Contact lenses on the trail

^^^ gotcha ;)

I take monthly contacts with a case and a small amount of saline plus one backup pair.  I have been doing this a while so I don’t need a mirror.  I don’t bring a back up pair of glasses.

I rarely bring contacts and just wear my glasses on the trail like I do around town.  One reason for me is that as I’ve aged, my “reading glasses” (to do any close work, or increasingly to read a phone / GPS screen) are to take off my distance glasses.  That’s easy with glasses and hard with contacts.

But when it’s going to be rainy or cold and my glasses would fog up, then contacts can be a nice option.  I use disposable ones so if I get dust in my eyes, I can just toss them and I’m not worried about keeping them perfectly clean between uses – I just toss them.

A very small container of saline is helpful for a final rinse of your fingers and to rinse off the contacts before you insert them, if anything gets on them.

A mirror is maybe a necessity until you get practiced with inserting and removing them.  If you’d bring a compass anyway, the mirrored compasses make nice stable mirrors you can adjust the angle on easily.

My vision isn’t so bad that I couldn’t function okay on the trail without anything, but I still always bring a back-up pair of glasses – there’s beautiful scenery out there!

This works better than you’d think: you can wear *one* contact at a time.  Then, in my case, I have one far-sighted eye and one near-sighted eye.  You use binocular vision less than you think you do.  I usually start the day with both, but then when I need to do some close work, I remove one, just toss it, and leave the other one in until I’ve gotten to camp.  If you did that from the start, you’d cut your costs in half.

Back in the 1970s, my usual hiking buddy insisted on bringing his contacts but you had to boil them, etc each night to treat them and it was pain to fire up a stove at 12,000 just to deal with contacts.  I’ve been put off a bit by them ever since (even though that’s no longer the case).  I also like having a UV-blocking, branch-blocking, semi-dust-blocking glasses lenses in front of my eyes at all times, so I don’t mind wearing glasses.  On a halibut-fishing trip or hunting in the Aleutians, there are no branches or dust and often no sun, so contacts alone are fine.  Otherwise, I’d bring sunglasses for the added protection from sun, bush-whacking, and dusty winds when needed.  Or skip the contacts that day and use my prescription glasses.

It is nice, because of contacts, to be able to buy sunglasses off the shelf instead of special-ordering prescription sunglasses, but Zenni Optical now makes prescription sunglasses pretty dang affordable by ordering online (single-lens, clear from $15, prescription sunglasses from maybe $25).

@Jon this is what I will be trying to do on my next trip. Thanks!

Thanks for the help David. I have really good distance vision but anything near reach is getting harder to see. I have been wearing contacts for a month  now and tolerate them well. I may ask for some daylies because those would make sense. The mirror/ compass  is a great idea.

My vision is horrible (around -10 in both eyes, and high astigmatism), and I’m 58, so I coud go with only wearing my glasses, and don’t need to bring anything else.  But, that opens me up to being inconvenienced when it’s really sunny (I don’t have either transitions lenses or Rx sunglasses) or raining, or when it’s hot and I’m sweating. So, I prefer to wear my contacts, and bring a very small bottle (60 ml) of saline that the ophthalmologist gave me, which is probably a sample size that they give out in first-time user kits.  It’s perfect, although not refillable.  You can probably buy travel sizes though, in this post 9-11 world.  My contacts are custom-made monthly disposables, and correct for both my nearsightedness and astigmatism, plus are multi-focal, so that I can see both distance and close-up, without needing reading glasses…..I wouldn’t be able to read any very tiny print on a map, but for average-sized print on a map or guidebook, they’re fine. Overall, when I’m outside in unpredictable weather, the contacts provide way more flexibility for me.  I make sure to clean my hands with at least hand sanitizer before putting in or taking out my lenses, and don’t need a mirror.  I don’t carry a backup pair, but do carry my glasses, to use as backup and also to put on for my middle of the night pee! Hope this is helpful.

I’ve done both. I hate wearing glasses, but they are simpler and more hygienic for the trail.

When I wear contacts, I use daily contacts. Both my glasses and contacts are progressive lenses for both distance and reading.  The glasses are transitions, so they’re my sunglasses, too.

Glasses in the rain or in conditions where they fog up are terrible, though.

I wear contacts instead of glasses because I see much better without the frames of glasses partially blocking my view.  Glasses can be a pain in rain too.  I do bring glasses as a backup and to wear in when I first get up and at bedtime.

I wear daily contacts because it’s what I have.  I use soap and water to clean up.  I carry a small mirror that I usually have a friend hold to make them easier to get in.  They are a pain to get in, but only once for a couple minutes in the morning.

I used to wear the monthly contacts, but I always like taking them off at night anyway.

I do now have to pull out reading glasses in addition to my contacts to look at a map or see my phone.  I have a tiny light pair.

So, I’m carrying a lot of vision stuff, but it’s a pretty important category.

I have keratoconus and glasses won’t correct my vision, only hard contact lenses will.  If folks think soft contact lenses are difficult, they’re nothing compared to hard lenses. One little fleck of dust in your eyes and you’re feeling it.

Don’t hold back and not bring your contacts, they’re not that difficult.  Bring the standard solutions but repackaged into 3ml eye droppers plus the carrying case.  If you wear hard contacts, you should bring a contact suction cup because the contacts can go up behind your eyelid and the suction cups make it possible to remove them.  Also bring a small mirror especially if you’re hiking alone,  it’s the only way to be able to see what’s in your eye if something happens.

Another tip, wear glasses that have a seal between the frame and skin to limit the amount of debris that get access to your eyes.  I wear WileyX Climate Control Sunglasses, highly recommended. I’ve been in very windy, dusty conditions, and they keep the dust out.

“Glasses in the rain or in conditions where they fog up are terrible, though.”

A bit off topic, but I’ve had great luck with Foggies anti-fog wipes. They work quite well for me in keeping my glasses from fogging up (which has always been an issue for me since I sweat pretty profusely), and I reuse the same wipe multiple times, so they’re somewhat economical as well. FWIW.

I normally just wear my glasses which auto darken in light so I don’t need to bring sunglasses unless snow travel is required which requires darker lenses with side shields.  And I do take my glasses off to use as reading glasses on occasion though I can still get away with not doing so if really required. I occasionally bring contacts (especially when I need glacier sunglasses as I don’t own a prescription pair as I rarely use them); usually extended wear ones so I don’t need to take them out, but bring my glasses as backup.  I tried disposable ones, but didn’t like touching my eyes in the backcountry where cleaning my hands enough to make sure I’m not giving myself an eye infection is a bit difficult where I often camp.  I do carry a mirror as I’ve had mosquitoes in my eye before.  It’s on my small compass so its dual use.

@jonfong wrote:

I take monthly contacts with a case and a small amount of saline plus one backup pair.  I have been doing this a while so I don’t need a mirror.  I don’t bring a back up pair of glasses.

I’ve done the same for the past 20+ years, with one exception: I do bring a backup pair of glasses. And, I’ve never used them! I also bring a pair of reading glasses, and I do use those all the time, and keep them accessible throughout the day in a pocket. I like the little foldup reading glasses, and have found them to be durable enough without the (heavy) case.

Ryan, whats the weight of those reading glasses.  You should have known we’d ask.

I’m glad Kat posted this, because I struggle with the same thing. I’m a -7.0 so I’m blind without my contacts.

The last time I backpacked Sequoia NP, I wore my contacts on the first day of backpacking, but just before I went to sleep, I took them out and discarded them. I just wore my eyeglasses the next day.  The thing is that my hands are dirty as heck and I don’t wanna go though the hassle of thoroughly cleaning my hands first before placing my contacts in their case.  I also don’t want to put contacts in for the same reason.  I hate wearing glasses, but I find that they are really reliable (I always put a leash on them if I’m backpacking).  Contacts are horrible when something gets in your eye.  Sometimes just wiping the sweat off my face might dislodge them a little, which freaks me out until they realign themselves.  Lastly, sometimes backpacking days are really long, and my eyes start to dry out and get irritated.

The downside of glasses is that they get dirty with sweat and dust.  I also find the reduction in peripheral vision to be annoying. I don’t mean that the eyeglass frames get in the way, but the fact that eyeglasses are only perfectly in focus in the center.  When you stare off-center, the image is not as sharp.  Contacts move with your eyeball, negating that issue.  My other issue with eyeglasses is that they are simply uncomfortable.  They constantly want to slide around when my face and head are sweaty.  If I’m wearing a baseball cap or a beanie, the frames are pressed against the sides of my head which gets uncomfortable after a while. And though my eyeglasses have Transition lenses, they can’t get as dark as my regular sunglasses.

I don’t have too much a problem going with contacts when car camping, since water is plentiful and I can wash my hands thoroughly.  But I have a snowshoe backpacking trip coming up, and I’m concerned about freezing.  Obviously I can keep them against my body, but I still have the dirty hands issue to contend with.  If I go with glasses, am I going to have an issue with lens fogging? I think I’m going to go with my full set up (case, saline, extra pair, and eyeglasses). When I have enough discretionary cash, I gotta do LASIK.

For readers I am loving these

https://www.nooz-optics.com

No temples. They stay on and the case is handy and safe in your pockets

I generally wear my contacts.  I have the monthly disposables and when backpacking will wear them including sleep in them for about a week.  I carry a spare lens (fortunately my eyes are close enough that I don’t need to carry for each eye) and enough solution (renu) for one overnight soak.  I put a fresh set plus solution in each resupply if am out on an extended hike.  I don’t carry my glasses as a backup.

That said, I am rethinking.  My next glasses will have “transition” lenses and will have polarized film.  With these two enhancements I think the glasses will be better than the contacts plus sunglasses I’ve used for the last 20 years.

I did not bring them on the little trip we did a week ago. Probably a good thing since I got poison oak in my eye and if I was wearing contacts I might have touched them/ contaminated them. I agree with Ryan that dirty hands and contacts are a big no no. I just started wearing a new type/brand that are much more stable, not moving around much at all. Amazing how different brands feel and fit.

Chris does the same as Steven above, when at home. He wears his for month at a time, unless he gets something in them. No eye touching, no rinsing, just wetting drops a couple times a day on average. If I ever get to that point I might wear them on a short trip but until then I think I am going to leave them at home and bring some cheap readers.

Ken, your glasses did look like a good option.

I know there are other threads on it, but has anyone found any new, good, light eyeglass cases that protect well?

I think if you are comfortable with glasses, they are going to be the overall easiest to deal with on the trail. Having said that, I keep choosing to wear my contacts and just deal with the extra hassle at bedtime. I have worn gas permeable contacts for over 30 years and working with them is pretty much second nature at this point. Short of hard lenses (do they still make those?) they do require the most care, but also are pretty resilient and hard to damage. Blowing dust is always a problem though. My vision is -11.5 so I’m completely blind without them…so I ALWAYS have a pair of glasses as backup and to wear at night when I take the contacts out. If really out in the middle of nowhere for a long time, I even take a spare set of contact lenses. If you have disposable you can just take extras, but mine are expensive and will last for many years so I have to be careful.

I have to spend a little extra time cleaning my hands before working with them. Wipe good with wet ones to get the grime off. Rinse with water and a clean rag. Especially my finger tips. I work with them in my tent and place my light pack towel on my lap to catch it if I drop it. Dropping it is my biggest fear after sanitation. They are supposed to be cleaned each night, but I sometimes just use the conditioner to wipe them, then store in the conditioner. Clean every other night or if they are extra funky from a day of dust. Rinse cleaner with a little water over a small cup.

I’ve thought about trying out a pair of latex gloves but I need to practice since I loose the feel and could drop them.

It just takes patience and time. After doing it for so long, it’s second nature so I just keep doing what I am used to. My glasses are not fun to wear as they are so strong so I very much prefer the extra work in order to wear the contacts.