Heavy/salty sweaters: what sunglasses do you use that don't get all smeared up?

Triathlon Forum
1

Just wondering if anyone who sweats a LOT (and very salty, mind you) has had any luck with sunglasses that don’t get full of smears from salty sweat drops pouring out of the helmet when it is hot out.

I really like rimless glasses for riding aero, and have used Tifosi and Smith brands because of the fit/style, but alas, both of these get smeared up very quickly when it is hot outside- to the point that I have a hard time seeing through them. I have also tried putting rain-x on the lenses and/or using a halo band to no avail.

So, have any of my fellow high sweat rate folks had luck with other brands of glasses?

Just want to see if there is hope out there before I throw down the coin for some new shades! :slight_smile:

2

I’m a heavy sweater and use the Tifosi Vogels for the same reason as you…but I use the Halo to keep sweat from my eyes and sunglasses. I don’t think any pair of sunglasses would have a chance if I didn’t have the halo. I juse use on the runs during a race, but works well on training rides as well…especially here in Dallas where it’s already in the 100’s.

3

I love my Oakley Radars for this very reason… I think there is the same lens coating on all of their sport glasses that repels water/sweat. Mine will get pretty bad after a few rides but I never have had any issues with buildup on a single ride/run. Tends to just drip on the lens and run right off the bottom. It sucks that they are so expensive but I guess like with most things, you get what you pay for.

4

I love my Oakley Radars for this very reason… I think there is the same lens coating on all of their sport glasses that repels water/sweat. Mine will get pretty bad after a few rides but I never have had any issues with buildup on a single ride/run. Tends to just drip on the lens and run right off the bottom. It sucks that they are so expensive but I guess like with most things, you get what you pay for.

If you do not have to rinse after each use you are NOT a heavy sweater.

5

$10 shades from Wal-Mart. Seriously, I haven’t spent more than $12.99 on a pair of sunglasses in umpteen years and I’ve had no problems. The no-frame glasses from Nashbar are really good too.

trav

6

Smith vti’s were good for me. Recently switched to Rudy’s which get much more smeared up, but they’re better shades overall so I just deal with it, and carry a soft case in my jersey pocket.

7

Oakley Jawbone prescription user that carries a “softwipe tissue” with him for use as needed. I wear a sweatband during the run portion on warm and humid days and often a DeSoto skincooler beanie under the biking helmet.

8

Not the popular answer, but I just stopped wearing glasses when I ride. Seemed like they were always sweaty and salted, and I could never get used to looking over the frame.

I started doing this a few years back, after hearing Victor Zyemstev (winner of IM CdA that year) state that he nevers wears glasses, because Ukranian soldiers do not wear glasses.

9

yes! the Halo-I can’t ride without it, no matter what kind of sunglasses

http://store.haloheadband.com/Default.asp?Redirected=Y

it differs from other headbands as there is a sweat guard inside-I have a few of them. If you are a heavy sweater I def recommend it.

10

I sweat like a salty fool. Copious amounts. The type that leaves every item of clothing & every inch of me covered in crusty white streaks.

I simply cannot imagine how some people don’t run without a visor or hat, but their salt must not induce searing pain in their eyes like mine does.

For me, it’s a Halo headband & Oakley Radars. The coating on the Oakley lens is second to none. Worth every penny.

11

When it’s hot out I sweat like a nun in a whorehouse and I’ve had no issues with my Oakley Split Jackets (Smaller lense, Jawbone tech…).

12

You can buy the coating directly from Oakley. It’s called Hydrophobic Lens Solution.

13

I run with a visor.
I ride with a halo.

14

Halos are awesome.

Also, I rock some Shimano R70X sunglasses. There are only a few Shimano sunglass dealers around. They’re slightly tough to find though my shop carries them. Super good sunglasses that have yet to fog up or get smeared on (and I’m a sweat monster).

15

I find it hard to believe there could be some sort of serious difference in sunglasses that would prevent any one pair from being smeared by salty sweat anymore than another. It’s sweat. They’re sunglasses.

16

I find it hard to believe there could be some sort of serious difference in sunglasses that would prevent any one pair from being smeared by salty sweat anymore than another. It’s sweat. They’re sunglasses.

X2. Nashbar no-frames for $10 is all you need. The rest is just ‘mine is bigger than yours’.

17

Either you’re not a heavy/salty sweater, or you haven’t tried Oakleys. There is no comparison to cheapo lenses.

18

Either you’re not a heavy/salty sweater, or you haven’t tried Oakleys. There is no comparison to cheapo lenses.

I am an extremely heavy/salty sweater and I own several pairs of Oakleys. I love how they feel and how they look and the quality of their lenses but they don’t have any special “sweat repellent” advantage over the ten dollar cheapo sunglasses I keep in the car for emergencies.

19

I disagree. When your Oakleys get sweaty, you can wipe them with your wet jersey and the lenses are clear again. Any other glasses that I’ve ever tried to do this with would leave horrendous sweaty streaks on the lenses. Oakley lenses are second to none.

20

I disagree. When your Oakleys get sweaty, you can wipe them with your wet jersey and the lenses are clear again. Any other glasses that I’ve ever tried to do this with would leave horrendous sweaty streaks on the lenses. Oakley lenses are second to none.

I’ve never tried Oakleys, but as an owner of the no-frame Nashbar glasses, I can say that wiping them with your jersey mid ride is a no go. However, I now see where you can buy Oakley’s lense solution, so I may try that to see if that works. I love the sunglasses, but hate the amount of sweat they can collect.