Hi. I'm not a mountain climber, but do spend a lot of time outside in cold weather. Thought one of you might have some advice. How can you keep your face protected from the elements without having your glasses fog up? I've tried scarves with no luck. Even tried some of that anti-fogging stuff for car windshields, but instead of fogging, it got wet and I still couldn't see clearly. Thanks!

-- Phyllis Von Arb (phva@earthlink.net), February 28, 2001

Answers

Hi Phyllis, the "fog" on your glasses/goggles is caused by the condensation of your breath and the fact that it has no where to escape. some "anti- fog" products made specifically for eyeglasses/goggles (not automobile windshields) do help. the best thing to do is to make sure the moisture can escape by making vents or holes around the area where the glasses/goggles attatch to your face so that this can take place.

-- Wayne (climbharder@hotmail.com), March 05, 2001.

Vision is very important to me and I have tried many types of goggles and sunglasses in my ten seasons of ski patrolling and ski instructing. It is actually quite simple but you have to follow two simple rules. First get some double lens goggles, make sure they are double lens, in the store gently pinch the inside and outside of the lens with your index and thumb, there should be a gap. There are no vent holes in the lens, they are sealed. Second get a cap with a small brim. A-16, Columbia and others have bombardier style caps that work well. A baseball cap doesn't work for me because the brim catches too much air and obstructs too much of my vision. The imperative reason for the brim is to keep all moisture and snow off the foam vents at the top of the goggle, this is essential! Once snow settles on the top of the goggle, your goggles will fog and it is difficult to remedy in the field. Also keep your breath from going into your goggles.

Cheap twin lens goggles work well, but the bigger ones can give you better peripheral vision. I usually keep some cheap sunglasses in my pocket for emergencies.

Also protect your goggles from crushing and scratching. Double lens are less flexible than single and once they crack, they are prone to fogging.

I just thought of something new that I haven't tried, if you go indoors on a cold day, put your goggles in a plastic bag, just as you would an expensive camera to prevent condensation.

-- William Hicks (williamtheprotector@yahoo.com), March 12, 2001.

Try FogTech. www.fogtech.com works unbelievably well!

-- Gene Menzies (gene@motosolutions.com), October 31, 2003.