If you're going skiing or snowboarding, you obviously don’t want your snowboard or ski goggles to fog up! Clear vision contributes to safety, control, and more fun in the snow.
Anti-fog coating
Nowadays, most goggles come with an anti-fog coating. This layer ensures that your goggles don't fog up while skiing or snowboarding. If you’ve just bought new goggles, you can expect that with proper use, they won’t fog up easily. More about using your snowboard or ski goggles correctly is discussed later in this article.
Causes of fogging in snowboard or ski goggles
Goggles fog up due to the temperature difference between the outside and inside of the lens. The cold temperature outside makes the lens of the goggles cold. Inside, it becomes warm due to body heat. Moisture on the inside, for example from sweat, condenses against the cold lens, causing the goggles to fog up.
How do you keep goggles form fogging up! Tips
Whether you have new, old, expensive, or cheap goggles, proper use is essential to prevent them from fogging up. That’s why we’re happy to share a few tips!
1. Dry your goggles after every use
Moisture is the biggest cause of fogging. Therefore, it’s important to let your goggles air dry properly after use. When drying, don’t just focus on the lens but also on the foam that rests against your face, as it retains a lot of moisture and needs thorough drying. To dry:
- Always remove your goggles from your helmet to dry them.
- Never place your goggles on a heater to dry. Excessive heat can damage them.
- Only store the goggles in their pouch or case once they’re completely dry.
2. Ventilation
Try to limit the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the goggles by allowing room for ventilation. Most goggles have ventilation openings at the top and bottom. It’s important to ensure these areas can ventilate. For example, it’s not a good idea to pull your face mask or buff over your nose and under the foam of the goggles. The warm, moist air you exhale can’t escape, causing it to enter the goggles through the ventilation and foam.
Proper use of snowboard or ski goggles
Make sure nothing gets under the goggle’s foam
If you’re wearing a scarf, buff, face mask, or hat, make sure it doesn’t get under the foam. This can cause moisture to enter the goggles.
Don’t place your goggles on your helmet or hat
To prevent moisture from entering the lens, avoid placing your goggles on your helmet or hat. Especially on a hat. The warmth from your head, and possibly sweat, rises through the hat and into the goggles. This happens less with a helmet, but helmets are often wet or covered with a layer of snow, which can also cause moisture to get into your goggles. It’s best to place your goggles on your helmet or hat as little as possible.
How to defog goggles
If your goggles fog up, resist the temptation to wipe the inner lens. Wiping the lens can damage the anti-fog coating, causing the goggles to fog up more quickly in the future. If you don’t have time to wait for the lens to dry properly, use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or glasses cloth to gently clean the lens. If there’s snow inside the goggles, try tapping it out. If you have goggles with interchangeable lenses, remove the lens from the frame to clean and dry it properly.
How to clean a goggle lens
If your goggles come with a pouch or cloth, it’s perfect for cleaning the lens. Don’t have one? Use a dry, soft microfiber cloth. Be sure to only clean the lens when necessary. If needed, use a little water by dampening the cloth.
What not to do:
- Do not use soap or other cleaning agents. The chemicals can damage the lens and foam.
- Be careful when you have sunscreen on your fingers. Touching the lens with sunscreen can damage the coating.
- Never run the goggles under the tap, as this will soak them completely.
- Avoid touching the inside of the lens as much as possible.
Goggles fogging between the lenses
Almost all snowboard and ski goggles have a double lens to prevent condensation. Between the lenses is a layer of still air. This prevents direct cold from reaching the inner lens and warmth from reaching the outer lens. The two lenses are connected by waterproof foam around the edges. If this foam gets damaged, the lens will leak, allowing moisture to get between the lenses, causing them to fog up. If your goggles are leaking, there’s not much you can do to prevent them from fogging up.
All goggles
Ski goggles that don't fog
Looking for new goggles? At Snowcountry, you’ll find a wide selection of goggles. In our 'Buyer’s guide: How to choose the right goggles?' we provide an overview of what to consider when searching for new goggles.
