8 secrets for fog-free ski and snowboard goggles

You could have the best pair of ski goggles in the world, but if they fog up, you can kiss visibility goodbye. And with it goes your good time. But don’t despair – we’re here to help with eight simple tips to keep your goggles fog-free.

Of course, it’s handy to know what goggle fog actually is, right? Simply put, it’s condensation – made when warm air makes friends with a cold surface. You see, your breath and sweat create humid air, and once this water vapor hits your chilly goggle lens, it condenses into fine water droplets, which band together, form bigger droplets, and hang out on the glass. Voilà – a mist suddenly appears where your view of mountains should be. Bummer.

Goggle fog is surprisingly easy to fix, though. It’s all about cranking that airflow (so as little moisture as possible can build up in your goggles) and reducing any drastic temperature changes between the inside and outside of your lens. And once you’ve cracked how to keep ski goggles from fogging, you’ll want to upgrade your setup, right? Good thing we’ve got a stellar range of men's snowboard goggles and women's snowboard goggles to choose from.

Top 8 tips for fog-free ski and snowboard goggles

1. Choose high-quality ski goggles

If your goggles have rubbish ventilation, you won’t see much. So, choose a pair of high-performance goggles that prioritize airflow – usually through vents to the sides, bottom, and top. That way, condensation can’t build up quickly inside. Don’t forget about your goggle fit, too. You want a snug fit with zero gaps on your forehead and cheeks. Too loose, and you’re just asking for air to rush in and cause mayhem. 

It’s also a bonus if your goggles feature an anti-fog coating. This is a hydrophilic (moisture-repelling) barrier on the inside of the lens that stops condensation and fog from staying long. It spreads any water droplets across the surface so light can enter. Do you feel like you’re back in science class yet? Thanks to this extra coating, you can see those pristine park features or hella steep faces.

Dope Mag Tip: Choose spherical lenses for less chance of fog! The horizontal and vertical curves create more space between the lens and your face, so air circulates freely (this is less likely with a cylindrical lens). 

2. Make sure your vents are open 

It’s pointless having goggle vents if, one; they’re blocked, and two; they don’t fit with your helmet. So, make sure snow, your beanie, or your helmet aren’t blocking your goggle vents, and choose a well-fitting, well-ventilated brain bucket to protect against any excess moisture buildup. Helmets help in the fog-free fight by directing air from your goggles through vents at the front. Top and back helmet vents then successfully release that hot air. 

Big-budget ski helmets often host a multitude of vents (some as many as 19!), while those on the cheaper end of the scale won’t have so many. As for goggles, some brands have vents you can switch from ‘On’ to ‘Off’. We know – pretty handy. Ride with clear vents but Tomahawk down the fall line? Try shaking your head to get rid of any snow blockage. Alternatively, pull your goggles away from your face (but not off!) and tap away any excess moisture. Whatever you do, though, don’t wipe your lens with your gloves. This leads us nicely to Tip Number 3…

3. Avoid wiping the inner lens

We’ve all been there – a smudge appears on your inner lens, so you wiped it with your ski glove, jacket, beanie, or tissue. Did you hear cries of ‘Noooo!’ from your crew? This simple act is the cardinal sin of skiing and snowboarding. It’s all because your inner lens is precious – and the simplest swipe can scratch it and leave permanent damage. Oh, and remove that magic anti-fog coating, of course. 

So, as tempting as it is, don’t wipe the inner lens. Instead, leave your lens to air dry. We know – it’s like having an itch you can’t scratch. There is a loophole, though: use the microfiber wipe or goggle bag included with your goggles. And blot lightly. Don’t go sweeping from left to right like you’re part of the Olympic curling team. This blotting technique will do way less damage. However, the more you leave your lens alone, the better. 

4. Resist placing your goggles on your helmet

You’re on the chair, and it’s a long one. So, you take your goggles off and put them on your helmet. Um, big mistake. As we’ve mentioned, your goggles and helmet work together, shifting air up and away from your face. When you place your goggles on your helmet, you disrupt that flow and let moisture and heat have a party up there. The same goes for placing them on your beanie or (sweaty) forehead. Then, when you put your goggles back on, guess what? You can’t see. 

If your lack of visibility annoys you, try lifting your goggles off your face for a couple of seconds. It’s the goggle version of ‘rebooting’ your router to fix crappy internet. Still no good? Stop at a lodge (great excuse for a coffee, right?) and put your goggles on a table to air dry. 

Dope Mag Tip: Keep a backup pair of goggles or spare lens with you. Just don’t stick them straight on top of your helmet!

5. Line up your neck gaiter or face mask

Many riders choose a neck gaiter, face mask, or balaclava to stay warm (and boost the style points). However, remember that hot air rises. So, wearing a neck gaiter increases the likelihood of breathing warm air into your goggles if it’s tucked under the bottom of the frame. This then mixes with cold air flowing through. Oh, and – you guessed it – you’ve got a foggy lens. Annoying, right?

Instead, choose a light, breathable neck gaiter or face mask. For example, pick one made from Merino wool or a breathable synthetic alternative. Oh, and skip tucking your neck gaiter up into your goggles. That’s definitely asking for your breath to fog up your lens – especially as you breathe harder from the workout your riding is giving you. Instead, keep a small gap between your neck gaiter and goggles so warm air can escape. 

6. Skip overdressing

We know it’s tempting to wear all your new Dope gear at once. However, overdressing is the fastest way to create excess heat and find yourself with a sweaty face, head, and body. This leads to condensation building up as your body produces moisture while your goggles and helmet struggle to regulate the temperature. And, hey, what do ya know? Your goggles have fogged. 

So, instead of looking like Joey in that episode of Friends where he wears all of Chandler’s clothes, fine-tune your layers and manage your body heat. That means wearing a moisture-wicking baselayer set, an insulating midlayer only if necessary, and a breathable, waterproof ski jacket (insulated or shell depending on the temp and season). Don’t forget to open those jacket vents if needed, too. Remember, staying cool is how you’ll prevent goggle fog. 

7. Keep moving

Okay, we totally respect the code of waiting for your crew. However, when you keep moving, the air stays flowing, reducing the chances of fog problems. It’s all down to the colder air circulating your face – it helps any excess moisture quickly evaporate rather than stick around for the ride. 

So, maybe it’s worth choosing that super-long trail to keep on the move. Then, opt for a shorter chair to reduce stationary time. Obviously, we’re not saying you should leave your crew behind. Although, maybe whoever came up with the classic ‘No friends on a powder day’ did so because their goggles kept fogging up while waiting for them…

8. Let your goggles dry

When the lifts stop spinning, you’re probably only thinking about après. But don’t forget about your goggles! Proper care and storage keep the fog at bay. So, let them dry out completely at the end of the riding day. This means leaving them somewhere warm and dry so nature can take care of the moisture. 

Accidentally leave your goggles overnight in your cold car? Resist the urge to ride with damp goggles! That just encourages mist to appear on your lens in time for first tracks. Instead, bring them inside for ten minutes to air dry, make a coffee, and pray your go-to stash isn’t tracked out by the time you arrive on the hill!

Wrapping up

Woah, you made it! You can now add ‘Goggle Care Expert’ to your CV and LinkedIn profile, BTW. And shred with fog-free vision, of course.

Convinced we’ve missed an essential tip? Reach out to us via crew@dopesnow.com, and we’ll update this ASAP. In the meantime, keep venting (the airflow kind), and happy riding!

Related reading:

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• Snowboard jackets / Snowboard pants
• How to wax a snowboard
• Snowboard clothing
• The best places to go snowboarding in the USA