One of the essential elements of ski equipment is the ski goggles, which protect the eyes and most of the face from hard snow, prickly wind, sun glare, and radiation.
But first of all, the ski goggles must provide good visibility. However, both experienced skiers and those who have just discovered the joy of skiing sometimes face the fact that the mask fogs up. And misted ski goggles call into question not only the pleasure of skiing but also the very safety of the skier. Indeed, with poor visibility, the likelihood of any emergencies increases.
There is no more significant challenge for snowboard ski goggles manufacturers than designing and creating a mask that will provide the rider with exceptional, unrivaled visibility in all weather conditions. In the meantime, this has not been invented; it is better to turn to simple tips that will help protect from ski goggles fogging up and other problems.
Simple Tricks For Fog-Free Skiing
Try not to overexert yourself with complicated tricks and intense loads while wearing ski goggles. If you are climbing backcountry or falling into a powder and are desperately trying to get out, take off your ski goggles:
- In the first case, stock up on a pair of sunglasses and put them on, carefully tucking the cover into the case (rather than stuffing it into a wet and dirty pocket).
- In the second case, the main thing is to get out of the puffy snow. You will not have time for a mask there.
When trying to find out how to keep ski goggles from fogging, remember: try not to keep the mask on during intense physical activity, for example, when hiking and traversing a mountain in search of untouched snow or when getting out of deep snow. In such situations, body temperature rises along with perspiration, and all moisture evaporated from the skin’s surface is deposited on the lens.
Therefore, it is better to wear regular sunglasses during the hikes and transitions in relatively warm weather and cold weather — try to control the load and avoid profuse sweating. When you get out of deep snow, slide the mask onto the helmet, or temporarily remove and hide it in the special pocket of your rolling backpack.
Why Do Ski Goggles Fog Up?
Water condenses from the air on the lens surface due to the temperature difference between the outside and inside the lens. Therefore, the higher the humidity and temperature of the air inside the ski goggles, the higher the likelihood that the lens will fog up. This means that you need to avoid this in every possible way.
The mask fogs up because heat from the body penetrates the mask and enters the lens, exposed to subzero temperatures from the outside. Due to the temperature difference, liquid condensation occurs, and tiny water droplets «adhere» to the inner surface of the lens, blurring your view and thus significantly reducing your vision.
Very often, this happens when you pull the geyser or helmet lining to the very bottom of the goggles, thus creating a channel of warm air, which, falling under the mask, contributes to ski goggle fogging and spoils your entire skiing, or at least your mood.
Make Sure Your Vents Are Open
When you want to find out how to keep snow goggles from fogging, it is better to pay attention to your vents. Most ski goggles are equipped with a ventilation system, and your task is to make sure that the ventilation holes are not clogged with snow, ice and are not blocked by other equipment — a helmet lining, helmet, or hat.
If snow does get into them, try to be extremely careful and clean the holes with light shakes. If, after all, it was not possible to prevent the worst and the ski goggles fogged up, the main thing is not to panic and not freak out:
- No need to frantically climb inside with your hands and begin to wipe the misted surface furiously in the hope of continuing to ride as soon as possible.
- It is strictly forbidden to do this at all since the anti-fog coating is applied on the inside of the lens, and you seriously risk scratching and permanently damaging the mask.
- The safest thing to do is carry a replacement lens with you or find the nearest café and use a hand dryer (keep the mask away from the hot air stream to not melt small parts).
- When all the liquid has evaporated, use the dry suede cover included with the mask to remove streaks. But it is better, of course, to let the lens dry naturally and never touch it from the inside.
Avoid Wearing Your Goggles When You’re Not Skiing
When you are not riding, please do not wear ski goggles on your head, as it is also warm and will quickly heat the lens from the inside. It is best to take it off and carry it in your hand. If you are climbing on a mountain that is tightly packed by happy riders, then lower your hand with the mask as low as possible, away from the heat radiated by others.
Invest In A Good Pair Of Goggles
The problem of lens fogging in ski goggles is not new. New technologies are being developed from year to year to prevent ski goggles fogging, and existing ones are being improved. Reputable ski equipment companies pay close attention to the ventilation of ski masks. There are already a lot of options to combat lens fogging at the moment.
The most traditional solutions used today in almost any ski goggles:
- Double lenses — with an air gap between them.
- Anti-fog coating — treatment of the inner side of the lens with a special compound that protects the mask from fogging.
- Passive ventilation system — the presence of significant ventilation holes in the mask body through which, when moving, the oncoming cold wind pushes warm air out. Passive ventilation also includes a porous breathable membrane designed to allow air to pass through and trap snow particles.
Wrapping It Up
Lens fogging is the biggest problem that all ski optics owners have to face. At the same time, the developers are constantly improving the «supply» ventilation and the quality of the «anti-fog» coatings applied to the lens, which prevents the risk of fogging of the optics.
But so far, no technology provides a 100% guarantee that there will be no condensation on the lens, giving the riders a crystal clear view in all situations. Therefore, to prevent your mask from fogging up, try to follow these tips.
