Riding in cold, wet weather can be frustrating, especially when your helmet visor fogs up, obstructing your vision and creating hazards for you on the road. If you wear glasses, the danger is even greater as they can also fog up, further blurring your view. While some might joke that holding your breath is the easiest solution, it’s obviously not practical on a long ride. Here are some practical tips to keep your helmet visor clear and maintain visibility in foggy conditions.
1. Reasons
Before diving into solutions, it’s important to understand the science behind this issue. Fog, rain, and wind cause the temperature of your visor or glasses to drop. When you breathe, the moisture from your breath comes into contact with the colder surface, condensing into tiny droplets that form a mist, blurring your vision. This same effect occurs when you’re inside a car in damp, cold weather.
2. Solutions
Choose the Right Helmet
Investing in a high-quality helmet designed to reduce fogging is the first step. Look for helmets with:
- Pinlock Inserts: One solution involves adding a second visor behind your primary screen, creating a barrier that prevents moisture from reaching the inner visor. This method is known as a pinlock system. While effective, not all helmet visors are compatible with pinlocks. Additionally, pinlock systems can be more expensive than simply replacing your visor. In some cases, you might even need to purchase a new helmet that is designed to accommodate a pinlock, which could mean discarding your current one.
- Anti-Fog Coating: Some visors come with a factory-applied anti-fog coating, which helps to prevent condensation.
- Proper Ventilation: A helmet with good airflow will help to reduce the temperature difference between the inside and outside, minimizing the chance of fogging.
Respro Foggy Mask:
fogging up your visor. This mask covers both your nose and mouth and is a more affordable solution compared to a pinlock system. However, it’s important to note that this mask is not compatible with flip-up helmets.
Keep Your Helmet Clean
Dirt and grime can trap moisture, which can lead to fogging. Regularly clean your visor and the inside of your helmet using a mild soap and water solution. Avoid harsh chemicals that could damage the anti-fog coating or the visor itself. Make sure the visor is completely dry before you put your helmet on.
Warm up Your Glasses
One way to prevent fogging is by warming up your glasses before heading out. By increasing the temperature of your glasses, you can eliminate the difference between the cold outside air and your warmer body temperature, which causes condensation. Here’s a technique: warm up your motorcycle and head back inside.
Place your glasses on a hot radiator while you put on your helmet. Once your glasses are warm, put them on and close the visor before stepping back into the cold. This way, your glasses will retain warmth during your ride, helping to prevent any mist from forming