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Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else This is an opportunity to ask any question, and post any notice you wish that doesn't fit into one of the other sections.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Photo by Marc Gibaud,
Clouds on Tres Cerros and
Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 4 Mar 2009
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Footwear choice
Hi
Already mentioned here, Altberg Boots the way to go, basically a hi spec walking boot addapted for motorcycle riding, you can ride all day and if needed you can walk all day super comfy.
For the more leasure aspect in hot climates check out Keen footwear US brand , avalable in UK at Cotswold camping.

Richard
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  #2  
Old 4 Mar 2009
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Contact lenses
Isn't it simply easier to wear glasses? You'll need to carry glasses for days when your eyes get full of dirt and so on, so why not just go with them from the start?

Plan B to me would be to look into getting your eyes lasered and ditch the lenses that way.

I could swing for the idiots we had on some training courses I used to run. Do day 1, go out and get ****ed, be unable to get the lenses in the next day due to being bloodshot and sore, spend day 2 unable to drive or see any component smaller than a truck wheel!

Andy
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  #3  
Old 4 Mar 2009
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Glasses are a right pain with helmets, all that sliding them in and out, stick with your contacts.

BUT: what type do you wear? I wear rigid gas-permeables, and they shed grit easily and the bottle is tiny and lasts me about three months, and (opthamologists look away now) you can always "lick & spit" in an emergency.

I'd try and do a bit of a check online to see about availability in the countries you're going to - join CouchSurfing and you can ask people on there, it's a great way to check things like this. If not available why not send it ahead poste restante?
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  #4  
Old 4 Mar 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
Glasses are a right pain with helmets, all that sliding them in and out, stick with your contacts.

?
I wear glasses. No problems, even with goggles.

Andy
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  #5  
Old 4 Mar 2009
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OK, I'll revise that for Andy:

Glasses can be a pain depending on your head shape, helmet type and glasses style. Personally I can never get any glasses in through my helmet without snagging them on my ears, scratching my temples and bending the frames.

But others may differ.
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  #6  
Old 4 Mar 2009
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Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
Isn't it simply easier to wear glasses? You'll need to carry glasses for days when your eyes get full of dirt and so on, so why not just go with them from the start?
People might have different experiences. Personally I have no problems using lenses in all kinds of environment – except swimming under water. They can be bit hard to put on in a sandstorm but you get use to it. Day-lenses are pretty handy.
But I usually carry glasses for emergency-stuff that can happen in the middle of the night.

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Originally Posted by Threewheelbonnie View Post
Plan B to me would be to look into getting your eyes lasered and ditch the lenses that way.
That’s a good plan!
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Old 5 Mar 2009
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I wear specs and day -lenses. To be honest I hate wearing bins- they steam up, you can't wear sunnies with them (unless you have prescription sunnies), they get splattered with rain, fall off, get broken, sat on, and I totally agree with Alex on this one, definately uncomfortable under a helmet! Oh, and they interfere with my carefully created rugged adventurer look!

So most of the time I wear lenses. However, 3WB is right too, I always take my glasses with me because sometimes contacts are a pain, you can't be bothered putting them in, hurt your eyes after a long day etc. etc.

I have some excellent Oakley and Scott motocross goggles designed to go over specs. This way, I can wear lenses, but if I have to, I can wear my glasses under my goggles as well.

By the by, if you are heading through India/Nepal and have a relatively straightforward prescription, this is a great place to buy glasses. I got a great pair in Kathmandu for £5!

Matt
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*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
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Old 5 Mar 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick 58 View Post
For the more leasure aspect in hot climates check out Keen footwear US brand , avalable in UK at Cotswold camping.

Richard
Hey Richard,
yeah, the Keen footwear looks like a great choice and toes can even be covered for a little extra protection.
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