Wearing Glasses With a Motorcycle Helmet: Fit & Fogging Guide

If you wear glasses, buying a motorcycle helmet has one extra complication: the helmet has to fit you and your glasses.

The good news is that wearing prescription glasses with a motorcycle helmet is perfectly normal, and plenty of modern helmets are designed with spectacle wearers in mind.

The less useful answer is somebody telling you that one particular helmet is “the best helmet for glasses”.

It doesn't really work like that.

Different helmets have different internal shapes, different cheek pads and different amounts of room around the temples. Your glasses also have their own frame shape, thickness and arm design.

A combination that works perfectly for one rider can feel like somebody is slowly pushing two screwdrivers into the side of another rider's head.

So here's what actually matters when wearing glasses with a motorcycle helmet.

Can You Wear Glasses With a Motorcycle Helmet?

Yes. You can wear prescription glasses with full-face, flip-front and open-face motorcycle helmets.

The important thing is making sure:

• The helmet itself fits correctly.
• Your glasses sit in their normal position.
• The arms don't create painful pressure at your temples or behind your ears.
• The helmet doesn't push the glasses upwards, downwards or sideways.
• You can put the glasses on and remove them without excessive force.
• Your vision isn't obstructed when you're in your normal riding position.

The helmet still needs to fit your head properly. Don't buy an oversized helmet simply to create more room for your spectacles.

That's solving one problem by creating a considerably more important one.

What Makes a Motorcycle Helmet Glasses-Friendly?

Some modern motorcycle helmets have channels or softer sections within the cheek pads designed to give the arms of your glasses somewhere to sit.

You'll sometimes see these described as glasses channels, spectacle channels or eyewear-friendly cheek pads.

Scorpion, for example, uses its KwikFit™ system on selected models, with cheek pads designed to provide more room for glasses. You can browse our Scorpion motorcycle helmets here.

But don't treat the words “glasses compatible” as a guarantee.

A thick designer frame with wide curved arms is a completely different proposition from a lightweight pair with thin straight arms.

The only really reliable test is putting the helmet on with the glasses you actually wear.

Which Type of Motorcycle Helmet Is Best for Glasses?

You can comfortably wear glasses with several different types of motorcycle helmet, but some designs make life easier than others.

Full-Face Helmets and Glasses

A full-face motorcycle helmet can work perfectly well with glasses.

The main issue is usually getting the spectacle arms between the cheek pads and the side of your head once the helmet is on.

Some full-face helmets provide obvious spectacle channels. Others simply happen to have an interior shape that works particularly well with your frames.

A good full-face helmet and glasses combination should allow the frames to slide into their normal position without you having to force them.

If you're bending the arms dramatically every time you put them on, we'd try another helmet.

Are Flip-Front Helmets Better for Glasses?

For many glasses wearers, flip-front motorcycle helmets are particularly convenient.

Raising the chin bar creates much more room around your face while putting the helmet on or taking it off.

Depending on the helmet and your frames, you may still find it easier to:

1. Remove your glasses.
2. Put the helmet on.
3. Raise the front if necessary.
4. Slide your glasses into place.
5. Close the helmet.

The flip-front design doesn't automatically make a helmet better fitting, but it can make the daily routine considerably less fiddly.

That matters if you're commuting and taking your helmet on and off several times a day.

What About Open-Face Helmets?

Open-face motorcycle helmets naturally provide more space around the face and can therefore be particularly easy to use with glasses.

Some riders also like being able to put their glasses on normally without feeding the arms through thick full-face cheek pads.

However, helmet style should be chosen for more than spectacle convenience alone. Open-face and full-face helmets provide different levels of coverage around the face and jaw, so choose the helmet type that suits your riding and your own preferences.

Should You Put Your Glasses On Before or After the Helmet?

With most full-face helmets, the easiest method is:

Helmet first. Glasses second.

Take your glasses off, put the helmet on properly, then carefully slide the spectacle arms through the sides of the helmet until they sit normally over your ears.

Trying to pull a snug full-face helmet down over your glasses can:

• Pull the glasses out of position.
• Bend the frames.
• Catch the arms in the lining.
• Scratch the lenses.
• Make getting the helmet on unnecessarily difficult.

There are exceptions. Some open-face helmets and certain flip-front helmets may allow you to leave your glasses on.

Use whichever method works without forcing either the helmet or your glasses.

Why Do My Glasses Hurt Under My Motorcycle Helmet?

If your glasses become painful after ten or twenty minutes, something isn't fitting correctly.

Common causes include:

• Thick spectacle arms being compressed by the cheek pads.
• Frames sitting too tightly against the temples.
• The helmet pushing the glasses against the ears.
• The glasses being forced into a different position from normal.
• A helmet that is simply the wrong internal shape for your head.

Don't assume that because the helmet was comfortable for thirty seconds in front of a mirror it will remain comfortable for a two-hour ride.

Keep it on for several minutes when trying it.

If you wear glasses, keep those on too.

Don't Buy a Bigger Helmet Just to Fit Your Glasses

This is important.

If your correct helmet size feels too tight around your glasses, the answer is not automatically to go up a helmet size.

A motorcycle helmet needs to fit securely around your head.

A new helmet should feel evenly snug, should move your cheeks and scalp when you rotate it and shouldn't move freely around your head.

If going up one size gives your glasses plenty of room but leaves the helmet loose, you've bought the wrong size.

Try a different helmet model instead.

Different manufacturers – and even different helmets from the same manufacturer – can have quite different internal shapes.

Our main motorcycle helmet range includes full-face, flip-front, open-face, adventure and other helmet types across numerous manufacturers, which makes comparing fit much easier.

Don't Cut the Helmet Liner to Make Your Glasses Fit

If your spectacle arms don't fit comfortably, don't start cutting, sanding or digging channels into the helmet's EPS impact liner.

The EPS is part of the helmet's protective structure.

Some helmets are designed with glasses channels in the comfort lining or cheek pads. That's very different from somebody attacking the protective liner at home because their Ray-Bans don't fit.

If the combination isn't comfortable, try a different helmet, different compatible cheek pads where the manufacturer provides them, or different glasses.

Do Thin Glasses Arms Work Better in a Motorcycle Helmet?

Often, yes.

Frames with relatively thin, straight arms are generally easier to feed between the helmet lining and your head.

Very thick spectacle arms can create more pressure because the cheek pads have to compress further around them.

The shape matters too.

Some spectacle arms curve sharply around the ears, while others are much straighter. A straighter arm is often easier to slide through the helmet lining.

That doesn't mean you need to go out and replace perfectly good prescription glasses just because you've bought a bike.

Try your current pair first.

But if you're buying new glasses anyway, taking motorcycle use into account isn't a bad idea.

Make Sure Your Glasses Sit at the Correct Height

Once your glasses are inside the helmet, check where they're actually sitting.

Your frames shouldn't be:

• Pushed noticeably higher than normal.
• Forced down your nose.
• Twisted to one side.
• Pressed into your face.
• Resting against the visor.

This is particularly important with prescription lenses because the position of the lenses relative to your eyes can affect how naturally you're looking through them.

Get on the bike if possible and adopt your normal riding position.

A pair of glasses that seems fine while you're standing upright in a shop may sit differently when you're leaning forward on a sports bike.

Can an Internal Sun Visor Hit Your Glasses?

It can, depending on the helmet and the size of your frames.

Many road helmets now have retractable internal sun visors. They're extremely convenient, particularly when the light changes during a journey.

But if you wear glasses, lower the internal sun visor while trying the helmet on.

Make sure it clears your:

• Frames
• Lenses
• Nose

There should be enough room for the sun visor to move through its full range without knocking your glasses out of position.

This is another reason actually trying a helmet with your normal spectacles is better than assuming everything will fit because the specification looks good online.

The Other Big Problem: Glasses Fogging Up

Getting the glasses inside the helmet is only half the battle.

Then winter arrives.

Warm, moist air from your breath inside a cool helmet can condense onto cold surfaces.

That means the visor can mist.

Unfortunately, it also means your glasses can mist.

And the two are separate problems.

Will a Pinlock Stop My Glasses Fogging?

No.

A Pinlock® insert can be extremely effective at reducing misting on the helmet's main visor, but it doesn't magically prevent your prescription glasses from fogging.

The Pinlock is attached to the visor. Your glasses are still sitting inside the helmet exposed to warm, humid air.

It is therefore perfectly possible to have a beautifully clear Pinlock-equipped visor and a completely fogged pair of glasses behind it.

That doesn't make Pinlock pointless. Quite the opposite – removing one source of misting is still useful.

We stock replacement visors, Pinlock inserts and other items within our motorcycle helmet parts and accessories range.

How Can You Stop Glasses Fogging Inside a Motorcycle Helmet?

There isn't one solution that works in every situation, but several things can help.

Use the Helmet Ventilation

Open the chin vent and other relevant vents to encourage moist air to leave the helmet.

Good ventilation becomes particularly useful at lower speeds and when you've stopped in traffic.

Crack the Visor Open Slightly

Many helmets have a small first opening or city position that allows extra airflow without having the visor fully open.

This can help clear moisture when you're stationary or moving slowly.

If your vision is becoming obscured, deal with it immediately. Don't carry on riding while peering through a tiny clear patch.

Keep Your Glasses Clean

Dirty or greasy lenses don't help visibility.

Clean your glasses using products appropriate for their lens material and coatings.

If you use an anti-fog treatment, make sure it is suitable for your particular lenses and any coatings applied to them.

Improve Airflow Around Your Nose and Mouth

Some helmets include breath deflectors intended to direct warm exhaled air away from the visor area.

Check that any supplied breath guard is installed properly and sitting in the intended position.

Be Particularly Careful in Cold and Wet Weather

Glasses fogging tends to become much more noticeable when it's cold outside, particularly when you've just stopped after riding at speed.

It's worth finding a routine that works before you're sitting at a wet roundabout in December discovering you can't see anything.

What About Contact Lenses?

Some riders who normally wear glasses choose contact lenses when riding because they remove the physical frame from inside the helmet.

That's a personal and medical decision rather than a motorcycle-equipment one.

If you already use contact lenses comfortably, they can obviously avoid issues with spectacle arms and frame pressure.

But you shouldn't start wearing contacts purely because a badly fitting helmet is crushing your glasses.

Find a helmet that fits properly.

What About Prescription Sunglasses?

Prescription sunglasses can work inside a helmet in exactly the same way as normal prescription glasses, provided the frames fit comfortably.

But remember that light conditions can change.

If you leave in bright sunshine and return after dark, heavily tinted prescription lenses become rather less useful.

A helmet with an internal drop-down sun visor can be a convenient alternative because you can continue wearing your normal clear prescription glasses underneath it.

Just check that the sun visor clears the glasses properly before buying.

Should You Take Your Glasses When Buying a Motorcycle Helmet?

Absolutely.

If you normally ride wearing glasses, bring them with you when trying helmets.

Better still, bring whichever glasses you actually expect to use on the bike.

Trying a helmet without them only proves that the helmet fits you without your glasses.

You need to check:

• Can you get the glasses in easily?
• Do the arms reach your ears normally?
• Are the temples comfortable?
• Does the helmet move the glasses?
• Does the internal sun visor clear them?
• Can you remove the glasses without a fight?
• Does everything remain comfortable after several minutes?

That's much more useful than finding out after you've bought the helmet.

Are Flip-Front Helmets the Best Choice for Glasses Wearers?

Not automatically, but they are certainly worth trying.

The extra access provided when the chin bar is raised can make putting glasses on and taking them off much easier.

For commuters, touring riders and anyone who removes their helmet repeatedly during the day, that convenience can be very useful.

But a comfortable full-face helmet with good spectacle channels may suit you better than a poorly fitting flip-front helmet.

Fit comes first.

Which Motorcycle Helmet Brands Are Good for Glasses?

There isn't one brand we'd universally recommend to every glasses wearer because your head and your frames both affect the answer.

Some manufacturers specifically design certain models with glasses-friendly interiors.

For example, selected Scorpion helmets use KwikFit™ cheek pads designed to make inserting spectacle arms easier.

Other manufacturers achieve similar results through shaped cheek pads, softer temple areas or simply an internal shape that leaves enough space around the spectacle arms.

Don't become too fixated on a feature name.

If Helmet A has “spectacle channels” written all over the box but hurts your head, and Helmet B doesn't advertise them but your glasses fit perfectly, Helmet B has won.

Can You Wear Glasses With an Intercom?

Usually, yes, but this introduces another thing competing for space around your ears.

Helmet speakers normally sit inside recesses close to the ears. If the speakers are thick or positioned incorrectly, they can press the spectacle arms against your head.

If you're going to use a Bluetooth intercom, ideally test the helmet with the speakers installed or check how much speaker recess is available.

You want enough room for:

• Your ears
• Your glasses
• The speaker
• The helmet lining

All in roughly the same small area.

Getting that right makes a considerable difference on longer rides.

Our Advice for Glasses Wearers Buying a Helmet

Don't choose a helmet from a list titled “Top 10 Helmets for Glasses Wearers” and assume the job is done.

Your glasses are different.

Your head is different.

The best helmet is the one that:

• Meets the appropriate safety requirements.
• Fits your head correctly.
• Suits your type of riding.
• Allows your glasses to sit naturally.
• Doesn't create painful pressure points.
• Doesn't interfere with your vision.

If you're buying online and already know exactly which helmet works for you, that's straightforward.

If you don't, trying helmets on is particularly worthwhile when you wear glasses.

Try Your Helmet With Your Glasses at RaceLeathers

At RaceLeathers in Darwen, Lancashire, we stock a large range of motorcycle helmets from different manufacturers.

That matters because we can try different internal shapes rather than simply giving you the next size up when your glasses feel tight.

Bring your glasses with you.

We'll help you check the basic helmet fit first, then make sure your spectacles slide into position comfortably, don't create unwanted pressure and work properly with features such as an internal sun visor.

You can also browse our:

• Full-face motorcycle helmets
• Flip-front motorcycle helmets
• Open-face motorcycle helmets
• Scorpion motorcycle helmets – including models with KwikFit™ glasses-friendly interiors.
• Helmet parts and accessories – including replacement visors, Pinlock inserts, liners and cheek pads.

The important thing is not finding a helmet that merely allows you to squeeze your glasses inside.

It's finding one you can actually wear comfortably for the whole ride.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you wear prescription glasses under a motorcycle helmet?

Yes. Prescription glasses can be worn with full-face, flip-front and open-face motorcycle helmets. The important thing is choosing a helmet that fits your head correctly while allowing the spectacle arms to sit comfortably.

What motorcycle helmet is best if you wear glasses?

There is no single best helmet because head shapes and glasses frames differ. Look for a correctly fitting helmet with suitable space or spectacle channels around the temples. Flip-front helmets can make putting glasses on particularly easy, while many full-face helmets also work extremely well.

Should I wear my glasses when trying on a motorcycle helmet?

Yes. Always try the helmet with the glasses you normally ride in. Keep the helmet and glasses on for several minutes to check for pressure around your temples, ears and spectacle arms.

Do you put your glasses on before or after a motorcycle helmet?

With most full-face helmets, it is easier to put the helmet on first and then slide the glasses into position. Some open-face and flip-front helmets may allow you to keep your glasses on while putting the helmet on.

Why do my glasses hurt inside my motorcycle helmet?

The cheek pads may be pressing thick spectacle arms against your temples or ears, or the helmet's internal shape may simply not suit your glasses and head combination. Don't automatically move to a larger helmet size; try another helmet model instead.

Can I cut the helmet padding to make room for my glasses?

Do not cut, sand or modify the helmet's EPS impact liner. Some helmets have specially designed glasses channels within the removable comfort padding, but modifying the protective structure of the helmet yourself is not a suitable solution.

Does a Pinlock stop glasses fogging?

No. A Pinlock insert helps prevent the motorcycle helmet's visor from fogging. Your prescription glasses are separate and can still mist inside the helmet.

How do I stop my glasses fogging inside my motorcycle helmet?

Use the helmet's ventilation, open the visor slightly when necessary and keep your glasses clean. A correctly fitted breath deflector can also help direct warm, moist air away from the visor and glasses area.

Are flip-front helmets good for glasses wearers?

Yes. Many glasses wearers find flip-front helmets particularly convenient because lifting the chin section creates more room while putting the helmet and glasses on. Correct helmet fit is still more important than helmet type alone.

Can I use an internal sun visor while wearing glasses?

Usually, yes, but always test it first. Lower the internal sun visor fully and make sure it doesn't touch your spectacle frames, lenses or nose.

Are thin glasses frames better for motorcycle helmets?

Thin, relatively straight spectacle arms are often easier to slide between your head and the helmet lining and may create less pressure than very thick frames. However, the actual helmet and frame combination matters more than arm thickness alone.