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Posted by: Qarl Jun 20 2003, 01:04 PM

My race shop mechanic wants me to start taking some driving classes (driver's ed with local PCA), maybe do a few AXs in the Boxster before the 914 is finished.

Here's my question: I have to wear eyeglasses, and I can't wear contacts. Can I wear glasses with any racing helmet, or do I have to get a special helmet?

Come to think of it, I'm not sure if I have seen pictures of people with helmets AND eyeglasses.

I know I need to get a properly rated helmet for automobile (nor motorcycle).

Anyone else wear glasses and a helmet?

Thanks,

Posted by: Gint Jun 20 2003, 01:07 PM

I have a Simpson open face that I wear sunglasses with. No problem. Cloed face may be another story.

Posted by: seanery Jun 20 2003, 01:09 PM

Karl,

Is there a speedshop or race shop that sells helmets near you?
The best thing to do with ANY helmet is to try them on for fit and comfort.
Helmets are supposed to be snug, but not umcomfortable. The only way
you'll get one to fit is to try several manufacturers and sizes to get the right fit.

Glasses, by the way, shouldn't be a problem.

Posted by: Qarl Jun 20 2003, 01:12 PM

Yes... I planned on visiting a shop here locally for fitting. I just wanted to ask my stupid question HERE, to my idiot brethren (just kidding), before I walked in.

Stable Energies has some Snell helmets and a few are designated as "larger viewport" or for people with glasses.

Thanks,

Posted by: maf914 Jun 20 2003, 01:16 PM

Eyeglasses and Helmets? Jacques Villeneuve, Kenny Brack, Jimmy Vasar, Sebastion Bourdais, Tony Kanaan (?), to name a few. Got to be more. Especially in SCCA where guys race into their 60's. Don't know about the helmet fit though.

Eat more carrots. Or is that BEETS!

Mike

Posted by: VegasRacer Jun 20 2003, 01:18 PM

I wear my glasses with my full face race helmet.
Some helemts work better than others.
Try them on first if you can.
Look for a helmet with a large eye-port opening.
I have a Bieffe F1 and it works great. Had a Bell before. It was OK too.
Any open face should work, but I like full face much better.


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Posted by: J P Stein Jun 20 2003, 01:22 PM

Like Gint, I use an open face helmet (Bell, tho).
Installing it with glasses on is an aquired art....but I pretty much have it down pat.

Still, I try to do when no one is watching. My glasses don't taste that gud.

BTW, Blaming your mechanic for having to go to driving school or AX is about as gud an excuse as I've heard.

".....Honey.....Gunter says I gotta race some before the car is done.....damnit...."

Posted by: Qarl Jun 20 2003, 01:23 PM

Probably too much of this when I was 16!


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Posted by: djm914-6 Jun 20 2003, 01:29 PM

While I'm not very happy with my helmet, it's not bad for the money. I have a Bell M2 full face. The M2 has the largest eye opening of the closed face helmets (so their ad says). It is designed for those who want more peripheral vision or those who wear glasses. Being blonde and blue eyed, I am extreamly sensitive to light and wear sun glasses during most daylight hours reguarless of the weather. I always wear my glasses with my helmet hand have no problems unless I foget to take them off before taking the helmet off.

Why am I not happy with the M2? because the cloth material liner isn't the highest quality and I am constantly fighting with the ear pieces. Once it's on, it's fine. I always wear my neck brace with it as it's not the lightest helmet on the market either. Then again, it's very reasonably priced, so that makes up for it.

Posted by: URY914 Jun 20 2003, 01:49 PM

Karl,
I get my helmets from www.racerwholesale.com
Quick and cheap.

Paul

Posted by: seanery Jun 20 2003, 03:20 PM

Paul,

I think mail order is fine if you are replacing a helmet and know what size and brand fit, but for a first helmet I think that mailorder or internet is a horrible idea.

The simpson helmets are pretty cheap and mine has a big eyeport. I've worn sunglasses (oakley M frames) when I didn't have a tinted shield on it. If you think you're gonna do big track stuff I would also recomend a full face. Getting a mouthful of dirt and gravel if you have an off isn't my idea of fun.

Posted by: seanery Jun 20 2003, 03:27 PM

I'm actually sitting in my Simpson (one of the voyager line) wearing my sunglasses right now.
All you do is put the helmet on then slide your glasses on. It's really no big deal and they don't bind or rub weird.


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Posted by: Mueller Jun 20 2003, 03:52 PM

seanery........


I love your helmet...I laugh out loud everytime i see that darn thing.....

I can almost see another driver being distracted from that !!!

Posted by: Andyrew Jun 20 2003, 03:56 PM

I wear my glasses with a helmet on (helmet, oh ya, gota shop for one.. I think I'll hit ebay after I go to a carting/ motocross shop to size them..) And so does my father, He wears a closed faced, or like what seanery has, and I wear both (rentals).. Seanery, you could distrace people go carting in that

Posted by: campbellcj Jun 20 2003, 04:00 PM

Same here...my eyes are very sun-sensitive and I wear sunglasses all the time with my Bell helmet. No probs.

Just make sure you remember to pull off your glasses before you yank the helmet off your head... (BTDT, kinda hurts)

Posted by: Dave_Darling Jun 20 2003, 04:58 PM

Not a problem with an open-faced helmet. That's why I bought one--you don't have to take your glasses on when you put the helmet on or take it off. Plus the full-face helmets tended to catch more on my earrings....

--DD

Posted by: djm914-6 Jun 20 2003, 05:52 PM

Posted by: Jeroen Jun 20 2003, 06:06 PM

I've gots a full face helmet and I wear glasses
It's a bit of an excercise to put on/off, but once it's on, no problem at all...


cheers,

Jeroen

Posted by: John Jentz Jun 20 2003, 06:43 PM

I used a Bell Star many years ago and had no problems getting "Aviator" style glasses on.

John Jentz