Fogged!

Former Member
Former Member
I bought the anti-fog Barracudas and after a long, difficult battle managed to get them adjusted so they don't leak. Now I realize that having water leaking into them was the only thing keeping them clear, with the water sloshing around and washing away the condensation. Now that there's no water running in, I can't see anything after 50m! I have tried the Speedo anti-fog solution with success that varies from day to day. Sometimes it doesn't work at all. Other times I'll get a mild fog that's workable. It seems to work best when I give it two applications between workouts, but even then the results are disappointing. So. Fog juice, anyone? Any recommendations on alternative brands of fog solutions, or any other techniques I might try so I can actually see the pace clock? Oh, I already tried putting them on before getting into the pool. They fog even then, just from the moisture in my eyes. I really don't want to go back to my Speedo goggles, which didn't seem to have this problem. The Speedos gave me rings, the Barracudas don't.
  • The past two weeks I have noted a dramatic increase in fogging. I do not know what this is from, other than the fact it is warming up outside and the humiditiy seems to be higher. Anyway, it's highly annoying and I have expectorated quite a bit into my goggles, changed them and generally maintained a grumpy attitude during workouts due to fogging. I still maintain spit works the best, but it is failing me here recently. I'm gonna try Jansen's home remedies as a last resort. BTW, TYR racetech goggles cost $9.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Consider scooping the eye cups into the water just before putting them on and tipping out most - but not all - of the water. Leaving a small quantity of water in the goggle cup will allow the inside of the goggle to be cleared of condensation as a result of the water "sloshing around". If it a small quantity, that does not increase due to leakage, it should give your eyes no trouble. Alternatively, a bit of saliva in each eye cup works even better and will not iritate your eyes. Be warned: There are people that will tell you this practice is guaranteed to rot your eyes out. However, there are legions of swimmers that have grown up doing this over the years with no problems. Besides, the spooge that grows on wet goggles that cohabit the steamy bowels of your swim bag with all manner of detritus and old funky swim caps has GOTTA be worse than anything that comes from your mouth.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    Have you tried Tyr racetech? You can get them metallized or clear. They're not cheap but they're the best I've ever owned.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    For what it's worth, one of the things that I have found with anti-fog goggles is that after a while the anti-fog film gets dirty and that dirt causes fogging. My solution has been to soak my goggles for an hour or so in a mild solution (2-3 drops in 16 oz cool H20) of dish washing detergent (e.g. Dawn). Then I rinse the goggles and soak them in clean water for an hour or so to get the last of the detergent out. (IMPORTANT: DO NOT NEGLECT THE CLEAN WATER SOAK!) This has worked very well at extending the usable anti-flog life of my goggles. However, the type of goggles I wear have silicone seals and straps which are impervious to anything short of a direct missle strike, so I'm not sure how the foam-type goggles would do with this. If you try this, occasionally switching the detergent to something else is good since certain types of dirt resist certain detergents. (A drop or two of UltraSwim shampoo works well in these cases, BTW. I've also had some success with a very mild solution of OxyClean.) If you don't have anti-fogging film on the inside of the goggles, soaking them in a strong solution of baking soda works wonders, but again, no idea what this does to foam. Barracuda goggles - UGH! I spent over $100 on a pair with custom ground lenses and gave up trying to get them to not leak after 4 months of endless fiddling. I'll take the raccoon eyes any day.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I use View goggles, they fit me well and the optical lenses are not nearly as expensive as Barracuda. They do fog but the Watergear anti fog solution (or a good ole fashion lick) works well. I 'shampoo' my goggles, cap and zoomers with anti-cholrine shampoo, rinse well and dry everytime I use them... makes them last longer.
  • A cheap solution to the fogging problem is to use a drop of baby shampoo in each lens of your goggles. Rub it around and then rinse it. As long as you don't keep taking your goggles off and on, it will last your whole workout. Rinse well, or it can get in your eyes. Our coach even rubs some on the outside of each lens and he feels this helps too.
  • I use the Barracuda B-300. Once I get the nose bridge the right length and use them a few times, I have no problems. The are comfortable and do not leak. As far as anti fog is concerned I have used the good old saliva method for years and it works great. You need to wipe it around with a finger or your tongue and give it a quick rinse. And don't dip the goggles in the water before anti fogging them. If for some reason they do fog up on me, I just let in a drop or two of water and the sloshing around keeps them clear. Good luck.:)
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I too find washing up liquid is a good home solution to the fogging problem.
  • Former Member
    Former Member
    I too use the barracudas. They get a little funky around the foam and every couple of weeks I wash them in phisoderm and water which breaks down the body oils and does seem to clean the foam. I also rub some into the lens area to take off any body oil from my lashes (also makeup). One time I used what I thought was a weak bleach solution on the pads and managed to "unglue" one of the lens. Expensive lesson in cleaning! I do rinse them in cool water when I get home and hang them up to dry (I swim evening so they don't cook all day in a trunk). I think alot of the fog/condensation is a result of the room vs water temps. The lens starts to fog and then you dip your head into the water and it clears up. I've managed to keep some of my barracudas for 3-4 years before they're destroyed (lens loosens, snap=on clasps break). They are a little pricey but they do fit my face (after 1-2 swims), keep alot of the water out, don't damage the skin around my eyes (plastic surgeon noticed that before it got too bad), and most of all--do give me some vision correction (without going rx on the lens) so that I can SEE the end of the pool! Just for reference--I wear both types of the B-300. The anti-fog and the plain. One has a flat profile (kinda wrapped) while the other has a raised profile. I wear the flat profile one (tinted) in the summer outdoors and the clear raised profile in the winter.
  • I have experimented with several manufacturers goggles over the past few years. The best and longest lasting, for me, are the VIEW - spyders, marketed by TUSA. I gave up on the Speedos as the foam did not last long and they no longer would conform to my face. The VIEW's last for several months before starting to fog and I have used some pairs for a year without leaking (they do fog after this duration of use but not so bad that you can't see the clock). These can be order off the internet for about $10 each. Good Luck.
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