The 10 Best Belay Glasses
This wiki has been updated 15 times since it was first published in December of 2018. If you've ever spent a day assisting a climbing friend at the base of a high wall, you know how taxing the activity can be on your neck. These belay glasses let you avoid having to constantly tilt your head to monitor the situation. They use prismatic lenses that allow you to keep an eye on your buddy without needing to raise your eyes, ensuring hours of painless climbing. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
Editor's Notes
January 07, 2019:
With their goofy designs and not-so-obvious utility, belay glasses can seem like an unnecessary investment for climbers already drowning in gear. But for anyone who's ever used them, their advantages are clear. Not only do they make belaying more comfortable by letting you monitor your buddy without having to strain your neck, but they also make it safer, since a sore neck can be a distraction. All of the models we've included here meet those standards, though some do it better than others. For example, models like the Epic Peak Light Weight and JNW Direct Goggles, though definitely more affordable, come with their own set of flaws, including cheap materials and bulky frames that can obscure your peripheral vision. For most people, it's probably best to invest instead in a higher-quality pair such as the Metolius Upshot or Y&Y Vertical Classic, which, though pricier, are much more durably and ergonomically made.