How should I wear my sunglasses with my bike helmet? Over on the Helmet or beneath the helmet, over the straps. How to wear sunglasses with bike helmet is a tricky thing.
Some riders will prefer to wear their sunglasses under the helmet, but this has a disadvantage of destabilising the helmet. The helmet will no longer perform its function of protecting your head from injuries during collisions.
How to wear sunglasses with bike helmet: what do skilled riders say? This article will discuss plus the qualities of a good bike helmet material and tips for good fit when buying a helmet.
Bike Helmet and Sunglasses
Always wear a bike helmet when riding a bicycle and motorcycle. This is because only the correct helmet can provide the most protection for your head and brain in the event of a fall. And, sadly, falls are not simply self-inflicted; far too often, you cannot compensate for another’s mistake or environmental factors.
Many countries now make it mandatory to wear a helmet when riding a bike, and with a good cause, like Austria. Children below 12 years are required to have their helmets on always. Not only the head is a call for concern, but the eyes also need protection as well.
While biking, special sunglasses for the outdoors protect your eyes from harmful sunlight and insects and other annoyances. Because you don’t want any flies in your eye when you’re racing down the mountain at high speeds. There are certain variances in bike helmets and sunglasses that you should consider when purchasing, just as there are some differences in bikes themselves.
How to Put Sunglasses on Bike Helmets
Wearing sunglasses with a bike helmet is quite demanding, same as the perception with glasses. Wearing glasses with a bike helmet can be tricky. It can make you feel uncomfortable and even affect your focus on a bike. People often ask whether you should wear your glasses under or over your bike helmet.
This enables you to see outside of the glasses properly. Also, you can be able to take off your glasses without bothering the helmet.
Some riders think wearing your sunglasses inside your helmet straps is good. This isn’t a good idea because putting them on this way makes it difficult to remove and it looks goofy.
However, sometimes you can put your sunglasses inside your helmet straps like if your sunglasses feature thin templates. This way you can put them inside the straps posing no difficulty.
Watch this video
Sunglasses over Bike Helmet Straps
Belgians were the first set of people to be serious about head protection. They came up with a rule that required people to use what they termed a hairnet in all national competitions.
The hairnet comprised leather straps packed with horsehair. It was sewn together loosely, and it covered the head. The hairnet wasn’t thick. It could be folded and kept in a jersey pocket. Since the hair net wasn’t so protective of the head, people needed permanent protection, so they came up with a helmet. It was a permanent fixture. This then brought about the answer: sunglasses over helmet straps.
First, the helmet isn’t intended to fall off while you are riding and the straps of a helmet are made to lie flat along the jaws. Hence, the best and most comfortable way to wear sunglasses is by placing the glasses over helmet straps.
Also, in case of a fall, wearing your sunglasses over straps will let your glasses fall off rather than remaining in the same position and causing damage. This avoids them from cracking on your face.
How to Keep Your Sunglasses from Sweating While Cycling
When cycling, there is nothing as painful as sweat rolling into your eyes. It hurts and can be dangerous. Losing your vision while riding can cause an accident.
There is no common solution that applies to all riders, so you may have to try multiple things before deciding on what works for you. Here are some tips:
- Make use of a microfiber cycling cap or a visor under your helmets. They will collect the sweat and let them roll off the brim.
- Select well-ventilated cycling glasses. It plays a significant role in sweat evaporation. You should also adjust the nosepiece well so that sweat doesn’t leak out.
- Most cycling glasses and helmets come along with a sweat bar feature.
- You can use a sweat-wicking headband or skullcap such as Halo or Sweat Vac.
Clean Sunglasses
How can you remove scratches from sunglasses?
If you want to erase scratches from your sunglasses without going to a technician, you can use the following methods:
- Brass polish or silver polish: make a light touch or stroke of tiny bit of brass polish with small cotton on your lenses and rub over the scratch gradually until the scratch diminishes or disappears
- Toothpaste: use toothpaste that is non-abrasive, non-minty, non-gel, and non-whitening. Using a ball of cotton, rub the toothpaste on the lenses where the scratch is found in circular motions for about 15 seconds and rinse the glasses with clean cool water. Wipe any excess with lint-free cloth. Continue the process until the scratch is reduced or disappears.
- Kitchen vinegar: apply the vinegar-water solution on the scratches. Rub the scratches gradually and rinse with cool water. Repeat the process if necessary.
- Baking soda: mix water and baking soda in the ratio 1:2 in a small container to have a thick paste. Using a small cotton ball, rub the paste into the scratch in circular motions for about 15 seconds. Rinse the paste with clean cool water.
Wipe any excess with lint-free cloth. Repeat the process if need be. Watch the video below for more details.
Why Do Cyclists Wear Sunglasses Outside Bike Helmet Straps?
Many cyclists, including experienced ones, wear sunglasses outside helmet straps for protective reasons. In case of an accident, the sunglasses will fly off upon impact if their arms are over the straps, preventing them from injuring your face.
In addition, the sunglasses might not get broken if they fall off than if there are intertwined between your face and the straps.
If you put your sunglasses in between, the straps and the helmet will not fit properly, unlike when the sunglasses are worn underneath your helmet straps. This is because the straps in most helmets lie flat along the temples and jaws, making them fit properly.
Bike Helmet Material
2. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
It is tough and has impact-resistance qualities. Hence, it is mostly used for helmets with hard shell.
2. Aramid/Kevlar
It is used on a bike helmet to enhance the strength in specific locations for more durability and protection. They are also used in bulletproof vests and case of biking helmets.
3. Carbon fiber
This material is strong and lightweight. It is used to make bike helmets last longer and sturdy.
4. Expanded polystyrene foam
This is the foam that gets crashed upon impact. It isn’t re-usable. After a crash, the helmet is supposed to be changed. Coolers are made of material similar to EPS foam.
5. Expanded Polypropylene Foam.
It looks similar to the EPS foam and is mostly used for producing ski helmets. This is because it can withstand multiple impacts. After an impact, it can bounce back. It gives a helmet a thicker feel. It is also more expensive than EPS foam.
6. Koroyd straws/ Honeycomb.
Honeycomb is an alternative to the typical foam used in most helmet liners. They’re made by applying pressure, which squeezes the material and generates an energy-absorbing structure in the shape of a honeycomb, hence the name. This material is crushed in a regulated manner, allowing for effective energy deceleration following an impact.
7. Polycarbonate
This material has a powerful quality and is also lightweight. It is used to construct current in-mold and hard shell bike helmets. The molding process involves the bonding of the outer shell to the helmet liner that produces a durable helmet.
Features of a good bike helmet
Bike helmets comprise three parts: shells, liners, and straps. Expanded Polystyrene foam, Expanded PolyPropylene, or Expanded Polyurethane are the most common materials used in bike helmet liners. Cheaper helmets have a stamped PET, ABS, polycarbonate, or other plastic shell, whereas more expensive helmets have layers of fiberglass or kevlar. Parts of the helmet strap are made of nylon or polypropylene.
Shell
Shells used to make cheaper helmets are stamped PET plastic. This is the material used in making plastic bottles as well. The plastic shell is glued to the liner and tower around the edges to make it have a smooth look. Most expensive helmets include the shell in the mold. Therefore, the liner expands into the helmet shell. Most shells are made from polycarbonate plastics or other high-quality plastic so that they can withstand heat while there is being molded. Some bike helmets also use ABS plastic.
Liners
This is the most important part of a helmet. It is the foam layer that absorbs the energy and shock of an impact. Bike helmet liners are made from Expanded Polystyrene.
Straps
Straps on bicycle helmets are made from polypropylene or nylon. Although they all look the same, they differ in fabric, weave, surface finish and other characteristics.
Straps apply to the liner of bike helmets with glued-on shells, and then the shell is cemented onto the liner. The straps apply to the bike helmet once it is extracted from the mold and secured with an anchor. The straps on hard-shell bicycle helmets are usually joined to the shell via rivets.
The buckle is also very essential in designing a bike helmet. This holds your helmet firm on your head. It ensures that the straps keep the helmet firm on your head in case there is a collision. Bike helmet buckles are made from nylon or plastic.
Other Features
A good bike helmet should fit your style of cycling. For instance, a mountain biker needs a different helmet from a road biker. This is because these two types of cycling requiring distinct movements, therefore, requiring distinct features.
Some features of a mountain bike helmet are:
– Proper ventilation at low speeds
– The perfect head coverage
– Good fitting so that the helmet doesn’t move around on rough surfaces.
Common features of a road Motorcycle helmet are:
– Very good ventilation
– Aerodynamic
– Low weight
Good fit guide of a bike helmet
Fit affects the effectiveness of a helmet. When a helmet is comfortable, it is more likely to be used often. A rider should try on many helmets before finally choosing his desired helmet, as each model fits differently. Some guidelines for fitting a helmet are:
- The helmet should fit around the entire skull and sit just above the eyebrows.
- It should fit snugly. If the helmet is shaken lightly, the skin around the forehead should move with it.
- You should make sure all straps are well fastened. Normal conversations should not be affected, but if the mouth is opened as if you are yawning, this should pull down on the helmet.
- If the helmet needs additional padding for a more secure fit, go with a small size or some other model.
- Do not forget that the fit of a helmet will relax a little as it is used. So a tight fit is essential.
Bike helmet with sunglasses
The Hidden Dangers of ill-Fitting Bike Helmets
Helmets are essential in preventing injuries during sports activities. Parents often let their kids use ill-fitted helmets or even helmets not meant for specific sports.
Helmets absorb the impact energy of a fall. Therefore it is very important to wear a helmet before sports. They can help to prevent brain and head injury. A helmet that isn’t well fitted can increase the risk of getting a head or brain injury.
Helmets that do not fit properly shouldn’t be worn. A helmet shouldn’t can move in any direction, be it front, backwards or sideways. It should fit snugly on your head. Helmet straps should also fit securely.
Helmets come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and not all of them are subject to federal requirements. Consumer product safety regulations apply to all bicycle helmets made after 1999.
Helmets for skiing or snowboarding are not required. Only industry-specific standards, such as ASTM, Snell, and CEN, apply to these types of helmets.
Helmets that are ill-fitting for the youngster or unsuited for the sport may be sold in a retail store. An untrained sports store employee, for example, may offer a parent the incorrect helmet or one that does not fit properly. With fit, there is no difference between brands or sizes. Your helmet has to fit snugly to secure your head well. Let’s highlight some risks you are exposed to if your helmet doesn’t fit well, maybe because of poor wearing of glasses.
- When the helmet fits incorrectly, it predisposes the player to sustain more serious concussion. The player will experience some symptoms and concussion vital signs we discussed earlier. Properly fitted helmets optimize protection against concussion.
- Improper fitting helmets expose the player to high rates of noise, hyper excitability and drowsiness
FAQS
Can You Wear Prescription Glasses Cycling?
Yes, you can cycle in your prescription glasses, although they won’t block the wind or shiny light as much as sunglasses. If you are cycling while it’s raining, raindrops that fall on the prescription glasses might distort your vision.
Why Do Cyclists Wear Big Sunglasses?
They wear big sunglasses because they need very clear vision with no obstruction, especially while going down a hill quickly or while racing in a group. Also, they use big sunglasses to prevent the wind from entering their eyes while they ride.
- Baby wash solutions: apply a paste of baby wash solution using a small ball of cotton into the scratch. Rub and rinse with clean, lukewarm water. Repeat the process until the scratches fade away.
- Liquid dishwashing soap: put 2 or drops of liquid dishwashing soap on the scratches and rub gradually circularly. Rinse the glasses with lukewarm water. Do not pat dry the glasses with a cloth. Air dries the glasses. Repeat the procedure until the scratches fade away.
Why Do Cyclists Put Sunglasses Upside Down?
Most of you are wondering why cyclists put sunglasses upside down. It isn’t because they are trying to be unique and fashionable.
Cyclists put sunglasses upside down because if they place them the right way in the helmet vents, it will obscure the riders’ vision and it will be a distraction to the rider.Also, it is good to flip them over so that the cut of the earpiece prevents them from falling off if they slide forward.
