Fogging Goggles 101

All of our lenses are protected with an anti-fog coating to help stop and prevent your snow goggles from fogging up. It’s important to understand that snow goggle fogging is a natural phenomenon, why it occurs, tips to ensure your goggles won’t fog up and how to deal with snow goggle fog.

Why do snow goggles fog up?

You know that thing called condensation, well that’s what snow goggle fogging is all about. Condensation is the process where water vapor becomes liquid - it's the same thing that occurs when your mirror fogs up when you have a hot shower. This happens because the moisture from the hot shower condenses on the mirror and causes the mirror to take on a foggy appearance. Water droplets accumulate and fog occurs because of the interaction between the warmer temperature of the shower and the colder temperature of the outside air.

So, when you're on the slopes while the outside temperature is much colder your body is still producing and generating heat. This body heat can become trapped inside your goggles and the resulting interaction between that warm, moist air and the cold air on the surface of the lens causes fogging.

Tips to stop snow goggles from fogging up

It’s all about maintaining a better temperature balance between the interior and exterior of your snow gear, to help minimise moisture on the inside of your snow goggles.   

1. Keep moving

When you remain in motion, air keeps flowing and the warm air begins to move out and the cold air moves in. The flow of warm and cool air helps maintain better temperature balance. So, if your goggles are starting to fog just keep moving in a forward motion down a slope.

2. Lift goggles off your face

If you are on a ski lift or any other situation where you can’t get moving (suggested in tip 1) try simply lifting your goggles off your face for few seconds (just don’t do this when snow or any other moisture is on your hands or gloves, as this will increase the chance of fog and condensation).

3. Remove snow & moisture

If there is any snow or moisture inside of your goggles on the lens, remove it by using the dry microfibre soft pouch which came with your goggles (if this is not accessible use any dry soft cloth). Make sure you remove your lens from the frame and thoroughly dry them out for a few hours (again, just don’t do this when snow or any other moisture is on your hands or gloves, as this will increase the chance of fog and condensation). It is best after a snowy/whiteout day to remove your lens from the frame and leave it out overnight to thoroughly dry.

4. Check your clothing & accessories

  • Make sure your balaclava, face mask, or neck gaiter isn’t tucked in under your goggles. 

  • Double check you aren’t resting your goggles on your head. As lots of heat escapes from your noggin’ and this will cause a temperature imbalance.

  • Resist the urge to overdress. Obviously it’s a must to keep yourself warm, but the more unnecessary layers you wear the more your body will generate and release heat which can lead to more fogging.