Mask fog

[tollertwins]

So…

A) I live in the Pacific Northwest. Humid, humid, humid!

B) riding w a mask may be overkill, but DH and I are both in high risk groups so if there is anybody else in the arena we do it anyway.

Needless to say, I get wicked glasses fog from the mask. Hell, here I even get it w no mask if it’s really wet out. Kinda like the helmet brim traps vapor coming off your body or something.

So far no luck w anti-fog products, and mask tape isn’t holding once you add sweat in.

I can ride w/o the glasses, but am so blind I can’t see ppl’s faces and am not sure what other riders are doing.

The only other thing I can think of is adding wrap around shooting glasses in the hopes that they hold the mask down better and seal against my face some.

Anybody have any other suggestions?

[Bluey]

Some kind of snorkeling mask?

https://www.google.com/search?q=Snorkeling+mask&client=safari&rls=en&source=univ&tbm=shop&tbo=u&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiV0dbXgKbtAhVGRDABHWkfD2oQ1TV6BQgNELID&biw=1440&bih=747

[hoopoe]

I use 3M skin tape across the bridge of the nose. I use it both during hot weather and chill. I would recommend blue paper exam masks rather than cloth

[Renn_aissance]

I had the same problem and got a variety of suggestions in this thread: Anti-fog sprays and other treatments for glasses that need windshield wipers when you have a mask on

@hoopoe’s suggestion of skin tape has worked the best for me.

[SuzieQNutter]

I bought some things off ebay. I haven’t used them as Covid has not been in Queensland for months.

They are a blue foam that is supposed to stop your glasses fogging up somehow.

[Hippolyta]

The trick is to make sure you aren’t breathing air up towards your glasses, which means keeping the mask tighter to the top of you nose w. the nose wire, and as another poster said, something like athletic tape or a band-aid to keep it flush to your face.

An antifogger that has worked for me when nothing else did - clean glasses with oil free dish soap (plain Dawn is good). Put foam shaving cream on the lenses, let dry. Use tea towel to wipe off all of the dried foam. WARNING: I am guessing that if you do this a lot you will create microscratches on glasses. It could also mess with the lens coating. I do use it on my sunglasses on occasion.

We have a tiny, humid, sealed up heated indoor. I will not be going in there until the doors open again in the spring. I might consider using it if a mask was required while riding. I would hate it, but I wouldn’t be imagining suspended viral particles (cartoon version) in the day’s accumulated vapor.

I don’t think wearing a mask in any indoor setting is overkill.

[OverandOnward]

Gaiters. The breath goes down into the lower part of the gaiter around the neck, not up around the glasses. You may need to add an extra loop or flexible piece to go over the ears to help hold it up while riding.

There are a number of athletic gaiters that cyclists and other sports in dusty environments, especially on the roads, have been using for many years.

These are light and flexible. Click around a bit to find the same one in other colors/designs.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088FLSP7X/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I’ve been using my spares as ear-warmers. They are perfect under a helmet.

[sascha]

Does your riding mask have a flat nose wire to fit it properly over your nose? or is it just plain fabric/elastic over your nose?

[Merrylegs]

Have you tried these from Starks? I’ve heard they work well: https://starks.com/products/face-masks/

[tollertwins]

Currently using under armour’s and struck’s because I can get them to stay away from my mouth.

UA SPORTSMASK

Sport Masks

I think the bridge of my nose is pointy enough that I can’t get a good seal. I’ll try the skin tape and look into a gaiter. I found tape specifically for masks but it comes right off.

Will try the shaving cream, too. They are glasses I only use at the barn.m

[Delaney]

Cat crap!

Amazon.com : EK USA, Cat Crap, Anti-Fog Lens Cleaner Balm, Safe on All Lenses,...

Or you could go the good old fashioned SCUBA- approved route of a loogie on your lenses with rub in!

[tollertwins]

Tried soap and spit. No go.

[Hippolyta]

Do you find these masks any cooler? I am always *#&@ hot.

[endlessclimb]

https://www.spisafety.com/Items/0/0000000000000018/Sight_Savers_FogShield_XP_Lens_Cleaner/se/Lens-Clean

We have to wear masks and safety glasses all the time at work. This stuff ^ works. You have to reapply every other day or so.

Edited to add: We are inside steamy hot conditions, then outside in the cold. This transition normally fogs up glasses, but not after this stuff has been applied. We tried probably 10 different products at the beginning of COVID, and this is the only one that worked. I can’t fog up my glasses, even if I try.

[trubandloki]

@endlessclimb

https://www.spisafety.com/Items/0/0000000000000018/Sight_Savers_FogShield_XP_Lens_Cleaner/se/Lens-Clean

We have to wear masks and safety glasses all the time at work. This stuff ^ works. You have to reapply every other day or so.

It seems to be hard to find. Darn it. (out of stock at your link and when I goggle it nothing else comes up with it in stock.)

[endlessclimb]

FogShield XP Lens Cleaning Station, Silicone Solution Type, Anti-Fog,...

Backordered but not too long…

But you’re totally right, I had no idea you couldn’t get this stuff. It does work though! I’m sorry it’s out of stock everywhere.

[tollertwins]

Does this sound like the same stuff?

https://www.abilityone.com/bausch-lomb-sight-savers-reg-fogshield-extreme-protection-disposable-safety-lens-cleaning-station/product/CM68552

As for masks, the UA one was designed for running and between the lining staying cool (iso chill fabric) and it staying off your nose I find it the coolest. And I have the hardest time getting a seal on it so get the worst fog. Also, I wouldn’t wear it anyplace I thought I was at high risk for exposure, would use something harder to breathe through for that,

[tollertwins]

Found some in stock!

https://www.beachaudio.com/Bausch-Lomb/8577-p-811929.html?utm_term=g14192860&utm_campaign=shopping5Perc&utm_medium=feed&utm_source=GoogleShoppingActions

At least I think it’s the same…

[endlessclimb]

It looks like the same thing, @tollertwins! The packing is different, but the name of it is exactly the same.

[Jarpur]

My husband is successfully using 3M Nexcare Absolute Waterproof Tape - “flexes and stretches, cushioned foam protection.” The rolls we have are 1 inch x 5 yds, and they were available locally, at a big box store. Not expensive.

He applies it to his face, across the bridge of his nose and the upper part of his cheekbones, then puts on his eyeglasses. ETA: puts on his mask, of course, then his eyeglasses.

The first time he used it, he applied it too close to his eyes, on that thin, tender skin, which made it a little painful to peel off at the end of the day. Applied a little lower, no problem, and he says it works great at stopping the fogging, and is comfortable to wear.

He’s wearing it for several hours at a time, outdoors, and has a fair complexion I consider a little sensitive.