Your new goggles are looking fresh out of the box, my guess you want to keep them that way. Goggle lenses are quite delicate and are extremely easy to damage, but by following these guidelines you will allow them to have the longest life possible.
Avoid touching the inside of the Goggles lens
The first and most important step to looking after your goggles is to try and never touch the inside of the lens. Sometimes this is impossible to avoid, but try to at all costs, especially when wet.
We do this because goggles lenses come equipped with a thin, gel-like anti-fog coating that is found on the inside layer of the lens. The gel is activated and becomes tacky when the warm air from your face circulates around the inside of the goggle. If the inside of the lens is rubbed when the gel is activated it is very easy to damage. This includes when your goggles are fogged.
If you need to rid the inside of your lens from any dirt particles that have made its way in there, wait till the lens are dry and dab them gently. DO NOT WIPE. If you have a huge faceplant and find yourself with a face full of snow that’s made its way onto the inside of your lens, firstly bang out all the snow and let them dry naturally. To speed up the process, make your way to a hand dryer or a hair dryer (you don’t want to melt your goggles so use at a sensible distance) to help dry out the excess condensation.
Don't wear your goggles on your Beanie or Helmet
Avoiding this has many benefits. It will help to prevent any moisture getting to the inside of the lens from perspiration, which leads to fogging up (especially on a wet day). This will also help keep tension in the elastic strap by not stretching it and help to maintain the optimum fit.
When our goggles are on our heat it can be easy to forget that they’re there, making them more prone to damage.
Clean your Goggles with the Microfibre Bag provided
Your goggles will come with a microfibre bag – use this to clean your goggles lenses. It’s always best to carry it in your pocket when you are out skiing/snowboarding.
As mentioned above, sometimes touching the inside of the lens is unavoidable. Use the microfibre bag to do so to reduce help reduce the amount of potential damage. The outside of the lens comes with an iridium coloured coating. This can be damaged by harsh materials so it is best to use the microfibre bag provided. On cold, wet days ice can accumulate on your lenses and can scratch your lenses. Try to warm them up first before removing it.
Store your Goggles in the Microfibre Bag provided
This one is a no brainer. Whether you are heading for Aprés drinks, back to the lodge, or back to your car. When your goggles have dried out a bit, chuck them in the microfibre bag to avoid them rubbing against any foreign objects. If you’re after even more protection, a Dakine Goggle Stash will store your goggles in a fleece lined, padded case and keep spare lenses separate too.
Tips and tricks to prevent fogging up
Goggles can fog up pretty easily, and it’s a sure fire way to ruin your day. Follow these couple extra pointers that will improve your day drastically:
- Get fitted properly
- Don’t wipe the inside of the lens
- Don’t wear your goggles on your head (especially on a wet day)
- Keep air vents free of snow and ice
- Don’t tuck in neck warmer or balaclava
- Dry them out at the end of the day
