need cycling eyewear, but fogging is a big problem

Question

I'm commuting in temperatures ranging from -10 to -25C without windchill factored in. I have a typical pair of interchangeable lens wrap around cycling glasses. I find that they, without fail, immediately fog up when I ride due to the moisture in my exhalation. Wearing a balaclava as I sometimes must doesn't help.

I'm considering trying to find a cheap pair of ski goggles...

Given the poor road conditions, eye protection from debris and dust is imperative. How do other very cold weather commuters deal with this?

Answer 1

Coatings are fairly useless on their own. Condensation happens because warm wet air is hitting a surface below a certain temperature (condensation point). Coatings tend to just encourage beading and run off.

I'd look for a pair of double-lens ski goggles. It's as it sounds and works in a similar way to double glazing. Two sets of "glass" separated by some dry air. The front glass gets the worst of the cold but there's nothing to condense on it. The inner glass is allowed to warm up nearer to your breath's temperature, above the condensing point.

And the best thing is none of this is that expensive. You can spend a lot of money but most double-lens goggles work pretty well. Just make sure you try a few on to make sure you've still got good peripheral vision.

Answer 2

I suffered from foggy glasses a lot, I prefer to wear clear lenses since I tend to ride after dark frequently. I tried a few of different cycling glasses with clear lenses, eyeglasses with anti-fog coating, motorcycle goggles, and several pairs of safety glasses with no luck.

I finally found a pair of $9 MSA Safety Works safety goggles with anti fog coating that work well, don't fog easily, and have good peripheral coverage without obscuring my vision. They sit far enough off my face that they prevent fog when I'm stopped. So far this has been the best alternative to bulky ski goggles that I've used.

One of the biggest things you can do for any glasses to prevent fog is to keep them clean and free of sweat, oil, and residue. I don't know if this is the best method, but i tend to just clean my glasses with a touch of dish soap or vinegar and rinse well.

Answer 3

When wearing a balaclava I've found that I really have to concentrate on breathing through the fabric as opposed to letting my breath travel up and out around the eye opening, especially when stopped. If you're still having significant issues with fogging without the balaclava it may be that the glasses actually fit too snugly to your face and perspiration is not venting adequately. Many frames with interchangeable lenses have optional vented lenses which may help, or you might try a different pair if glasses that sit a little further off of your face. I also find that when stopped it helps to pull my glasses down on my nose to let them breathe. There are also a handful of purpose made anti fog applications for glasses which you could try. Finally, if you're willing to try some rather strange sounding stuff, this eHow article lists several solutions that use household cleaners.

Answer 4

If you go to your optometrist Essilor make anti fog lenses called opit fog which work. check out http://www.optifog.com/EN/Pages/default.aspx

Answer 5

In that temperature I run clear downhill (mtb) goggles. They have plastic on the straps so they stick to the back of your helmet. Works great. Bonus of keeping your face a bit warmer. Never had any fogging issues with them, except occasionally when stopped at a light.

I ran ski goggles for a couple winters but have since switched to MTB goggles. Advantages:

• Sticky strap to stick to your helmet.
• Smaller frame to fit with a standard helmet. I found ski goggles were a bit too tall and rode too low on my face because my helmet was pushing them down.
• Easier to find clear goggles for night riding.

I got mine of Kijiji but If I broke or lost them I would rebuy in an instant.