Ski and Snowboard Goggles

Posted by: tfabris

Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 18/03/2006 18:10

I left the slopes early yesterday, because a sudden wet snow flurry reduced my visibility to near zero. I was unable to keep my goggles de-fogged.

This isn't the first time that's happened. Over the years, I've tried various forms of stuff applied to the goggles, to no avail.

I know there's nothing that can stop snow from sticking to the outside of the goggles, but is there a such thing as a high tech pair of goggles that is fog-proof on the inside?
Posted by: mlord

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 18/03/2006 18:22

How about the usual double-layer lens, in combo with foam covered top/bottom vents? Works for (sweaty) me! But it's probably warmer where you ski/board.
Posted by: cushman

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 19/03/2006 00:10

Are you wearing your goggles with a helmet that blocks the top vent? Some goggles are helmet-compatible and others aren't. If you are just wearing a pair of goggles over a hat, they should mostly be fog-resistant. What kind are they? Do you have an extra $180 to drop?
Posted by: n2toh

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 19/03/2006 01:14

I've seen several people who are into playing with paintball guns mount CPU fans in their masks to prevent them from fogging.
Posted by: Roger

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 19/03/2006 02:30

Quote:
is there a such thing as a high tech pair of goggles that is fog-proof on the inside?


No.
Posted by: Robotic

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 19/03/2006 05:14

Quote:
Over the years, I've tried various forms of stuff applied to the goggles, to no avail.

So, spit is something you've tried?
Cheapest stuff I know of- and available darn near everywhere.
Posted by: andym

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 19/03/2006 07:41

Quote:
I've seen several people who are into playing with paintball guns mount CPU fans in their masks to prevent them from fogging.


For some reason when I read that I thought of fans like this.....



You'd look a real tit with a pair of those attached to your goggles.
Posted by: tfabris

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 19/03/2006 09:19

Quote:
Are you wearing your goggles with a helmet that blocks the top vent?

No. In fact, sometimes the problem is that snow piles up on the top "roof" edge of the goggles where there's air-permeable foam, and that's when its worst because the melting snow up there gets even more humidity into the goggles.

Quote:
Do you have an extra $180 to drop?

If it really works and isn't a complete pain to use? Yes.
Posted by: n2toh

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 19/03/2006 15:44

wonders will never cease, and I thought the Honda ricer crowd was bad.
Posted by: gbeer

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 19/03/2006 19:02

Yep, As you may have gathered it's all about ventilation. If the air trapped behind the lenses can't be exchanged frequently enough, fog happens. I've worn glasses, seem like all my life. Frames that are wrap around or fit tightly to the face have problems with fog.

Basically any design that prevents the free exchange of air, thus letting the opposite sides of the lens attain different temps is a recipe for fog.
Posted by: n2toh

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 19/03/2006 19:19

Quote:
Yep, As you may have gathered it's all about ventilation. If the air trapped behind the lenses can't be exchanged frequently enough, fog happens. I've worn glasses, seem like all my life. Frames that are wrap around or fit tightly to the face have problems with fog.

Basically any design that prevents the free exchange of air, thus letting the opposite sides of the lens attain different temps is a recipe for fog.


electric defroster for your Goggles anyone?
Posted by: tanstaafl.

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 20/03/2006 16:12

but is there a such thing as a high tech pair of goggles that is fog-proof on the inside?


When it is exceptionally cold (colder than -10 degress F) I wear ski goggles when I'm mountain biking, and I have found a trick to keep them from fogging.

They will remain absolutely clear until I exhale. Then, I'm riding blind.

So as long as you don't breathe, your goggles will be OK. The downside to this, of course, is that the duration of your outings may become somewhat restricted.

tanstaafl.
Posted by: matthew_k

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 20/03/2006 16:28

You could always get yourself a snorkel. You'd have to breath through your mouth, but that's a small price to pay for sight.

Matthew
Posted by: altman

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 20/03/2006 17:30

I have seen goggles on the slope which have a small fan for air circulation mounted on them. Can't remember who made them though.

Edit: these are the ones

http://www.untracked.com/highlight-176522.html

The main thing seems to be to keep the vents clear. My Oakleys only generally mist up if I'm not moving - when I'm bombing down the hill they will clear very quickly. Mine has front vents as well as the top/bottom ones, which might be helping.

Hugo
Posted by: Roger

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 20/03/2006 20:35

Quote:
I have seen goggles on the slope which have a small fan for air circulation mounted on them


Dunno if you noticed, but Fish had some goggles like that when we were in Tignes. He said that they were marginally better than normal goggles, but probably not worth the bother.
Posted by: wfaulk

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 20/03/2006 20:49

Those are the exact same goggles as the $180 ones linked above.
Posted by: altman

Re: Ski and Snowboard Goggles - 20/03/2006 22:14

Ah, I didn't click the link, assuming that you could easily spend $180 on non-fan-assisted goggles

Sorry!

Hugo