So I'm one of those that have been cursed w/ poor vision. I just realized that my glasses case weighs in at a ridiculous 4.15 ounces. Does anyone know where I might find a lighter weight option? I think it would be possible to cut this item's weight in half, but so far have not been able to find anything.

Edited by pstetz on 09/11/2007 21:29:21 MDT.

Depending on where you pack your glasses -- one UL option is to wrap in a piece of bubble wrap and then rubber band.

Not SUL, but a lightweight plastic food container might work as well, and accommodate other (soft) items. After weighing my optometrist-supplied glasses case, I found that an oblong cat-themed playing card container was lighter and held either my glasses or my digital camera, depending on what I wanted to protect at the moment. A truly random re-use of a household object.

I have been using this zippered case for several years. Remove the clip from the back and it weighs in at 1.5oz. Handles most size glasses.

http://www.productwizard.com/bianchimodel7800-accucasesunglasscase.html

Dan McHale's idea. Scroll down the page a bit:

http://www.mchalepacks.com/letter/index.htm

good idea bill, a wide mouth plastic container to hold glasses along with anything else you can jam in there like battries or other fragiles.

I use a snack sized ziplock or keep them in my "office ziplock with map, pencil stub, etc, but my glasses are Walgreen's readers, not Rx, so they are cheapos.

Simon

I remove the cardboard from the partial roll of toilet paper I bring and slide my glasses in there. Fits my glasses & RX sunglasses and as long as I have packed some extra as a precaution it stays padded. I keep it in the top top panel of my Golite Trek where I can also tuck it into my rainjacket. Never worry about them getting crushed.... unless I were to trip and land upside down somehow.... but it seems to me I might have greater worries if that were to happen.

My soft case that strapped to my shoulder straps weighed 3.5 ounces, and was very inconvenient (absolutely hated it).

I had an old rectangular toothbrush holder that I ended up modifying to hold the glasses. First I cut-off the extra length so that the glasses would barely touch the top & bottom (so that they didn't rattle). I then used a strip of adhesive back velcro wrapped around the main body right below the lid. Both my BP and day pack have a 3/4" strap on the shoulder pad that another strip of velcro goes under, and then sticks to the velcro on the case. The whole thing weighs 1 ounce.

Using a plastic case marketed for transporting drawing pencils/pens/charcoal, bought at art supply store (probably Pearl Paint, NYC, but they're common). Square plastic case with "drawer" that slides in/out and snap holds it shut. 8 x 1 1/8 x 2 1/2. 1.6 oz./46 gm. Sturdy, won't bend or break. Wrapping the glasses, inserting them. Can put in other small stuff as well. Can't find a photo, sorry. - RM

Do you want a hard case or soft? If soft will do, a simple sleeve of bargain bin fleece made 3-4 inches longer than the folded glasses is a simple reasonably protective holder. Don't mess with a closure, just tuck the long end inside.

I made a bombproof case that weighs 1 oz, for a pair of expensive polarized sunglasses. Here's how I did it (material links provided below):

Pick up one 6' section of 1-11/16" x 1-3/4" x 1/32" Tenite Butyrate Tubing (it weights ~ 0.121 ounces/inch and costs $6 per 6'section) and two polyethylene caps ($0.18 each) from US Plastics. Cut tube to length (mine is ~6") with hacksaw. Cap each end. Add a thin microfiber cleaning cloth to wrap your specs in. Voila... that's it.

LINKS:

TUBE: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog_name=usplastic&category_name=78&product_id=4905&variant_id=42132

CAPS: http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/variant.asp?catalog_name=USPlastic&category_name=78&product_id=4933&variant_id=42106

What do you do with the left over tubing? Lots of stuff... perhaps you need a puncture proof container to keep your Ti tent stakes from poking holes your shelter or pack? Have a fly rod? This stuff works great to protect it for only 3.7 ounces... Have a vintage pinup magazine you bring on the trail? this stuff keeps the nibbling pika's at bay...

I normally use the dinky little stuffsack that came with my raingear to hold my glasses at night. It does what I want - it keeps them dry.

My vision is so bad (I'm probably legally blind without them) that I also carry a pair of folding, optical-quality reading glasses fitted with my normal prescription lenses. Folded & stowed in their case, they're only about the size of a cellphone. I could also use them as my primary glasses and use the case they came with instead of the stuffsack, though I'd rather have two glasses handy.

Brian,

Great information and thanks for sharing!

Question: How ridged is the tubing?

Can it be crushed/deformed in the pack and therefore crush the glasses?

Again, appreciate the links that you included.

-Tony

Tony - While you can defect the wall of the tube, to crush it you'd have to stand on it or pinch it pretty firmly with your hands. I can't imagine anything going on in the pack that would be able to damage the glasses. If you want a stronger tube upgrade to the 1/16 inch wall thickness tube that weighs 0.223 ounces/inch.

Brian,

You just showed me how to save a little bit more weight in my pack!

Since I wear prescription glasses, I don't want to crush and damage a $400 pair of glasses....plus being blind on the trail would be a bad thing. :)

I will try out the lighter tube and if it isn't what I want, I can get the other one.

Fortunately, your solution is not expensive at all.

Thanks again.

-Tony

Good deal Tony! These forums are great... Hey, be sure you measure your glasses... you may be able to get away with a smaller tube. US Plastics has various sizes of tube diameters...

Actually you don't need a case. I've worn glasses for years and when I'm camping in warm weather with a shelter(I say warm weather because I would'nt want my glasses to freeze in winter) I hang my glasses to the top of the tent or tarp with a piece of paracord. You could shave some weight by using spectra cord. Sure your glasses might have some condensation on them in the morning but, you can warm them in your sleeping bag or pockets or hands right before you get up.

-Evan

Edited by edude on 12/16/2008 22:20:41 MST.

Evan,

You are right, but in my case, I carry two pairs.

Sunglasses and a regular pair.

I have considered getting some transition lenses so that I just have 1 pair to worry about.

Oddly, at night, I have learned to sleep with my glasses on.

I am a back sleeper and don't move much, so it kinda works for me vs. waking up in the middle of the night and hunting in the dark for my glasses.

-Tony

Yes I carry a pair of (non-perscription - an ordinary cheap plastic pair that requires no special attention)sporty sunglases to put on during the day while hiking. While I'm wearing my sunglasses, the regular glasses go in the very top of my pack inside a ziplock that I call my 'Quick Access Bag" which also includes my first aid kit, whistle, compass and bandanna(wrapped around glasses).

Be careful though, closing the top of your pack too tight or place any thing hard against them and you may risk breaking your glasses.

Edited by edude on 12/17/2008 22:14:51 MST.