Goggles and eye protection in general are standard safety precautions for motorcyclists. Goggles are typically worn by those who use motocross or half helmets, but they can be worn alongside other types of helmets as well.
That said, because not all motorcycle helmets share the same design, the way to wear goggles with them may differ.
How to Wear Goggles with Motorcycle Helmets
What separates goggles from visors is the fact that your face receives much more ventilation than it normally does would while covered by a face shield. This is one of the most important reasons motorcycle helmets have visors.
There are different types of goggles, with many of them being designed to cater to specific needs. To make the most of your purchase, you should be sure that the goggles you go with suit your needs.
For example, some goggles are made specifically for those who wear glasses. For helmets that are made for bespectacled people, check out the best motorcycle helmets for glasses 2022.
You can wear glasses under a motorcycle helmet, you just need to make sure the design allows for it. The same is true for wearing goggles.
No matter what their design caters to, each pair of goggles protects you from things like insects and debris that may get caught in your eyes, which would be a massive problem.
It's important to keep your helmet in mind when you're choosing a pair of goggles because when it comes to its size and design, different types of goggles are better suited for different types of helmets.
If you're interested in motorcycle accessories, please check out our collection of motorcycle gloves.
Wearing Goggles with a Motocross Helmet
A motocross helmet is made for protecting your head while riding a motorcycle in off-road conditions. A dirt bike helmet has a build that differs from other types of motorcycle helmets, and the difference is easily noticeable at a glance.
Motocross helmets are specifically designed to keep out dirt and mud, and while the same can be said for some other helmets, they don't hold up as well on a dirt road. On the other hand, dirt bike helmets are not designed with a lot of focus on aerodynamics and aren't as suited for long journeys on the road.
The spacious design around the face helps with visibility and it offers enough room for the rider to equip a pair of goggles.
If you want to wear goggles alongside a dirt bike helmet then you're in luck because lots of manufacturers offer a pair of goggles to go with their motocross helmets. This is because motocross helmets and goggles usually go hand in hand.
If you aren't able to get one of these helmet and goggles sets, then you need to find a pair of goggles in a size that will fit your helmet. This shouldn't be too hard a task, because as I've mentioned previously, dirt bike helmets and goggles go hand in hand.
Wearing Goggles with a Full Face Helmet
Full-face helmets are by far the most common type of helmet used by bikers on the road. This type of motorcycle helmet comes equipped with a chin bar and face shield that provides the wearer with full face protection.
There are many models available, each with varying prices and quality. Full-face helmets are built with a smoother, more aerodynamic design than dirt bike helmets because they’re primarily built for the road. These motorcycle helmets protect your entire head, which is why they’re considered to be the safest kind out there.
Although if you want to wear a pair of goggles with this helmet, the full face protection it offers becomes a bit of a disadvantage.
Due to its closed visor space, acquiring a pair of goggles that will fit can be tricky. This is mostly due to the face shield not leaving much room for anything underneath it. To be able to wear goggles with a full-face helmet, you'd need to keep the visor lifted or remove it completely which eliminates a lot of the benefits of a full face helmet.
That said, it's not impossible to find a pair of goggles that are small enough to be worn inside this type of helmet. The key is to find one that fits.
The problem is the mechanism that locks the face shield in place. In most cases, this is located to the side of your helmet's face gap where the straps of the goggles are placed along the outside of your helmet.
This locking mechanism probably doesn’t leave any room for your goggles’ strap.
This is why it’s better to remove the face shield completely so that your goggles and strap can be unobstructed.
Wearing Goggles with an Open Face Helmet
An open-face helmet is characterized by its lack of a face shield and chin bar. This kind of motorcycle helmet offers its wearer the most breathability out of them all.
While I wouldn't go so far as to say that this helmet is less safe than others, it does leave more of your head exposed.
Since many open-face helmets don’t come with a visor, and even in some cases where a visor is present, people with this type of helmet usually pair it with goggles.
Remember that motorcycle helmets are not universal, so you can’t just take one off your modular helmet and slap it on an open-face one.
If you own this type of helmet then you're in luck, because this is the easiest helmet to wear with goggles. All you need to do is find the appropriate size and style for yourself and your helmet.
The strap is important in this case, the one you choose depends on whether or not you prefer the strap to be on the inside or outside of your helmet. Synthetic straps are preferable for the outside of your helmet, but if you're wearing the strap on the inside and around your head you're better off using one with softer material.
Conclusion
Just because most helmets are made with visors in mind doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits you’d get from wearing a pair of goggles while you ride.
There are many reasons to wear goggles under your helmet, just make sure you’ve taken all the important factors into consideration.
If you enjoyed this piece, consider checking out other blogs:
- Best Motorcycle Helmet for Visibility
- Best Open Face Motorcycle Helmets
- Best Low Profile Motorcycle Helmet
- Best Half Shell Motorcycle Helmet
- Best Flip-Up Motorcycle Helmet
- Best and Safest Motorcycle Helmet
- Are Open-Face Motorcycle Helmets Safe
- Are Bluetooth Motorcycle Helmets Safe
- How Tight Should a Motorcycle Helmet Be
- Best Motorcycle Helmet
- Most Advanced Motorcycle Helmets
- Best Dual Sport Motorcycle Helmet
- Best Motocross Helmet Under $300
- Best Motorcycle Track Day Helmet
- Best Motorcycle Helmet Color for Visibility