Helmets and glasses

[ChevronB19]

At the point now where glasses are an essential for racing (and normal driving).

However, no matter what I try, I cannot stop them steaming up, which is having a serious effect on lap times!

I’ve tried rain-x anti fog etc., but it doesn’t work (I race historic saloons and closed roof sportscars, and it gets *very* hot inside). For my own perceived safety reasons, I don’t want to use an open face helmet, and yes, I do have the visor fully open.

Any tips?

[Trev450]

When I wore glasses with a full face helmet I found keeping my mouth and nose covered with a balaclava did the trick. Alternatively, have you considered contact lens?

[ChevronB19]

Trev450 said:

When I wore glasses with a full face helmet I found keeping my mouth and nose covered with a balaclava did the trick. Alternatively, have you considered contact lens?

Yep, tried alternative balaclava methods, which we have to wear anyway (including once, while in a rush in assembly, accidentally putting it on the wrong way round, and doing a proper double take moment in front of a very pretty female marshal) - if anything it is worse with nose covered! I only need glasses for driving and tv, so am sort of reluctant to try contacts. Years ago, when my uncle was racing, he had a little aerosol spray that came in a blue tin - I know that worked, but can’t track it down - assume it’s been banned because of ozone etc…

[Nampahc Niloc]

I use contacts. You can get get daily ones, so you where them for your time at the track and then ditch then.

[SpudLink]

I was going to suggest a balaclava, but you say that doesn’t work.

Have a word with your optician. They may recommend a suitable lens coating.

[stevieturbo]

Are you saying there is no ventilation at all in the vehicle ? Surely it can't be that difficult to add some which may help ?

[Trev450]

ChevronB19 said:

Trev450 said:

When I wore glasses with a full face helmet I found keeping my mouth and nose covered with a balaclava did the trick. Alternatively, have you considered contact lens?

Yep, tried alternative balaclava methods, which we have to wear anyway (including once, while in a rush in assembly, accidentally putting it on the wrong way round, and doing a proper double take moment in front of a very pretty female marshal) - if anything it is worse with nose covered! I only need glasses for driving and tv, so am sort of reluctant to try contacts. Years ago, when my uncle was racing, he had a little aerosol spray that came in a blue tin - I know that worked, but can’t track it down - assume it’s been banned because of ozone etc…

Lol, would love to have seen the back to front balaclava incident.

[markiii]

much as i get moaned at for it on trackdays, I find cracking the visor open one notch solves it for me

[drmotorsport]

I've been racing for over 20 years wearing glasses in saloons and never had an issue with them fogging up (the windscreen is another matter!) While I've always had a full face helmet i've always had the visor fully open (no point closing it in an enclosed car). I usually wear a balaclava too. In fairness as I permanently wear specs, i've always spent good money on lenses with all sorts of UV/glare etc coatings and Oakley frames - maybe some kind of anti fog involved in there too.

[kimducati]

I have the same issue whilst riding a motorcycle. As a previous poster said, it gets worse if wearing a balaclava. I find it less of an issue if I pay extra for the thinned spectacle lenses - I don't know the proper term for it, but they're about half as thick as standard lenses and I guess warm up quicker, therefore less misting up.
Alternatively, nose clip and learn to direct your breath downwards when exhaling - I know it sound daft, but it certainly works on a bike anyway.
Kim

[Steve H]

All the above but I would also suggest that you get them on and into the car fairly early. Part of the issue is relative temperatures and if you get in well in advance everything gets to stabilise.

[griffdude]

If you get the lenses warm, they don’t steam up. I put mine over the windscreen blower & it works a treat.

[PhillipM]

Try buffing a thin film of washing detergent on the inside of the glasses and visor - you'll have to buff it thin enough to disappear so it doesn't blur the vision, but it works far better than most of the anti fog treatments.

[thed4ppa]

This is funny but when I tried wearing glasses early days (bike racing for ) I struggled bad with those issues. Then I dont really know what changed but I have no issues at all these days, although I tend to breath downwards when stationary , slow moving after that I dont even think about it.

Muc off anti fog worked well when I tried that back when I was having trouble. It may be your helmet design, maybe thats whats changed for me.