The anti-fog coating of goggles seems to work only for a few weeks. Even if you are careful not to scratch it off, it seems to attract dirt and make the lens "foggy" anyway. So, soon you better end up scratch off all the coatings. I just wonder if it makes much sense to get anti-fog goggles unless it's just for a short period of time? I use soapy water to rinse goggles before putting on, and it has worked better without a single fail instance. I'm debating to myself whether to scratch off the coating of my new goggles which have already become "foggy" because I can't touch the lens to clean the dirt that's been attracted by the coating.
I find that soaking in soapy water (baby shampoo & water) along with some gentle applications of saliva from time-to-time can 'regenerate' even dirty, old, anti-fog goggles.
I kinda agree with fmracing. :agree: Fog is just something that comes with the sport! Or its that nothing ever works/lasts, so why bother and just deal lol. I would NEVER lick my goggles however.....I dip em in the water instead ;-) Heck, I don't even mind if my goggles are little leaky, as a few droplets provide a fog-free environment.
I say stop babying your goggles. Clean em when you feel like it. I doubt gently cleaning them will noticeably affect the longevity of the anti-fog properties, which doesn't last anyway. This is coming from someone who wears $5 goggles though :) :2cents:
Former Member
always amused me when people are so concerned about fog free swimming. Lick your goggles between intervals and go.
Former Member
You don't need to lick it, let alone between intervals. One single quick rinse with a little soapy water before putting it on, and no worry again during your whole swim session.
What I want to decide is, should I simply scratch off the anti-fog coating from relatively new goggles so don't have to worry about avoiding touching the lens in order to clean it, since sooner or later that'll be the case. Since it's a thin coating, it's never going to work for long anyway. Seems the whole thing about it makes little sense.
With a bit of work I've taken the coating out with alcohol and then I sray with a baby shampoo/water mix just before swimming. stays crystal for the whole workout.
It is annoying that the coating gives out, only to distort vision more. I buy the optical goggles since my eye sight is so bad, and the anti-fog only lasts a few weeks, especially if I go from pool to open water. I tried the solution you can buy, but no luck. Think I'll try the soap trick.
I've been using the same pair of cheapo swedes for so many years dating back to sometime after college (with a little layoff in between starting Masters swimming). Yeah, they're scratched, but they don't fog up or give me many problems.
Former Member
always amused me when people are so concerned about fog free swimming. Lick your goggles between intervals and go.
Must be nice to only swim in 100 or 200 yard intervals...
Former Member
Well, so I just went ahead and gave the lens a thorough cleaning with my hand in soapy water. The anti-fog coating must have been gone since I wiped out all the smears. Now it's nice and clear. :)
Former Member
With a bit of work I've taken the coating out with alcohol and then I sray with a baby shampoo/water mix just before swimming. stays crystal for the whole workout.
I mean i know its baby shampoo, but that doesn't bother your eyes eventually? Heck I still wear the old $4 sweedish clear goggles that fog like crazy. Do you really need to see whats underwater in hi-def anyway? (avoid perverted comments here). If your clock is so far away you can't see it with some fog, move it closer. I slightly break the goggles seal off my face and dunk my head between sets, (or intervals if they are long enough, like sprints/Vo2max type thing.) and is plenty.
I kind-of find goggle fog to be nice. It helps cut down on visual distractions, like.... and keeps my focus on my feel of the water and stroke/kick/breathing cycles. I would swim with my eyes closed most of the time(LCM especially!) if I could. When I get my own lane I sometimes try and close my eyes a stroke cycle after breakout for the next 3 cycles, focusing on balance/feel; but it feels a little unnatural to swim blind 80% of the lap. Maybe i'm just crazy wasting time, but I still enjoy trying it
