Belay glasses are eyeglasses with prismatic lenses that are used by belayers in rock climbing to avoid the neck strain associated with belaying. The case has a zipper and a velcro closure, which is handy for when you want to keep the glasses protected but easily accessible.

Here at The Adventure Junkies, we’ll help you find the best belay glasses for you and those long days at the crag. They also include a lanyard, microfiber cloth to keep the lenses clean, and replacement screws, so these glasses will last.

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. This allows you to see whats happening above but without having to look up, which massively reduces neck strain and pain when you frequently belay.

The whole point of belay glasses is to provide comfort by relieving neck strain, so the belay glasses you choose should be comfortable, too.

The prisms aim high on the wall so your neck doesn’t have to, and your peripheral vision is not obscured.

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. Belaying involves a person standing on a stable platform below a rock climber controlling the tension and friction of the climber's rope. 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. Since this activity requires craning one's neck to look up at the climber, a common malady named "belayer's neck" can occur.

Some belay glasses are designed to be compatible to wear over other glasses, which works, although it can feel a little clunky. Keeping your eyes on your climber is of utmost importance, but it can quickly get uncomfortable as a belayer. 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. 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. 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 peripheral field around the sides of the lenses, allowing the belayer to remain aware of their surroundings. Now Kate spends as much time as possible exploring the crags of the Front Range and beyond, usually with her camera in hand. Belay glasses can also enable you to be more attentive to your climbing partner as they lead climb, either indoors or outside, as you don't have to strain to watch them climb. The prismatic lenses of the belay glasses are arranged so as to bend light from above through total internal reflection into the observer's eye, allowing the belayer to observe the climber while maintaining a comfortable head/neck position.

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. 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. Having been in business since 1983, we've come to appreciate what climbers, hikers, runners and campers really want from their kit - high quality, cost effective products that do exactly what they say on the tin.