If you wear glasses and you’re planning to go go-karting, you might be wondering if it’s safe to wear them while driving.
Well, technically speaking, yes, you can wear glasses while go-karting. It is recommended that you wear them if you have vision problems. Go-karting requires a lot of focus and concentration, and not being able to see clearly can put you at risk of accidents.
In this article, we’ll cover the benefits of wearing glasses while driving a go-kart, the dangers of driving with glasses on a go-kart; as well as what kinds of glasses you should wear when go-karting.
Benefits Of Wearing Glasses While Driving A Go-Kart
Wearing glasses while driving a go-kart can improve your safety on the track by doing so, you can protect yourself as well as others. Here are some potential benefits of wearing glasses while go-karting:
- Improved Vision – If you wear glasses, it can significantly improve your vision, allowing you to see more clearly and react more quickly to potential hazards on the track.
- Better Depth Perception – Glasses can help you better judge distances and depth perception, which is crucial for maneuvering around tight corners and avoiding collisions.
- Protection – Wearing glasses can help protect your eyes from dust, dirt, and other debris that can fly up from the track, reducing the risk of eye injuries.
- Reduced Eye Strain – If you have difficulty seeing clearly while driving, you may be straining your eyes, leading to headaches and fatigue. Wearing glasses can help alleviate this strain; this allows you to drive for longer periods without discomfort.
- Improved Safety – Overall, wearing glasses can help you drive your go-kart more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries both to yourself and to other drivers on the track.
Dangers of Driving With Glasses In A Go-Kart
While wearing glasses can provide several benefits for driving a go-kart, there are also potential dangers that should be considered, including:
- Glasses Slipping – Glasses that are not properly fitted or secured can slip during the high-speed and high-impact movements of go-kart driving, which can cause distraction or even obstruct your vision.
- Fogging – In cold or humid weather conditions, glasses can fog up, making it difficult to see clearly and potentially leading to accidents.
- Distortion – Glasses with poor-quality lenses or those that are scratched can cause distortion or blurry vision, which can impact your ability to drive safely.
- Breaking – Glasses can break or shatter during high-impact collisions or accidents, which can cause eye injuries.
- Limited Peripheral Vision – Depending on the type of glasses you wear, you may have limited peripheral vision, which can impact your awareness of other drivers and obstacles on the track.
Can You Wear Glasses With A Helmet?
Yes, it is possible to wear glasses with a helmet however, the helmet’s type and fit can make a big difference in how comfortable and secure the glasses feel.
There are several types of helmets available for go-karting, including full-face helmets, open-face helmets, and modular helmets. Full-face helmets offer the most protection and coverage, while open-face helmets provide better visibility and ventilation.
Alternatively, modular helmets combine the benefits of both full-face and open-face helmets by allowing riders to flip up the chin bar for added ventilation.
When it comes to fitting a helmet with glasses, there are a few tips to consider:
- The helmet should fit snugly around the head without feeling too tight or too loose. This will help keep the glasses in place and prevent them from slipping or sliding around.
- Some helmets come with removable padding or liners that can be adjusted to provide a better fit. This can help accommodate the extra space needed for glasses.
- Helmets with a visor or shield can help protect glasses from wind, debris, and other elements. They can also help reduce glare and improve visibility.
- Glasses that fit securely and comfortably on the nose and ears are less likely to move or slip around inside the helmet. Consider using glasses with rubber nose pads or temples for added grip.
Can I Wear Contact Lenses Instead When Karting?
Yes, you can wear contact lenses when go-karting. However, they can dry out quickly because of the wind coming into your eyes while you are at high speed on the go-kart course. Compared to glasses, peripheral vision while wearing contacts will be much better.
Contact lenses provide several benefits for karting, which are as follows:
- Clear Vision – Contact lenses sit directly on your eye, providing a clearer and more stable field of vision, which can be especially important for high-speed and high-impact movements of go-karting.
- Better Comfort – Contact lenses are typically more comfortable than glasses when wearing a helmet. They don’t interfere with the helmet’s fit and don’t slide down your nose like glasses.
- No Distortion – Contact lenses don’t have lenses that can get scratched, distorted, or fogged up like glasses, providing a consistent and clear view.
- Improved Safety – Contact lenses can help improve your safety on the track by providing clear and stable vision. This allows you to react quickly and avoid potential hazards.
That being said, it is important to note that contact lenses may not be suitable for everyone. Some people may find them uncomfortable or have difficulty inserting or removing them. If you’ve never worn contact lenses before, it’s recommended to try them out in a non-driving situation first to get used to them.
What Kind of Glasses Can I Wear Go-Karting?
When it comes to choosing glasses for go-karting, there are several options to consider that have their pros and cons; and, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
Here are a few options to choose from:
Prescription Glasses
Wearing prescription glasses during go-karting can be an advantage as they can help correct your vision and provide clarity while driving.
However, if they are not properly secured or fitted, they can be uncomfortable or even dangerous. Additionally, if they break, you may not be able to see properly during your session.
Safety Glasses
Safety glasses are designed to protect your eyes from dust, debris, and other hazards. They are usually made of polycarbonate or similar materials and have a wraparound design to provide full coverage but they may not be suitable for prescription lenses.
Sports Glasses
Sports glasses are designed for use in sports and other physical activities. They often have a wraparound design, non-slip frames, and shatter-resistant lenses and advantage of sports glasses is that they are designed to stay in place during physical activity and offer clear vision however, they may not offer as much protection as safety glasses.
Conclusion
Wearing glasses while go-karting is safe and recommended if you have vision problems to ensure your safety and comfort during the ride, remember to choose glasses that fit properly, have an anti-fog coating, and have shatterproof lenses.
Alternatively, you can wear contact lenses, but make sure to bring a spare pair in case of emergencies.
