Understanding Swimming Goggles Anti-Fog Solutions

Whether you're a competitive swimmer at an Olympic level, doing water aerobics at a local pool, competing in triathlons, or enjoying a leisurely swim at the beach, swimming is a great way to stay fit and healthy. One annoying problem that all swimmers face is foggy swimming goggles. The sweat and humidity of underwater activity causes foggy lenses, resulting in eyes burning with chlorine or salt water, and reduced visibility.

Understanding the Problem

Swimming goggles fog up when the hot, sweaty air of your eyes meets the better temperature of the water. This creates PU's - Poly Urethane condensation - on the lenses, generally caused by not allowing enough time for the lenses to adjust to the water temperature. This can be an annoying issue to deal with. It not only reduces your visibility, but it can be a major distraction in competition.

Commercial Anti-fog Solutions

To help prevent and reduce the possibility of foggy lenses, there are a variety of commercial anti-fog sprays, wipes and products available. Most involve a light spray that coats the lenses with an invisible layer of protective anti-fog properties. Most anti-fog sprays and wipes are relatively inexpensive and last for 30-60 days of swimming, depending on the product.

DIY Anti-fog Solutions

If you're looking for a more economical solution, or you prefer to avoid the use of chemicals, there are several DIY anti-fog solutions you can consider. These include things like using dishwashing liquid, baby shampoo, toothpaste, shaving cream, baking soda and vinegar, or even rubbing alcohol to coat your lenses. Some people have even been known to use bananas!

Proper Maintenance and Care

To prevent your goggles from fogging, you should always clean them after each use, and keep them stored in a well-ventilated area. You should never use strong solvents or other harsh chemicals to clean your goggles. This could damage the lenses, leading to fogging and reduced visibility.

Design Features and Anti-fog Technologies

In addition to commercial anti-fog solutions, manufacturers of swimming goggles are increasingly looking into designing lenses that resist fogging. There are a variety of designs to consider, such as indentations on the inner surface of the lens, interleaved or single-piece multi-layer design, and semi-permeable lens technologies. The latter type is typically used for lenses that must remain sealed for regulation or performance reasons, such as underwater camera lenses or dive masks.

Reviews and Recommendations

When it comes to choosing the best anti-fog solution for your swimming goggles, it's important to read the reviews and recommendations of others who have tried the product. The more you know about the product, the better, as this will help ensure that you get the best quality and performance from it.

Safety Considerations

It's important to remember that no matter what type of anti-fog solution you choose, you should always take the necessary steps to ensure your safety. Swimming goggles should always fit properly, and they should fit snugly on your face so that water will not leak into them. It is also important to never wear them underwater for extended periods of time, as this could cause serious problems.

Summary Review

Foggy swimming goggles can be an annoying problem for swimmers. While there are a variety of anti-fog solutions available, including commercial and DIY solutions, all swimmers should take safety precautions to ensure their safety and visibility. Reading reviews and recommendations of others who have tried different solutions is the best way to find the right one for you.