Goggles: Lenses, Cleaning, & Anti-Fog

[mkhouse]

I have a pair of Oakley A-Frame goggles that I just love. I have 4 replacement lenses of different colors that I change according to the light conditions, and have found that helps my skiing tremendously (it's amazing how much better I can ski when I see where I'm going).

I've been using a product called "Cat Crap" on my lenses to keep the lenses from fogging, but last year it didn't work so well for a couple of reasons. One is probably that the foam at the top of my goggles had disintegrated... but that's only solved by getting new frames (working on that). However, I'm not sure that the goo was actually working either... they tell you to rub it in with your finger and then wipe it off with a soft cloth, and for some reason last season doinig that scratched the heck out of my lenses. It happened to two pairs of lenses -- one was with a cloth I'd used the previous season (I'm using the Smith soft lens cleaning cloths, not the Smith anti-fog cloths). Then I bought a new cloth and did the same thing on a different pair of lenses, and they got all scratched up again.

Has anyone else used Cat Crap? Does it always work for you? Do you think the last one I bought had something in it that was scratching my lenses, or was it the Smith cloth? Does anyone have any other anti-fog remedy that they like? (it all seems a bit like voodoo to me....)

Thanks!!

 

[volklgirl]

I have used both the Smith cloth and the Cat Crap - both work to a point.

To avoid fogging, make sure you have the double lenses, not single. Check to make sure your coat/helmet/neck gaitor isn't blocking any of the frame vents - you don't want your gaitor under your lense frame either :o . Never touch the inside of your lenses when they're fogged, damp, or cold. Use the Cat Crap or cloth only when both they and the lenses are warm and dry. Dab gently - do not rub, then buff equally gently. Oh, and never use a napkin or kleenex!

Many of the Oakley (and other) lenses actually come with anti-fog coating on them. If you touch them when cold or damp, that coating will rub off. That's usually when your lenses will start to fog.

Does that help?

 

[Jilly]

I purchased Oakley goggles last year for the first time. I was told not to touch the inside of the lenses when wet and to only use the bag that came with the goggles to clean. I didn't have problem with fogging or seeing at all. I'm doing the same thing with the sunglasses I bought this spring. Like volklgirl says keep things clear around the goggles. I have a neat little nose tent that velcro's onto the bottom foam and directs breath away from the goggles. I find that helps on really cold days and I mean cold - Tremblant minus 30 F.

 

[Lynn]

Never use your fleece or 'turtle' neck products to wipe your goggles or glasses. The fibers are guaranteed to scratch your lens.
As previously stated, the cloths made to wipe these, preservere them the longest.

 

[mkhouse]

Thanks for the replies!

I have more issues with very high humidity where I am -- the Tahoe area can have a lot of days with very wet snow and rain, or spring days where it's just hot and I get very warm. I wear contacts so I wear goggles even on the warm days. I never touch my lenses when they're wet, anything I do is in the mornings before I go out.

When I have the most trouble is on days with very high humidity, or when I'm exerting a lot of effort, like hiking to get to a spot the lift doesn't go. I also get to a point where I don't want to use the bag any more to clean the lenses -- after 200 times I want to switch to something cleaner. The stuff that scratched my lenses was meant for lenses... I can't figure out what happened.

Thanks again! Any additional products or remedies are appreciated.

 

[volklgirl]

Oh, another thing;

Never put your goggles on your head. Either keep them on your face or take them off completely and put them in your jacket. This will help to keep fogging to a minimum.

 

[Snowsong]

I wear glasses and don't do contacts, so the best thing that works for me is the Smith goggles with the fan in them. I have a prescription insert that snaps into them, and the fan does a good job of keeping them clear. I don't even know its on. They can be worn without inserts also. They can be pricey, but for as much as I ski, I wouldn't want to be without them. The OTG goggles just didn't cut it for me. The only time they fog on me is in the rain. I'm not sure how they would do in the high humidity...those conditions are tough with goggles.

 

[Capucine]

Oh, another thing;

Never put your goggles on your head. Either keep them on your face or take them off completely and put them in your jacket. This will help to keep fogging to a minimum.

Why can't we put our goggles on our head?

Last year, my problem was that my prescription glasses kept fogging (not my Smith goggles). But I had eye surgery last June so I can't wait for this season! I also plan on buying Oakley goggles. Which one do you suggest?

 

[volklgirl]

Why can't we put our goggles on our head?

First, you need to keep the inside of your goggles as close to the temprature of your skin as possible. Fluxuation of temp is the main cause of fogging.

Second, putting them on your head allows the sweat and oils from your head to enter your goggles (we lose, what, 70% of our body heat through our head - or something whack like that). Additional moisture and humidity is fogging cause number 2.

 

[Capucine]

First, you need to keep the inside of your goggles as close to the temprature of your skin as possible. Fluxuation of temp is the main cause of fogging.

Second, putting them on your head allows the sweat and oils from your head to enter your goggles (we lose, what, 70% of our body heat through our head - or something whack like that). Additional moisture and humidity is fogging cause number 2.

Can we put then on our hat/helmet (I like to do that when in the chairlift). Thanks volklgirl for the infos.

 

[volklgirl]

Yes, but remember that the closer you keep them to your face temp, the less likely it is that they will fog.

 

[Jilly]

Oakley has a new ladies line. The goggles are smaller for our faces. Take a look at them. Also come in some neat colours.

 

[Shellski]

mkhouse, and other Oakley owners - I want to buy a new pair of A-frames that I will use almost exclusively for bright sunny days - what lens would you recommend?