5 Reasons Why You Should Wear Goggles on a Jet Ski [Video]

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It’s safe to say that wearing goggles or sunglasses is a must on a jet ski! They can protect your eyes from potential damage from the following:

  1. Sunrays
  2. Wind
  3. Rain
  4. Water spray
  5. Bugs and debris

If you want to find out more about this topic and compare the best jet ski eye protection alternatives, this post is for you.

We at JetDrift have compiled all you need to know under one roof!

Should You Wear Goggles on a Jet Ski?

Should I wear goggles on a jet ski? – we get this question often and the answer is yes! Lack of eye protection on a jet ski means poor visibility and the risk of potential eye damage.

Let’s examine the main reasons why you should wear goggles or aother form of eye protection on your rides!

1. Sunrays

Sunshine is always part of the fun, but it can literally cause you to get a headache on a jet ski ride. Too much light and UV rays translate to limited visibility and even eye damage.

It’s a lesser known fact that damaging UV rays are still out there even if the sun is covered over by clouds.

This is where jet ski sunglasses and goggles come into play.

They are designed to filter out UV radiation and glare while reducing light intensity to ensure optimum eye protection.

2. Wind

Jet skis are designed with very small windshields, which are more of a design element than a functional unit.

Consequently, jet ski windshields offer zero protection for your head and eyes. This open cockpit combined with the high speeds of jet skis results in a lot of wind blowing in your face.

As you can imagine, it’s neither safe nor comfortable to jet ski without adequate eye protection!

3. Rain

Although jet skiing in the rain is never a good idea, sometimes it’s unavoidable on long tours.

And jet skiing in the rain without eye protection is certainly not recommended!

The hits of raindrops feel like a barrage of pinpricks on your exposed areas, so you can imagine how unpleasant this can be for your eyes.

4. Water Spray

While jet skiing you are constantly being soaked by a significant amount of water spray coming from the front of the hull.

The rougher the waters, the heavier the spray. This undesired shower may soak your legs and upper body, but in unfortunate cases, it can even reach your eyes.

At higher speeds, it can be pretty uncomfortable and even dangerous!

Like rain, this water spray can be kept out of your eyes if you’re wearing a pair of jet ski goggles.

5. Bugs and Debris

Believe it or not, bugs feel like small bullets when they hit your body at high speeds.

Although jet skis run on the water, the wind can deliver dust, sticks, and other debris to your face, especially if you’re riding close to shore.

If you ride your jet ski without eye protection, you risk hurting your eyes by flying debris or bugs!

The Best Jet Ski Eye Protection Alternatives

Based on our research, the four best eye protection alternatives for jet ski riders are as follows:

  • Jet ski sunglasses
  • Jet ski goggles
  • Boating/jet ski mask
  • Helmet with visor

Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about each in detail!

Do You Need to Wear Sunglasses on Jet Ski?

As we‘ve discussed, goggles or sunglasses are a must on a jet ski to protect your eyes. But contrary to popular belief, standard sunglasses are not the best choice for jet ski riders.

They are prone to falling off and sinking in the water, and they can’t offer perfect protection.

Unlike their standard brothers, jet ski sunglasses are designed with marine environments in mind.

The key advantage of jet ski sunglasses is that they perfectly fit the face, keeping wind, water spray, and debris out, yet offer adequate ventilation. They also feature a flexible strap as part of the frame, which prevents the glasses from falling off.

Their special frame is made of a strong but lightweight material that floats, so you don’t have to be afraid of losing them in the water.

These purpose-built jet ski sunglasses are halfway between regular sunglasses and jet ski goggles.

Jet Ski Goggles

Compared to sunglasses, boating and jet ski goggles offer a higher level of protection. They are larger and their frame is padded with a soft foam that seals your eyes from the environment.

Therefore, jet ski goggles offer better vision and protection in all weather conditions. Just like sunglasses, these goggles are also held in position with a flexible head strap.

Their design, size, and color vary greatly depending on the make and model.

What are the best goggles for riding a Jet Ski? We get this question often and the answer is that it depends. Some riders prefer smaller, sunglasses-like goggles while others favor the bigger ones that look more like snowboard or MX motorcycle goggles.

Therefore, it always comes down to personal preferences.

Jet Ski Masks

If you are looking for more protection, jet ski face masks are for you. These masks are rigid shields that cover the entire face.

The key advantage of wearing a jet ski mask is that it protects your mouth and face from water spray, bugs, and blistering wind. Jet ski masks really shine on long tours and in cold environments.

On the other hand, a full-face jet ski mask offers less comfort and visibility than sunglasses.

Aside from dedicated jet ski masks, boating or even paintball masks are also commonly worn on jet skis.

 Helmet

Believe it or not, many people wear helmets on jet ski rides.

Jet ski helmets are obligatory for racers, but many recreational riders wear them when they are doing tricks or wave jumping.

For these activities, the best jet ski helmets are lightweight MX-style helmets paired with matching goggles.

These helmets can be also paired with a full-size visor, which offers more protection if you plan on riding during the winter months.

Can You Ride a Jet Ski with Eyeglasses On?

You can ride a jet ski with prescription glasses, but there is always a chance that they will fall into the water. If you want to wear your prescription glasses while riding a jet ski, here are the three best tips on how to do it:

  • Also wear jet ski goggles: You can wear your eyeglasses under larger boating or jet ski goggles, which are similar in design to MX or snowboard goggles. Make sure you attach a floater strap to both.
  • Use safety frames: Certain eyeglass stores market special safety frames for eyeglasses, which make your eyeglasses less likely to fall into the water.
  • Prescription sunglasses: You can also invest in a pair of prescription sunglasses that can be used for various sports like jet skiing.
  • Always carry spare eyeglasses: If you want to ride your jet ski with eyeglasses on, always keep a spare pair in your jet ski’s storage compartment. If the original pair accidentally falls into the water, you won’t be without your glasses!

Conclusion

You should wear goggles or other eye protection whenever you’re out on the water. Lack of eye protection results in limited visibility and even eye damage.

Instead of regular sunglasses, you may want to wear dedicated jet ski sunglasses or goggles.

If you need more head protection, you should invest in a rigid boating/jet ski mask, or a full-face jet ski helmet featuring an enclosed visor.

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