Understanding and Dealing With Anti-Fog on Goggles

Fogged up goggles are both annoying, dangerous, and can end up ruining your outdoor activities. Whether you're skiing, snowmobiling, wakeboarding, or ATV riding, having foggy vision can put a serious damper on your beloved outdoor activities. Worry not - this guide covers the how to detect, prevent, and treat fogged up goggles.

Understanding the Problem

Have you ever started your run on the slopes, rushing down mountain side only to be later slowed by a fogged up pair of goggles? That tell-tale stream of foggy grey vapor is as obnoxious and distracting as a mosquito buzzing in your ear, and needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. Unfortunately, fog buildup inside goggle lenses is a common problem among outdoor enthusiasts.

Looks Can be Deceiving - It's Not Just Dirt

Though it's easy to identify foggy goggles at first glance, the underlying cause of the problem isn't always so easily spotted. Contrary to what many people may think, this buildup isn't due to dirt accumulation, which can be easily wiped away. Instead, it's a result of warm breath hitting the cold lens, or cold air outside temperature hitting a warm lens. Both of these circumstances create condensation, which is the primary cause of fogging.

Commercial Anti-Fog Solutions

Mother Nature Has You Covered

Thankfully, nature has already taken care of our fogging needs. Numerous brands create specialized anti-fog solutions, such as drops, sprays, wipes, and even foam versions. All of these solutions are quick and effortless to apply, and can usually be done in about a minute.

How to Make Sure it Works

Solution application is as easy as dipping a cloth in the solution and wiping it on the lens. When finished, simply clean the lens with a dry cloth or spray bottle to rinse away any residue and you're all set. It's important to continue to reapply the solution based on the product instructions, to ensure that the lenses stay fog-free.

DIY Anti-Fog Solutions

The Homemade Option

If you're looking for a more natural option, you've come to the right place. A simple homemade anti-fog solution can do the trick if you don't make it too complicated. All you need are common products you can find in your own kitchen, such as liquid dish soap, saliva, and rubbing alcohol.

Mix Up Your Solution

Mix together a few drops of dish soap and saliva and a few drops of rubbing alcohol in a clean container. Apply the mixture to a cloth and wipe it on the lenses of the goggles. Rinse it away with a clean cloth or spray bottle and you're done!

Proper Maintenance and Care

Keep it Clean

Some fog buildup on your lenses is inevitable, no matter how well you take care of them, so you should make sure to give your goggles a proper cleaning session on a regular basis. Gently rinse them with lukewarm water, and then wipe away any excess moisture with a dry towel. Many people include a small drop of dish soap to help the cleaning process.

Store Them Right

When you're not wearing your goggles, store them in a safe place with the lens side facing up. This prevents dirt, dust, and small particles from accumulating on the lenses when you're not using them. You should also store them away in the included carry case to ensure that they're safe.

Design Features and Anti-Fog Technologies

Invest in Anti-Fog Technology

Whenever you are looking for new goggles, make sure that you choose ones with anti-fog technology incorporated into their design. Goggles that have this feature usually have a hydrophilic layer and a hydrophobic layer in their design, which helps to repel the moisture and limit fog buildup. Many of these models also come with vents along the frame, which helps keep the air inside the lens chamber at a constant temperature.

Maintenance Solutions

If you're a frequent goggle user, then you should also invest in proper maintenance solutions. These include wet wipes, anti-fog sprays, and anti-fog eye drops, which can help prevent the buildup of fog from returning. Although these solutions are quite affordable, they are still worth it as they help to keep your lenses clean and fog-free for longer.

Reviews and Recommendations

Fog-Free Design

Many users have praised the Oakley Flight Deck goggles for their excellent lens design, which helps keep fog from building up in the first place. The Flight Deck goggles have a single lens that is curved and stretched to create a sort of helmet-like seal around your eyes and nose. This seal is so tight it prevents much of the air flow that would usually create fog from entering the lens cavity.

The Built-In Solution

The FlowSnow Kondens goggles are another great choice for fog-free performance. They come with a self-applied anti-fog solution that is sprayed directly onto the lens as part of their design. This solution helps to keep the lens clear and prevent moisture buildup. And, since the application is already complete, you won't have to reapply it.

Safety Considerations

Keeping your lenses clean and fog-free is important, but it's also important to make sure that your goggles are properly fitted and that you don't wear them for too long. When choosing goggles, make sure that the frame fits snugly around your face to provide the best protection. And, if they start to fog up, take the time to wipe them clean before continuing with your outdoor activities.

Summary Review

Foggy goggles can be a major pain, but they can be prevented and treated. Investing in commercial anti-fog solutions, such as sprays, drops, wipes, and foam versions, is a great way to keep your lenses fog-free for longer. And, if you're looking for a more natural option, you can mix together a few drops of dish soap and saliva and a few drops of rubbing alcohol for a homemade solution. Additionally, make sure to give your goggles regular cleanings, store them properly, and choose models with anti-fog technology built-in.