Hockey is a really fast passed game, you need to be able to see everything that is going on during a game to keep up with it. Unfortunately, some people (myself included) weren’t born with great vision and require the use of glasses.
The question is, can hockey players wear glasses? Hockey players should avoid wearing glasses during games. While playing hockey, there are numerous opportunities for your glasses to fog up or break, this can be very distracting and potentially harmful. Many players opt to use contact lenses or undergo a procedure to fix their vision as an alternative to wearing glasses on the ice.
With that said, it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility to wear glasses while playing hockey.
So long as you are wearing a fishbowl (helmet with a full plastic shield rather than a half visor) you shouldn’t run into many issues other than, like I said, dealing with them constantly fogging up and having to take your bucket off to readjust them.
Safe to say, if you have grand plans of becoming a professional hockey player, you will need to go the lasik or contact lenses route. After all, when is the last time you’ve seen a player in the NHL wearing glasses? It’s a harsh reality.
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How do you prevent glasses from fogging while playing hockey?
Contact lenses aren’t for everyone, I get that, they can be a real pain to put in and take out every day.
If you’re someone who can’t stand to wear contact lenses while you’re playing hockey and would much prefer just to wear your glasses, I get that too. The problem I’ve always encountered is my glasses fogging up non-stop, mainly while on the bench.
What I’ve found works in preventing glasses from fogging during hockey is using an anti-fog solution before the game. They are pretty easy to pick up online. Also, some people swear by rubbing dish soap on your lenses and then rinsing it off, this leaves a film behind that protects against fog.
That or you could install some windshield wipers on the frames of your glasses. Actually, that would be pretty sweet.
Alternative to glasses or contacts for hockey
If the fog is something that is an ongoing issue for you, and you refuse to wear contacts (don’t blame you) there is another route you can go.
Prescription sports goggles are a solid alternative to glasses or contacts. Not only will the goggles completely cancel out your fog issue, but they stay strapped to your head even after receiving a big hit on the ice.
As an added bonus, sports goggles don’t have hard plastic or medal frames that are being pushed into the side of your face by your helmet!
What about a prescription hockey visor?
You would think the simplest solution to this problem would be a prescription hockey visor. A custom visor for your helmet, which you can order online with your prescription.
Years ago, Oakley actually made and sold prescription visors for hockey helmets, but that has since changed.
Unfortunately, as of today, no other company has stepped up and taken on the task of creating prescription visors for hockey. Which is a massive shame because it would solve a lot of people’s problems and would probably sell really well.
NHL Players who’ve worn glasses
In today’s NHL you won’t see any players wearing glasses, the majority of them get corrective procedures to restore their vision or wear contact lenses.
But in the earlier days of the NHL, there were a select few players who wore glasses on and off the ice.
- Al Arbour
- Dan Lambert
- Hal Laycoe
If you’ve ever worn glasses under a helmet, you probably know why the list is so small. Glasses just aren’t comfortable to wear under a helmet, they press and squeeze against your head.
Final thoughts
If you aren’t planning on becoming the next Connor McDavid, you are perfectly okay to wear glasses while playing hockey.
People with ambitions of becoming professional hockey players should look into other alternatives, whether it be lasik or contacts.
Being born without perfect vision sucks, it’s not fair, but we make the best of the cards we are dealt.
Have fun out there!
