Practical guide for adventurers, travelers, and athletes who don’t want to ruin their favorite glasses
When you are on the move, whether exploring a city, hiking in the mountains, or surfing, your glasses face demanding conditions: impacts, humidity, dust, temperature changes, and more. If you don’t take good care of them, they can get scratched, warped, or even broken.
In this article, we tell you how to protect your glasses during travel and extreme sports, with useful tips and easy-to-follow recommendations.
1. Smart cleaning. Not just any cloth will do
Common mistakes we make:
Cleaning glasses with a t-shirt causes scratches, ruining them completely.
Using non-specific wet wipes, as they contain harsh alcohol that can damage the lens of the glasses
Storing them dirty inside the case. Always try to store them as clean as possible.
What to do?
Always use a clean microfiber cloth
If there is dust or sand, rinse with water before rubbing
Carry a mini cleaning spray or special wipes for glasses
Our advice: Carry 2 microfiber cloths (one spare in case the first gets dirty or wet).
2. Safe transport. How to store them properly
Your glasses should be always protected inside your luggage, backpack, or bag, especially if you move around a lot or do intense activities.
Always use a hard case (forget about soft pouches if you play sports or travel a lot). Make sure that:
Be made of quality impact-resistant material
Have a soft and non-damaging interior for the glasses
Close well
Our advice: If you do extreme or water sports, look for waterproof cases with a cord or clip to attach to backpacks.
3. Protection against impact, sweat, and extreme weather
For sports like climbing, cycling, running, kayaking, or skiing:
Choose glasses made of polycarbonate or TR90, lightweight, durable, and flexible
Use elastic bands or non-slip straps
Consider wraparound models for better stability and side protection
Extreme climates (cold, heat, humidity):
Avoid leaving glasses in the car under the sun (they can warp)
Do not clean with hot water: it can damage lens coatings
Dry them well if they get wet from sweat or rain before storing
4.Prescription glasses vs. sports glasses
If you wear prescription glasses and often do sports or travel, you have several options:
Optical clip inside sports glasses
Custom prescription sports glasses
Contact lenses + non-prescription sunglasses
Photochromic prescription lenses for outdoors
If you don’t want to give up your style or vision, consider investing in a second pair of glasses specifically for sports or travel. You can visit our Instagram for more information gafasdeoptica
Glasses and travel: what should never be missing
Quick list for your backpack or suitcase:
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Hard case
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Microfiber cloth (x2)
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Cleaning spray or wipes
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Non-slip strap or holder
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Spare glasses (if the trip is long or remote)
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Cloth pouch for daily use (inside the case)
