide that extra protection. One of the reasons I’ve not gotten my eyes done. ---
**Author:** ![JannaChilds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f04885/32.png) [@JannaChilds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JannaChilds)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 11:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/15 "2006-04-25T11:27:33Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] This is the summer I’m finally going to do it - get a motorcycle. What I want to know is, do motorcycle helmets, specifically full-face ones, fit comfortably over eyeglasses? Or would I be better off wearing contacts for riding? I hate contacts, I’d do anything not to wear them. Thanks. [/QUOTE] The need for a helmet makes me question any validity to the question. Wear the helmet, wear the helmet. The eyeglasses will fit in eventually. Wear the helmet, wear the helmet. You’ll get used to the combination. regards ---
**Author:** ![gouda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c77e96/32.png) [@gouda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gouda)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/16 "2006-04-25T14:53:43Z")
I came in to suggest the flip-ups, but I’ve already been beaten to it. So I’ll second them. Or third 'em… Make sure the arms of the glasses are just right - not too flexible, not too stiff. Jerky movements of your head may dislodge them inside the helmet. Potentially very dangerous. ---
**Author:** ![caveman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/caveman/32/7242_2.png) [@caveman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/caveman)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/17 "2006-04-25T15:16:37Z")
I wear my regular ol’ black plastic framed glasses under my full-face Icon Mainframe with no trouble aside from having to take them off before I remove my helmet and put them on after I slide it on. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2006, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/18 "2006-04-25T19:22:23Z")
Most full-faced helmets with a fixed chin bar require removing the glasses while donning or doffing the helmet, but glasses can be slipped into place once the helmet is on the head. Nearly all helmets accomidate a wide variety of temple styles, as even those with 20-20 sight like to wear sunglasses. The flip-up helmet style is a godsend for glasses wearers. At least one brand has an integral sun-visor inside the clear visor which is handy as well, since clip-ons or perscription sunglasses are either expensive or a pain. The flip-ups tend to be noisier though. Also they do not pass the snell chinbar testing standards for full face helmets, so none are snell certified. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Goob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c77e96/32.png) [@Mr.Goob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Goob)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2006, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-wear-eyeglasses-with-a-motorcycle-helmet/353829/19 "2006-04-26T04:09:51Z")
[QUOTE=SP2263] I wear wire frame glasses and have a full face HJC helmet, the only helmet brand that barely fits my freakishly oval head. Works fine for me. [/QUOTE] My freind and and I have joked for years, I have a “shoei” head and he is "arai’ shaped. He has found HJC is ok, Arai is a great fit. Mucho $ but worth it.