Glacier glasses

[Kiwi]

Is it worth it to get 'specialised' glacier glasses? The only reason I see is that it hurts less to scratch up $50 glacier glasses versus $150 Oakleys. I ask cuz I can't find glacier glasses that fit me nearly as well as sport glasses. They're not as comfortable nor block as much light (cover my face) as the sport glasses.

 

What about polarised glasses--is this feature important?

[gregm]

don't spend a lot of money on sunglasses. find cheap closeouts at campmore.com etc. spend like $20-30. look for dark ones for glaciers. wrap around glasses work as well as side shields IMHO. i have some $20 polarized ones that seem to work ok.

[Bronco]

Here's a good compromise between sport glasses and glacier glasses: check out my glacier goggles for $20.00

[Kiwi]

Old school. Hmm... interesting.

[skyclimb]

Bronco, you dirty bastard

[Bronco]

skyclimb said:

Bronco, you are such a nice man!

 

I do what I can to help my fellow climbers. What can I say?

[Hairyboys]

Try Julbo S-Capes. Wrap around glacier glasses that darken or lighten from 5% to 15 % visible light reduction depending on light levels. Cost around $125, but can be found on sale. They Don't screw around with your eyes. Spend the cash.

[mammut_rep]

The S-Cape is a great glass with the photochromic lens feature (self-darkening), but it only fits the largest heads well. The Nomad is now available with the same lens for $100.00 and has better side shields and it fits more people. As for the question of polarized vs. non-polarized, I don't recommend polarized for glacier use because polarized eliminates glare that is reflected off of the ice. Sometimes you want to be able to see the ice from the snow if you are on a glacier. Especially, if you are walking without your crampons on. If you have any other questions, please ask. I'm also the Julbo rep for the NW.

[Beck]

there are great choices in both glacier glass style, and wrap, shades, that provide adequate eye protection at adequately low prices,and still good, 15-30 bucks.

 

it depends on how much time you are on Glacier as well. waking up for weeks on the Juneau icefields, or doing an extended wapata traverse, or around a volcano on skis, i'd get an actual glacier glass with side shields that fits well.

 

for Rx wearers, prescrip glass, dual gradient, mirrored, polarized lenses set me back $135 about 2 years ago at my local optometrist.. toss them into some 30 dollar closeout julbo round frames found on sale and i'm styling rxed at only $175... one of the best outdoor gear investments i've made over the last twenty years, in terms of value/use, have been several pair of perscription glacier glasses... rxed sports glasses in any tint i've bought from lenscrafters for under a hundred bucks... the dark tints are sufficent for a full day of sking at the resort but not enough for a sunny day on the emmons in july. for eyeglass wearers, its a hundred bucks!

and polarized allows you to see subtle contrasts in snowfields that glare would otherwise swallow up, i think it's still a good idea for snow travel in any glacier glass you purchase.

Edited July 16, 2003 by Beck