MY GLASSES FOG

Question

  WINDLOVER;
 AFTER SKIING 9 YEARS I HAD TO START WEARING GLASSES UNDER MY GOGGLES THE LAST 2 YEARS.MY GOGGLES DO OK BUT THE GLASSES FOG SO BADLY THAT I DIDN'T SKI ON MY LAST DAY LAST YEAR.I TOOK A LOAD OF STUFF TO USE LAST YEAR,BUT NONE WORKED.
I'VE TRIED SPIT TO POTATOES,WIPING CLOTHS TO SPRAYS.
        THANKS MIKE

Answer
Hey Mike,

Most anit fogging sprays/cloths/etc. work just so so. I've tried most types for skiing and diving. The best remedy for diving is to use a leaf crushed up and the liquid spread around and then rinsed. But this usually won't work in the winter due to lack of leaves. And plucking leaves off house plants may not please the significant other.

Most fogging problems are due to your face/head giving off too much heat, or poor ventilation systems on the goggles themselves. 75% of body heat loss goes out the top of your head. If you bundle up too much, it tends to go where it can, which is your face, thus causing fogging.

Changing hats/headbands may help. If you wear a helmet, it may be not allowing enough heat escape. If you don't use a helmet but are thinking about it, go for something with vents that can be opened or closed. Get a thin, under helmet type hat for colder days and better ear warmth.

For any type of new hat, look for something that has good wicking abilities. This allows heat to escape while keeping the cold out. They may cost a little extra but are well worth the money. This may resolve most of your fogging issues.

The other problem may be your goggles. Most goggles are fog free due to air passing over the lenses. Your goggles may not be designed to allow enough air to pass through them to have airflow across the lenses of your glasses. If you shop closely, you will find goggles designed to wear glasses with them. You may want to look for goggles that have vents in the face of the lens. This allows air to pass directly towards your face. There is also a goggle made by Smith that has a little fan on the top. It is activated by you moving down the hill similar to a pinwheel. This creates more air movement inside the goggle.

Another option is to maybe go with a prescription adapter system. Bolle is the leader in this type of technology. These systems have worked for many of my friends that have to wear glasses. The adapter fits inside the goggles and allows you to leave your regular glasses in your pack. Check them out at www.bolle.com. There are other companies that make these systems but Bolle was the first.