How To Keep Ski Goggles From Fogging Up | 15 Top Tips!

by Fraser
Updated:

You know the feeling all too well: you gear up, head to the slopes, and within minutes… your snowboard goggles are fogging up!

You take them off, wipe the lens, put them back on, and repeat. It’s enough to drive you mad!

But don’t worry. I’m going to explain how to keep ski goggles from fogging up. Let’s put an end to foggy ski goggles once and for all!

The Short Answer
To prevent ski goggles from fogging up:
  1. Ensure a snug fit, without blocking the vents.
  2. Use anti-fog treatments or sprays.
  3. Avoid touching the inner lens.
  4. Keep the inner lens dry.
  5. Manage moisture and sweat by using a well-ventilated helmet. Avoid wearing your goggles while hiking.

By reading the rest of this article, you’ll be able to say goodbye to foggy ski goggles!

Why Do Ski Goggles Fog Up? 

Before we learn how to keep ski goggles from fogging up, let’s discuss why the heck they do!

Ski goggles fog up when warm water vapor (like sweat) condenses on your cold goggle lenses. Once this happens, it’s pretty darn hard to get rid of. It’s therefore very important to prevent your goggles from fogging up in the first place!

For this reason, most of the anti-fogging tips below will focus on preventing fogging. Let’s take a look…

How To Keep Goggles From Fogging Up

1. Choose the Right Lens

The type of lenses you choose in your goggles significantly affects how well they prevent fogging. 

If you’re looking for a lens that offers good clarity and protection from the sun, consider lenses with a polarizing filter. Lenses with a mirrored finish are also popular; they help reflect the sun’s rays and stop the goggles from fogging up. 

Anti-fog coatings are a super important consideration when choosing goggles. Look for goggles with a coating applied to the inner and outer surfaces of the lenses, as this will help prevent moisture from building up and fogging up your goggles.

2. Choose the Right Frame

The frame of your goggles is one of the most important factors preventing them from fogging. Some frames are designed to fit more closely to your face and create a tighter seal. This prevents moisture from building up on the lenses.

You should also look for goggles with vents on the frame, as these circulate air and reduce the risk of fogging. The number and placement of the vents will vary depending on the model of goggles, so be sure to check this before you buy.

3. Vent Your Goggles

Most snowboard goggles have vents on the frame’s top and bottom that help circulate air and prevent fogging.

Make sure that these vents are open and are not blocked by snow or ice!

Remember to close the vents when not using them, as too much moist airflow will cause your goggles to fog up more.

4. Make Sure Your Goggles Fit Properly

Goggles that are too big or small are more likely to fog up!

You should also avoid the dreaded gaper gap, demonstrated perfectly in the picture below.


Adjusting the straps so that the goggles fit snugly but not too tightly is the key to stopping them from steaming up.

Adjusting them helps to create a tighter seal, stopping cold air from getting in and warm air from escaping.

The last thing you want is to adjust your goggles constantly, or worse, take them off mid-run! Make sure they are comfortable and secure from the get-go.

5. Wipe Your Goggles Regularly (and Correctly!)

Throughout the day, your snowboard goggles accumulate gunk and dirt. You’d be surprised just how easily dirt can build up on the lens, causing them to fog up. 

To prevent your goggles from fogging, wipe them down with a nice soft cloth. Never use your finger or dirty t-shirt!

If you don’t already have one, I reviewed the best microfiber cloths here.

6. Use Anti-Fog Sprays

If you find that your goggles are still fogging up, even after you’ve cleaned them, you may want to try using one of these –> anti-fog sprays.

Anti-fog sprays can be applied to the lenses of your goggles to prevent them from fogging up. The spray creates a thin, invisible layer on the lens that helps to repel water and condensation. 

how to keep ski goggles from fogging up

Don’t use just any old spray though!

Make sure it’s specifically designed for snowboard or ski goggles. Other products can contain harsh products that literally strip away the remaining anti-fog coating. 

Check out the article below for more details. 

7. Avoid Breathing on the Lenses!

One of the most common causes of foggy snowboard goggles is breath vapors. When you exhale, your warm breath meets the cold lenses of your goggles, causing condensation.

To avoid this, never breathe on the lenses. Especially, if you’re trying to clean them!

You should also try to keep your head up when riding and avoid your coat being positioned over your mouth. This prevents your breath from bouncing up and hitting the lenses.

8. Have Two Sets of Goggles

Having a second pair of goggles handy is always a good idea. You never know when your first pair might fog up (or break).

smith otg glasses

Alternatively, use one for the ascent and the other for the descent. This is probably a bit extreme.

However, if you’re hiking a steep slope, you’ll know how severely your goggles will fog up. It’s almost impossible to fix this without completely drying them out!

Of course, also ensure you have a comfortable way of carrying both pairs of goggles. Otherwise they’ll both break when you fall (it’s inevitable). Consider leaving the spare pair in the car or ride with a well-fitted backpack.

9. Avoid Leaving Your Goggles in Direct Sunlight

Another way to keep your goggles from fogging up is to avoid getting them too hot. Don’t leave them in the sun or a hot car!

Goggle lenses will nearly always fog up when they start to heat up. This is due to water in the frame and padding evaporating, settling on the lens.

If you’re traveling in cold weather, pack them in an insulated case or bag to prevent moisture in the air from hitting the lenses. Goggles that are exposed to extreme temperatures are far more likely to fog up.

10. Wear a Well-Ventilated Helmet

Wear a well-ventilated helmet with a face mask. This helps to keep your head cool and dry, stopping your goggles from fogging up.

If you don’t have a helmet with vents, try wearing a headband or bandana to absorb sweat and keep the heat from escaping.

11. Use a Ski Mask or Balaclava

Ski masks and balaclavas are designed to keep your face warm and dry. They also do a great job of preventing snowboard goggles from fogging up!

You can always wear them under your helmet if you don’t like how they look.

Whatever you choose, make sure it covers your entire face and leaves no gaps around the edges of your goggles. Cold air will seep in and fog up your lenses, even if there’s only a small opening.

12. Drink Plenty of Water

Let’s be honest, your goggles are fogging up because you’re sweating so much!

This is a pretty good indicator of how quickly you’re becoming dehydrated on the slopes. This tip is therefore more of a reminder to drink water! 

It’s so important that I wrote a separate article on how to carry water whilst snowboarding (or skiing). 

13. Don’t Overdress

If you wear too many layers whilst snowboarding, you’ll sweat.

Even if you’re out on the slopes, the weather is not always that cold!

Make sure to check the temperature before heading out. Adjust your outfit accordingly. 

Otherwise, you will sweat EXCESSIVELY as you work your way up and down the hill. The moisture from your sweat will build up on your snowboard goggles, causing them to fog up.

To avoid this, dress in layers so that you can take off or add clothing as needed. 

14. Keep Moving

If you’re not moving, the air will stagnate, and your snowboard goggles will fog up. To avoid this, keep moving when you’re on the slopes. 

If you need a break, try to find a spot where there’s a breeze so the air can circulate. You can also take this as a chance to take your goggles off and prevent more fog. 

15. Clean Your Goggles!

This one is often overlooked. Probably because we all hate cleaning. 

As you can imagine, debris and build up can block the goggle vents. This can lead to poor circulation and permanent foggy ski goggles!

Key Takeaways

Congratulations, you can now say goodbye to foggy ski goggles!

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, following these tips will help keep your vision sharp while on the slopes.

The absolute best way to keep your goggles from fogging is to ensure they fit properly. Keep an eye out for our upcoming articles on how to find the best goggle fit for you!

For starters, if you’ve been blessed with a larger nose (like me!) then here’s the best goggles for big noses. 

Alternatively, those on a budget should check out the best cheap snowboard goggles this year. 

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