Snow Goggles

[gammy leg walker]

Time to dig out the goggles again,question is how do I stop condensation & misting up on the inside please.

[Gythral]

A few comments are in this http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44893

spit...
RayZor Anti-fog stick or Nikwax spray

I don't often get this problem with just my glasses on, but glasses, OTG goggles and something covering my nose and mouth... almost nothing stops the goggles misting up...

[murwilson]

Spit in them. It's how swimmers stop there goggles from steaming up.

Or buy a decent pair that vent properly

Mur

[cairngormswalker]

You just need goggles with two layers and decent vents. There are plenty on ebay and they are cheap.

Also, i agree that winter = snow goggles season. In fact, i rarely do any serious walking i.e munros without goggles in my rucksack. If it's windy or has any prospect of being so, or if it's cloudy, they come with me. It's just so much more comfortable when it gets nasty. In the winter in proper cold wind you really cant manage without them.

[CharlesT]

Just a point here. Although I carry snow goggles, Julbo with non-misting photochromatic lenses, I only use them when conditions dictate, ie wind blowing spindrift, snow and sleet etc. For general winter use and to counterract snow dazzle I wear snow specific sunglasses, see my avatar. Ordinary sunglasses are not that effective unless they have the correct lenses and wrap round. Not suggesting you are likely to get snow blindness in Scotland but it can avoid a day of squinting and a bad headache.

[jepsonscotland]

Spit always worked in our masks for scuba diving!
I don't really like the idea, but it certainly works.

I'd like to know if the above mentioned RayZor stuff works.
I bought a pair of these off Ebay and although they are comfy, but, they steam up in seconds and are rubbish at clearing.
Only £12, but not much use.

I bought Sundown goggles from Tiso (not expensive) and they are brilliant.
Never fog up and really help keep elements at bay.
Good luck.
Chris

[Arthurs Eat]

Just thinking about this and the old trick for stopping a shaving mirror fogging up came to mind. Those who shave may recall thet if you rub your shaving mirror with shaving foam and rinse, it does not steam up. Just throwing this out there and deffo worth a try?

[Walk-n-Roller]

Any recommendations for a cheap but effective pair of goggles?

[Alastair S]

Not suggesting you are likely to get snow blindness in Scotland but it can avoid a day of squinting and a bad headache.

I take issue with you here Charles. To quote Wikipedia snow blindness (aka Photokeratitis) "is a painful eye condition caused by exposure of insufficiently protected eyes to the ultraviolet rays." & "Photokeratitis is akin to a sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva, and is not usually noticed until several hours after exposure. Symptoms include increased tears and a feeling of pain, likened to having sand in the eyes". Furthermore, like sunburn, the effect is accumulative and can't be reversed. People with pale eye colouring are even more risk of UV related eye damage.

It wasn't till I experienced this condition twice when hill walking here in Scotland that I cottoned on. I now always wear goggles when above the snow line, even when it is cloudy, even when there is no wind. I'm probably more sensitive than most folk as I grew up in the tropics and never worn sunglasses.

So kiddies, always wear proper protection when above the snow line - you [now] know it makes sense.

[Alastair S]

You just need goggles with two layers and decent vents. There are plenty on ebay and they are cheap.

The problem with ski goggles is that they are designed for skiers. They spend a lot of their time at speed so there is always a flow of air though the goggles' vents. When wearing my goggles over my prescription glasses I have real problems with fogging is there isn't much wind about. So any pointers to goggles that work well with prescription glasses are most welcome.

[nathan79]

Smear a wee blob of washing up liquid inside the lenses. Definitely helps. Got that tip when paintballing. Can't remember if I need to do it with my goggles, that long since I've had to wear them!

[CharlesT]

Not suggesting you are likely to get snow blindness in Scotland but it can avoid a day of squinting and a bad headache.

I take issue with you here Charles. To quote Wikipedia snow blindness (aka Photokeratitis) "is a painful eye condition caused by exposure of insufficiently protected eyes to the ultraviolet rays." & "Photokeratitis is akin to a sunburn of the cornea and conjunctiva, and is not usually noticed until several hours after exposure. Symptoms include increased tears and a feeling of pain, likened to having sand in the eyes". Furthermore, like sunburn, the effect is accumulative and can't be reversed. People with pale eye colouring are even more risk of UV related eye damage.

It wasn't till I experienced this condition twice when hill walking here in Scotland that I cottoned on. I now always wear goggles when above the snow line, even when it is cloudy, even when there is no wind. I'm probably more sensitive than most folk as I grew up in the tropics and never worn sunglasses.

So kiddies, always wear proper protection when above the snow line - you [now] know it makes sense.

I can't disagree with your advice. My only point in referring to Scotland was that on the whole the conditions for snow blindness are not met, primarily long and continuous exposure to the reflected glare off snow fields. That said I learned the advisability of having the correct goggles from bitter experience at altitude where the UV effect is worse. In passing I'd also note the necessity of a good sunblock cream especially if you value your nose.

[doggy]

How do you know if your sunglasses are snow sunglasses? I have a pair of Oakley half jackets, I've got a feeling they're ok.

[Backpacker]

How do you know if your sunglasses are snow sunglasses? I have a pair of Oakley half jackets, I've got a feeling they're ok.

If the lenses are polarised they'll be fine (outwith a blizzard)

[CharlesT]

How do you know if your sunglasses are snow sunglasses? I have a pair of Oakley half jackets, I've got a feeling they're ok.

If the lenses are polarised they'll be fine (outwith a blizzard)

A problem well known to us daft winter cyclists is that polarised lenses cut out the reflection from the road surface that says "ICE" with potentially dire consequences, so we avoid them. Similar problems could occur on a snow slope so I prefer non-polarised with an amber tint for average snow conditions and blue if it's very bright. Photochromic lenses help too, making the going easier when it gets darker.