My Solution to Foggy glasses and goggles
 

As the cold weather is approaching, I have been hunting for a solution to the problem I had last year of foggy glasses and goggles. I was reluctant to pay $90+ for goggles that MAY limit fogging and I did not want any exposed skin either (as it freezes). So I came up with this idea.

I took the goggles I used last year ($50 from sport check - smith goggles) and opened up some holes on the top foam vents. The foam vents simply did not allow enough air in, so I opened up them.

Secondly, as I exhale through the mouth, I did not want the warm air entering my goggles via the bottom foam vents, so I added a layer of weather stripping below (essentially a thicker layer of foam).

I also made the nose holes on my balaclava slightly larger (I have a bigger nose than most) and voila... it works.

In a standing position, I fog up. However, on the bike, with the head tilted forward, air enters the top vents and neither do my goggle or glasses fog up. I took it for a spin and I was trying to fog them up and I could not. At one point, I was able to get a little bit of fog..and it vanished quickly.



See pics below.

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/8038/p1050182vg4.jpg

weather stripping on bottom vents
http://img395.imageshack.us/img395/1173/p1050184xx1.jpg

"...I also made the nose holes on my balaclava slightly larger...."

Isn't that a funky Greek desert? I feel for you with the cold weather issues, but being in Florida now...

We are quickly approaching 'winter': Halloween to Easter = sunny, 75, and NO RAIN! Gotta love it!

What about the stuff rain-x makes for anti fog?(granted I don't have to deal with freezing) but it seems to work good in weather above 32.

That's baklava you're thinking of. Good after a ride, not so good for keeping your face warm in the snow.
Man, your version of winter is so much nicer than mine: Seattle winter = 30 - 40 degrees, usually just warm enough to be raining instead of snowing, windy, and appoximately 8 hours of "daylight" (when the sky is a light shade of gray instead of jet black.)

Cheaper than Rain-X, just use dish soap. Dish soap doesn't damage plastics, and rain-x you need to test on a small section first to make sure it's safe.

Also -- You could try the stuff you'd buy at a diver's store for diving goggles... or you could try what most divers use: spit.

"RainX" anyone?

Aside from the issue I mentioned above, with Rain-X potentially damaging the plastic lenses, there's a bigger issue I'd be concerned with: What's in Rain-X, and do you really want a vapor chamber of it enclosed over your eyes for an hour or so every day of the winter?

There's another anti-fog product called Cat Crap, which is actually designed for sunglasses and goggles. Although I find that a drop of Dawn dish soap rubbed around on both sides of the lenses of my shades, then rubbed clean with the edge of a t-shirt works just fine for a few days before needing re-application.

Edit: From the Rain-X website (which might be another reason to steer clear of Rain-X products)

"Rain-X was acquired by the Quaker State Company in November of 1997, and then in December of 1998 Quaker State merged with Pennzoil to form the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company. On October 1, 2002 the Pennzoil-Quaker State Company was acquired by Shell Oil Company. Today, Rain-X products are produced and marketed by SOPUS Products."

Well, my solution works just fine and I don't need any rain-x or any other sort of anti-fogging agent. Enlarging those holes on the top and sealing up the bottom vents did the trick.

Funny that you mention the greek Baklava, as my background is Greek :)

Last year I could handle -5c+ windchill = -10c

At -10c without the windchill is when I trade in the helmet for the car keys.

That solution makes a lot of sense, very crafty.

I just can't believe you already need them. Do you? Goggle weather is still 2 months off here in Minneapolis (fingers crossed)

Couldn't tell exactly what sort of goggles you're using there, but I'll throw my two cents in. Double-lensed goggles (they sometimes call them thermal) would probably be the best investment you could make. They've got a gap between the two lenses, and it works absolute wonders in preventing the inner lens from fogging. If you don't have thermal lenses for your goggle, that should be your number-one investment. Something that ventilates well, but also has that double-lens so that the lens isn't the coldest part of the air pocket. There's also anti-fog fluids... I've worked with these before and they're not nearly as effective as a good thermal lens - and though they're a much cheaper initial investment, they'll rack up their cost over time as you have to use them kind of excessively. It's annoying, and it doesn't work that well. If the thermal isn't quite cutting it, tacking on anti-fog fluid might help - but I'd get a thermal-lensed goggle first.

I'd go with this, if it works for divers underwater, it'll work for you. I don't use spit when diving though (even though it works), because of the chance of infection bacteria in my mouth.

http://www.desertdeucesurplus.com/ca...Seadrops60.jpg

smith turbo fan goggles work for me

Im using SMITH goggles, double lenses and I don't need them RIGHT now...but I want to be ready for the winter cold.

if you don't have the fan, it is a compromise


like the invention of the air tyre

or the gore tex jacket

once someone builds something that is superior to all, just go and get it.

smith turbo fan goggles are like that. to hell with your fancy oils from forbidden
trees or anti-fog ointments. turbo fans are the shiz-nat

Their also expensive. I just checked the temperature for tomorrow and it will 3C (37F), so I might take them on the 'test' tomorrow

Try cat crap. It works very well.

Hey Macteacher,

How are the Smith goggles working out. Which model do you have?

Thanks

I used diluted dish detergent for scuba diving goggles. The commercial stuff works as well.

These look awesome. They don't appear to come in a clear lens. What about riding in darkness? I would think a tinted lens would impair your vision pretty noticeably over a clear one.

I have been having a similar problem. I bought the Smith Turbo and both my glasses (with Cat Crap) and the goggles fogged up (even on Turbo mode) so I returned them.

I figured out I was overdressed, so I have lightened up the clothing and head protection and had some initial success with a regular pair of Smith OTG goggles. However this week I am running into the same problem.

Can you update me on your innovation now that colder temps are here. Listed below is some info from my recent rides.

Date Air Deg F Wind Chill Deg F DP Deg F Fogging Comments
11/26/2008 19 11 16 No Felt great coming in to work!
12/1/2008 25 12 19 Yes Glasses fogged some - did not use Cat Crap
12/2/2008 12 -2 10 Yes Glasses fogged, eventually I had to remove goggles to safely ride, the glasses still fogged, but I was able to see.

Pledge furniture wax. I use this on my motorcycle visor as well. It is not 100%, but definately keeps the fog away for the brief periods I'm standing. If you have a lot of stopping and standing, I wouldn't recommend it, but if you need something to take the edge off, it works.

I'd go either spit or Cat Crap. Yes, it's called that, and yes it does work.

Here is a solution that works for me to prevent fogging of my eyeglasses and goggles down into single digits:

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

Another suscriber to Bike Forums tried it out and graciously commented:

;-)

See that entire discussion thread, still ongoing, "Preventing glasses from fogging over":

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=489357

I really like how you "fixed" your goggles by making holes in them. I just examined my goggles and it seems that they've also been "fixed" my without my realizing it! Apparently, over the years, the foam sort of became worn and thin through general use. Finally, holes appeared. I don't have trouble with fogging, but I just assumed that the fancy double-lens was doing it's job. All this time I've simply had a pair of goggles that has been slowly falling apart! They work well though and I think you'll be very happy with your "fix".

I guess I must be a wimp. I've been riding with my goggles for a couple of weeks now - but it feels cold out to me! I got home today around 5:30pm and my thermometer read just over 20F. I know that will feel warm in a month or two, but right now it feels cold, so why not use the goggles?

My solution was a motorcycle 1/2 mask. Fold the piece that goes over the nose down for a snug fit and presto! No fog.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...3AIT&viewitem=

http://i18.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/a5/ba/bf88_2.JPG

+1 Also, because it's a liquid, the rain tends to wash it off over time.

My solution worked for some time. I ran into more problems. As the colder temps arrived and I was wearing more clothing and sweating more the fogging slowly creeped in, so I made more holes.... problem is i made to many holes... lol. My forehead started freezing as the cold air rushed in. I've since covered up some of the holes and it seems to be working. The true test will be this Monday with mercury down to -12. So i'll be giving the goggles a test on monday. The holes work, but you need to find the best balance. I would suggest making small holes and add more as you think you need them. I've had to use weather stripping to fill in some of them.

It is also important to control you breathing. Inhale from the nose (as long as you can) and exhale from the mouth, upper lip over bottom lip to force the air downward and not up towards the goggles.