# How do you deal with glasses and motorcycle helmets? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 28, 2008, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346 "2008-01-28T19:02:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/1 "2008-01-28T19:02:54Z")
I’ve had LASIK, and I need glasses to drive at night. I don’t need them any other time (except for subtitled movies), so I don’t have contacts. I wear a full face helmet, but I think it’d be a problem with any helmet - you have to shove the glasses in there and they get mashed up against your brow line, away from your nose, and it basically sucks. Am I missing something obvious here? ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/2 "2008-01-28T19:28:30Z")
I wear glasses 24/7. I’ve been riding for a little over a year now, and while I didn’t like quite how the helmet pressed the glasses against my face for the first couple of days, I don’t even think about it anymore. In fact, I kind of like how my glasses are more snug under the helmet. I’m not constantly needing to push them back up my nose the way I am under normal conditions. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/3 "2008-01-28T19:44:19Z")
Well, they’re not just “snug”, they’re in the wrong place. ---
**Author:** ![Asimovian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asimovian/32/172_2.png) [@Asimovian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asimovian)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/4 "2008-01-28T19:57:44Z")
Well, there are far more experienced riders than I on these boards who can probably offer you some help. I’ve only owned the one full face helmet since I’ve started, and they don’t put my glasses in the wrong place. Sorry. ☹ ---
**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:** [January 28, 2008, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/5 "2008-01-28T20:35:58Z")
I’ve worn glasses for years now and have 10 years of riding experience with them. I’ve never really had a problem with my glasses, I just put on the helmet and slide the glasses back on. I do sometimes have a problem sometimes if I ride all day for days on end, but for the most part none. Do your glasses have a lot of angle to them to hook around the ear? The only other thing is the helmet might be a bit small, if it’s new it might break in a bit better and your glasses will fit better. Odd, I don’t think I’ve ever really heard of a problem with glasses before except for ones that really hook around your ears. You could try a different helmet as well, of course that costs money. You could also, if the liner comes out, trim away a small amount of the foam inside the helmet. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/6 "2008-01-28T20:37:32Z")
I had LASIK done about a month ago, but I still like to wear sunglasses when I’m riding in the daytime. I wear a [modular](http://www.ridegear.com/s/search.html?keywords=modular) style helmet, so the entire front, including the chin bar, flips up. It makes it really easy to adjust my glasses with gloves on. Like _Asimovian_, though, I never really had a problem with previous full-face helmets. I just couldn’t adjust my glasses with my gloves on. ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/7 "2008-01-28T20:56:15Z")
Hmm. Maybe my face is just weird? My helmet does fit snugly but I was under the impression that it’s supposed to? Maybe my glasses are just too big for my face? ---
**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:** [January 28, 2008, 10:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/8 "2008-01-28T22:38:57Z")
[QUOTE=Zsofia] Hmm. Maybe my face is just weird? My helmet does fit snugly but I was under the impression that it’s supposed to? Maybe my glasses are just too big for my face? [/QUOTE] Well it is supposed to fit snug, but different manufactures make them slightly differently. It’s also possible that your glasses are a bit big. Then again I’ve also kept the same frames for years and used the same type of helmets. As I said before though you can take out small amounts of the foam and it will have no real impact on the safety of the helmet. ---
**Author:** ![tbook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/df705f/32.png) [@tbook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tbook)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/9 "2008-01-28T22:42:35Z")
Try a flip front helmet. I made the switch about 7 - 8 years ago and wouldn’t go back. tbook ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2008, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/10 "2008-01-28T23:30:31Z")
I have no real problem with my glasses and my helmet, however, I have wrap-around ear pieces on the glasses so there is no hassle getting the helmet over the glasses when I am putting the helmet on because they stay solidly in place. When taking off the helmet, I always open the face plate, remove the glasses, place them on the gas tank and then remove my helmet. It stops that rip off the ears step that I find so uncomfortable. ---
**Author:** ![groo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ecd19e/32.png) [@groo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/groo)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 5:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/11 "2008-01-29T05:26:00Z")
I always wear sunglasses, and my helmet tends to push them down and forward. I tried some wraparound glasses a couple of years ago, and they were very uncomfortable. So I keep using my old “aviator” style sunglasses just for riding. ---
**Author:** ![Tully\_Mars](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7ab992/32.png) [@Tully\_Mars](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tully_Mars)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/12 "2008-01-29T12:09:04Z")
**Zsofia** , I have a modular, or flip-up helmet. I tried on several regular full-face helmets and found I couldn’t get them on or off without first removing my glasses. The modular helmet cures that problem. With the front down, I don’t have any clearance issues because my glasses are narrower than my face and fit snugly. ---
**Author:** ![svrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@svrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svrider)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/13 "2008-01-29T12:22:30Z")
I’ve too have heard lots of good about flip-up helmets from people with glasses. The people I know who use them seem to swear by them. I wear contacts but have ridden with glasses a few times and the most annoying part seem to be putting them on and taking them off, no problem while riding. ---
**Author:** ![Santo\_Rugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@Santo\_Rugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Santo_Rugger)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/14 "2008-01-29T14:39:41Z")
Another reason to look into the modular style helmet is because it’s a lot more convenient to get fuel, talk to people, etc., without having to take your whole helmet off. I’d always done full face before I got my new helmet, and like **tbook** said, I won’t go back. It has all the advantages of a 3/4 helmet, with equivalent protection to a full face. You can always use your current full face helmet as a loaner if you let others ride your bike. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/15 "2008-01-29T14:51:24Z")
Modular helmets do tend to be quite a bit noisier than your standard full-face. I think you have to try on different helmets. Last time I went shopping, I had to reject everything made by Shark because the helmets did not have enough room for my glasses. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/16 "2008-01-29T15:48:39Z")
[QUOTE=Barbarian] Modular helmets do tend to be quite a bit noisier than your standard full-face. [/QUOTE] What about safety? Is it true Snell won’t certify a modular helmet? ---
**Author:** ![svrider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb8c5e/32.png) [@svrider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/svrider)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/17 "2008-01-29T15:53:43Z")
I actually use a Shark RSF2i 🙂 Nice firm fit, but I agree, not much room for glasses. Biggest complaint is the air intake on top that is very noisy. I always ride with earplugs anyway though. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/18 "2008-01-29T20:34:06Z")
I wear sunglasses while riding in a full-face helmet. It’s sort of a snug fit to get the glasses back over my ears after I put the helmet on, but it’s not too bad. The glasses do sometimes “float” slightly above my nose but as long as they’re not crooked it doesn’t bother me. The thing to watch out for is breaking the glasses arms while getting them shoved back over your ears, I did that on a pair of riding glasses I had. ---
**Author:** ![Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19adc/32.png) [@Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2008, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-do-you-deal-with-glasses-and-motorcycle-helmets/435346/19 "2008-01-29T21:46:03Z")
[QUOTE=Turek] What about safety? Is it true Snell won’t certify a modular helmet? [/QUOTE] I have no idea. But Snell isn’t the be-all and end-all of helmet safety. Many other testers think Snell helmets are too rigid, and transmit too much shock to the brain in case of impact. Obviously there is a lot of debate about this topic, but many think the current ECE standards are the best in terms of minimizing damage. Standard DOT without Snell or ANSI certification is pretty good too. [Motorcyclist magazine](http://www.motorcyclistonline.com/gearbox/motorcycle_helmet_review/) took a whack at helmet testing and condemned Snell 2005. Apparently the Snell 2010 standards transmit much less force. As for glasses, if yours won’t fit, you can always try [this](http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/motorcycle-glasses/)