Ski goggles are essential for taking on the mountain. Like your jacket or snow pants, they protect you against the elements–in this case by shading your eyes from the sun or blocking the wind. While they are built to be durable, they still require some upkeep and care. To make sure you get the most out of your goggles for years to come, here’s our guide on how to care for and properly maintain your goggles.
1. HOW TO CLEAN YOUR GOGGLES' LENS
Keeping your goggles clean and dry is a challenge when you’re out on the slopes, and it’s especially true when the powder gets up to your waist. To avoid fogging, proper goggle care is key.
Cleaning the outside of the lens
The first rule of thumb is to try to avoid rubbing the inside and outside of the lens while it’s wet. Doing so can damage the anti-fog coating on the lens and make the problem worse. If your glasses are covered with snow, first remove the excess by dabbing with a microfibre cloth and let them air dry.
Clean the inside of the lens
Only – and only – when the inside of your goggles is dry, wipe it down with the microfibre wipe (and nothing else!) to remove any fingerprints and dust. Keep in mind, the less you touch the inside of your goggle, the longer you’ll keep your precious ski goggles in good condition.
Anti-fog coating
Most goggles have anti-fogging coating on the inside of the lens. When wet, the coating tends to soften, making the glass vulnerable to scratches. Hence the importance of never rubbing wet glass.
2. STORING SKI GOGGLES
Hanging your goggles on the rear view mirror will add to your ski-bum swag, but it may also cause your goggles to age prematurely. The heat and lack of air circulation will quickly deteriorate the foam. Also, avoid exposing them to extreme temperature differences. Ideally, store your goggles at room temperature and out of direct sunlight.
Store goggles at a reasonable temperature
Storing your goggles in a dry place and at a moderate temperature will also prevent the risk of fogging. The air in the room will allow the lens to acclimate to the temperature difference when you take your goggles out in the cold, which will reduce the risk of condensation.
Use the storage pouch!
All goggles come with a protective microfibre pouch. You can use it to store your goggles, as well as to clean the lens. They are usually compact and lightweight, so you can store your goggles in them when you’re on the go or when you’re climbing before your descent. Always putting your goggles back in their storage bag will considerably reduce the risk of scratches.
Let your goggles dry before storing them
Whether it’s sunny or snowy, moisture will accumulate in the foam of your goggles, so it’s important to let them air dry before storing them in their bag. Don’t dry them in a dryer or against a heater as this could damage them. Once the lens is free of moisture, wipe it with a microfibre cloth to remove any water marks.
3. HOW TO REPAIR SKI GOGGLES
Scratches, fogging… can you fix worn ski goggles? Let’s take a closer look.
How to remove lens scratches
If the outer lens of your goggles has light scratches that do not obstruct your vision, you can continue to use them without any problem. In the more serious cases, when scratches impair your vision, you will unfortunately have no choice but to get a replacement lens. That’s why it’s always best to buy ski goggles with interchangeable lenses.
How to deal with fogging
Fogging may happen if you don’t take the necessary precautions – regardless of the model of goggles you buy or the price you pay. So what can you do to avoid it?
We can’t say it enough: the one thing you shouldn’t do is wipe the inside of your goggle when the lens is wet. This will damage the anti-fog coating. This is critical.
Fogging is created by condensation. When skiing, make sure the air you exhale doesn’t get trapped between your neck warmer and your goggles. To protect yourself from the cold, choose an accessory with ventilation holes.
Keep your goggles on your face, even when you’re on the chairlift. This way the quality of the air in the goggle and especially its temperature will remain constant.
You should also keep the top of your goggle clean if it’s snowing. This will ensure the vents are clear to let out the warm, moist air more efficiently.
If your goggles have already fogged up and the problem comes back on your first run of the day, you should dry them. After a day of skiing – especially a snowy or wet day – don’t put your goggles in their pouch right away. Let them dry overnight to allow the moisture to evaporate.
Following these tips will ensure that your goggles will last through the seasons. With regular and proper care, your goggles will last much longer. Not to mention saving you precious dollars season after season.
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