There are a lot of cold-weather days when I would like to have some eye protection (sunglasses) on. But, I can fog (breath condensation) a pair of glasses real quick; and then they're useless {or, at least, extemely aggravating}.
Short of going "all out" with some type of Ski Goggle, do any of you have some suggestions for sunglasses or "small goggles" that are resistant to fogging?

Sky diving goggles are pretty resistant to fogging. They have side vents for ventilation to help keep them clear.

I have had success with some sunglasses from LL Bean that have a rubber vented strip at the top edge of the glasses, so there is airflow: LL Bean Multisport Sunglasses I've used them skiing and snowshoeing when it wasn't cold enough to justify ski goggles. (They also are pretty nice polarized glasses for fishing in the summer.)

Sometimes I had well fitting and far more expensive sunglasses that would fog because they would fit snug to my head, and the moisture would seem to accumulate above the eye, where the top of the glasses hit the forehead.

Your mileage may vary

I would think that ski goggles would be specialized for the job.

IIRC, a product like rain-x will prevent fogging of your existing equipment. Check to be sure it won't damage anything before you use it though.

I wear glasses outside in the cold.
The trick is to not have them fitted too tight to your face.
Your glasses should be far enough from your eyes to stay clear. Antifog coatings help.

My biggest problem is the glasses usually fog or frost up as soon as I enter a heated building.

That happens to me too! I look like a moron walking into school
!! I have a pair these of and reccomend them, but i dont know your price range?

Usually I just slide them a little down my nose until them clear.

I wonder though, if the "spit on the lens" trick with swimming goggles works for this too? Never tried it.

I'm pretty short sighted and I've been wearing glasses for ages, so this is something I have experience with. Let's just state that there is a reason I use contact lenses for outdoors activities.

If you think glasses are bad, try fitting a pair of skiing googles over a pair of glasses... Then you have 4 glass surfaces that can fog, multi-layered glass in the ski googles not included. Each surface will have its own temperature, at least one of them will fog. Been there, done that.


If you have to cover your face, always make sure the air you breathe out has somewhere else to go than up along your nose to your glasses.

The real hard part is if you're doing heavy physical activity, such as high intensity aerobic training. Then you have to went away moisture and keeping a strict "ventilation discipline". I.e. if you're running, skiing or cycling, your speed provides airflow to keep those glasses clear - then don't just stop at any random spot - stop somewhere in the wind so you can ventilate your glasses. When you stop, loosen any head garment that can obstruct air flow.

Also, it's an either-or situation: Either the glasses / googles must be "cold", i.e. well ventilated so moisture from your eyes is vented away. Or they must be "warm", i.e. so warm that moisture doesn't condense on them. Most of the time, keeping them "warm" enough is close to impossible, but you could do it with a pair of glasses that you seal off under a pair of skiing googles. But when you seal them off you have a buildup of moisture that is not vented away. In other words, it works well for a while before it fogs like crazy. Not good. Keep 'em cold and well ventilated is usually the best bet.

Some anti-fog chemicals are rumored to be effective, but I have little experience with them.

Ditto, here. I've resorted to carrying a second pair in a shirt pocket, and swapping them, when I go inside and the one pair frosts up.

That might be a solution for me; I will have to try those.
I noticed they stated that their goggles were the best solution "without the use of a fan or batteries".
So, if those don't work for me, then I will look for some goggles with a built-in vent fan ... I feel my geek factor rising!

You are welcome! (feels a spontaneous joy coming over me!!) some people have complained about fogging but i have never had a problem. The tan is the cheapest color available online because "supposedly" the military ordered a lot and they were 3 shades too light. A rumor i read, true or not?

I can't get the sense if this is for goggles or just good winter outdoor glasses for adventures. I like shooter glasses in yellow or even safety glasses from a big box depot. Under $10 and good coverage above, below and to the side.

A friend of mine sold glasses and her advice has always helped me. When trying on sunglasses, place them as you would wear them, then look up and look down. If they fit properly then you should have very little gap between protection and clear vision top and bottom. Far too often we buy based on look and only later discover there is no 'protection' or coverage from ground glare or from top coverage.

In this case, the "protection" I am seeking is from the Sun (UV protection and glare reduction). Sorry if I wasn't too clear about that.

My goal was to explore some options that would be resistant to Fogging ... something like a "Sealed" and/or Vented pair of sunglasses or small goggles that would not be likely to fog when I am working/breathing hard.
I knew my buddies at ETS would be the best place to ask for personal recommendations.

I was told that a DIY fix is to use shaving cream, wiped in and then off.

I do not know if this works. I do not wear glasses, only my "Safety Glasses" at work. If the fog I use them to protect my upper head from impact (put them on my hat) until my boss reminds me to put them on.

A thin film of soap does help to keep glasses fog
free. You can mark you glasses with a small piece of
bar soap and then spread the mark out over the lens.

One problem with soap type chemicals on your glasses:
If you put on goggles, similarly treated, it can
be too much soap in the air around your eyes and they
will begin to water. This happened to me on a very
bright sunny day at 12,000 ft, so maybe it would not
happen at all in a more cloudy environment.

Never the less, I have been very careful about spreading
chemicals on my lenses, though I still do it.
Glycerin might work better, but I have not tied it, for
example:
http://www.vitasprings.com/glycerin-glycerine-nature-s-answer.html

What environment are you concerned about?

I have used the more squared-off generic looking cheapo
design goggles that allow any glasses under them.
Some goggles can be very expensive because ski or fashion.
You may have to go to a ski or mountain climbing forum
to get more info on these products.

Consider wearing a cap instead. A large peak will block the sun from over-head. I have found it an improvement over sunglasses in some situations (partly because a cap can also help against wind and rain, and it doesn't block vision like glasses do). It doesn't really work against reflection from the ground, though.

I just wear decent glasses. I find polarized lenses help a lot on water or snow.
Mine have to be prescription lenses so they are always special order, but if you have no need for prescription you can buy them right off the shelf at any safety supply company.

I like Rayban or Titanium flexible frames, but for work they need to be safety rated.
I get polycarbonate lenses with 100% UV rating.
After having glass lenses break a few times I will never have them near my face again. I still have a pretty large scar from it happening one of the times.I found that polycarb lenses don't fog as bad as glass does either.
You can get safety glass frames with tinted side shields too.

You can get them with scratch resistant and antifog coatings, but the best thing is just to not get them too close to the face.

If you are using a mask or scarf it can't direct your breath onto them.

I will repeat what I said earlier about them fogging when I step inside.
Here is a site with a selection of safety glasses I just randomly selected off the web.
http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/anti-fog-safety-glasses.html
You will find similar product is safety supply stores all over the universe.


Again check the UV rating. Sunglasses that let UV through will hurt your eyes.