Wearing Glasses When Rock Climbing

i am concerned that my eye glasses will fall off while rock climbing. Other than contact lenses, what is the best way to secure my glasses? Thanks

neck cord

I always wear contacts when doing anything other than bouldering, but I know that isn't an option for some folks.

Question for other glasses-wearers: Do you ever find your glasses getting in the way? I generally have not had a problem, yet, but as I'm progressing into harder stuff in the gym on vertical terrain and dihedrals, I've found myself scraping my glasses on the wall as I get up close and personal. Anybody else deal with this?

Croakies or similar eyeglass retainer. My current favorite is the Croakie Micro-Suiter rei.com/product/639361/croa… . Thin, lightweight, very secure.

The only time I've found my glasses scraping has been in one or two fairly heinous squeeze chimneys. Wearing a helmet seems to offer a little protection to the glasses, along with the usual benefits of helmets.

Look for lightweight frames and high refractive index lenses, reducing the weight of the glasses seems to make any physical activity (as well as life in general) more pleasant.

I second the Croakies (or similar) suggestion. I wore glasses while climbing for 9+ years without problems; then I started aid climbing. On one of my first aid routes I wasn't wearing croakies and my glasses were knocked off my face when an aid piece pulled during testing. They fell 300 ft. C2 gear is even harder to place when you are blind.

Been climbing with glasses for years only had them fall off once in 15 years (during a massive trad fall that I hope was a once in a life time experience). Everything from sport, bouldering and alpine. I've never had a problem. in the mountains I usually use a neck cord. I like having something between my eyes and my ice tools.

I use adjustable chums: super-light and very reliable.

chums.com/orbiter-retainers…

Croakies or Chums for me.

I've dropped them once; but it was a gym. Top rope actually makes it easier to knock them off with the rope.

Once in a blue moon I'll scrape a frame on the rock on something very delicate or heinous, but it's rare. Never a problem.

All sorts of different glasses holding straps -- most opticians will carry them, as will most outdoor stores. They're generally cheap, and well worth it. Different models fit different frames better/worse, and provide different levels of comfort and attachment -- if the first one you buy doesn't work for you, try a different one.

I always climb with my glasses attached, and I've often been happy about it -- knocked them off a couple times before I did this. Now, I sometimes knock them askew (especially on top-rope or following, the rope in the face will do this), but don't lose them anymore.

Zimmy,

The glasses subject was explored on another glasses thread in this forum...must have 3 or 4 pages of input.

Tony Monbetsu wrote: I always wear contacts when doing anything other than bouldering, but I know that isn't an option for some folks. Question for other glasses-wearers: Do you ever find your glasses getting in the way? I generally have not had a problem, yet, but as I'm progressing into harder stuff in the gym on vertical terrain and dihedrals, I've found myself scraping my glasses on the wall as I get up close and personal. Anybody else deal with this?

Yes I too tend to scrape my glasses and want to know the best type to wear for indoor climbing moving. Wrap arounds? Goggles?

The rope knocked my glasses off following the 3rd(?) pitch of the Naked Edge maybe 9 years ago.  I caught them in one hand at my waist.  I went out and got a prescription for contacts very soon after that.

I've used croakies to secure my glasses, but since this episode I almost always wear contacts.  They're also WAY better for skiing. :)

I wear a scratched up old pair. You can use climbing tape as a cheap way to secure your glasses

If you really do not want to lose your glasses, you can get prescription googles made with a strap that attaches them securely around your head.  Like what some NBA players wear after eye injuries. 

Have croakies and works great!

The rope always hits my glasses if I'm following. But not annoying and never get knocked off.  But before I had croakies I had the rope hit my glasses on a few pitches up and somehow twisted them off my face but one of the ear pieces fell directly into my mouth, haha. It was a great moment in eyeglass save history.

Steel frames, with pronounced over the ear hook on the arms are the best in my opinion. Coupled with a helmet i dont really feel tue need for a strap. I get my glasses at Costco. I think their lenses are fairly durable  prices are good for replacements.

 I can't do contact lenses and have never lost a pair of glasses even while doing inverts or roof cracks . Plus i get to look like Ari mennitov's younger brother.

$3 3M UV Protected safety goggles from Home Depot. They're usually in my glove box anyways haha.

I almost always climb in sunglasses (don't need glasses to see, do need UV filtering to avoid migraines). No real over the ear hook... But most of the time wearing a well fitted pair under my helmet straps is plenty. On occasion I'll use a keeper (I use a bright pink one from chums... because it's bright pink and a local company)

http://www.libertysport.com/eyewear/protective-sport.html 

Peripherally related, climbing a steep slab yesterday and couldn't make out the edges/crimps when I was close to the rock. Oh my god, now I need reading glasses for climbing. In all seriousness, anyone else deal with this? Maybe we need a new forum called 'The Aging Rock Climber'