Helmets and sunglasses - does it work?

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ikw777
ikw777
QLD
2995 posts
QLD, 2995 posts
16 Sep 2009 10:52am
I need to get a hemet but I also always wear my polaroids while sailing. Those of you with Gath hemets, can you fit your sunglasses around your head at the same time as wearing your helmet?

I'n concerned the arms being pressed into the side my head would be distracting/uncomfortable.
hardie
hardie
WA
4133 posts
WA, 4133 posts
16 Sep 2009 8:56am
ikw777 said...

I need to get a hemet but I also always wear my polaroids while sailing. Those of you with Gath hemets, can you fit your sunglasses around your head at the same time as wearing your helmet?

I'n concerned the arms being pressed into the side my head would be distracting/uncomfortable.


I've never had a problem
Mobydisc
Mobydisc
NSW
9029 posts
NSW, 9029 posts
16 Sep 2009 11:00am
I always wear sunnies when windsurfing and sometimes wear a gath helmet, especially when its cold. Never had an issue with it becoming too uncomfortable.
ab01
ab01
QLD
87 posts
QLD, 87 posts
16 Sep 2009 11:15am
I tie my sunnies on with a thin piece of cord. The knot can be uncomfortable on my temple inside the helmet - otherwise no problems
555
555
892 posts
555 555
892 posts
16 Sep 2009 9:18am
No problem for me either - Gath Gedi with some "safety" sunnies tied on with nylon.
elmo
elmo
WA
8894 posts
WA, 8894 posts
16 Sep 2009 9:21am
I use Polarizing and Yellow (for dim light) Safety glasses with a gath every session, no problems.

Went to safety glasses after a lense from my sunnies popped out in a crash and didn't want some piece of plastic attacking my eyes
ikw777
ikw777
QLD
2995 posts
QLD, 2995 posts
16 Sep 2009 11:35am
"Safety galsses"? Like you use when running a powersaw???
elmo
elmo
WA
8894 posts
WA, 8894 posts
16 Sep 2009 9:41am
Same basic principle, there are a lot of different designs to what generally available in a hardware shop.

I use the same glasses all day as I'm on and of industrial sites all the time

www.safetyoptics.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=412-M1-PG
Bender
Bender
WA
2236 posts
WA, 2236 posts
16 Sep 2009 9:47am
elmo said...

I use Polarizing and Yellow (for dim light) Safety glasses with a gath every session, no problems.

Went to safety glasses after a lense from my sunnies popped out in a crash and didn't want some piece of plastic attacking my eyes


if you have seen Elmo sail you understand why he has to use safety galsses
ikw777
ikw777
QLD
2995 posts
QLD, 2995 posts
16 Sep 2009 11:48am
Hmm, those look good. I never thought of sunnies breaking in your face before...
DavMen
DavMen
NSW
1510 posts
NSW, 1510 posts
16 Sep 2009 12:02pm
Gath Surf Convertible + Seabreeze Sunnies no problem
mineral1
mineral1
WA
4564 posts
WA, 4564 posts
16 Sep 2009 10:11am
IKW777 I have to wear prescription sunglasses, and wear a Gath helmet. The need for a cord from the arms is the best way to go, as usually the force of water hitting at the right angle will pull these from your face.
One other issue is any sunny's with straight arms (the trendy ones) the helmet band behind lug holes (ears)will sometimes push down on the arms and lift the bridge up on nose. For none prescription, no problem, but if prescription multi lenses its a tad awkward
Next item is use RainX on the lenses, stops them streaking and hard to see through
easty
easty
TAS
2213 posts
TAS, 2213 posts
16 Sep 2009 12:17pm
ikw777 said...

I need to get a hemet but I also always wear my polaroids while sailing. Those of you with Gath hemets, can you fit your sunglasses around your head at the same time as wearing your helmet?

I'n concerned the arms being pressed into the side my head would be distracting/uncomfortable.


I must have a weird shaped head (cue Tassie jokes) as unlike everyone else I can't wear sunnies under my Gath - the arms do press into my temples. I've tried some sunnies that just have straps, no arms, but they tend to rise up when I look down and obscure my vision.
I only tend to use my Gath when it's really windy, and just squint a lot.
And what Elmo said re safety specs - cheap and good.
555
555
892 posts
555 555
892 posts
16 Sep 2009 10:21am
elmo said...

Same basic principle, there are a lot of different designs to what generally available in a hardware shop.

I use the same glasses all day as I'm on and of industrial sites all the time

www.safetyoptics.com.au/index.php?page=showProduct&id=412-M1-PG


Moley! $107!!

I have some polarised, amber lens jobbies which cost me $45.

Yeah, the hinge screws don't hinge anymore (salt water will do that to metal!) but I keep 'em in my helmet anyway, so it doesn't matter.

At $45 I'm not too precious about them - I'd be pretty grumpy if I lost $100+ sunnies in the drink though!

Fresh water rinse when I rinse the wetty, and a bit of rainex once a season, and they're all good.
easty
easty
TAS
2213 posts
TAS, 2213 posts
16 Sep 2009 12:29pm
easty said...


I must have a weird shaped head (cue Tassie jokes) as unlike everyone else I can't wear sunnies under my Gath - the arms do press into my temples. I've tried some sunnies that just have straps, no arms, but they tend to rise up when I look down and obscure my vision.
I only tend to use my Gath when it's really windy, and just squint a lot.
And what Elmo said re safety specs - cheap and good.


Maybe I need a bigger Gath - I just checked and it's a M.
And re safety specs - get decent ones from any hardware or industrial safety shop for under $20. I find the more I spend on sunnies is directly proportional to how fast I lose / scratch them.
ikw777
ikw777
QLD
2995 posts
QLD, 2995 posts
16 Sep 2009 12:38pm
I wonder about that. At 57 cm the selection chart says I'm at the top of the M range (just short of a bighead!) Wonder if there might not be enough room for me and sunnies in an M.

Jens
Jens
WA
348 posts
WA, 348 posts
16 Sep 2009 10:57am
Hi Folks,

Out here in WA it gets pretty glarey in the summer seabreeze, especially in some of the more onshore spots. I've played around with sunglasses and own a Gath helmet, but have ended up not using them because it really removes me from the sailing experience. I feel like I'm in a car-not really out there. Also I find peripheral vision reducued with the Gath helmet, which can put you into danger when gybing. I've compromised by wearing a strap on hat now. By tilting the brim I cut out the painful glare and get sun protection to boot. It works for me.

Cheers, jens
grumplestiltskin
grumplestiltskin
WA
2331 posts
WA, 2331 posts
16 Sep 2009 11:38am
I dont have any probs with sunnies and gaths, I use the bolle safety's that most mining and construction companies give their employees for free

There is one easy way to find out if they will fit and/or annoy or not
Go into the shop with the sunnies and try the helmet on ...............makes sense doesn't it!
Gestalt
Gestalt
QLD
14968 posts
QLD, 14968 posts
16 Sep 2009 1:52pm
it worked in chips....

Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5124 posts
VIC, 5124 posts
16 Sep 2009 2:21pm
www.seaspecs.com/

They have a 3 for 2 deal so you get 3 pairs for $100

You can get basically the same glasses from yachting shops for $40.

Don't buy expensive ones. They scratch just as easily as the cheap ones.

RainX helps repel water a little. You're rarely sailing fast enough for wind to blow the water drops off. The best thing is to clean the lenses well as possible. That stops water sticking and reduces fogging. Washing the glasses in warm water with dish washing detergent works quite well to de-grease the lenses.

The most important thing is to put your sunscreen on early so it dries properly and clear your eyebrows of excess. The excess suncreen runs into your eyes and onto your lenses so you can't see, you have sore eyes, and you can't rub them.

Gath helmets are ok but the ear covers make the wind noise really loud.
easty
easty
TAS
2213 posts
TAS, 2213 posts
16 Sep 2009 5:20pm
ikw777 said...

I wonder about that. At 57 cm the selection chart says I'm at the top of the M range (just short of a bighead!) Wonder if there might not be enough room for me and sunnies in an M.


Just done a bit more research, and my noggin is 58cm, so according to the Gath site I should be using a L not a M, Doh! Also I like the look of the Gedi and Convertable - you can remove the ear section which would resolve sunnie issue and also get rid of that irritating noise of the wind blowing into the little holes.
555
555
892 posts
555 555
892 posts
17 Sep 2009 5:35am
Gorgo said...
Gath helmets are ok but the ear covers make the wind noise really loud.

That's why they have closeable vents.. Noise on, or noise off with a simple twist of the cover.

Should be an optional feature for inlaws too I reckon.

Gorgo
Gorgo
VIC
5124 posts
VIC, 5124 posts
17 Sep 2009 12:03pm
555 said...

Gorgo said...
Gath helmets are ok but the ear covers make the wind noise really loud.

That's why they have closeable vents.. Noise on, or noise off with a simple twist of the cover.
....



The closable vents don't make any difference to the wind noise.
Haggar
Haggar
QLD
1670 posts
QLD, 1670 posts
17 Sep 2009 1:45pm
I use the Seabreeze Sunnies with a Gath fixed visor helmet, its is little uncomfortable when 1st put it on, but generally OK.

Easty, I was going to get a pair of sunnies with just a the strap next time, what brand was yours, do you think that they all ride up ?

I pretty much always wear a helmet now when sailing in short board conditions, I think everyone should consider this ........
easty
easty
TAS
2213 posts
TAS, 2213 posts
17 Sep 2009 2:19pm
Haggar the ones I tried were called "Ignition", and I think I got them from that on-line auction site. I'm pretty sure they only ride up because my helmet is such a "snug" fit - I agree with your sentiment about helmet usage, and will probably get a larger and more comfortable one that I'll be more inclined to use.
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