October 17, 2025
Alberta's backcountry is a playground for hikers, campers, and outdoor adventurers of all kinds. From the trails in Kananaskis to the alpine meadows of the Rockies, there is no shortage of reasons to get outside. But if you wear contact lenses, the wilderness introduces hygiene challenges that do not exist at home. Without access to clean running water, well-lit bathrooms, or sterile surfaces, maintaining proper lens care requires forethought and preparation.
The Core Challenge: Clean Hands in Dirty Places
The single most important factor in contact lens safety is hand hygiene, and it is also the hardest to maintain outdoors. Every time you insert, adjust, or remove a contact lens, you are introducing whatever is on your fingers directly onto a device that sits on one of the most sensitive and infection-prone tissues in your body.
At a campsite, your hands have likely touched firewood, tent poles, cooking equipment, and the ground. On the trail, you have been gripping trekking poles, rocks, and vegetation. All of these surfaces harbour bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that you do not want near your eyes.
Here are practical strategies for maintaining hand hygiene in the field:
- Carry a dedicated hand-washing kit. A small bottle of biodegradable soap and a water bottle designated for hand washing give you a reliable cleaning method at camp. Lather thoroughly for at least 20 seconds before touching your lenses.
- Pack alcohol-based hand sanitizer. For situations where water is scarce, hand sanitizer is your backup. Apply generously and let it dry completely before handling lenses, as residual alcohol on your fingers will sting badly if transferred to your eye.
- Use individually wrapped lens wipes. These are a lightweight addition to your kit and provide a final cleaning step after washing or sanitizing your hands.
Daily Disposables: The Backcountry Best Choice
If there is one piece of advice that applies to every outdoor trip, it is this: switch to daily disposable contact lenses. The advantages over reusable lenses in an outdoor setting are substantial:
- No cleaning required. You insert a fresh, sterile lens each morning and discard it at night. There is no need to carry solution, perform rub-and-rinse routines, or worry about contaminated lens cases.
- Reduced infection risk. Each new lens is completely free of accumulated debris, protein deposits, and microorganisms. In an environment where maintaining a sterile routine is difficult, this built-in freshness is invaluable.
- Lightweight and packable. Daily disposable blister packs are individually sealed and weigh almost nothing. Even a two-week supply takes up less space than a bottle of solution and a lens case.
- Easy replacement. If a lens tears, falls on the ground, or gets contaminated, you simply open a new pack. With reusable lenses, losing one in the backcountry could mean days without correction in one eye.
Popular options from Acuvue and Alcon offer excellent oxygen permeability and all-day comfort, even in the dry mountain air common at Alberta's higher elevations. Ask your optometrist about fitting for daily disposables before your trip. We carry both brands at Fantastic Glasses.
Packing Your Outdoor Lens Kit
Whether you are heading out for a day hike or a week-long backcountry trip, a well-organized lens kit makes all the difference. Here is what to include, building on our general travel packing guide:
- Daily disposable lenses. Pack enough for each day plus at least three extras per eye. On a seven-day trip, that means 10 lenses per eye minimum.
- Rewetting drops. Mountain air, wind, campfire smoke, and sun exposure all contribute to dry eyes. Carry preservative-free artificial tears in single-use vials, which are lighter and more hygienic than multi-use bottles.
- Backup prescription glasses. Non-negotiable. If you cannot wear contacts for any reason, you need a way to see the trail clearly. A hard-shell case protects them in your pack. Consider a strap or retainer to keep them secure during active sections.
- Small zip-lock bag for waste. Used contact lenses and their foil packaging are not biodegradable. Pack them out in a dedicated waste bag. Leave no trace applies to contact lens waste too.
- Hand sanitizer and soap. As discussed above, these are your primary defence against contamination.
- UV-blocking sunglasses. Essential at altitude. UV exposure increases with elevation, and reflected light off snow, rock, and water intensifies the effect. Quality sunglasses from Oakley or Maui Jim provide the protection you need on exposed alpine trails.
On the Trail: Handling Dust, Wind, and Smoke
Dust and Debris
Dry trails kick up dust that can settle on or under your contact lenses, causing irritation, scratching, and blurred vision. Wraparound sunglasses or sport glasses help shield your eyes from airborne particles. If debris gets under a lens, resist the urge to rub your eye. Instead, use rewetting drops to flush the particle out, or carefully remove the lens and replace it with a fresh one.
Wind
Sustained wind accelerates tear evaporation and dries out contact lenses faster than normal. This is especially common on ridgelines and exposed alpine sections. Wraparound eyewear helps, and frequent use of rewetting drops keeps lenses hydrated. If your eyes feel persistently dry, switching to glasses for the windiest sections is the safest approach.
Campfire Smoke
Sitting around a campfire is one of the best parts of a camping trip, but smoke is a significant eye irritant for contact lens wearers. Smoke particles can adhere to lenses and cause prolonged discomfort. Position yourself upwind when possible, and consider removing your contacts before settling in for an extended fireside evening. Your backup glasses are perfect for this situation.
Water Hazards in the Backcountry
Natural water sources, including crystal-clear mountain streams, carry microorganisms that can cause serious eye infections. Never rinse your contact lenses or lens case in stream, lake, or river water. Never swim with contacts in, even in seemingly pristine mountain lakes. The same Acanthamoeba risks that apply in swimming pools and recreational water are present, and often more concentrated, in natural freshwater.
If you plan to swim during your trip, remove your contacts first and either wear prescription goggles or accept limited vision in the water. The risk of a corneal infection in the backcountry, where medical help may be hours or days away, is not worth the convenience of keeping your contacts in.
Temperature and Storage Considerations
Contact lens solution and sealed blister packs should be stored at moderate temperatures. In summer, avoid leaving your lens kit in direct sunlight or inside a tent during the heat of the day, where temperatures can spike dramatically. In winter or at high altitude, keep your lens supplies close to your body to prevent freezing. Frozen solution is ineffective, and lenses subjected to extreme temperature swings may not fit or feel the same.
When to Remove Your Lenses and Switch to Glasses
Know the warning signs that your eyes need a break from contacts:
- Persistent redness that does not improve with rewetting drops
- Pain or a sharp stinging sensation
- Sensitivity to light that was not present before
- Blurred vision that does not clear after blinking or using drops
- A feeling of something stuck in your eye that will not flush out
If any of these symptoms develop, remove your contacts immediately and switch to your backup glasses. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention as soon as you return to civilization. Eye infections can escalate quickly, and early treatment is critical for the best outcomes.
Prepare Before Your Next Adventure
The best time to sort out your outdoor lens strategy is before you hit the trail. Visit Fantastic Glasses in Okotoks, Alberta, to get fitted for daily disposable lenses, update your prescription, and pick up a reliable pair of backup glasses. With our 3-for-1 deal starting at $199, you can get everyday glasses, sport sunglasses, and a lightweight backup pair for hiking, all in one visit. We also include a free Essilor R800 eye test with every eyewear purchase. Book your appointment or call (587) 997-3937.