Stop the Slip: Foolproof Tips to Secure Glasses While Cycling

Cycling glasses are an important piece of gear for mountain bikers. They protect your eyes from bugs, dirt, sun glare and more. But it can be frustrating when your glasses keep slipping down your nose while riding. Luckily, there are some tricks to stop your cycling glasses from moving around so much.

Fit is key

The most important thing is to get a good fit with your cycling glasses. When glasses don’t fit right, they’ll slide around no matter what. Make sure to try on different sizes and styles. The arms of the glasses should wrap cleanly around your ears without pinching. The nose bridge should rest comfortably on your nose without sagging down. You may need to go up a size from your normal glasses to get glasses that fit well with a helmet. Getting glasses custom fitted for your face can also help get the best fit if you have trouble finding good off-the-rack options.

Take time to adjust the arms and nose pieces too. Adjust them so the glasses sit as snugly as possible without feeling too tight. Make sure the arm tips wrap fully around your ear. You can often bend the arms gently to customize the fit too. Having cycling glasses that fit your face well makes a big difference in keeping them from slipping downward.

Add grips and straps

Even with a good fit, glasses can still slip, especially when riding rough trails. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to add more grip and stability.

One option is adding small rubber pads or silicone grippers to the nose bridge and ear pieces. These pads gently stick to your skin for more hold. They are removable and reusable so you can add them to existing glasses.

Another handy accessory is a glasses strap or retainer. These strap behind your head or neck and clip onto the ends of your glasses arms. They keep your glasses anchored in place even over bumps. Make sure to get one that has an elastic section to allow some bounce. That way your glasses won’t get ripped off your face if the strap gets snagged.

You can also get glasses made specifically for sports. These often have rubberized ear and nose pieces built-in for better grip. Some models have adjustable nose bridges and customizable temple lengths too. The best cycling glasses combine carefully crafted ergonomics with sticky grips to stay put.

Position your helmet properly

An ill-fitting helmet can also cause slipping issues with glasses. Helmet straps should make a “V” shape under and slightly in front of your ears. The helmet should sit level on your head, not tilted back. These positioning tricks help optimize stability for your eyewear.

Adjust the helmet straps until you have an evenly distributed grip all the way around your head. If the helmet is too loose or uneven it can bump your glasses out of position. Take the time to fine-tune the fit of your helmet and glasses together. Moving in unison they’ll support each other better.

Prevent fogging

Foggy lens are another nuisance when riding. As your glasses fog up it leads to constant fidgeting trying to clear your vision. All that touching jostles them right off your nose! Stopping lens fog helps reduce slippage issues.

Anti-fog spray formulated for lenses works wonders at preventing fog. Simply spray both sides of the lens and let dry. The hydrophobic coating prevents tiny water droplets from accumulating on the lens surface. Reapply as needed if fog starts creeping back in.

You can also have lenses permanently treated with anti-fog coatings. More expensive glasses often come with this factory applied. Or you can pay to have existing lenses treated aftermarket. Permanent anti-fog lasts longer than sprays but costs more upfront.

If all else fails, dropping your glasses slightly farther down your nose can help. This allows more airflow across the lens which dissipates fog. Just be careful not to tilt them too far or they’ll slide right off!

Secondary straps are handy

Even with properly fitted glasses and helmet, aggressive trail riding can still knock your shades askew. Adding secondary straps provides cheap insurance against losing your eyewear in the woods.

Glasses attachment cords connect your glasses to your helmet strap. If the glasses get jostled off they dangle safely until you can grab them. Make sure to get a style with an elastic section so they don’t restrict your movement.

For the most secure hold, run an extra strap from the bridge of your glasses under your jersey to the back of your neck. This anchors them solidly in place for hardcore riding. You may look a little goofy but it works!

Give your face a break

Getting overheated and sweaty can also cause slipping problems. As your face gets slick and sweat drips down it slowly nudges your glasses out of position.

Make sure to open up vents in your helmet and jersey. This allows sweat to evaporate better so it doesn’t pool up on your skin and seep onto the nose pads. Staying dry reduces sliding friction against the grips. Also dial in your exertion level on climbs to minimize excess perspiration.

Take short lens-off breaks periodically on long rides too. Let your face breathe and cool down as needed. Wipe off any sweat buildup with a soft cloth. This helps reset the grip and prevent gradual slipping over time. Carefully placing the glasses into your helmet or jersey pocket keeps them safe when not on your eyes.

Don’t touch!

It’s tempting to keep pushing your slipping specs back up onto your nose over and over. But resist touching those lenses! Oils from your fingers attract more dust and dirt. This makes the lenses slicker and eases further slipping. Plus you risk scratching the delicate lens material with all that unnecessary fiddling.

Train yourself to just let slightly slipped glasses be if they aren’t actually interfering with vision. Keep your mitts off and only do occasional gentle nudges when absolutely necessary to see clearly. Get in the habit of only handling frames and leaving the lens surfaces pristine. This helps maintain maximum grip against your skin.

Set your glasses straight after putting on or taking off other gear too. Once properly aligned leave them alone! Don’t turmoil them all out of whack trying to find that “perfect” position. Trust in your careful initial fitting and limit further adjustments.

Upgrade your glasses

If you continue struggling with a slippery slide no matter what, it may be time for an upgrade. As glasses components wear out over time they get looser and slicker. Old damaged foam grips and stretched out arms lose their holding power. Quality cycling glasses made specifically for active sports also perform better than basic shades.

Look for sturdy construction with adjustable silicone nose and ear pieces. Stress-resistant bendable arms that custom fit your profile are important too. Top brands design their glasses to work seamlessly with helmets. This optimized stability keeps them locked in even through rowdy terrain.

While upgraded glasses might cost more, the security and performance gains are worth it. No more slipping to annoy your ride! Properly fitted functional shades let you concentrate on the trail ahead.

Staying focused on the incredible views and thrill of backcountry riding is the whole reason we suit up in the first place. Don’t let ill-fitting eyewear ruin the experience. With a few easy tricks you can say goodbye to the slippery slide and keep your vision crisp all pedal long.