Best Belay Glasses of 2022

Keeping your eyes on your climber is of utmost importance, but it can quickly get uncomfortable as a belayer. If you’re climbing a lot or belaying someone on their project, your neck will definitely start to feel it. Belay glasses can save your neck, but how do you know which pair to choose? Here at The Adventure Junkies, we’ll help you find the best belay glasses for you and those long days at the crag.

For more of our top climbing gear recommendations, check out the Best Climbing Chalk.

Reviews - The Best Glasses for Belaying

Metolius Upshot

Specs

• Accessories: Hard Case w/ Carabiner, Lanyard, Lens Cloth
• Frame Material: Plastic

Features

• High Field Of Vision
• Low-profile Nose Pads So You Can Wear With Other Glasses
• Streamlined Sport-Style Temples For Comfort

BEST FOR: ALL-AROUND PERFORMANCE

The Metolius Upshot belay glasses have been tried, tested, and improved from their original design, and now provide a wide field of vision to see your climber while being aware of your surroundings. The prisms aim high on the wall so your neck doesn’t have to, and your peripheral vision is not obscured.

The nose pads on the Upshot belay glasses are low-profile, which allows you to wear these specs while also wearing your own prescription glasses or sunglasses. The Upshot also comes with a zippered hard case for safe storage in your pack, as well as a lanyard to easily keep them handy around your neck.

View at REI

Y&Y Vertical Classic

Specs

• Accessories: Hard Case, Lanyard, Lens Cloth, Replacement Nose Pads
• Frame Material: Metal

Features

• Frame And Nose Pads Are Adjustable For A Custom Fit
• Thin Metal Frame Doesn’t Impede Vision
• Carrying Case Has Both Zipper & Velcro Closure For Ease Of Transport

BEST FOR: EXTRA FEATURES

The Y&Y Vertical Classic are high-quality belay glasses with a number of thoughtfully designed features that come with a higher price tag than more basic glasses. The light metal frames are adjustable to fit your face shape in a comfortable way, and the thin frames also don’t block your vision and make it easy to see your surroundings.

The Y&Y Vertical Classic come with a number of accessories, including a lanyard for keeping the glasses with you when you’re not wearing them, as well as a hard carrying case. The case has a zipper and a velcro closure, which is handy for when you want to keep the glasses protected but easily accessible. Plus, the case comes with a small carabiner to clip to your harness or pack.

View at Amazon

BG Climbing

Specs

• Accessories: Hard Case, Lanyard, Lens Cloth
• Frame Material: Plastic

Features

• Can Be Worn With Other Glasses & Sunglasses
• Thin Frame Doesn’t Block Field Of View
• Lightweight Plastic Frame Is Comfortable

BEST FOR: BASIC FUNCTION

The BG Climbing Belay Glasses are an inexpensive pair of belay glasses that still get the job done. The plastic frame is thin and lightweight, though it isn’t adjustable, so it might not fit everyone. It does allow for a good field of view and peripheral vision though. The frames are also able to be worn along with other glasses and sunglasses.

Even though they don’t cost much, the BG Climbing Belay Glasses do come with a zippered case and a lanyard to carry the glasses around easily. These glasses might not be the most durable, but the price still makes them a good choice to try out as a first pair of belay glasses.

View at Amazon

Y&Y Vertical Plasfun

Specs

• Accessories: Hard Case w/ Carabiner, Lanyard, Lens Cloth, Extra Screws
• Frame Material: Plastic

Features

• Sturdy Plastic Frames
• Good Field Of Vision And Unimpeded Peripheral View
• Variety Of Color Choices

BEST FOR: COLORFUL COMFORT

The Y&Y Vertical Plasfun are a well-crafted pair of belay glasses that come in a variety of colors, so you can sport your personal style at the crag or in the gym. The plastic frames are lightweight and extremely comfortable, and they are thin enough to stay out of the way of your peripheral vision so you can stay aware of your surroundings while you keep your eyes on your climber.

Y&Y includes a few great accessories for the Plasfun belay glasses. They come with a case that has both a zipper and a velcro closure, plus a carabiner for easy carrying. They also include a lanyard, microfiber cloth to keep the lenses clean, and replacement screws, so these glasses will last.

View at Amazon

Y&Y Vertical Clip Up

Specs

• Accessories: Hard Case w/ Carabiner, Lens Cloth, Silicone Ear Hooks
• Frame Material: Plastic

Features

• Attaches To Another Pair Of Glasses
• Large Prisms Offer Wide Field Of Vision
• Can Flip Up Out Of The Way When Not In Use

BEST FOR: GLASSES-WEARERS

The Y&Y Vertical Clip-Up Belay Glasses are a unique pair of belay glasses that are not meant to be worn on their own, but rather clipped to another pair of glasses, making them ideal for those people who always wear prescription lenses. They are designed to clip to your glasses, then can be flipped up out of the way when you don’t need them, thanks to a handy hinge mechanism.

The Vertical Clip-Up features Y&Y’s extra wide angle prisms which give you a fantastic field of vision when you’re watching your climber, yet still allow you to stay aware of your surroundings.

View at Amazon

THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A BELAY GLASSES

Belay glasses are a great tool, but they do take some getting used to. Before you start belaying with a pair, try them out so you get used to your field of vision. It’s usually still best to look directly at your climber for the first few clips, then put on the belay glasses once they get higher, so belay glasses that have a neck strap can be helpful. Here are some tips for when to use belay glasses, and how to use them properly.

FIELD OF VISION

The sizes of the prisms vary between belay glasses. A larger prism will give you a greater field of vision, which is ideal for watching your climber. However, a smaller prism will allow you to see around the lens, which is useful for keeping an eye on what is in your peripheral vision, especially when you need to move around to belay.

COMFORT

The whole point of belay glasses is to provide comfort by relieving neck strain, so the belay glasses you choose should be comfortable, too. Glasses that have adjustable metal frames can fit most face shapes comfortably, while plastic frames might fit certain people well, but be less comfortable for others.

OTHER GLASSES

If you wear prescription glasses for your vision – or often wear sunglasses at the crag – it’s important that your belay glasses work with your other glasses. Some belay glasses are designed to be compatible to wear over other glasses, which works, although it can feel a little clunky. The Y&Y Clip Up can only be worn by being clipped to another pair of glasses, so they are a great choice for those who wear glasses all the time.

FEATURES EXPLAINED

FRAME

Either plastic, which is rigid, or metal, which is more flexible and adjustable.

PRISMS

The lenses of the glasses which are angled upward to reflect and see the climber on the wall.