Wearing glasses when it rains

[Luka]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

 

[J Willhaus]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

We wear a hat with a visor under our ponchos and that does help.

 

[JesperK]

We wear a hat with a visor under our ponchos and that does help.
View attachment 158379

Exactly - that's what I do.

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

Yep, hat with poncho, and other than that: I just accept that glasses are an imperfect solution. Carry a drying cloth...

 

[Luka]

Yep, hat with poncho, and other than that: I just accept that glasses are an imperfect solution. Carry a drying cloth...

Yes, carrying a drying cloth was a note to self today... But still, it rained non-stop so drying my glasses only worked for a minute or so...

So the visor doesn't need to be plastic? The cap doesn't get that soaking wet that the water finally drips through?

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

I wear a cap (guess what Americans call a baseball cap) Decathlon, €5, dries quickly, washable.That with my poncho hood on works very well.

Schirmmütze Cap - Travel 100

Schirmmütze Cap - Travel 100 null Diese Mütze wurde von unserem Team aus leidenschaftlichen Wanderern entworfen und bietet alle wichtigen Funktionen zum kleinen Preis! 3.99

www.decathlon.de

Edit :Sorry, link is in German but it's the same cap as in the Spanish stores

 

[Perambulating Griffin]

My visor is the peak of an Outdoor Research all-weather hat (great for sun or rain). Mine is a women's fit, and army green (cuz it was on sale). I think that whatever is *inside* the peak is probably nylon -- I washed it in Tineo after walking in all the way from La Espina/Espinal in torrential rain last May.
Actually... I washed almost everything, including my pack, the clothes I was wearing... I had slipped in some mud and there was just no resolution.. was going to get hypothermic if I didn't do something... so ALL OF IT (except the poncho and my base layer that I wore while doing this epic laundry) went in the wash...
The hat held up just fine and appears good as new to this day (and I wore it plenty over the summer).

 

[Saint Mike II]

Hola @Luka I am another of those in the " wear a hat with a visa or broad brim". I will agree there is nothing more " pee'ing-off" than rain on ones glasses. A special Buen Camino!

 

[simply B]

So, I am just one person thus the following may seem weird. Take it for what it is worth.

I do wear a broad brimmed hat to minimize wetting of the glasses but just a bit of wind in the face and they are in fact WET.

My experience though, is that I have fewer problems than other walkers as I have my lenses made from safety glass. My choice has nothing to do with walking. It is because of my long-time working environments which included lots of dust, metallic, and or sandy grit.

Plastic lenses could not hold up. Micro-scratches developed then chips and big scratches. These tend to gather/hold water.

One cannot just do a quick swipe of the lenses with a spare finger to clean them as I can with glass lenses. One other benefit is that I can do a good cleaning of the lenses later in the day with almost any fabric, clean or not. Plastic lenses need a bit more care, as we all know.

It would be worth asking your optician about how much extra weight this will add to your prescription. My lenses correct from about 20/120 to 20/20. My plastic lens pair weighs about an ounce, the glass-lensed pair about double that.

 

[Robo]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

Two options.

My rain jacket hood has a very effective peak/bill, that tends to keep the rain off, or in heavy rain,
I use my umbrella which I use hands free. (easy to do) also means I don't need to wear a hat

But maybe a sun visor could work.......

 

[trecile]

I'm not a hat wearer so I didn't want the extra weight of a hat or visor to wear under my poncho. Instead I made one out of a "Fun foam" lightweight foam sheet. Super easy to make. I used a piece of elastic at the back with a cord lock to adjust the size.

Here's a site with a pattern and directions.

Fun Foam Visor

www.crafts4camp.com

 

[dbier]

I had a lightweight fold-flat baseball style cap with an extra long brim and adjustable strap that took me and my glasses over the Primitivo (not at home now, so can't see style, sorry).

It was probably weird, but I was using a cheap poncho with a big hood....so, when the wind picked up, I wore that hat over the poncho hood to anchor the latter.

 

[J Willhaus]

My hat is actually a fly fishing hat with a little cape that tucks into a pocket in the back. Because it is for fishing, the brim is plastic covered with a cloth/nylon cover. Dries quick.

Cape covers your neck in the sun.

 

[Bala]

We wear a hat with a visor under our ponchos and that does help.
View attachment 158379

What I do, as well. Baseball-type cap keeps my glasses clear of light drizzle, then I'll pull the hood of my rain jacket over the top as the rain picks up.

 

[ginniek]

I used to have that problem, but then I got older and needed cataract surgery. Problem solved. LOL I still wear a baseball cap sometimes, though.

 

[malingerer]

Cataract surgery cured my problems and I can now see in the rain. I am a hat wearer anyway

Buen Camino

Samarkand

 

[Catastrophi]

The poncho hood works to some extent for me.
Also, I wash the lenses with hand soap (only transparent ones, without shiny things inside - very important, as they can (micro) scratch the lenses) once in a while. That seems to keep them water repellent. The water drops get bigger and just slide off. It is possible that my lenses have some kind of coating to begin with and the soap gets rid of the dust/dirt and regenerates it.
One thing I haven't figured out is how to avoid the condensation/fogging...
I have heard there are some products in Decathlon to avoid fogging for swimming goggles, but haven't tested them.

 

[Yoyo]

If you hate "carrying" an umbrella as in "holding" an umbrella, have you tried fixing an umbrella to the shoulder strap of your backpack thus making it hands-free? Best protection for glasses and for shoulder straps, too (if you use rain jacket instead of poncho). I use mine (Euro Schirm, 238 gr) on camino all the time, rain or shine, and I use poles as well.

 

[Luka]

Wow, thanks for all your responses!

- The first thing I am going to try is a visor. I am always warm when walking, so would prefer not to wear a cap when it rains.
- Microfiber cloth at hand (check)
- I considered a hands free umbrella, but the euro schirms are quite an investment (and extra weight) and I am afraid they are pretty useless with the strong winds that often come with rain. So that's why I have been hesitating so far to buy one.
- Accept my wet glasses (and poor vision) on rainy days.

 

[Harland2019]

One thing I haven't figured out is how to avoid the condensation/fogging...
I have heard there are some products in Decathlon to avoid fogging for swimming goggles, but haven't tested them.

My swimming goggles always fogged up after 20 minutes. Now I put a small amount of shampoo on them and wash them under a tap until I can't see any shampoo (but without rubbing the lens so I guess a small film is still there). It seems to work for me. It is recommended that you use baby shampoo but having to have a baby seems to be an extravagant way to stop fogging!

 

[naplesdon]

Walking half blind is an option. Ir is just one foot in front of the other until you find uneven terrain, then its slip and slide time which is no fun at all. I always found the moisture coming up out of my poncho is as much of a hassle as the rain itself. Rain days make for great rest days, sit around a convivial place, sip some vino and have a great meal!

 

[Luka]

Walking half blind is an option. Ir is just one foot in front of the other until you find uneven terrain, then its slip and slide time which is no fun at all. I always found the moisture coming up out of my poncho is as much of a hassle as the rain itself. Rain days make for great rest days, sit around a convivial place, sip some vino and have a great meal!

In summer, yes. But I hope to be walking end of December. In Galicia.

 

[Marcus-UK]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

I also wear glasses and find a wide brimmed hat works best.

If you use a more close fitting arrangement such as a poncho or cagoule with a peaked hood, then without adequate ventilation, one of the issues is going to be that your glasses will fog up once your body starts evaporating the rain!

 

[TrvlDad1]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

I have worn contacts with different powers for distance and reading for over forty years. My primary complaint is that I can’t tolerate them all day, so wear glasses in the evening. But for driving and distance vision, they are still (almost) perfect and so convenient. I also go to a contact specialist, who was actually recommended by my ophthalmologist, because the adjustments are trickier with age. Good luck, I feel your frustration with glasses.

 

[NYSE]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

Grin and bear it. Today heading towards Barcelos it was rain from the moment I left the albergue. Wet glasses, wet everything. Funny, the longer I walked the less I noticed it.

 

[Jephyr]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

Back in my motorcycle days I had a pair of gloves that had a little 1” wiper blade built into the thumb that could be used to wipe the rain off my helmet shield. Don’t know about the issue of plastic vs glass lenses? Perhaps purchasing a cheaper pair of glasses from an online seller like Zenni for rainy days so you don’t have to care about the lenses getting scratched?

 

[David Tallan]

It is recommended that you use baby shampoo but having to have a baby seems to be an extravagant way to stop fogging!

I used to cheat and buy baby shampoo even when I didn't have a baby. I somehow managed to avoid detection and arrest.

 

[t2andreo]

Wow, thanks for all your responses!

- The first thing I am going to try is a visor. I am always warm when walking, so would prefer not to wear a cap when it rains.
- Microfiber cloth at hand (check)
- I considered a hands free umbrella, but the euro schirms are quite an investment (and extra weight) and I am afraid they are pretty useless with the strong winds that often come with rain. So that's why I have been hesitating so far to buy one.
- Accept my wet glasses (and poor vision) on rainy days.

You can attach virtually any umbrella to your rucksack harness with a little ingenuity, and some thin bungee cords or thin velcro straps. Several years ago, on the Camino de Madrid, I was walking with a French fellow who just pulled out his generic, red Knirps umbrella, extended it, and shoved the shaft at the handle, into his sternum cross strap. While I was struggling to get my Euro-Shirm trekking umbrella properly mounted, my colleague was a kilometer ahead of me.

Since then, I reverted to a €15 Decathlon golf Umbrella with the shorter shaft. But, it is still one-meter in diameter. It is also in neon-safety yellow. The color makes me more visible to oncoming traffic.

I shove it in my sternum strap, and attach it to the adjacent shoulder strap using a narrow velcro strap. The bottom bit, where the handle is, is attached to my rucksack waist belt with a small bungee cord - to stop the thing wobbling about.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[DBC]

Yes, carrying a drying cloth was a note to self today... But still, it rained non-stop so drying my glasses only worked for a minute or so...

So the visor doesn't need to be plastic? The cap doesn't get that soaking wet that the water finally drips through?

Sealskinz do a waterproof cap with a folding brim.

 

[Onboardford]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

I have varifocal glasses - as age means both long and short vision are dire. My optician sorted out a daily contact lens prescription that does the same job...one eye long distance, one short..and apparently the brain being a clever so and so, compensates so I can see distance snd read maps/phone too.

 

[SoonFlynn]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

Hat with a visor and apply anti-fog treatment to your lenses.

 

[Luka]

I have worn contacts with different powers for distance and reading for over forty years. My primary complaint is that I can’t tolerate them all day, so wear glasses in the evening. But for driving and distance vision, they are still (almost) perfect and so convenient. I also go to a contact specialist, who was actually recommended by my ophthalmologist, because the adjustments are trickier with age. Good luck, I feel your frustration with glasses.

This might be at least something to try for me in the future too. The problem is that my eyes are still getting worse. At the moment I need glasses for anything in the distance and nothing for writing, reading, laptop and smartphone. So I thought it would be best to wait a bit with the whole varifocal show until I am going to need lenses for reading (etc) as well.

 

[Luka]

I have varifocal glasses - as age means both long and short vision are dire. My optician sorted out a daily contact lens prescription that does the same job...one eye long distance, one short..and apparently the brain being a clever so and so, compensates so I can see distance snd read maps/phone too.

Ouch, that feels like headache to me... My problem might be that I have one dominant eye and one 'lazy eye' (as they called it when I was a child). But great it works for you!

I am considering taking a pair of contact lenses with me, use them for long stretches with rain and take them out when having a break in a bar (as I can't use my phone anyway in the rain).

 

[Luka]

You can attach virtually any umbrella to your rucksack harness with a little ingenuity, and some thin bungee cords or thin velcro straps. Several years ago, on the Camino de Madrid, I was walking with a French fellow who just pulled out his generic, red Knirps umbrella, extended it, and shoved the shaft at the handle, into his sternum cross strap. While I was struggling to get my Euro-Shirm trekking umbrella properly mounted, my colleague was a kilometer ahead of me.

Since then, I reverted to a €15 Decathlon golf Umbrella with the shorter shaft. But, it is still one-meter in diameter. It is also in neon-safety yellow. The color makes me more visible to oncoming traffic.

I shove it in my sternum strap, and attach it to the adjacent shoulder strap using a narrow velcro strap. The bottom bit, where the handle is, is attached to my rucksack waist belt with a small bungee cord - to stop the thing wobbling about.

Hope this helps.

Tom

Alright then, I'll do an umbrella test next testwalk on a rainy day!

 

[Tincatinker]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

Umbrella

 

[Luka]

Any experiences with these kind of umbrellas?

 

[TrvlDad1]

This might be at least something to try for me in the future too. The problem is that my eyes are still getting worse. At the moment I need glasses for anything in the distance and nothing for writing, reading, laptop and smartphone. So I thought it would be best to wait a bit with the whole varifocal show until I am going to need lenses for reading (etc) as well.

Exactly my problem, except my eyes are stable for the moment, but every year the docs says they will eventually decline. Then it will be only glasses because the individual contact lens powers will be too different to be comfortable and effective.
As Art Linkletter said, “growing old isn’t for sissies.” But as my Dad used to say, “It beats the alternative.” Good luck.

 

[Massey]

My poncho hood has a visor attached to it which comes down over my face. Like you I also wear glasses and the times I have walked in the rain I found it worked quite well. This particular poncho is an all singing and dancing model in that it can cover my back pack, it has a heavy duty zip at the front, and if you have the patience it will also fold quite small.

 

[CWBuff]

don't know how "bad" your vision is.
My is not so bad tgst I need to have my glasses on 24/7.
Granted I also didn't walk in December, but fo all it's worth, i simplu DO NOT wear my grasses if I'm walking in the rain
(or singing for that matter )

 

[Luka]

don't know how "bad" your vision is.
My is not so bad tgst I need to have my glasses on 24/7.
Granted I also didn't walk in December, but fo all it's worth, i simplu DO NOT wear my grasses if I'm walking in the rain
(or singing for that matter )

It is not that bad (both eyes around -2), but I'll see everything blurred and will get a headache if I would walk on for a while without glasses.

 

[CWBuff]

Yeah actually slightly better than me (-2.5)
Shame about headaches though; thankfully I don't get those

 

[chinacat]

Yes, carrying a drying cloth was a note to self today... But still, it rained non-stop so drying my glasses only worked for a minute or so...

So the visor doesn't need to be plastic? The cap doesn't get that soaking wet that the water finally drips through?

It is possible to get contacts that are multi-focal… ie they allow you to read as well as see into the distance.
I use them and on the rare occasion that my age-related long sight prevents me from reading a map, I use a pair of small reading glasses.
Beats having to keep drying glasses!

 

[Swift3]

There are any number of anti-fogging products that stop glasses, dive mask, swim or ski goggles from fogging up and promote sheeting raindrop from glasses. See here: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers...gbs/sporting-goods/13277741?tag=casaivar02-20

I've used Spit to good effect and recommend it.

You might also try a commercial auto windshield product, Rain-X, which also promotes rain sheeting. Drops roll off the surface after application, and it works so well you don't need to turn on your windshield wipers unless it starts to rain really hard.

But I also recommend a broad brimmed hat or had with a long brim, like a baseball cap. If you're wearing a rain jacket or poncho, just flip the hood over the cap. Some of the broad brimmed hats are made specifically for rain, others for both sun and rain. See here for a rain hat: https://www.outdoorresearch.com/products/seattle-rain-hat-280135 and here for a sun/rain hat:

 

[Rita Flower]

My 10 cents worth. Options I have used.
*. Wear a cap with a biggish visor
*. Use my umbrella- the Euroschim ones don’t get destroyed in the wind and most rainy days were pretty calm.
*. Take glasses off - not so much of a problem for me. I have multi- focal glasses but my distance vision is not too bad.
Good luck. and Buen Camino

 

[Stephan the Painter]

In summer, yes. But I hope to be walking end of December. In Galicia.

The rain and glasses thing is so irritating. I started using a baseball cap when I used to ride bikes in Amsterdam which has rainy winters.

On the Camino, I used something like this foldable hat in the link at the end of my comment. Mine wasn’t actually waterproof but the same design. It was nice because the visor was longer than a normal baseball cap. There’s lots of options for foldable nylon hats that are really lightweight and dry quickly on amazon.

I read what you mentioned about using a visor because it’s too hot, but I don’t think thats going to be a problem in December in Galicia. Cold rain will be the problem. But of course, a visor will work just as well to protect the glasses.

If it’s raining really hard I tend to take off my glasses, but I can still see well enough to maneuver. And a nice big microfiber cloth to dry and clean them.

https://www.amazon.com/Akkad-Kuti-W...t-Drawstring/dp/B0BZYZB3WQ/?tag=casaivar02-20

 

[Stephan the Painter]

There are any number of anti-fogging products that stop glasses, dive mask, swim or ski goggles from fogging up and promote sheeting raindrop from glasses. See here: https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sellers...gbs/sporting-goods/13277741?tag=casaivar02-20

Interesting. Have you used these on plastic prescription lenses? Just for clarification. Because the write up on "spit" says it is not recommended for prescription eyewear. I don't think the OP is wearing a diving mask…

 

[Robyn Scott]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

Wear a cap with a peak. Works wonders.

 

[Chizuru]

Alright then, I'll do an umbrella test next testwalk on a rainy day!

I wear prescription glasses and I use the Hands-free Euroschirm. Yes, it is expensive and quite weighty, but it is sturdy, wide, and brilliant as a sun shield as well. It held up in very strong winds, and I even used it as a windshield on windy but clear days. I hate wearing hats when it is hot and an umbrella lets you have lots of shade without the need to wear a hat.
Because of the weight, I swapped to a very lightweight reflecting umbrella, but it was useless in the wind so I decided that the Euroschirm was worth its weight.
My husband has jury-rigged a normal umbrella but he often has wind troubles with his flipping inside out whereas mine stays sturdy and happy.
On very wet days, I use my poncho as well as the umbrella. I found that if I pull up my walking pants to my knees, they are under the cover of the poncho, and though my legs and boots get wet, I can towel off my wet legs after the rain stops and still have dry pants. I have now ditched my waterproof pants which were such a pain to put on over muddy boots and, having fat thighs, were very annoying to wear all day with the sound of rubbing plastic as I walked, and the extra, sweaty heat that they generated.

To keep my hands dry, I usually wear possum merino gloves under a pair of washing-up gloves. Looks funny but keeps hands toasty warm and dry.

I head off to Japan on Saturday to walk the Kumano Kodo (the dual Camino route) so I will probably have ample opportunity to use my wet weather gear. Thank you, you have just reminded me to reclaim the rubber gloves from under the sink!

 

[Sidknee]

Any experiences with these kind of umbrellas?

View attachment 158442

@Luka I tried one of these. It was as good as useless. Personally I use a hiking Umbrella (extendable arm) that attaches to my shoulder strap and ties into my hip belt. Expensive, maybe (€40). But for those of us who have to travel distances to get to Spain (or, or the like) expense is a balance…

I’m a glasses wearer (distance only). I don’t wear contacts on my caminos, simply because the daily cleaning requirements and the dusty roads make it difficult.

The umbrella has been the best hiking accessory I have bought. Multiple uses.

Hot days it’s a Godsend, rainy days I don’t have the sweat issues others experience with wet gear. It’s also my dog defender..

When it’s blowing a gale, nothing keeps you dry. So typically I just cover my back pack with a rain cover (use the umbrella into the wind - tied off on my waist belt) and keep walking.

Have reflected on my past 10 or so Caminos (~3k km, ~200 days), I can only recall 2 very windy and rainy days (max time was an hour). In that same time I’d say there were over 30 days of very hot weather and 10 days of drizzle.

You sound like you’re going to walk in Winter? Rain probably isn’t going to be your biggest challenge.

Regardless of your final choice, will be interesting to hear what worked or didn’t work for you.

Buen Camino

 

[Anna Cameron]

don't know how "bad" your vision is.
My is not so bad tgst I need to have my glasses on 24/7.
Granted I also didn't walk in December, but fo all it's worth, i simplu DO NOT wear my grasses if I'm walking in the rain
(or singing for that matter )

This is my solution, too. My eyesight is deteriorating and I cannot wear contact lenses, but as long as I am not driving and can perceive the yellow arrows, I go without.

 

[Luka]

I read what you mentioned about using a visor because it’s too hot, but I don’t think thats going to be a problem in December in Galicia. Cold rain will be the problem. But of course, a visor will work just as well to protect the glasses.

I am not so sure about that... Here in Asturias I wear a wintercoat about 3 times a year... I'll be walking the Portugués de la Costa, so I guess temperatures will be rather mild. The day I walked in the rain for about 2,5 hours it was 16 °C and a bit windy. I wore just a T-shirt under my (summer) raincoat and was sweating that much, that I took off the hat of my coat and let my hair get wet.

 

[Luka]

Interesting. Have you used these on plastic prescription lenses? Just for clarification. Because the write up on "spit" says it is not recommended for prescription eyewear. I don't think the OP is wearing a diving mask…

I did try goggles

 

[Luka]

I found that if I pull up my walking pants to my knees, they are under the cover of the poncho, and though my legs and boots get wet, I can towel off my wet legs after the rain stops and still have dry pants.

Exactly! That is why I have often worn zipoff pants in the rain with the legs zipped off. I remember walking on the plateau of the Aubrac one day on the Via Podiensis in France. It was 3 °C with rain and strong winds and I was wearing shorts underneat my rainponco. A big group of French hikers (wearing ski outfits) looked at me with extreme pity...

 

[Luka]

@Luka I tried one of these. It was as good as useless.

You sound like you’re going to walk in Winter? Rain probably isn’t going to be your biggest challenge.

Thanks! I was already afraid they wouldn't work. I have never seen anyone walking with this kind of umbrella in the rain (only as sun protection).

Yes, in December. And yes, I am pretty sure rain (and wind) is going to be my biggest challenge. I'll be walking on the Galician coast: average highs 13 °C, average lows 7 °C. Apart from that, I find it easier to protect myself from cold than from rain.

 

[DChow]

It's been a very wet Camino so far for us, raining every day but my glasses are holding up despite rain and wind. I've been wearing a rain poncho that covers my head and face very well. A baseball cap visor can also provide additional coverage but I haven't needed to use it. Good luck finding something that works for you!

 

[@Ditts]

Today I walked in the rain for 2,5 hours to prepare for my winter camino...

Not seeing very well through my wet glasses was the only thing that annoyed me. What do other pilgrims with glasses do about this?

- I used to wear contact lenses on rainy days, but thanks to getting older that's no option anymore (can't read of look something up on my phone with contact lenses in).
- I hate carrying an umbrella and my hands are already full because I have started walking with poles...
- I tried goggles today , but they get fogged...
- Would a sun visor or something similar work?

Suggestions welcome!

I wear contact lenses and can't cope with glasses in the rain. My solution is reading glasses for reading your phone etc. I buy them from the poundshop and elsewhere and it works. If you lose them they're easily replaced. Just a thought. I managed the whole of the Frances without losing my readers, amazed really.

 

[Luka]

I wear contact lenses and can't cope with glasses in the rain. My solution is reading glasses for reading your phone etc. I buy them from the poundshop and elsewhere and it works. If you lose them they're easily replaced. Just a thought. I managed the whole of the Frances without losing my readers, amazed really.

But I don't glasses/contact lenses to read my phone. So if I am wearing lenses, would reading glasses compensate? For example: I have -2, if I would buy glasses of +2, would that work?

 

[Luka]

It's been a very wet Camino so far for us, raining every day but my glasses are holding up despite rain and wind. I've been wearing a rain poncho that covers my head and face very well. A baseball cap visor can also provide additional coverage but I haven't needed to use it. Good luck finding something that works for you!

Thanks! I hope the sky clears soon on your Camino!

 

[@Ditts]

But I don't glasses/contact lenses to read my phone. So if I am wearing lenses, would reading glasses compensate? For example: I have -2, if I would buy glasses of +2, would that work?

Yes. Go into somewhere that sells cheap ones , take a book or try to read your phone and experiment. I can read my phone without my glasses but I just prefer lenses for so many reasons so cheap reading glasses are the answer. My eyes are - 2.75 so I use a +2 for reading and for further away +1.5.

 

[RJM]

Wear your contacts and carry a pair of reading glasses to use when needed.
How much reading or looking things up do you plan on doing while walking in a pouring rain?
The contacts give you distance vision which is what's important when walking outdoors anyway and give you the ability to see the yellow arrow or shell waymarkers of the Camino.

 

[Luka]

Wear your contacts and carry a pair of reading glasses to use when needed.
How much reading or looking things up do you plan on doing while walking in a pouring rain?
The contacts give you distance vision which is what's important when walking outdoors anyway and give you the ability to see the yellow arrow or shell waymarkers of the Camino.

Yes, this definitely sounds like the best solution!

 

[@Ditts]

Wear your contacts and carry a pair of reading glasses to use when needed.
How much reading or looking things up do you plan on doing while walking in a pouring rain?
The contacts give you distance vision which is what's important when walking outdoors anyway and give you the ability to see the yellow arrow or shell waymarkers of the Camino.

What I said

 

[RJM]

Yes, this definitely sounds like the best solution!

I recommend carrying an extra set of inexpensive reading glasses. On one Camino I accidentally left the reading glasses I had at an albergue. While not that big of a deal, it did take me a few days to locate and purchase another pair. Same goes for cellphone charging cord. Twice I've left my charger cord at an albergue and had to buy another one.

 

[Gringazolana]

Any experiences with these kind of umbrellas?

View attachment 158442

My son said he would definitely stick me in a nursing home when the time comes if I tried to bring this with me! (I really did buy one.) Also, it is pretty bulky and takes up space that could be occupied by something truly useful, like a bottle of vino tinto. I ended up getting contacts and now I can see in the rain!

 

[Sssnek]

My son said he would definitely stick me in a nursing home when the time comes if I tried to bring this with me! (I really did buy one.)

My mom has a similar hat! I found it really embarrassing in high school, now I think it’s kinda genius.

 

[Sssnek]

On a more helpful note, it’s rained the last two days of my Camino, and I’ve just worn the basic ball cap that kept the sun out of my eyes in the beginning. It does a decent job of keeping my glasses dry too, although they still fog a bit when I walk into bars along the way. It does get wet but uh the rest of me also is vaguely damp when it’s raining hard so I honestly don’t notice.

My best advice with glasses is grab maybe 5 of those disposable glasses wipes to bring with you. Giving my glasses a good clean around once a week has been nice.

 

[AnaZ]

Anything that deals with the surface tension of your glasses will work, the trick is to not have a substance that will irritate your eyes.
In the late 60's and 70's my grandma would have me spit on my mask when I went in the ocean. That worked great even when going scuba-diving, then things got sophisticated and it was seen as barbaric to spit in ones mask.
Diluted baby shampoo, tiny amounts of tooth paste and similar became the norm. Then of course came the bottle of stuff that you have to buy for that use exclusively , the one below is a sample.

https://www.amazon.com/500-psi-Mask-Defogger-Carabiner/dp/B00D2ZDWFA/?tag=casaivar02-20

Then with Covid people wearing masks had to also deal with fogged glasses, and disposable expensive towelettes came in the market.

Washing the glasses very well (scrub with fingers) each morning should give you many hours of fog free vision.
Good luck.