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| Post Number: 1
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AnyaDogs 
Group: Members
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 2:50 pm |
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Did a search in both this forum and the gear forum and didn't see exactly what I was looking for. So I apologize if this has been discussed multiple times in the past. Do those of you who wear glasses all the time, carry a spare pair with you on the trail?
Went to the eye doctor yesterday and was able to purchase multiple pairs of glasses. We had $1500 in an FSA so I ended up with two pairs of sunglasses and three pairs of regular glasses. My long vision hasn't changed much over the years but I did end up buying a pair of no line bifocals just to see if I like them. This basically allows me to take the pair I am currently wearing for use on the trail and perhaps carry a spare with me.
Just curious how many of you actually carry a spare pair. This is the first time I'll have this opportunity. Blind without them, so I'm guessing I should consider this the same as carrying extra food or matches.
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Bring a compass...It's awkward eating your friends.
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| Post Number: 2
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frihauf
Group: Members
Posts: 1030
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 2:58 pm |
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If you have duct tape...no need for a spare.
Ben
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"Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." Ben Franklin
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| Post Number: 3
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jmarklane
Group: Members
Posts: 218
Joined: Jul. 2012
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:01 pm |
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I lost a pair on the trail somewhere this summer. I couldn't even read my map or GPS without them. My eyesight is terrible (should have listened to my mother). I now carry a spare. But I don't bother with prescription glasses for that, I carry a pair of reading glasses. I found some that fold down pretty small and come with a hard carrying case, total weight is almost nothing. I love them, and keep a pair in my pack at all times.
http://www.amazon.com/Foster-....5DUY8EG
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| Post Number: 4
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High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39533
Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:10 pm |
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The glasses I replaced become my spares and, yes, when eyesight is that compromised it is best to have some backup as wandering around in rough country "blind" is a significant safety issue. And glasses fall into streams and get washed away when say on a stream crossing you lose balance and fall in: the rushing water hoses off the glasses..., dropped over ledges down cliffs and irretrievably lost etc. etc. where there is no repairing what you no longer have.
Some people like to use a tether, Croakies or whatnot, but while I do that for sailing I don't really like cords on my neck.
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| Post Number: 5
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onepaddlejunkie
Group: Members
Posts: 276
Joined: Mar. 2008
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:14 pm |
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I carry a pair of the Foster Grant folding glasses and they work fine for what they are. Now, if I could just remember where I put them.
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| Post Number: 6
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desert dweller
Greetings
Group: Members
Posts: 8851
Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:15 pm |
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Fortunately, all I need are readers. I had my eyes thoroughly checked a couple of months ago and the doctor said that my eyes were essentially the same. I need a magnification of 1.75 for each eye to read comfortably. I got a pair of prescription readers mainly because I prefer glass lenses.
I take along two pairs of cheapo plastic readers while hiking. They are light weight and won't cost me an arm and leg to replace. Plus, sunglasses.
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| Post Number: 7
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AnyaDogs
Group: Members
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:19 pm |
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I don't think we carry duct tape on the trail. Not really sure about it but we probably should cause it can fix anything.
I'm near sighted so reading up close is not a problem. It's that seeing something far away that causes me problems. I did pick out a pair that is relatively light weight but they are more *cough* for looks than functionality.
The weight on the Fosters is unbelievable tho. WOW!!!
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Bring a compass...It's awkward eating your friends.
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| Post Number: 8
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AnyaDogs
Group: Members
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:29 pm |
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Hmm, a tether is an interesting idea. I've never worn glasses with them so I don't know if I'd like that or not. Will have to buy some for my sunglasses and see what I think.
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Bring a compass...It's awkward eating your friends.
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| Post Number: 9
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Woodswoman
Group: Members
Posts: 6440
Joined: Aug. 2002
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:34 pm |
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I always carry my regular prescription glasses and a pair of prescription sunglasses. If the regular ones break or get lost, I can always wear the sunglasses if I'm desperate. Of course, this won't work at night 
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"Ah, Colorado: the one place in America where people wake up earlier on weekends than workdays."
~Mark Obmascik
"In the high country that we love, trails are steep.
We climb each mile, breath by breath,
and at the threshold of pain, bliss overtakes us.
~Michael Hannon"
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| Post Number: 10
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AnyaDogs
Group: Members
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:40 pm |
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Hoping I got this in first!! and I did it right
width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/X2LTL8KgKv8?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>
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Bring a compass...It's awkward eating your friends.
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| Post Number: 11
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AnyaDogs
Group: Members
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:43 pm |
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Grrrr!!! didn't work right.
http://youtu.be/X2LTL8KgKv8
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Bring a compass...It's awkward eating your friends.
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| Post Number: 12
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RebeccaD
Double Arch, Arches N.P.
Group: Members
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Joined: Jul. 2004
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:48 pm |
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I don't wear glasses any longer, but when I did, I never even owned a spare pair. I'd use the same frames until they fell apart, so no old pair for backup. This was probably insane, as I was pretty blind, though I could've followed a trail.
Now I just use reading glasses and don't feel like I need a backup--the spouse has a pair, too.
After losing my sunglasses in the Winds, I'm thinking one spare pair of those among the four of us would be good.
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Bits of writerly thoughts and random short fiction found at
The Ninja Librarian Blog
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| Post Number: 13
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High_Sierra_Fan
Group: Members
Posts: 39533
Joined: Aug. 2005
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 3:57 pm |
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Spare sunglasses for any sort of on snow travel is a very good idea. Snow blindness hurts like the dickens.
Well, for those who don't like the feeling of having sand grinding away on their eyeballs anyway.....
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| Post Number: 14
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AnyaDogs
Group: Members
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 4:10 pm |
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I've never actually had a pair of real sunglasses in my life, so I'm really looking forward to it. I've always just used the clip on kind, which I lose at least 3 or 4 pairs a year. Hubby asked me if I was going to lose my real sunglasses. There's a big difference between a $10 pair of clip ons, and actual prescription sunglasses.
Don't even know if I'll know how to act not being blinded by the sun all the time.
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Bring a compass...It's awkward eating your friends.
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| Post Number: 15
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tarol
Well I never!
Group: Members
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Joined: Mar. 2003
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 4:19 pm |
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No - but I'm not completely blind w/o them
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Got elevation? www.tarol.com
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| Post Number: 16
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theo
Error 420
Group: Members
Posts: 1227
Joined: Feb. 2006
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 4:37 pm |
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I don't own a spare pair. I'm 56 yo. and the last pair of glasses I broke, I was about 10yo. The last pair of glasses I lost, I was about 12yo. I think I've got this taking care of my glasses down.
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| Post Number: 17
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BCPete1
Group: Members
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Joined: Jul. 2006
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 4:41 pm |
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My wife & I both wear contacts, but we always carry our glasses as backup - even on dayhikes. We treat it like any other emergency list item. I would do the same thing if I was wearing glasses full time - have a second (very lightweight) pair as backup.
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| Post Number: 18
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sarbar
Hiker Trash
Group: Members
Posts: 16476
Joined: Sep. 2004
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 4:57 pm |
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I carry my spare pair everywhere with me. I have very, very bad vision. Anything beyond 12" is a blur. In theory I could hike in daylight but drive without glasses? Oh no way.
It comes down to how bad your vision is and your personal safety feelings. My husband doesn't carry backup glasses - he can drive without. But he does carry his prescription sunglasses.
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Trail Cooking, Recipes, Gear and Beyond:
Trail Cooking & Freezer Bag Cooking
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| Post Number: 19
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AnyaDogs
Group: Members
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 5:17 pm |
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Sounds like most of ya carry a spare pair. In the past three years we've been hiking and backpacking, it's not been an issue. My distance vision is pretty bad; I could follow a trail if need be, but discerning shapes could be an issue. (especially early evening or dark) I'd hate to mistake a grizzly for my hubby 
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Bring a compass...It's awkward eating your friends.
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| Post Number: 20
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reubenstump
Los Cuernos
Group: Members
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Joined: Sep. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 04 2012, 5:36 pm |
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I wear my regular glasses and have sunglasses handy (pocket, top of pack) or the other way around depending on conditions. One will do as a spare for the other in a pinch.
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| Post Number: 21
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Ecocentric
Group: Members
Posts: 3825
Joined: Jun. 2009
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Posted on: Oct. 05 2012, 12:34 am |
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I need them to read the map, the compass, or the GPS so I always cary a spare pair. I've lost so many pairs that I have stopped buying good ones. I need them to see many of the things that I photograph, then I take them off to take the photograph since my view finder is adjusted for my vision. Despite pockets and various neck cords, I still manage to lose them, and don't notice that I don't have them until I need to see something up close. It was the first thing that I hated about getting older.
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"Travel suggestions from strangers are like dancing lessons from God." -Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
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| Post Number: 22
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| Post Number: 23
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Lamebeaver
trail? I don't need no stinkin trail!
Group: Members
Posts: 16213
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Posted on: Oct. 05 2012, 6:52 am |
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I carry regular glasses and sunglasses. The ones I'm not wearing are my spares.
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| Post Number: 24
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QCHIKER
Group: Members
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Joined: Oct. 2009
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Posted on: Oct. 05 2012, 9:52 am |
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If it's just an overnighter then I don't carry a spare pair but any longer then I do. When I'm out canoeing then I have a spare pair plus use a glass cord to keep them on.
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| Post Number: 25
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peeb
Let's see who's been naughty, and who's been naughty!
Group: Members
Posts: 4673
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Posted on: Oct. 05 2012, 10:29 am |
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I wear glasses all the time, and am farsighted (I found an excellent little credit-card sized magnifier at an office supply store this year to help with small print and... maps  ). I've been seriously considering a leash for my regular pair.
For my sunglasses, I have a pair with an Rx insert (it's cheaper for me to replace the insert lenses than the polarized lenses) - and these I use as my backup pair when I'm on the trail. The sunglasses have 3 interchangeable lenses, so I can use the clear set if using sunglasses as a backup. Looks dorky, but always functional.
I keep my spare backup pair - really cheap - in the car if I'm on a trip. My backup pair is also the only good pair for under my snow goggles, so in winter I'm carrying far too many pairs of glasses LOL!
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It's all so simple when you break it down scientifically - Nick Bakay
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| Post Number: 26
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Pathfinder1
Group: Members
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Joined: Apr. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 05 2012, 10:37 am |
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Hi...
I have my newest glasses on my desk and at another pair at my computer desk. Older ones are in the living room, bedroom and in my UTE.
I always have an over-the-counter pair in my shirt pocket when I'm afield.
I need them for close-up only.
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| Post Number: 27
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superhiker
Group: Members
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Joined: Jan. 2007
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Posted on: Oct. 05 2012, 11:10 am |
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I can see nothing without corrective lenses. I wear contacts and carry an extra pair. I also carry glasses. So, in essence, I have two backups.
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| Post Number: 28
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AnyaDogs
Group: Members
Posts: 140
Joined: Mar. 2011
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Posted on: Oct. 05 2012, 11:59 am |
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I think what I'm going to end up doing is taking both my prescription sunglasses and the current pair I'm wearing. Will try doing a strap as well and see how that goes.
Also glad to know there aren't a bunch of blind hikers out there.
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Bring a compass...It's awkward eating your friends.
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| Post Number: 29
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| Post Number: 30
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mtngrl
Group: Members
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Joined: Feb. 2002
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Posted on: Oct. 05 2012, 12:54 pm |
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I might carry a spare pair, on a multi-day trip, but otherwise, no. I'm not totally blind without glasses.
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“He who knows the most, he who knows what sweets and virtues are in the ground, the waters, the plants, the heavens and how to come at these enchantments, is the rich and royal man” -- from Nature, by Ralph Waldo Emerson
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Survival Skills 101 • Eat Better
