Reading glasses. Suggestions?

[Kattt]

I need them, more and more. At home, at work, on the trail. I break them all the time. I stick them in my pant pockets. I have a number of them around home and work but I can't do that on the trail.
What do you do? Which over the counter reading glasses seem more durable but not super heavy? Where do you keep them? Any thoughts on those split ones that have a magnet in the middle?
Thanks.

[BlackHatGuy]

Depends on what you're trying to read while on the trail. If only for checking maps, then consider getting one of those magnifying cards. They're the size of a credit card, light, and virtually unbreakable (though you can scratch the heck out of them if not careful). If you really need the glasses, then get a light plastic glasses case and keep them in there when you're not using them. I never put them in my pants pocket because it's too easy to break them there, I always keep them either in one of my hip belt pockets, my front zPacks pouch when I'm carrying one, or in a shoulder strap pouch.

[Kattt]

I need them for more than just reading…more so when it gets darker. The magnifying card is not an option for me.
What are quality, light glasses I can easily find?

The pocket thing is a bad habit but it's mainly at work …

[Bob Gross]

"one of those magnifying cards"

That would be a plastic Fresnel lens. I find those are OK as a magnifying lens for a very small object, but not for reading. When I print my topo maps, I print them in a correct size for reading.

On the trail I use prescription sunglasses, so they are on my face almost 100% of the time. I have a lightweight case that clips onto the back of my backpack, and sometimes I can store the sunglasses there, like during a rain storm. I would never consider storing them in my pants pockets. That is an accident waiting to happen.

I keep a stretchy eyeglasses retainer strap on my sunglasses, so they are never falling off my face.

–B.G.–

[Ian]

I don't care to shop there but I like the reading glasses I get from Walmart the most. I drop mine on a near daily basis, I just throw them in the front pocket of my backpack or in my shirt pocket without a case. I get metal ones that I can bend back into shape. I abuse the heck out of them and end up losing them before I break them.

[Chuck Susie]

I've had great luck with these:

http://www.scojo.com/gels-tortoise.html

No affiliation just happy customer.

[James Couch]

I use something similar to these. I keep them in the case, stored in my Navigation bag that holds compass, altimeter, and map(s). They DON'T go in my pockets. (I tend to carry only trail food in my pockets.)

[James Couch]

I had a coworker that swore by these. They work great if you are wearing them all the time, bit I don't think they would be to practical for in the woods, bulky and hard to store, so they are hanging around your neck all the time.

[David Thomas]

two ideas:

Reading sunglasses – potentially a multipurpose item if you bring sunglasses anyway. Maybe Walmart has something cheaper, but these from LL Bean seemed good quality. $59:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/71293?productId=1194501&attrValue_0=Tortoise/Amber&mr:trackingCode=F15E7496-B0F0-E211-A497-90E2BA285E75&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=plaonline&mkwid=EMjC7XdR_dc&pcrid=62960390240&qs=3091377_google&product=0KYU430200&cvosrc=cse.google.0KYU430200&cvo_crid=62960390240

I found some stick-on plastic film bits in 1.5x 2x, 3x, etc, at a lumber yard. The idea being that you stick them on the bottom of your existing prescription glasses, sunglasses or safety glasses for use on a job site. About $15. But they came in a little clear case shaped like glasses and I've never taken them out – I just hold the case in front of my eyes, read the small print and put them away again. I can't find that exact brand on a quick google search, but these pop up all over the inter webs:

[Dale Wambaugh]

The better plastic framed ones hold up best for me. I hang them on the neck of my shirt when not wearing them. I have also used the stick-on bifocals on my sunglasses which is really nice reading maps, cameras, phone and instruments on the trail. I keep some backup skinny micro readers in my first aid kit, which is exactly when I would need them most.

The stick on ones are now marketed as Hydrotac. they really do work.
http://optx2020.com/p-2-hydrotac-stick-on-bifocal-reading-lenses.aspx

When you get around to prescription glasses, Transitions sunglasses are great.

[Kattt]

Thanks for the suggestions.
I only wear prescription glasses at night for driving, for a slight astigmatism in one eye, so the stick ons are something I might look at in the future..
I ordered a pair of those Scojo Gels last night; they look like a good option and hopefully able to handle me, although not in my pocket.
The Foster Grants look good too; I have bought some of their reading glasses but those foldable ones seem better for taking on the trail.
Plastic frames do make more sense than metal, I agree .
I should also just dedicate a pair for backpacking instead of doing what I usually do and use my gear in my everyday life.
Got the message: do not put your glasses in your pant pocket Kat!

[Dave Heiss]

I've started using these little "nose pinch" type readers. They're not for constant use, but for checking a map or reading a book at the end of the day, they work really well. By themselves they only weigh about 0.2oz, and with the hard plastic protective case option it's 0.5oz.

http://www.i4ulenses.com/

[IVO K]

+1 What Dave H said.

I'v been using them as "everyday incidentals" for 2 years now, and always carry a pair in my hiking pants' pocket, in its original plastic case.
Good for a quick map read while on the move, good for more serious reading in camp.

These are my main reading glasses while hiking.
The back up solution is a pair of sunglasses with built-in prescription reading "spots', which I do not generally use much on the trail.

[Jenny A]

Katherina, I also have multiple stashes of cheap glasses. I've found the best bang for the buck at some of the discount clothing stores (Marshalls, TJ Max, Ross etc.) where you can pick up a multipack of 5-6 glasses for about $15. They are plastic, of course, but quality seems adequate, and colors/styles aren't too offensive.

I also really like the folding Foster Grant types that were mentioned. The small hard case is easy to pack, and the metal glasses are a bit more durable than the non-folding plastic ones. Optics quality seems a hair better, too. It is the one pair or readers that I have managed not to destroy or lose.

I wear contacts for distance and have better than 20/20 vision with them in but am blind as a bat without them. I need the readers while wearing contacts, but can see just fine close up without the contacts. So while camping, I have to carry contact stuff, eyeglasses, AND readers. Yes, it is silly. But it works.

[Patrick Baker]

Foster Grant Men's Gideon Folding Rectangular Reading Glasses

[windsor ak]

Costco has 3 packs of reading glasses for $18.99 if you have a membership. My wife reports that they are super comfortable.
Not much in the way of different styles to choose from.

[Russ W]

I could probably be accused of violating the LNT principle because of all the Walmart reading glasses I've left all over the countryside. While I still use and lose these types of glasses on a regular basis, I found a pretty neat backup solution.

I found some prince-nez style reading glasses from http://www.traildesigns.com. They weigh 3 grams, cost $5.95,and are available in 3 strengths. They work great for what they are.

[Cameron M]

Zoom Eyewear Slimvision. All plastic, fold up compact, and..VERY FASHION-ABLE!
12 grams

http://www.amazon.com/Zoom-Eyeworks-Reading-Eyewear-Tortoise/dp/B00B19JF0A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1425499204&sr=8-1&keywords=slimvision+reading+glasses

[Paul McLaughlin]

+1 on the zooms – but they are far from unbreakable, I've been through many pairs. I often carry a reading pair and a pair of #3's for splinters or other finer stuff.

[Ian]

Thanks Russell! I've been trying to remember the name and source for those glasses. I just ordered a pair from Trail Designs.

And a 3 gram knife… and some solar bags…

[Ken Bennett]

I buy the inexpensive readers from Amazon that come in a plastic tube. The tube goes in my pocket or my waist pack for easy access. Works great on the trail.

When I hike with my wife we each carry a pair, and we have one extra pair packed away in case we break one. I can't see my map, or phone, or guidebook without them.

Edit – like these:

[Roger Caffin]

The 'stick on the nose' things are optically OK, but they fall off immediately if you are sweaty. Yeah, been there, bit of a failure.

These days we just buy light specs of all sorts from http://www.Zennioptical.com . Very reliable, very cheap.

Cheers

[Zachary]

I know that this post finished up years ago but, I wasn’t a member in 2015 so I didn’t get a say.  ;)

 

Like most of us that are becoming more experienced on the trail, I could use a little help to see the print that seems to be getting smaller and smaller by the month.  These glasses by ThinOptics have been fantastic, ultralight and very unobtrusive.

 

https://www.thinoptics.com/readers/phonecases

 

Hope this helps future backpackers.

[john mcalpine]

Zachery….  good call.  I keep one pair in my wallet and I also have the cell phone case.

[Rusty Beaver]

I’m in the same boat. My sight got to the point I can’t read without glasses. My eye Doc tested my eyes and suggested sticking to “readers” for now…and said the “dollar” store models are fine. So, I get my pick of color, style, and strength.

I then drill a small hole in each ear piece, run a small cord through, and hang them around my neck. They’re never lost that way….or smashed, and are always readily available and cost $1. Been doing this for 5 yrs now.

[Author]

Posts