Winter Cycling - Preventing glasses from fogging over

I am trying to make it so I can ride in the cold weather. I have a Serius hood/bala that covers the head, nose and face, it has vent holes around the mouth area. I have a pair of Oakley clear single lens goggles. I wear prescription eye glasses. When I put the hood, and goggles on my eye glasses fog over inside the goggles. Nothing I have done prevents it from happening. I am doing this before I try riding bike like this. I have used defogging solution that divers use on scuba masks and the anti-fog wipes people use to clean their glasses. Neither thing works. Contacts are NOT an option for me, I can not wear them. What can I do to prevent my eye glasses from fogging over in the goggles. Also they fog over even with out the goggles on and when I have the hood/bala on. The goggles are not the issue. It is my breath being focused up around my eye glasses that is fogging them over and not clearing fast enough so I can see.

The dive mask anti-fog stuff requires you to coat your lenses in it, rub with your fingers and then rinse with water. The anti-fog wipes do not require rinsing, but still did not work.

What do you recommend? Should I try an anti-fog spray used for eye glasses, one that I spray on and wipe, but do not rinse off? I know there is some way to fix this, jsut don't know what yet? Anyone else in the same situation? What did you do to fix it?

It's likely not just the air you exhale, but the warm moist air rising up around your neck. I had similar experiences while hunting, and have since learned to use a scarf instead of a neck gaiter. If I get a bit warm or my glasses start to fog up, I open the scarf or take it off. I can also open my jacket to remove more warm air if it still isn't enough. This is for when it's not too cold.

For colder temps, 20F and below it gets more complicated with a neck gaiter or high neck heavy fleece, rolled down or up over my chin. Goggles and eventually a neoprene face mask for even colder temps. The face mask is the most problematic, but if I start to fog up, I just work on gettting the warm moist air to vent away from my glasses and goggles.

Vaseline will prevent lens from fogging as will a product called Cat Crap.

http://store.ekusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_12

It's available at many outdoorsy-type stores.

I nice cheap anti-fog formula is to polish dishwashing detergent onto your lenses. Really.

I nice cheap anti-fog formula is to polish dishwashing detergent onto your lenses. Really.

1+ , and make sure you use a nice cotton or optical cloth to apply.

More importantly, make sure your lenses are getting lots of ventalation when you're riding. If your head is sweating and producing steam, you're probably wearing too much. Layering is key.

I have tried everything ever suggested and nothing works. An open face balaclava is what I would recommend. The full face one that you are using now is the absolute worst. I don't use mine unless I have to. Coat your face with Vaseline or Bag Balm to prevent wind burn and dry skin.

And no, there is no way to fix this so quit beating yourself up. Just try to keep moving and the air flowing and ride slowly after stopping and starting again until the air gets moving and clears the moisture. I have tried the Clarity Fog Eliminator wipes, dish washing liquid, diving mask stuff, spit, etc. They just do not work. I was in the lead the other night and yelled that I was going slow until my lenses cleared. A veteran riding buddy that has been riding for years said he just assumed that was the case for everybody. He has not found a solution either.

I nice cheap anti-fog formula is to polish dishwashing detergent onto your lenses. Really.

Are you talking about something like Dawn dish soap? Or the stuff you use in a automatic dishwasher, like Electrosal? If you're talking about the Dawn, I'll give it a try. If you're talking the stuff you use in an automatic dishwaher I'll pass. The automatic dishwahser stuff, no matter how mild, has abrasives in it. The abrasives won't scratch glass, that's why dishes come out looking great. But it will scratch polycarbonate lenses, which is what my eye glasses are made of. Regular sish soap like Dawn does not have abrasives in it. I have used it before just to clean my glasses and I do not recall ever having them scratched from it.

Vaseline will prevent lens from fogging as will a product called Cat Crap.

http://store.ekusa.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2_12

It's available at many outdoorsy-type stores.

Vaseline will also affect how well I can see through the lenses too. The stuff like Cat Crap and other similar products are something you rub or buff off.

Are you talking about something like Dawn dish soap? Or the stuff you use in a automatic dishwasher, like Electrosal? If you're talking about the Dawn, I'll give it a try. If you're talking the stuff you use in an automatic dishwaher I'll pass. The automatic dishwahser stuff, no matter how mild, has abrasives in it. The abrasives won't scratch glass, that's why dishes come out looking great. But it will scratch polycarbonate lenses, which is what my eye glasses are made of. Regular sish soap like Dawn does not have abrasives in it. I have used it before just to clean my glasses and I do not recall ever having them scratched from it.

The Dawn kind.... regular dishwashing soap for handwashing the dishes. Put a little drop, then rub gently with your finger while rinsing it with a little tapwater. I used to do it to my xc ski racing glasses (Brikos mostly)

I am trying to make it so I can ride in the cold weather. I have a Serius hood/bala that covers the head, nose and face, it has vent holes around the mouth area. I have a pair of Oakley clear single lens goggles. I wear prescription eye glasses. When I put the hood, and goggles on my eye glasses fog over inside the goggles. Nothing I have done prevents it from happening. I am doing this before I try riding bike like this. I have used defogging solution that divers use on scuba masks and the anti-fog wipes people use to clean their glasses. Neither thing works. Contacts are NOT an option for me, I can not wear them. What can I do to prevent my eye glasses from fogging over in the goggles. Also they fog over even with out the goggles on and when I have the hood/bala on. The goggles are not the issue. It is my breath being focused up around my eye glasses that is fogging them over and not clearing fast enough so I can see.

The dive mask anti-fog stuff requires you to coat your lenses in it, rub with your fingers and then rinse with water. The anti-fog wipes do not require rinsing, but still did not work.

What do you recommend? Should I try an anti-fog spray used for eye glasses, one that I spray on and wipe, but do not rinse off? I know there is some way to fix this, jsut don't know what yet? Anyone else in the same situation? What did you do to fix it?

In my opinion, fogging goggles and eyeglasses has been my most hazardous challenge on my winter commute of 14 miles, often into the teens and twenties, and as low as -3. I've posted to probably about a half dozen such discussion threads, touting my own cheap, easily fashioned goggles, that work better for me than any other solution I have tried. For example, this post summarizes some approaches:





balaclava...i have to keep my nose uncovered so i don't fog up the glasses

Hi jpdesjar,

FYI, there have been several discussion threads about fogging glasses in the past few months. In particular macteacher and I have traded suggestions for modified goggles. See for example, "Glasses fogging up":

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=474041

My post #6 references our respective solutions. Most otherwise recommend goggles with double lenses, one with a built in fan, but mostly various potions to rub onto the lenses.


If you are so inclined you can follow the link to macteacher's and my goggle modifications, or directly to mine:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=450447

post #47

Since I originally posted it, I recently tried also riding with a wrap-around face mask in addition to a balaclava at 20 degrees, to further cover up exposed face. In a few miles, that was pulled down below my cheeks because it was too warm. BTW, my original post was written August 6th, to show how vexing this problem is; it is even anticipated in the dog days of summer!

In my opinion, fogging goggles and eyeglasses has been my most hazardous challenge on my winter commute of 14 miles, often into the teens and twenties, and as low as -3. I've posted to probably about a half dozen such discussion threads, touting my own cheap, easily fashioned goggles, that work better for me than any other solution I have tried. For example, this post summarizes some approaches:



If you are so inclined you can follow the link to macteacher's and my goggle modifications, or directly to mine:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=450447&page=2 post #47

Since I originally posted it, I recently tried also riding with a wrap-around face mask in addition to a balaclava at 20 degrees, to further cover up exposed face. In a few miles, that was pulled down below my cheeks because it was too warm. BTW, my original post was written August 6th, to show how vexing this problem is; it is even anticipated in the dog days of summer!

Interesting concept. I wonder if the safety goggles that are the softer material, similar to ski goggle, would be more comfortable, cover more of the area around the eyes, still provide enough of a windscreen and protection from the cold and still provide adequate ventilation to prevent fogging? They would also be fastened around the head with a strap much like ski goggles are.

I think this is what I am going to do: Purchase some anti-fog stuff, similar to Cat Crap, wash my glasses with dawn dish soap and use the anti-fog stuff. Then put the Serius hood/face mask and goggles on ans see if ti works. I wam also going to purchase the type of safety glasses you show in your photo's as well as the other style I mentioned to see which works best. I'll let you know what works.

My ski goggles are brand new, I can take them back and return/exchange them if I need to.

I wonder what skiers who wear eye glasses do when they're on the slopes? If eye glasses fog over with goggles and face mask on while on a bike doesn't the same thing happen when skiers are out skiing? How do they combat it?

Are you talking about something like Dawn dish soap? Or the stuff you use in a automatic dishwasher, like Electrosal? If you're talking about the Dawn, I'll give it a try. If you're talking the stuff you use in an automatic dishwaher I'll pass. The automatic dishwahser stuff, no matter how mild, has abrasives in it. The abrasives won't scratch glass, that's why dishes come out looking great. But it will scratch polycarbonate lenses, which is what my eye glasses are made of. Regular sish soap like Dawn does not have abrasives in it. I have used it before just to clean my glasses and I do not recall ever having them scratched from it.

Sorry, yes, Dawn dish soap. Dab a small drop on the lenses, and polish with a microfiber cloth to remove excess detergent and it will leave a thin, clear film. Works great!

I have implemented the Jim from Boston safety glass strategy and will use it tonight and give a report. It will be in the high 20's and with wind chill in the low 20's degrees Fahrenheit this evening. I do not wear on the head coverings that Jim does so I used a piece of string to hold the safety glasses from putting pressure on my glasses and nose. I have Adidas Gazelle frames with optical inserts. My optician recommended based upon her former pro bicyclist brother's experience instead of the cycling specific Adidas model. The Gazelle's are marketed for runners.

I also wiped Clarity Fog Conditioner on my lenses. This seemed to help some last year and worked as well or better than any of the other strategies.

If you've tried all of those fixes with no results, I'd suggest dumping the Oakleys. Something is wrong with them if they're designed to fit over glasses, and constantly fog up.
You need proper ventilation through the foam outer layer to keep from fogging regardless of your hood/bala arrangement.
I use a pair of Smith ski goggles with clear lenses. They have a design to fit over glasses.

If you've tried all of those fixes with no results, I'd suggest dumping the Oakleys. Something is wrong with them if they're designed to fit over glasses, and constantly fog up.
You need proper ventilation through the foam outer layer to keep from fogging regardless of your hood/bala arrangement.I use a pair of Smith ski goggles with clear lenses. They have a design to fit over glasses.

I referred to macteacher in a post above and his solution was to poke holes in the foam:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=473559 (with photo)

I like to use safety goggles with rigid earpieces to mount my rearview mirror.

The Cat's Crap stuff is ok, but it seems to wear off fast. I have this problem as well and have never really come up with a sure-fire solution, other than doing whatever I can do avoid creating "steam." It always bites to walk into a warm building and feel your glasses fogging over. I use it as a time to empathize with the really blind people.

If you've tried all of those fixes with no results, I'd suggest dumping the Oakleys. Something is wrong with them if they're designed to fit over glasses, and constantly fog up.
You need proper ventilation through the foam outer layer to keep from fogging regardless of your hood/bala arrangement.
I use a pair of Smith ski goggles with clear lenses. They have a design to fit over glasses.

My glasses fog over, not the goggles. Also my glasses fog over regardless of if I use the goggles or not. I just realized this when I was trying some of the methods out tonight. Next is the dawn dish soap method.

My glasses fog over, not the goggles. Also my glasses fog over regardless of if I use the goggles or not. I just realized this when I was trying some of the methods out tonight. Next is the dawn dish soap method.

The problem is that the glasses are very close to your face and so they are warmed up quite a lot by the heat from your head and face. This makes them extremely sensitive to the slightest bit of moisture breathed on them. Because of the temperature differential they are operating in. The only way to keep them clear is keep moving and don't breath on them. This means no goggles and having nothing covering your mouth. The goggles make matters worse because they don't allow them to clear up once they fog because they block too much of the airflow on the glasses.

You have to have the open face type of balaclava. Unless it is significantly below 0F your mouth should stay warm enough once your body warms up. You can keep your chin covered with the balaclava.

Here's a strategy that helps. If you have an old pair of nerd glasses make them more nerdy by wrapping the frame bridge between the lenses with a few wraps of tape so that the glasses stay a little farther out on your nose. You are trying to reduce the places where the glasses may make contact with your face since this speeds up fogging when you get hot and reduces air movement under the lenses.

Try to ride with the least amount of insulation on your head and face that you can get by with because the hotter and warmer your face and head is the more your glasses will fog up. They are going to fog up anyway when you stop but once you start riding they will clear pretty quickly if your face is not really hot. It need not be cold just not hot.

The environment your glasses are operating in is pretty extreme so I don't think any kind of anti-fog treatment will have anymore than a minor effect. Another thing to consider is the shape and type of the frame. Some glasses will fog easier because the glasses sit very close to your face and the metal frame does not insulate the lens from the heat of your head as well. The small lens types popular today are more likely to give you problems. The old larger lens plastic frame types may not look so cool but they fog up slightly less easy. They also cover the area around your eye better to keep your eyes warmer so you can get by without goggles. So if you have an old pair of these around you might find them better for riding in. You can always swap the old ones for your nicer looking ones when you get to work.

If you are wearing a wrap around type of frame you may find that the upper part of the frame makes significant contact with your forehead. This will heat up the glasses too much and make them fog up easier. Ideally you want to keep the lens the same temperature as the outside air. Then as long as you don't breath warm moist air on it the lens will not fog up.

Something like this worn without goggles is what I would recommend:

Sorry. I should have clarified. It doesn't matter if it's the glasses or the goggles. Fogging means no necessary airflow.
But you've added a new piece of information. Glasses fogging by themselves sans goggles, points to your balaclava or hoodie restricting airflow and/or concentrating a blast of hot breath northward to your eyes. In that case, I'd try some variations of your headgear.

The problem is my warm breath comes up through the part of the mask that is just below my eyes and the bottom of the glasses. The goggles have nothing to do with whether or not my glasses fog over. I can tighten the strap that hold the goggles on my head to press this edge of the mask to my face to keep my warm breath from fogging over my glasses but it is way too tight and not comfortable at all. In fact I have a bit of a small headache from trying it. I even tried to pull the edge of the mask along the bottom out form underneath the goggles. That didn't work either. The dish soap method did not work either.

I will have to admit that I am truly amazed. It only got down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit with no wind chill this evening. That is still a good test. I had zero fogging!

I simply added a pair of safety glasses as suggested by Jim from Boston. He wears a lot more on his head than I do so he has a much more elaborate setup. I was going to use string to keep the safety glasses up off my Adidas glasses and nose (Jim uses velcro to attach his safety glasses to his wool cap which I do not wear) . The string got tangled and came off while I was putting it on for the ride. I said the heck with it because everybody else was ready and wore the safety glasses anyway. They did not bother me at all so it was not a castastrophe. I wear a Foxwear balaclava (positioned so that it does not cover my nose or mouth) and my Adidas Gazelle glasses with optical inserts. Normally they fog so much when I stop that I cannot see anything. I had zero fogging tonight! I would have to add that I also wiped my lenses with Clarity Fog Eliminator wipes. This only helped marginally in the past but I wanted to mention it. Apparently keeping the cold wind deflected lets the lenses stay warm enough to prevent fog from forming. I will test this in colder temperatures. For now I am completely sold!

Thanks Jim From Boston! Than man deserves a cigar.

i'm using a skii goggles, and it's been pretty good so far, at minus temp all iced outside, and still no fog on the lenses

pictures here
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=485397

i'm using a skii goggles, and it's been pretty good so far, at minus temp all iced outside, and still no fog on the lenses

pictures here
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=485397

Actually the gold lenses that you are using are probably better for night riding than clear. They actually magnify the existing light available. I tried the yellow tint based upon an optician's recommendation and like it better than clear. I am going to try and find these goggles and try them on. I wonder how they would fare in a crash versus safety glasses. I am concerned with injury to me, not whether the equipment survives.

I am thinking that I could wear my regular glasses instead of the Adidas Gazelle with optical inserts. The optical inserts are not progressive and I have difficulty reading menus. Druing the winter I often go on breakfast rides and longer rides that involve food toward the end and we don't always go to the same restaurant. It would be nice to be able to read so I am going to the store and try these goggles on.

The streets are wet here from melting snow so we will not venture out this evening and will have to wait awhile before I can test again the fogging protection afforded by the safety glasses over my regular riding sunglasses with the optical inserts.

After reviewing, discussing, and implementing "Jim from Boston" safety glasses technique I began to vaguely remember another source for this technique. I am not sure how current IceBike.com is but they do have a lot of good information on all things related to cold weather riding. I found this: http://icebike.com/Clothing/Ctestedonice.htm
Go to the very bottom of the page to view the visorgogs.

This is a current link to a source for this product. If you don't already have safety glasses this is an inexpensive option. I am considering these since they are so inexpensive and have an adjustable strap.

http://www.amazon.com/Visorgogs-Visor-Screen-Ventilation-Polycarbonate/dp/B0018AGDXO

Actually the gold lenses that you are using are probably better for night riding than clear.

I find them to be better in town around street lights but once I'm outside city limits and under a nearly new moon I switch back to clear.

I've tried Fogtech, Cat Crap, and some wipes of a cheap I don't recall brand from Wal-Mart. The Fogtech didn't last worth a $#!t. The Cat Crap worked but left a halo around every streetlight. The Wal-Mart brand didn't make much of a difference at all.

None of them outperformed good old Barbasol shaving cream in any performance catagory other than to drain funds from my wallet. Use the foam kind, 99 cents a can, not the gel, leave it on until it's completely dry and wipe clean with a paper towel and no rinsing. I've been using the same can for years.

I also switch from cycling glasses which are well ventilated to some simple clear safety glasses when the temps drop below 28-30F. The safety glasses keep the cold air off my eyeballs and don't leave enough of a gap between my cheeks and the bottoms of the lenses to allow much of my hot breath in behind them.

Barbasol? Who'd a thunk it? lol I'm filing that in the good tip drawer if ever needed.

I will have to admit that I am truly amazed. It only got down to 32 degrees Fahrenheit with no wind chill this evening. That is still a good test. I had zero fogging!
I simply added a pair of safety glasses as suggested by Jim from Boston. He wears a lot more on his head than I do so he has a much more elaborate setup. I was going to use string to keep the safety glasses up off my Adidas glasses and nose (Jim uses velcro to attach his safety glasses to his wool cap which I do not wear)... I wear a Foxwear balaclava (positioned so that it does not cover my nose or mouth) and my Adidas Gazelle glasses with optical inserts. Normally they fog so much when I stop that I cannot see anything. I had zero fogging tonight! I would have to add that I also wiped my lenses with Clarity Fog Eliminator wipes. This only helped marginally in the past but I wanted to mention it. Apparently keeping the cold wind deflected lets the lenses stay warm enough to prevent fog from forming. I will test this in colder temperatures.

Here's an updated report. Today was 16* to 14* from start to finish on my 14 mile commute with a WNW wind at 9 mph; I travel SW. I wore a woolen skull cap, my thin balaclava, which covers to my upper lip, and a wrap-around face mask, under the balaclava, with a nose hood and small perforations at the mouth, that covers over my nose completely, and up most of my cheeks to within a few millimeters of the lower edge of the safety goggles (see photos). The face mask is a direct shute for warm moist air on to my upper cheeks and eyes, a good thing to keep them warm, but a heavy source of moisture to fog the eyeglasses and goggles.

It took a little manipulation while riding but I did not fog. I have a slightly rolling terrain, so when going slower uphill and breathing more heavily, I lowered the face mask below my nose to cut down the upward flow of moist air, and when riding level or going downhill, I would raise it up. After a few miles, I was warm enough that keeping it below my nose was fine. At a complete stop, I lowered it to my chin.

Also I could manipulate my breathing to deflect the exhaled air downward by protruding my upper jaw over my lower lip and exhaling through my mouth (I call it “bucktooth breathing” ;-). Between easily manipulating the face mask and directing my breathing upward or down, my cheeks and eyes were warm, and my visibility was excellent. I had little fogging, mostly at the beginning as I learned to do the above maneuvers. My route is pretty well lit and I still could see the road since I did not let the fogging get too much. Of note, at really cold temperatures fog can frost so I try to remove it ASAP.

Then there’s a solution by Dobber:


No offense, but I suggest you get use to riding with a bit of exposed skin. I use to regularly commute in sub-zero temps with just safety glasses. 10-15 mile commutes. Your cheeks will get a bit rosey, but your not getting frostbite.

I noted that my eyelids did perspire a little probably because I was warmly dressed, but they were not chilled at all because of the excellent wind screen, even on downhill runs of near 20 mph.

I will report further when we get into single digits.

We have snow and ice so it is going to be awhile before I can test again. Keep us informed.

If you can afford them, you just can't beat Smith Turbo goggles. They have a 2-speed microfan that keeps the air flowing and fog at a minimum. They list for like $179 or so, but I found mine (clear lenses) at an online motorcycle store for less than $90. I don't wear them when the temps are above 25F or so, but under that, especially when it's below 10F, they are well worth the cost to me.

If you can afford them, you just can't beat Smith Turbo goggles. They have a 2-speed microfan that keeps the air flowing and fog at a minimum. They list for like $179 or so, but I found mine (clear lenses) at an online motorcycle store for less than $90. I don't wear them when the temps are above 25F or so, but under that, especially when it's below 10F, they are well worth the cost to me.

On the other hand:


Unfortunately these did not work out for me. However, in the final analysis I believe the main issue was that I was overdressed and producing too much heat/perspiration. I have since bought a good pair of double lens Smith goggles at TJ Maxx for $20 - these have worked great. I have found a way to ride with goggles without fogging and did not have to buy the more expensive Turbofan. However, I am now working on a way to eliminate the exposed skin I have below the goggles....
· I began riding my bicycle to work. I had put the goggles on inside my house over my glasses.

· I turned the fan on low power. Within 5 minutes the inside of the goggles became fogged over.

· All during this time I was pedaling, but not very hard, making about 12 – 14 mph.

· I then turned the fan to turbo – I could hear the change in frequency. There was no change in the fogging inside the goggles. After about 15 more minutes I had to stop and take off the goggles and put them away because the fogging was so bad it was very poor visibility and was getting potentially dangerous.

· Within 30 seconds my glasses cleared up and I could see. There was very slight fogging on my glasses when I stopped, but this cleared immediately once I began moving again. My glasses are treated with Cat Crap.

This is not the performance I was expecting. I paid a lot for these goggles and was hoping they would protect my eyes from the cold and allow me to see...
.

Smith Turbo Fan Goggles - Any More Users?? http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=480221&highlight=

Like a lot of people here, I'm afraid I can't justify the Smiths when what I already have has me covered for 46 weeks and all but 8-10 commutes every year. $170 / 10 rides = triple what it costs me to drive.

I've been fighting cold feet but the extra heavy cushion Hunting/Mountaineering (same sock different packaging) Smartwools I found at a small ski shop last night should get me another 5-10ºF. Light hikers or snowboard socks under Sealskinz will be the next step and should be a hair warmer still.

I'll be going for a personal best come Thursday at about 19ºF/-7ºC. I'll let y'all know how the Barbasol and safety glasses work at 5ºF colder than I've ridden to date. BTW, the particular pair of safety glasses I'm using fit me very close to the cheeks but leave a much larger gap at the brow. When stopped, I believe this is allowing heat to rise while drawing air in from the sides yet keeping vapor from my breath from getting behind the lenses. When moving, the air flows in the opposite direction. I rarely get more than a very small amount of fogging along the very bottom of the lens.

Maybe I'll snap a pic if I'm not running late. :)

...Today [12-18-08] was 16* to 14* from start to finish on my 14 mile commute with a WNW wind at 9 mph; I travel SW. I wore a woolen skull cap, my thin balaclava, which covers to my upper lip, and a wrap-around face mask, under the balaclava, with a nose hood and small perforations at the mouth, that covers over my nose completely, and up most of my cheeks to within a few millimeters of the lower edge of the safety goggles (see photos). The face mask is a direct shute for warm moist air on to my upper cheeks and eyes, a good thing to keep them warm, but a heavy source of moisture to fog the eyeglasses and goggles.

It took a little manipulation while riding but I did not fog. I have a slightly rolling terrain, so when going slower uphill and breathing more heavily, I lowered the face mask below my nose to cut down the upward flow of moist air, and when riding level or going downhill, I would raise it up. After a few miles, I was warm enough that keeping it below my nose was fine. At a complete stop, I lowered it to my chin.

Also I could manipulate my breathing to deflect the exhaled air downward by protruding my upper jaw over my lower lip and exhaling through my mouth. Between easily manipulating the face mask and directing my breathing upward or down, my cheeks and eyes were warm, and my visibility was excellent. I had little fogging, mostly at the beginning as I learned to do the above maneuvers. My route is pretty well lit and I still could see the road since I did not let the fogging get too much. Of note, at really cold temperatures fog can frost so I try to remove it ASAP.

Then there’s a solution by Dobber:


No offense, but I suggest you get use to riding with a bit of exposed skin. I use to regularly commute in sub-zero temps with just safety glasses. 10-15 mile commutes. Your cheeks will get a bit rosey, but your not getting frostbite.

I noted that my eyelids did perspire a little probably because I was warmly dressed, but they were not chilled at all because of the excellent wind screen, even on downhill runs of near 20 mph.
I will report further when we get into single digits.

Today, 1-16-08, I started out for my 14 mile ride from downtown Boston at 8 degrees F, to Norwood at –9 F; it's in a valley and is frequently considerably colder. There was a 7 mph approximate tail wind in Boston and calm in Norwood. The first ten miles with the safety glasses were fine as described above, but then some manageable deterioration occured.

At ten miles I started to keep my face mask up more to protect my cheeks. At about 12 miles I started to get some intractable fogging on my right side that eventually frosted, limiting my peripheral vision by an arc of about 60 degrees. I still could see straight ahead just fine, but I did have to turn my head to check intersections on my right, My left side was clear and I could use my mirror. At a stoplight at about mile 12 my safety glasses started to slightly fog even with my face mask fully down below my mouth. This cleared up within about 50 to 100 feet after I started to ride.

At mile 13 the left safety glass side panel started to fog, cutting off about 30 degrees of peripheral vision on my right, but it cleared by lowering my face mask; I was almost to my destination. I still could see straight ahead and could use my mirror. See photographs below of my headgear and the safety glasses at the end of the trip. Despite the partial peripheral frosting of the safety glasses near the end of my 14 mile ride under these pretty extreme conditions, I felt fine and safe, my eyes were well-shielded, and my eyeglasses did not fog. At these temps, I doubt many people would continue to ride further without a break to warm up and clear things up.

I've now had the Barbasol treated safety glasses down to 12ºF thanks to the Sealskinz socks I ordered around New Years. They've done OK until I hit a little fog which is a regular occurrence around here at those temperatures. The moisture in the fog hits the front of the glasses and almost immediately ices over. I don't generally ride in the fog and have been fortunate that it's just been for a mile or so here and there.

What about Laser eye surgery? Do your eyes qualify for that? Then you would not need any glasses.

Or get prescription dual-pane goggles.

What about Laser eye surgery? Do your eyes qualify for that? Then you would not need any glasses.

Or get prescription dual-pane goggles.

Thanks for the advice; not interested in Laser eye surgery; I make a living directly by my vision, though I have decided against it anyways. I didn't know they make prescription goggles. I have used double pane goggles over my eyeglasses, but I seemed to recall that they fogged up too. I think bicycling demands more exertion than downhill skiing and one exhales moist air more forcefully than a skier, and that overwhelms the goggles--just my opinion.

Thanks for the advice; not interested in Laser eye surgery; I make a living directly by my vision, though I have decided against it anyways. I didn't know they make prescription goggles. I have used double pane goggles over my eyeglasses, but I seemed to recall that they fogged up too. I think bicycling demands more exertion than downhill skiing and one exhales moist air more forcefully than a skier, and that overwhelms the goggles--just my opinion.

Without any glasses, double-pane goggles work great if you have good ones. I have some simple Scott goggles that I wear with a balaclava and have no fogging issues whatsoever, but I don't have glasses. Today's ride was my coldest so far this winter at 3 F and we did just fine. The foam "surround" on the goggles keeps the exhaled air from getting into the goggle area.

It was pretty cool to get back and look in the mirror to see all the frost around the edges of the balaclava where the exhaled air was moist and froze.

Without any glasses, double-pane goggles work great if you have good ones. I have some simple Scott goggles that I wear with a balaclava and have no fogging issues whatsoever, but I don't have glasses. Today's ride was my coldest so far this winter at 3 F and we did just fine. The foam "surround" on the goggles keeps the exhaled air from getting into the goggle area.

It was pretty cool to get back and look in the mirror to see all the frost around the edges of the balaclava where the exhaled air was moist and froze.

I use safety glasses for reasons I described above, and also the rigid eyepieces allow me to wear my favorite eyeglass-mounted mirror.

I too checked myself in the mirror after a coworker commented on my appearance after yesterday's commute. In another winter thread I wrote:


I carry a bottle of Poland Springs carbonated water and it froze solid on a 14 mile commute, about one hour and fifteen minutes, between my start at 8 degrees and my finish at -9. My exhaled breath frosted over on my balaclava and headphones; (emphasis added) but I always defer to you riders in Minnesota (and upper New England, upstate New York, upper Midwest, Canada, Alaska...).

This:

Seirus Neofleece Combo Scarf

http://www.campmor.com/images/cloth/47126.jpg

This:

Outdoor Research Sonic beanie

http://www.campmor.com/images/cloth/76261.jpg

and these:

Smith Moab HP

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/img/product/200/s/smiyfy9r.jpg

with the prescription insert work for me.

The neoprene gives enough stiffness so that, with the nose cover bit up under the eyeglass pads, there is a good enough seal to prevent fogging, no glass prep needed.

When it's cold enough to warrent it, a Craft Gore WS Face Protector goes on underneath the Seirus and Sonic:

http://www.craft-usa.com/products/images_anc/197668_1999.jpg

This:

Seirus Neofleece Combo Scarf

http://www.campmor.com/images/cloth/47126.jpg

This:

Outdoor Research Sonic beanie

http://www.campmor.com/images/cloth/76261.jpg

and these:

Smith Moab HP

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/img/product/200/s/smiyfy9r.jpg

with the prescription insert work for me.

The neoprene gives enough stiffness so that, with the nose cover bit up under the eyeglass pads, there is a good enough seal to prevent fogging, no glass prep needed.

When it's cold enough to warrent it, a Craft Gore WS Face Protector goes on underneath the Seirus and Sonic:

http://www.craft-usa.com/products/images_anc/197668_1999.jpg

I have a similar Neoprene combo scarf, complete with nose piece, and the open safety glasses, though wider in area than the ones you show. I can't seem able to bring up my combo scarf high up under the glasses, though as you describe, and I would think that would chute warm moist air onto the glasses. Thanks for the comments.

I would imagine it might depending on how it fit you.

No fogging here.

Like a lot of people here, I'm afraid I can't justify the Smiths when what I already have has me covered for 46 weeks and all but 8-10 commutes every year. $170 / 10 rides = triple what it costs me to drive.


I'll post more in about a week, but I am making my own Smiths.

I'm using a 1.5inch 12Volt computer fan, a rechargeable 9Volt battery, and a 22 dollar pair of sunglasses.
My challenge is building a cowling for the top of my goggles so that the fan suck the air out of my goggles.
My first attempt might look pretty bad, because I'm already using duct tape.

I estimate that I'll get about 1.5 to 2.5 hours of continous running time per charge. I also want to install a switch that can be turned off or on without removing my gloves.

I'll post pictures and feedback as soon as possible.

Try cycling backwards.....:roflmao2:

http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/index.php?rn=222561&cl=11588587&ch=222566

I'll post more in about a week, but I am making my own Smiths.

I'm using a 1.5inch 12Volt computer fan, a rechargeable 9Volt battery, and a 22 dollar pair of sunglasses.
My challenge is building a cowling for the top of my goggles so that the fan suck the air out of my goggles.
My first attempt might look pretty bad, because I'm already using duct tape.

I estimate that I'll get about 1.5 to 2.5 hours of continous running time per charge. I also want to install a switch that can be turned off or on without removing my gloves.

I'll post pictures and feedback as soon as possible.

Anyone have any experience with Habervision fan goggles?

www.habervision.com

seen them advertised on RSN.........

After riding last week in -14f temps. The goggles were fogging up as usual, to the point where I just pulled them down and did without them. Well I didn't suffer any frostbite. my nose and cheeks did'nt turn black and fall off. So since then. I've learned to just ride with the balaclava covering only my mouth and not the nose. If the goggles or my eyeglasses start to fog I just pull the balaclava down until they clear up. Then cover up my face to get warm.