UKC

UKClimbing.com's gear reviewer John Bachar takes a look at the latest eyewear for climbing. No not Ray Bans, but CU Belay Glasses. Say goodbye to belayer's neck.

Read John's review here: http://www.ukclimbing.com/gear/review.php?id=1183

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Is it April already?

In reply to Bulls Crack:

I'd buy a pair .. my neck is killing me. I'm wondering whether I should go climbing tonight but the thought of the pain from belaying means I probably won't.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:
Brill! If you'd have said a year ago that we would have John Bachar reviewing stuff like tis for UKC I would never have believed you.

In reply to Jon Read:

John did add last night that, "I hope those guys make a "taller" version so you can see a little more above and below the climber. The width is good, the height a little narrow..."

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

will they be following these up with a pair that can see round corners or through blocks? Or perhaps funnel the sound of the leader shouting so it can be distinguished from wind/rain/river/sea gulls etc noise?

In reply to Dax:



I too have neck pain caused by belaying and would be interested in testing a pair first.

Nice idea.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Doesn't look like they'll see past the brim of some helmets.

You should offer a prize for the first person seen sporting them at Stanage.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

>"the latest eyewear for climbing"

Do the lens pop-out easily? It might be handy to be able to reverse them for talking to women.

In reply to The Lemming:
bending your neck back is generally not the cause of most peoples serious neck pain it's the opposite slouching forward. From my fairly limited knowledge of necks / backs (I have had physio on both for problems with both) I think bending the neck back is more likely to help prevent/correct disc problems.

I think these specs are quite comical surely one of those things we'll look back on and laugh about!

In reply to CurlyStevo: Depends what is wrong with the disc I think. A slight bulge may be pushed inwards by extension of neck or back as the extension 'frees' up any pressure on the anterior, or front part of the disc to stop it pushing at the back part. But a larger protrusion and herniation can actually be squished more by extension, esp if it's a posterior protrusion which many are. And if there are any facet problems then extension isn't good and quite painful. It's not just disc bulges though, muscular strain won't be helped by holding the neck in any stretched position for a good length of time.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Are these real/easily obtainable? I hurt my neck in a crash a few years ago and always get bad 'belayers neck' when I go climbing, they sound great (if wierd!).

Cat

In reply to lasonj:
muscular strain won't be helped by holding the neck in any stretched position for a good length of time.

Thats my problem. Nasty whiplash a few years ago (I mean proper injury, not insurance claim!) means my neck gets sore and I get headachey if I hold any position for too long, especially upwards.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

'The CU glasses are made of high-quality steel, have a cool design and are available from www.powernplay.de'

cool? hmm...

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

These sound a great idea - in theory.... Of course, when your leader falls off, I bet you'll look up, at which point you'll actually be looking over the back of your head!

I don't know if they're any good but this picture made me laugh
http://img.ukclimbing.com/i/93858.jpg

In reply to Stephen Reid:

which reminds me... don't forget to take them off when you start climbing!

Surely they should join up with Petzl and come free with each Grigri...

In reply to David Barlow:

Did you see how much a pair costs?! Its more likely you get a free Grigri with a pair of these glasses...

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Dammit, someones beaten me to it! Ask any of my climbing partners and they'll tell you I've been threatening to design and make a pair of these on and off for the last 20 years. The neck's not getting any better and I almost went into the shed to make some (Roobarb and Custard style) a couple of months ago after an extended belay session.

It'll be no fun making them now though, cos you can just go and buy some :/

Rich

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:


Do these glasses remove all pains in the neck?

<....wonders if they should be worn when using UKC to make certain posters disappear...>

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

My dad made a pair about 8 years ago because he got neck pain while belaying. I think he sent them into on the edge magazine, there was a photo of them at the front of the mag.

In reply to freerangecat: Hello, what do you think about a free CU test? Enjoy your belayings! Albi

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com: I saw these for sale in shops in Tokyo in the early 70's!! A little bit different though, turned 180 degs the other way. They were sold so that you could lie flat on your bed and watch a TV at the end of the bed.

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com:

Do they do prescription versions?
What about us poor people who already wear glasses?

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com: hmmm... could be useful? Is it only me who gets the whole world slightly spinning effect for hours after a long time looking up eg belaying on lots of routes or watching the sprog compete at a certain local wall during the BRYCS? I now nolonger watch the lead section of the comp cos it makes me feel really ill!

In reply to Mick Ryan - UKClimbing.com: Borrowed a pair at Raven Tor a few days ago - a bit of a revelation i thought. Made the whole belaying process very comfortable and, for me, I could'nt see a down side to them.