How to Protect Your Glasses During Summer Travel
Whether you wear glasses for vision correction, sun protection, or both, they’re an essential part of your daily routine—especially during summer adventures. From road trips and beach outings to flights and festivals, your glasses go wherever you go. But with all that movement comes the risk of damage. Sand, sun, and all manner of travel mishaps can threaten your frames and lenses.
The good news? With a few simple precautions, you can keep your glasses safe and in great shape all summer long. Here are some smart, travel-friendly tips to help you protect your eyewear while you’re on the go.
1. Keep Them in Their Case When You Aren’t Wearing them
Whether you're lounging poolside or hiking a scenic trail, there will be times when you need to take your glasses off. Instead of leaving them on a hotel nightstand or picnic table, always return them to a hard-shell case. This is especially important when traveling, as your glasses are more likely to get jostled in bags or knocked off surfaces.
If you're carrying your glasses in a purse, backpack, or beach tote, a sturdy case will protect them from scratches, pressure, and accidental crushing.
2. Take Them Off the Right Way
It might seem like a small detail, but how you remove your glasses matters—especially when you're constantly putting them on and taking them off during travel. Avoid pulling them off with one hand, which can bend the arms and misalign the frame. Instead, use both hands to gently remove them.
Also, resist the urge to rest them on your head. Not only can this stretch the frame, but sunscreen, sweat, and hair products can smudge or damage the lenses. Also: this increases the chances of them falling off!
3. Clean Them with a Microfiber Cloth—Not Your Shirt
Summer travel often means more sweat, sunscreen, and dust—all of which can leave your lenses smudged. But don’t reach for your beach towel or T-shirt to wipe them off. These fabrics can scratch your lenses or leave streaks.
Instead, pack a microfiber cloth (or two!) in your travel bag. If you’re struggling with a particularly persistent smudge, you can also put the lenses under gently running water. Just make sure to let them dry before you clean them off with the microfiber cloth, and don’t ever use any abrasive cleaners on your lenses.
4. Get Them Readjusted After Your Trip
Even the best-maintained glasses are likely to bend and twist over long periods of time. As they continue to change their shape, glasses risk slipping off our faces, causing more damage. Because of this, you should try to take your glasses in to get them readjusted at least once a year. A great time to do this is right around your annual eye exam—that way you can be sure your glasses have the most up-to-date prescription.
Bonus Travel Tip: Bring a Backup Pair
If you rely on your glasses daily, consider packing a backup pair—especially if you're traveling internationally or to remote areas. Accidents happen, and having a spare pair can save you from a vacation-ruining mishap. And if you’re a VSP® member, you can save 20% on eyewear, even if you’ve used your benefit for the year.
Great glasses are an essential companion for summer adventures—and with these travel-savvy tips, you can keep yours in top shape no matter where the season takes you. Don’t have a pair yet? Check out our full collection of eyewear and find your perfect travel companion today!
Savings and offers may vary depending on brand, type of lenses, and member eligibility. Limitations and restrictions may apply. Savings and offers cannot be redeemed for cash, applied to previous purchases, or combined with other discounts and coupons. Any out-of-network insurance reimbursement is at the discretion of the insurance provider. Federally funded healthcare programs may be exempt from this offer.