The snowboard mask fogs up. How to prevent fogging of a ski goggle? Mask - "cat's eye"

A longed-for and yet unattainable dream for all, without exception, manufacturers of ski optics is to create a mask that would never fog up under any circumstances! On forums dedicated to ski holidays, one of the most frequently asked questions is how to deal with mask fogging ?!

Manufacturers of ski optics have been puzzling over this problem for many years! Even expensive masks from the TOP segment, with thoughtful ventilation and several layers of AntiFog coating applied to the inner lens, fog up from time to time! Engineers go further and there are such radical solutions as, for example, TurboFan from Smith optics, when a small fan is built right into the frame of the mask. Or Oakley's new Inferno Heated technology, when the mask is equipped with an additional lens heating module! We will talk about this, the most effective technology for today, in a separate article, but for now, a few tips on how to prevent fogging.

Avoid getting warm air inside the mask!

Fogging occurs when warm air from your breath and body enters the mask and, if the temperature is below freezing, immediately cools down, forming condensation on the lens in the form of microscopic drops of water.

Most often, warm air enters the mask through a balaclava, buff or bandana, in the case when the mask is worn over your face protection. If the bottom of the mask is in contact with your gaiter, the breath steam will enter the mask through the buff fabric and the lens will tighten! In this case, even specially provided holes in your balaclava will not help, part of the warm air will somehow end up inside! Therefore, just leave a gap between the geytor and the lower edge of the mask and then the warm air from breathing will not get inside the mask!

And the most the best way– grow a beard and just not wear buffs 😉

Also, do not engage in fastening a snowboard with a mask on your face. Because, firstly, for most snowboarders, this is a rather energetic procedure, in which the intensity of evaporation increases, and secondly, in the process of fastening your head is parallel to the ground and the warm air from your breath, rising up at a right angle, penetrates into the mask through ventilation holes. Therefore, we advise you to put on a mask after you have fastened the board.

If you ride in a hat, then for sure during the pauses between descents or while standing in line for the lift, remove the mask up to the hat. Let's just say, not the best. best idea, because the head and cap are strong sources of evaporation, especially if you have just completed an active descent! And if the hat is also in the snow ... .. wow! there is almost no chance of avoiding fogging! During such pauses, it is better to put the mask in a cool pocket of your jacket or hold it in your hand.

But if you wear a helmet, then during pauses or during the ascent on the cable car, you can, and even need to remove the mask on the helmet. And then, having reached the top and getting ready for the next descent, you will put on crystal clear optics without any traces of fogging!

If you have a long and hard hike uphill or need to get out of the forest through deep snow, then after a while you start to “soar” like a pot with freshly prepared borscht! And of course, the farther from this pan the mask is, the better ... Is there a backcountry trip and, accordingly, a long climb into the mountains? Ok, put on sunglasses to protect your eyes, and put the mask in a soft case and put it in a backpack, well, or in the same pocket, after clearing it of snow!

Ventilation.

At the moment, masks of any self-respecting brand have a well-thought-out ventilation system that helps to remove warm air from your mask! Therefore, make sure that the ventilation openings are not blocked by a helmet or other headgear, that they are free of dirt, snow or ice. But be careful when cleaning, do not damage the thin foam layer that covers the holes. By the way, the faster you roll, the better the ventilation works, that's it!

What to do if the mask is still fogged up?

The main thing - never, under any circumstances, do not rub the mask from the inside, do not scrape the frost from the outside! At best, you will only exacerbate the problem, and at worst, ruin an expensive lens! Muddy stains between the outer and inner lenses appear just because of this! Our customers often turn to replacement lenses after they ruin their own. Do not repeat the mistakes of others ... If the mask is very foggy, take it off and try to get to the nearest cafe. There you can dry it with a hand dryer or on a convector. But do not bring the mask too close to the dryer, there is a risk of melting something you need =) One guy with me, in the Bullet cafe in Sheregesh, accidentally melted an expensive lens on Anon M2 in this way ...

Take care of your optics and it will serve you for a long time! See you on the slope!

Ulyanov Igor

The reasons why a mask is so necessary in the mountains are very simple: firstly, it stops the wind and snow that enter the eyes, secondly, it reduces UV exposure, and thirdly, some masks in bad weather allow you to better distinguish the outlines of objects. In this article we will try to give general recommendations for choosing a mask.

A mask should be chosen taking into account several factors. First of all, it depends on the number of days spent in the mountains and on the places where skiing is predominant. Design issues also play an important role. Thus, based on the characteristics, riding conditions, design and most importantly the budget, masks can be divided into four categories.

Budget masks- the simplest masks that combine a minimum of functionality and an affordable price. These masks include, for example, the Smith Cascade PMT, which costs $35. This mask has a regular filter with the simplest ventilation system, while in terms of convenience and quality it does not differ much from more advanced masks.

Helmet masks Not every mask is suitable for use with a helmet. First of all, because the mask may simply not corny fit under it. Therefore, the following functionalities are added for such masks: an unfastened strap of greater length, a convenient mask shape that allows it to fit closer to the face. It is also worth noting that the helmet closes the air to the mask, so they usually do ventilation through the filter. An example is the $90 Anon Theorem mask.

Designer- do not think that these are special masks for designers. In fact, there are several brands that are more bothered appearance masks and their comfort than real functionality and quality. At the same time, the work of the designer is primarily reflected in our pocket. An example of such a mask is the $90 Von Zipper Wisenheimer.

high end masks- almost all brands produce masks of the highest level, which include all the above characteristics and more. These features include additional moisture resistance, improved ventilation and special polarized filters. One of the most popular masks of this level is the $125 Oakley A-Frame mask.

peripheral vision

The comfort and design of the mask should not be reflected in performance. The smaller the angle of peripheral vision through the mask, the more uncomfortable it will be to ride in it. the problem is that the mask is affected by several constraints. First of all, it must contain enough air to avoid fogging, so the outer walls will always limit the angle of view. Traditional forms of masks are focused primarily on volume and ventilation. The result is a compromise between style, practicality and performance. Nowadays, manufacturers are paying more and more attention to increasing peripheral vision, especially snowboard-oriented brands have succeeded in this.

Mask fogging

If your mask is still fogged up, then first you need to quickly clear the snow from the inside of the mask or on the foam. The best case for cleaning the mask is the case in which the mask was packed when purchased. Remember, most often there is an AntiFog coating on the inner surface of the filter, so you should not clean the filter with your hands.

How many lenses should be in a mask?
Many masks use multiple lenses (usually two) attached to one another. Such lenses are less prone to fogging, unlike masks with single lenses. Therefore, it is better to take a mask with a double lens.

What other parameters affect fogging?
Some lenses are treated from the inside with a special anti-fog solution. Such lenses cannot be wiped with anything! You can damage the applied layer. The best way remove moisture from the inside - bring the mask into a warm room and wait. Ventilation in the case also plays a role. Fresh air usually drier than the inside of the mask, so ventilation carries excess moisture out. However, openings that are too large let in too much cold. Ideal option - adjustable ventilation.

What color lenses do I need?
The color of the lenses depends on the riding conditions:

What should be the UV protection?
If you're going to be riding in bright, sunny weather, your lenses should provide at least 95% UV cutoff. This problem is especially acute in the mountains, from about 2000 meters. Ultraviolet It reflects well from snow and stones, so it shines not only from above, but also from below. Even bad weather does not reduce the danger; you can easily get a retinal burn in snowfall or fog.

Category IV alpine goggles should, for example, block 100 UVA and B, and stop 94-96% (!) Of visible light - like a welder (by the way, goggles for welders in the mountains cannot be used- they delay only the visible range, and eyes with pupils dilated for low light will be immediately burned by ultraviolet radiation). Also, they should not leave gaps at the temples and around the nose. In the store, ask for a passport / instructions for the mask, it usually contains parameters, including UV delay.

What if I am wearing optical glasses?
When buying a mask, make sure it doesn't interfere with your goggles when worn over them.

What to look for when buying a mask

belt: some belts contain buckles. First of all, these fasteners are very convenient when putting the mask on the helmet. If you fall and burrow into the virgin soil, then such a belt will avoid the contact of the mask with the snow on your hat. Also, this design helps to avoid discomfort when you remove a wet mask. The pitfall is the durability of such belts, very often such fasteners fail.

the form: regardless of the content, each head has its own individual shape. Therefore, it is very important to find exactly the same mask that will ideally protect your eyes from wind and condensation.

In terms of shape, two main parameters can be distinguished: the width of the face and the shape of the nose. To determine which mask is right for you the best way, it is necessary to measure enough a large number of masks. Do not pay attention to brands, because. even the most expensive mask will not save you from wind and snow if it does not fit snugly to your face.

foam rubber: in order for the mask to fit snugly to the face, foam rubber is glued along its edges, the foam rubber also softens the blows when falling on the mask. Manufacturers develop unique mask designs and use different materials.

AntiFog lotions: lens fogging is a reality that cannot be avoided, the mask does not sweat only if its owner sits at the bar all day. Understanding why and how this happens will help you keep your mask on while riding. The condition of the filter is influenced by two factors: temperature difference and humidity. High humidity and temperature differences between the inner and outer lens cause the glass to fog up.

ventilation: One of the most important characteristics of masks is the amount of air that passes through while moving. The principle of operation is very simple - the faster you go, the more air passes through the mask. However, a large amount of cold air in the masks causes cold gusts of air at high speed to irritate the eyes.

design: this aspect is completely individual. Manufacturers strive year by year to improve the appearance of masks. Most often, the changes relate to the shape, volume of the mask and ventilation. volume: a lot depends on the distance between the filter and the face. If the volume of the mask is small, then the temperature inside the mask changes very quickly, which leads to the formation of condensation. If the filter is removed from the face, then peripheral vision is limited.

From this article you will find out which masks never sweat. Which of them use forced ventilation, in which the heating of the "windshield". You will also learn about the curiosity presented by Julbo (pictured).

This is another expedition site into the depths of ski optics. If last week we investigated when the weather changes, today we will deal with the protection against fogging of ski goggles. Let's dive!

The warm air emanating from the face does not have time to evaporate and falls in the form of moisture on the inner surface of the filter. If this happens, then our pleasure from riding comes to an end. Our mask gets wet. All attempts to bring it into working condition fail. Rubbing is enough for a couple of minutes - we annoyedly rub the mask with a wet rag for the hundredth time, trying at least for one descent to return good visibility and the joy that we came to the mountains for. But all in vain. Water droplets appear again on the filter and distort the picture. Every skier and snowboarder knows what we are talking about.

To our delight, things have changed in recent years. Many solutions to this problem have appeared on the ski optics market, and now I will introduce you to them. But, before we move on, I want to appeal to those who ride leisurely (they don’t fall and don’t sweat), who don’t sweat at all (there are such, I know), who ride in dry and frosty resorts (on it is almost impossible to sweat them - it is too cold). You are the lucky ones, and you do not need the bells and whistles that will be discussed below. A mask will suffice passive ventilation.

Passive ventilation in ski goggles

The movement of air in such masks begins only with the first turn. The counterflow enters some holes and exits through others, pushing warm air out. If you stand still, then this technology is useless. It's like opening the windows in a smoky car in the absence of wind and ventilation. To get rid of the smoke, you will have to wave your hands or a newspaper. You may have seen people on the slope waving their masks - so they tried to at least slightly normalize them.

But if everything is fine with sweating, or you ride, for example, in the damp Krasnaya Polyana, or visit the European Alps in the late hot spring, then passive ventilation will not save you. It is better to buy a mask, for example, with forced ventilation.

Forced filter ventilation

Brand Smith Optics

Solution from Smith Optics. Not new, it has been around for many years, and it is constantly being brought to mind. The motor has become more reliable and economical, the battery pack has become more elegant (but it has not decreased in size, but I would like to). Smith Optics has no competitors in the forced ventilation segment, at least at the time of writing (11/07/2015). If you have 3723 in the yard and the situation on the market has changed, be sure to let me know in the comments and I will make changes.

A fan with a miniature motor is built into the mask from above. The battery pack (AA batteries) is attached to the belt. On the block there is a switch of two modes - usual And turbo. In normal mode, the fan spins at medium speed constantly. In turbo mode, the speed increases sharply. Turbo mode is used to quickly evaporate moisture, for example, after a fall, when snow got under the mask.

Output. This is one of the most reliable solutions on the market, it is already 15 years old. From my own experience, I can say that the problem with moisture disappears completely - in the turbo mode, the mask “dries up” instantly.

Of the minuses - you need to monitor the charge of the batteries. Solved by carrying spares in a backpack. If dropped, the mechanism may be damaged. Once this happened to me, the battery pack flew off the belt and I never saw it again. There are still complaints about the weakness of the wires connecting the motor to the power supply - after some time of active use, the contacts can move away and the fan will freeze. Be gentle with the mask.

The price on the website of the Trial-sport chain of stores - these are the ones who bring the Smith brand to our market - 10,855 rubles. Price may change, please check.

Heated "windshield"

Swans Brand

swans- Japanese. The company is over 100 years old, but it is not very popular in Russia. I didn’t find a decent description of the company in Russian, and I don’t want to spam links to SEO texts. If you wish, read in English.

Thanks to heated internal elements, the filter always remains dry and transparent. A few things are confusing: the size of the battery, for which it will be necessary to find a place in the jacket; dangling wires; and the price is under 15,000 rubles (on the website of the Sport-Marathon store, check the price). If you are actively riding, you will definitely feel the extra weight in your pockets, and it is easy to break the wires with a careless movement or a branch when riding in the forest. Approximately, for the same money, you can buy a more elegant product - the A-bom mask.

Abom brand

The Abom ski mask does not have a heavy and bulky battery compartment, as in the Swans mask - the mask runs on a built-in battery. The current heats the inner layer of the filter and evaporates moisture from the surface. Heating works in two modes: constant - the battery charge is enough for 6-7 hours, and turbo - one-time 10-minute heating. In turbo mode (turn on only when necessary), the charge will last for 4-6 days. As you can see, the operating time without recharging this mask is much shorter than that of previous participants in the study.

The kit comes with a regular and USB-cable for recharging from a wall outlet and a computer, respectively.

Output. Abominable is a newcomer to the ski optics market. Just a year ago, on kickstarter, they raised enough funds to start production and now, according to the site, they are sending parcels to customers with new masks. The company produces only one model, but different colors. All for one price.

On the manufacturer's website, such a mask costs $249. All masks come with a gray filter for partly cloudy conditions, an additional filter is $100 more. If you have any questions about this mask, then it is better to contact the company through their

From this article you will find out which masks never sweat. Which of them use forced ventilation, in which the heating of the "windshield". You will also learn about the curiosity presented by Julbo (pictured).

This is another expedition of LETITSNOW.RU bathyscaphe to the depths of ski optics. If last week we explored ways to maintain good visibility when the weather changes, today we will focus on anti-fog ski goggles. Let's dive!

The warm air emanating from the face does not have time to evaporate and falls in the form of moisture on the inner surface of the filter. If this happens, then our pleasure from riding comes to an end. Our mask gets wet. All attempts to bring it into working condition fail. Rubbing is enough for a couple of minutes - we annoyedly rub the mask with a wet rag for the hundredth time, trying at least for one descent to return good visibility and the joy that we came to the mountains for. But all in vain. Water droplets appear again on the filter and distort the picture. Every skier and snowboarder knows what we are talking about.

To our delight, things have changed in recent years. Many solutions to this problem have appeared on the ski optics market, and now I will introduce you to them. But, before we move on, I want to appeal to those who ride leisurely (they don’t fall and don’t sweat), who don’t sweat at all (there are such, I know), who ride in dry and frosty resorts (on it is almost impossible to sweat them - it is too cold). You are the lucky ones, and you do not need the bells and whistles that will be discussed below. A mask will suffice passive ventilation.

Passive ventilation in ski goggles

The movement of air in such masks begins only with the first turn. The counterflow enters some holes and exits through others, pushing warm air out. If you stand still, then this technology is useless. It's like opening the windows in a smoky car in the absence of wind and ventilation. To get rid of the smoke, you will have to wave your hands or a newspaper. You may have seen people on the slope waving their masks - so they tried to at least slightly normalize them.

But if everything is fine with sweating, or you ride, for example, in the damp Krasnaya Polyana, or visit the European Alps in the late hot spring, then passive ventilation will not save you. It is better to buy a mask, for example, with forced ventilation.

Forced filter ventilation

Brand Smith Optics

Solution from Smith Optics. Not new, it has been around for many years, and it is constantly being brought to mind. The motor has become more reliable and economical, the battery pack has become more elegant (but it has not decreased in size, but I would like to). Smith Optics has no competitors in the forced ventilation segment, at least at the time of writing (11/07/2015). If you have 3723 in the yard and the situation on the market has changed, be sure to let me know in the comments and I will make changes.

A fan with a miniature motor is built into the mask from above. The battery pack (AA batteries) is attached to the belt. On the block there is a switch of two modes - usual And turbo. In normal mode, the fan spins at medium speed constantly. In turbo mode, the speed increases sharply. Turbo mode is used to quickly evaporate moisture, for example, after a fall, when snow got under the mask.

Output. This is one of the most reliable solutions on the market, it is already 15 years old. From my own experience, I can say that the problem with moisture disappears completely - in the turbo mode, the mask “dries up” instantly.

Of the minuses - you need to monitor the charge of the batteries. Solved by carrying spares in a backpack. If dropped, the mechanism may be damaged. Once this happened to me, the battery pack flew off the belt and I never saw it again. There are still complaints about the weakness of the wires connecting the motor to the power supply - after some time of active use, the contacts can move away and the fan will freeze. Be gentle with the mask.

The price on the website of the Trial-sport chain of stores - these are the ones who bring the Smith brand to our market - 10,855 rubles. Price may change, please check.

Heated "windshield"

Swans Brand

swans- Japanese. The company is over 100 years old, but it is not very popular in Russia. I didn’t find a decent description of the company in Russian, and I don’t want to spam links to SEO texts. If you wish, read in English.

Thanks to heated internal elements, the filter always remains dry and transparent. A few things are confusing: the size of the battery, for which it will be necessary to find a place in the jacket; dangling wires; and the price is under 15,000 rubles (on the website of the Sport-Marathon store, check the price). If you are actively riding, you will definitely feel the extra weight in your pockets, and it is easy to break the wires with a careless movement or a branch when riding in the forest. Approximately, for the same money, you can buy a more elegant product - the A-bom mask.

Abom brand

The Abom ski mask does not have a heavy and bulky battery compartment, as in the Swans mask - the mask runs on a built-in battery. The current heats the inner layer of the filter and evaporates moisture from the surface. Heating works in two modes: constant - the battery charge is enough for 6-7 hours, and turbo - one-time 10-minute heating. In turbo mode (turn on only when necessary), the charge will last for 4-6 days. As you can see, the operating time without recharging this mask is much shorter than that of previous participants in the study.

The kit comes with a regular and USB-cable for recharging from a wall outlet and a computer, respectively.

Output. Abominable is a newcomer to the ski optics market. Just a year ago, on kickstarter, they raised enough funds to start production and now, according to the site, they are sending parcels to customers with new masks. The company produces only one model, but in different colors. All for one price.

On the manufacturer's website, such a mask costs $249. All masks come with a gray filter for partly cloudy conditions, an additional filter is $100 more. If you have any questions about this mask, then it is better to contact the company through their

Never do not move the mask over the snow cap on his heated forehead when riding. Evaporates from its surface great amount moisture, which immediately condenses on the inner surface of the lens. This, by the way, is another argument in favor of helmets - they do not let air through, which means that the mask shifted onto them does not fog up. Try not to wear a mask during intense physical activity , for example, when climbing and traversing a mountain on foot in search of untouched snow, or when getting out of deep powder. In such situations, body temperature rises along with sweating, and all the moisture evaporated from the skin surface settles on the lens. Therefore, for the time of hiking and transitions in relatively warm weather, it is better to wear ordinary Sunglasses, and in the cold - try to control the load and avoid profuse sweating. When you get out of deep snow, simply slide the mask onto the helmet or take it off for a while and hide it in a special pocket of the skiing backpack. Choose the right balaclava. We exhale a very large amount of warm and humid air when we breathe. It rises up and gets under the mask if you pull on a thick balaclava or a tube scarf, covering both your mouth and nose at once. Therefore, it is advisable to use accessories that will ensure unhindered removal of exhaled air. It is equally important that your mask fits snugly enough on your face so that there are no open gaps through which warm air can freely rise. When sitting with other riders in a gondola or on a chair with the windscreen down, try to keep the mask in your hand and lower - away from the warm air. The moisture contained in it will replenish the amount of frost on the windows rather than settle on your optics. If there are not many people in the gondola, then simply sliding the mask over the helmet is sufficient. In each ski mask, one or another system of “supply” ventilation is presented. At a minimum, this is a thin layer of foam rubber covering wide holes located along the entire contour of the frame. Through them, warm and humid air escapes from under the frame, thereby reducing the risk of moisture condensation on the lens. Therefore, always make sure that the ventilation holes are not covered with a layer of snow and ice, as well as not tightly covered by items of clothing and equipment - balaclavas, hats or helmets. The mask is best ventilated while riding. Therefore, to get rid of a small sweat on the surface of the lens, unless it blocks the view, the oncoming airflow on the descent will help. When entering a cafe or other warm room, do not remove the mask immediately- let the temperatures on the lens surfaces even out a little. Then the chances that perspiration will form on its inside will be lower. If the mask is still fogged up, there is no need to worry and make hasty decisions. To begin with, do not remove the fogged optics in the cold - the moisture will immediately freeze and instead of water droplets you will get frost on the lens surface. Do not rub the inside of the wet filter, especially with mittens or gloves.- this not only leads to the formation of small scratches, but also gradually destroys the "anti-fog" coating. You can wipe the lens only when it is dry and only with a dry soft case, which is included in its kit. The mask can be dried in a cafe or simply replaced with a spare one. You can also carry an interchangeable lens with you and insert it into the frame instead of the fogged one. For the preservation and maintenance of the "anti-fog" coating use only cleaning and care products approved by the manufacturer of the ski mask. In no case do not use "folk" methods to combat fogging of optics. One of the oldest and most common is applying the thinnest layer of toothpaste to the lens. Being in fact a fine abrasive, it not only destroys the remnants of the factory "anti-fog" coating, but also finely scratches the entire surface of the filter.