Annoying, more annoying, ski goggles that always fog up! (Almost) everyone knows it, everyone hates it, but very few winter sports enthusiasts know what to do to prevent it. Steamy goggles not only cloud your vision but also the enjoyment of a beautiful day in the mountains. That's why we have summarised our RENTertainers' best tips on how to keep ski goggles fog-free for good!
Why do ski goggles fog up?
To answer this question, let's take a quick look at the physics of this occurrence. When the warm, humid air between your face and your ski goggles comes into contact with the cold lens, the water vapour in the air condenses and fine water droplets attach themselves to the glass. This happens mainly when there are large temperature differences. The water droplets on the lens then reflect the incident light, and your ski goggles fog up. By the way, this not only happens to ski goggles. You can also observe the same phenomenon with older windows in winter.
The constant taking off and putting on of ski goggles considerably increases the likelihood that they will fog up. An incorrect fit might be to blame as well. That happens more frequently than you think! Ski goggles that are too tight additionally encourage the condensation of sweat on the lens. That’s why it’s so important to get the right size ski goggles!
We got 6 tips from the pros: So you'll never have to put up with steamy goggles again!
Tip no. 1:
Invest in high-quality ski goggles.
High-quality models have a special coating that ensures your ski goggles don't fog up in the first place. It works like magic! Goggles of well-known manufacturers are usually also very well designed and fog up less than those from discount stores and no-name brands. Make sure they have an anti-fog coating and good ventilation, and ideally opt for spherical lenses. They are larger than conventional lenses and designed to allow for more space between the goggles and your face. This lets the air circulate better, and they will fog up less. If you would like to find out more on this topic, also have a look at out our goggle lens guide!
Did you know?
There are also special OTG ski goggles for skiers with glasses that help prevent foggy lenses.
Tip no. 2:
Keep your ski goggles warm.
A good pair of ski goggles deserves a good night's sleep! In other words, ski goggles that are stored in cold places, like the basement or the boot of your car, will fog up rather quickly. It's better to store them in a warmer location together with the rest of your ski clothing!
Tip no. 3:
Do not wipe or rub the lens clean.
When your vision suddenly gets slightly clouded, it can quickly happen that you wipe over your ski goggles without thinking. However, this is one of the biggest mistakes you can make! Rubbing roughens the surface of the lens, which will cause the goggles to fog up even faster in the future. Ouch! The better option is to let your ski goggles air-dry for a moment.
You really need to clean your ski goggles? There are better ways to do that than with a quick wipe! Find out more about how to clean your ski goggles properly!
Tip no. 4:
Put on your ski mask correctly.
On very cold days, many winter sports enthusiasts like to reach for a ski mask. It is designed to keep the head nice and warm, which – generally speaking – is a good idea. However, the disadvantage is that a ski mask leads the warm air from the nose and mouth directly up under your ski goggles, if you don't have it on correctly. A recipe for disaster! Make sure the fabric of the ski mask doesn't touch the foam padding of your goggles.
Tip no. 5:
Keep the ventilation slits open.
Sometimes the goggles' ventilation slits get covered with thick scarves or blocked with snow, preventing the air from circulating properly. Regularly check to make sure that the slits are open and clean. If necessary, briefly shake out your ski goggles!
Tip no. 6:
Do not put your ski goggles on your forehead.
It's no secret that we sweat a lot on our foreheads. So please, do not put your ski goggles on your head during breaks or at the hut. Otherwise, they'll fog up from the sweat and heat. The same applies to the ski hat – it's usually warm and damp. During breaks from skiing, it's better to take off your goggles altogether or put them in your ski jacket!
INTERSPORT Rent Tip
High-quality ski goggles always come with a microfibre cloth. Yet, it usually ends up unnoticed and is never used. This cloth – as long as it's clean and dry – works wonders for steamy lenses!
Want more helpful advice like this? Why not ask our RENTertainers on site for their best tips and tricks?
