Good fitting helmet for people with glasses

bobbybirds · July 13, 2011, 12:00:40 PM

Hey all,

So I am a new rider and also happen to wear glasses. Contacts are not an option for me as I apparently have some weird shape to my eyeballs... lol! I went in and test fitted a Shoei RF1100 Large and it fit my head really snug, but the was no way to put my glasses on after. I bumped up the the XL and it still felt nice and snug and I was able to still put my glasses on (barely) so that is the one I bought. Well fast forward a month, and the XL seems to have packed in quite a bit and is now moving around on my head while riding, especially when it gets windy at highway speeds, which is definitely not good. I am really stuck now as I need to drop the cash on another helmet but don't want to run into the same issue...

I am wondering if there are any of you fellow glasses wearers out there who have run into this same issue and what you ended up doing? Are there any helmets that seem to fit glasses better than another? I am not a cheap guy but spending more than about $400.00 "ish" is not going to be an option right now so it would need to be a helmet in the price range of that same Shoei...

Any help would be appreciated.

ManaloEA · July 13, 2011, 12:23:52 PM

I got the Scorpion EXO900 Transformer. I wear Silhouettes frameless glasses that have flexible arms. These are absolutely impossible to put on after putting on a helmet. With the EXO900, I raise the chin guard and slightly pull the sides out as I slide on the helmet with my glasses on. Works fine so far, and I have not noticed any "packing".

d3vi@nt · July 13, 2011, 08:13:35 PM

I'm in the same boat as you and went through the same search not too long ago. I tried every helmet I could find (Scorpion, Shark, HJC, Shoei, Icon) and multiple models of each brand. Shoei seemed to be the worst for glasses. Arai was about the only brand I could actually get my glasses into and they're very comfortable, as there's a small hollow channel all along the length where the earpieces go, so it doesn't press the earpieces into the side of your head. I have a standard pair of glasses and thicker-framed prescription sunglasses that both fit fine. I found the Arai Vector (last year's model) to be the most comfortable. It's got great features to boot. I think MSRP is $470, but I got it on sale at a local shop for $375.

A friend of mine likes the helmets (like Nolan) with the pivoting chin piece, which is handy because you don't have to take your glasses off every time you put your helmet on or take it off.

HTH!

bobbybirds · July 13, 2011, 09:13:38 PM

Quote from: D3vi@nt on July 13, 2011, 08:13:35 PM
I'm in the same boat as you and went through the same search not too long ago. I tried every helmet I could find (Scorpion, Shark, HJC, Shoei, Icon) and multiple models of each brand. Shoei seemed to be the worst for glasses. Arai was about the only brand I could actually get my glasses into and they're very comfortable, as there's a small hollow channel all along the length where the earpieces go, so it doesn't press the earpieces into the side of your head. I have a standard pair of glasses and thicker-framed prescription sunglasses that both fit fine. I found the Arai Vector (last year's model) to be the most comfortable. It's got great features to boot. I think MSRP is $470, but I got it on sale at a local shop for $375.

A friend of mine likes the helmets (like Nolan) with the pivoting chin piece, which is handy because you don't have to take your glasses off every time you put your helmet on or take it off.

HTH!

I am going to go test fit this one tomorrow! Thanks for the tip...

positivecarry · July 17, 2011, 02:29:36 PM

Quote from: D3vi@nt on July 13, 2011, 08:13:35 PM
I'm in the same boat as you and went through the same search not too long ago. I tried every helmet I could find (Scorpion, Shark, HJC, Shoei, Icon) and multiple models of each brand. Shoei seemed to be the worst for glasses. Arai was about the only brand I could actually get my glasses into and they're very comfortable, as there's a small hollow channel all along the length where the earpieces go, so it doesn't press the earpieces into the side of your head. I have a standard pair of glasses and thicker-framed prescription sunglasses that both fit fine. I found the Arai Vector (last year's model) to be the most comfortable. It's got great features to boot. I think MSRP is $470, but I got it on sale at a local shop for $375.

A friend of mine likes the helmets (like Nolan) with the pivoting chin piece, which is handy because you don't have to take your glasses off every time you put your helmet on or take it off.

HTH!

I have an Arai Vector and it works just fine with my glasses (no gouging of the frame into my ears, etc). I just have to put the helmet on, then put my glasses on through the eyeport.

WarrenJ · July 17, 2011, 03:02:27 PM

I have a big melon and wear larger safety glasses. I started out with an HJC CL-15 and had no problem and have now went to an Arai RX-Q again with no problem. I do have to put the helmet on and then thread the glasses in through the visor opening, but no interference with either helmet.

ducpainter · July 18, 2011, 03:29:40 AM

How about getting different pads for the helmet to tighten it up.

Most companies offer replacements, and if the shell sizes are the same you could use the cheek pads from a size smaller.

Cheaper than a new helmet.

bobbybirds · July 18, 2011, 08:35:06 AM

Quote from: ducpainter on July 18, 2011, 03:29:40 AM
How about getting different pads for the helmet to tighten it up.

Most companies offer replacements, and if the shell sizes are the same you could use the cheek pads from a size smaller.

Cheaper than a new helmet.

Actually, just this past Saturday I went to my local Shoei retailer and it turns out the casing for the L and XL RF1100 are the same and it is the pads that make the difference, so I ordered in the size down padding and will try replacing bits and pieces, if not all of it, and try that route. It is far less expensive than ordering a new helmet...

stopintime · July 18, 2011, 09:34:20 AM

The L paddings will be thicker than the XL paddings - I'm not sure that's what you need?

FWIW - my AGV GP Tech and my Schubert are both accommodating glasses, but head shape might play a role as well.

ducpainter · July 18, 2011, 02:02:12 PM

Quote from: bobbybirds on July 18, 2011, 08:35:06 AM
Actually, just this past Saturday I went to my local Shoei retailer and it turns out the casing for the L and XL RF1100 are the same and it is the pads that make the difference, so I ordered in the size down padding and will try replacing bits and pieces, if not all of it, and try that route. It is far less expensive than ordering a new helmet...

Sounds like you should be good to go.

Don't be alarmed if the helmet feels tight with the new pads. A helmet shouldn't fall on your head. As you've learned they only keep that 'new pad feel' for a short time.

bikepilot · July 18, 2011, 04:21:10 PM

I don't wear glasses (yet) so can't comment exactly, but many helmets have the option for different thickness pads - your current lid may work with thicker pads. I know Arai and Bell offer various thickness and/or stiffness pads for their better helmets. This has been super helpful for me in tuning the fit to work with my head nicely.

Goat_Herder · July 21, 2011, 07:30:15 AM

I have worn glasses since I was 6. Just like you, my eye ball was shaped funny at birth so contacts weren't an option. I have an Arai Quantum II and it's great for glasses. The pads in that helmet seem to be designed to accommodate glasses better than others. There is a gap between 2 pads for the legs of the glasses to go thru. There is also ample space cut out of the pad to accommodate your ear and the glasses to hook around the ear. The helmet/pad fits very snuggle around my face and head and there is still plenty of room for my glasses. It's great

I also have a AGV S4. It would take a lot more maneuvering to get the glasses to go in and around my ears. The pad also pinches the legs of the glasses a little more and, as the result, tilt it slightly away from where I normally wear my glasses.

seevtsaab · July 21, 2011, 09:03:41 AM

I don't have issues with my glasses with my Akuma Phantom or my old HJC-15.
That said, I did have a pair of Bolle shades I had perscription lenses it that wouldn't sit on my
nose - a total distraction. My wire frames, or contacts with Maui Jim's not a problem.
I hate the shit outta the Bolle's anyway - they are relegated to the cage glove box for emergencies.

Also FWIW - my old eye doc for years said my astigmatism wouldn't allow me to wear soft contacts.
New Doc said, what the hell lets try em. Never an issue. Plus they do make a contact for astig anyway.
You oughta see if you can try some. I love the hell out of not doing glasses on - glasses off - glasses on
dance all the time.
It is essential to be able to wear glasses and be comfortable if you need em.
Even better if you don't have to.

DucHead · July 22, 2011, 05:07:44 AM

If the helmet is for you, then no one's opinion matters but yours: every head has a different shape. Find a store with lots of helmets, and start trying them on.

webspoke · July 25, 2011, 01:03:30 PM

HJC RPS-10 has a well placed slot between the skull pads and the cheek pads that let my glasses slide in and stay in a natural position. My Icon Airframe is the same way. I have an Arai rx7 which has the slot but it is a little high, and lifts my glasses off my nose. I went to a couple of stores trying them on with my glassess to find the HJC, was really wanting a Bell Star or Shoei, but they just did not work as well.

I do use some oakley perscription frames with straight temple pieces, some temple pieces fit better than others (these are not great).

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Good fitting helmet for people with glasses