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Prescription riding glasses?

smethleysmethley Posts: 45
in Road buying advice
I suspect this may have arisen before, but I just haven't seen it ... But where does one get riding glasses with corrective lenses? I just need a simple +1, like reading glasses.
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  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 24,631
    https://www.rxsport.co.uk
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • Dorset_BoyDorset_Boy Posts: 6,665
    Oakley do prescription glasses for some of their frames. Your local optician can probably order you some.

  • rakkorrakkor Posts: 49
    amazon I'm afraid, but fit the bill
  • wilberforcewilberforce Posts: 293
    I have used https://www.optilabs.com/product-category/sport/cycling-sunglasses/ a couple of times.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 24,631
    wilberforce said:

    I have used https://www.optilabs.com/product-category/sport/cycling-sunglasses/ a couple of times.

    I used them first time around.
    Good lenses but the frames are nothing to write home about.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • elbowlohelbowloh Posts: 7,078
    Places like glasses direct.

    Pick some Oakley frames from them (or whoever) and then load in your prescription.

    I have cheapish Oakley crosslink frames with prescription lenses for about £90. These are clear, but can get tinted ones also.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • womackwomack Posts: 566
    I too have Oakley ones.
  • singletonsingleton Posts: 2,468
    My local optician did mine.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,732
    Optiĺabs or local optician.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • dennisndennisn Posts: 10,601
    Not sure you actually need "riding" glasses, unless you just can't bear not being pro looking. I've used regular sunglass' from my local optician for decades. I think you've got to ask yourself why you need something called "riding" glasses. Any good pair of sunglasses should do.
  • lincolndavelincolndave Posts: 9,441
    Rx sport, run an excellent service normally a two week turnaround
  • womackwomack Posts: 566
    dennisn said:

    Not sure you actually need "riding" glasses, unless you just can't bear not being pro looking. I've used regular sunglass' from my local optician for decades. I think you've got to ask yourself why you need something called "riding" glasses. Any good pair of sunglasses should do.

    The wrap around helps stop stuff getting in the eyes.
  • DeVlaeminckDeVlaeminck Posts: 8,687
    I'm surprised you'd need prescription glasses at all if you are just slightly long sighted.
    [Castle Donington Ladies FC - going up in '22]
  • ibr17xviiibr17xvii Posts: 1,065
    dennisn said:

    Not sure you actually need "riding" glasses, unless you just can't bear not being pro looking. I've used regular sunglass' from my local optician for decades. I think you've got to ask yourself why you need something called "riding" glasses. Any good pair of sunglasses should do.


    I don't think that's true at all. Cycling glasses are designed for cycling, normal sunglasses aren't.
  • elbowlohelbowloh Posts: 7,078
    Mine certainly aren't specific cycling glasses, just light plastic ones that I deem to be acceptably looking without breaking the bank.

    Tbh, I find most cycling specific sunnies to be a bit over the top and try hard...

    Just me though.
    Felt F1 2014
    Felt Z6 2012
    Red Arthur Caygill steel frame
    Tall....
    www.seewildlife.co.uk
  • Dorset_BoyDorset_Boy Posts: 6,665
    edited June 2021
    Basic sunglasses will do a job, but cycling specific lenses increase the contrast in a way that makes seeing lumps and bumps easier, and improving things in dappled shade etc.
    Same with watersport specific lenses, or golf specific ones, or the different lenses for differnet light conditions when skiing.
    It's all to do with what the lens filters out or not.
  • pilot_petepilot_pete Posts: 2,120
    The cheapest solution is to just buy some hydrotac stick in reader lenses. I have used them for a few years now, just stuck in the bottom of my regular sunglasses. They work perfectly for reading my Garmin and the cafe menu.... ;)
  • smethleysmethley Posts: 45
    Many thanks everyone. At the moment I use weak reading glasses with darker lenses, since my prescription is so simple. These are a fiver each. 'Real' i.e. bespoke prescription lenses are something I guess I'll pay for when I have to.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 24,631
    edited June 2021
    I've got "proper" prescription reading glasses. I also have cheap ones for multiple locations. Can't tell the difference. Save your money.

    Edit :- In fact the optician advised as much. Dare say that advice wouldn't go down well with her employer's though.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • leedsmjhleedsmjh Posts: 196
    Recently used these guys and would recommend.
    https://www.extreme-eyewear.co.uk/
  • dannbodgedannbodge Posts: 1,152
    I recently bought some off aliexpress (with prescription insert).
    Very good for the money (2 frame and 7 lenses) for less than £50
  • secretsamsecretsam Posts: 5,039
    edited June 2021
    elbowloh said:

    Places like glasses direct.

    Pick some Oakley frames from them (or whoever) and then load in your prescription.

    I have cheapish Oakley crosslink frames with prescription lenses for about £90. These are clear, but can get tinted ones also.

    Wow, seriously tempted (EDIT: just seen the Oakleys are on top!), my long vision is fine but reading screens etc is horrendous.
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • secretsamsecretsam Posts: 5,039
    edited June 2021
    Does anyone here use varifocal* - is it worth bothering for riding glasses.

    *I know, I know...
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • johngtijohngti Posts: 2,483
    secretsam said:

    Does anyone here use varifocal* - is it worth bothering for riding glasses.

    *I know, I know...

    I do for my normal glasses but really struggle with them. Don’t really need them for close but getting glasses just for distance is too strong for me to wear and talk to people. I stick with varifocal contact lenses for riding but when I can’t be bothered I just do without.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 24,631
    secretsam said:

    Does anyone here use varifocal* - is it worth bothering for riding glasses.

    *I know, I know...

    Yup! I need prescription lenses to see distance, and I like to see the scenic areas that I am cycling though. 😉 I have a non-prescription varifocal at the bottom so I can read the Garmin.
    They are annoying off the bike so I can't see me using them full time but are fine on the bike where I am either looking through the top into the distance or down to my Garmin.
    That said, I might need to start wearing them for driving as I can't read the dash when wearing my driving glasses. "Sorry officer but I couldn't read my speed." won't wash. 🤣
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
    Veronese68 wrote:
    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • oxomanoxoman Posts: 11,732
    Currently using varifocal prescription glasses and use a normal single vision lense on my cycling glasses.
    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • carbonclemcarbonclem Posts: 1,516
    I use varifocals for everyday use but manage with just distance for sunglasses, cycling glasses included.
    I just got some prescription Jawbreakers via Shade Station. Genuine Oakley inserts, expensive but I'll wear them a lot.
    I've bought less cycling specific Oakleys before such as Frogskins and Fuel Cells and had aftermarket lenses from Cilary Blue fitted for about £30.
    2020/2021/2022 Metric Century Challenge Winner
  • secretsamsecretsam Posts: 5,039
    Thanks all - I might chat with an optician about whether it's worth bothering with Rx varifocals; my main problem is reading my phone, etc out on a ride - I can 'see' fine
    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • ballysmateballysmate Posts: 15,903
    I wear varifocals for everyday but would be an extravigance too far to get some more for cycling.
    Am gonna give Pilot Peter's idea a whirl and stick em on Bolle safety specs
  • darkhairedlorddarkhairedlord Posts: 7,180
    They sell reading glasses in most supermarkets and pharmacies
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