How to Wear Ski & Snowboard Goggles with Prescription Glasses
Approximately 64% of people wear glasses to help with vision issues, and skiing presents a unique set of difficulties for those people who wear glasses. Skiing and snowboarding are impossible without ski goggles, however, getting those goggles to work with prescription glasses is challenging – they tend to not seal, fog, and be uncomfortable when used with prescription glasses. Consequently, we have developed this guide on how to wear your ski or snowboard goggles while wearing your prescription glasses. We discuss possible solutions as well as other options.
Over the Glasses (OTG) Ski & Snowboard Goggles
A common solution for skiers with glasses is to wear OTG goggles. OTG goggles are designed specifically for skiers with prescription glasses underneath. Many of these goggles will be marked as such, but here are a few things to consider when shopping. In order to create a seal, goggles need to interface with and seal at two critical points: one is where the foam of the goggles contacts your face, the other is between your helmet and your goggles.
In order to prevent your glasses from crushing or pushing up your nose, OTG goggles are designed specifically to allow them to fit naturally on your face. In general, these goggles are more roomy than normal goggles, the lenses are suspended slightly further away from your eyes, and the edges are typically thicker so that they can create a seal around the arms of your glasses without crushing them. As a result of these changes, they should interface well with the helmet and with your face. You may also want to try out larger goggles that aren’t marked as “OTG” in order to make sure that they work well with your glasses.
In addition to fitting well with your glasses, OTG goggles must also ventilate well in order to prevent your glasses from fogging. The easiest way to accomplish this is to simply have more vents around the edges of the goggles so that your face can breathe without fogging any of the lenses. Most people find this solution to be satisfactory, and this is the method most manufacturers use to solve this problem.
There is, however, a more aggressive solution that may be necessary if you tend to run hot, or if you tend to fog your glasses or goggles when skiing. Many manufacturers offer OTG goggles with built-in ventilation fans and small batteries for those who experience fogging issues. The battery is slightly heavier, and you must remember to charge the goggle, but if you consistently experience fogging, this will work for you.
How to Keep Ski & Snowboard Goggles from Fogging While Wearing Glasses
Despite the fact that over-the-glass goggles can make a considerable difference for skiers and snowboarders who wear eyeglasses, there are a few things you can do in order to ensure that you are utilizing them as efficiently as possible.
If you want to wear your glasses under goggles all day, you should make sure that they are optimized for skiing. Those classy looking large frames might be great for work, but they are probably too stiff and chunky to wear under goggles all day. Wearing your goggles comfortably is enhanced by having a slim and flexible athletic frame. In the event of a crash, you will have fewer frames jamming into your face, as it will have a lower profile.
In addition, while wearing the goggles, there are some things you can do to prevent them from fogging. Fogging is caused by a difference in air temperature inside the goggles and glasses as compared to the outside air temperature. In order to keep your goggles level, do not slide them up to your forehead. Sweat will cause them to fog up quickly.
You should not put your goggles back on immediately when you return from the lodge if you take them off. Before you put your ski mask on, wait a few minutes for your face and glasses to cool down. Make sure your mask does not route warm air from your nose and mouth upward into your goggles, that will cause fog. Always take your goggles out of their bag and hang them somewhere warm and dry overnight. The anti-fog coating in the lens can be permanently damaged if you do not dry them after every skiing day. And, if they do fog up, do not wipe the interior of the lens when it is wet. This can damage the anti-fog coating inside the lens.
Prescription Ski & Snowboard Goggles Inserts
In the event that OTG goggles do not appeal to you, prescription inserts might be a better option. Eyewear companies have developed insert systems in collaboration with opticians that can be used on almost any goggle. A prescription lens is suspended inside ski or snowboard goggles and integrated into the goggle system, as well as being coated with special materials that make them more resistant to fogging. Because the goggles are built-in, there is no problem fitting them over your glasses.
You can use inserts for almost any ski goggle, with any lens, and they are significantly less likely to fog than OTG goggles. They are ideal for those who do not wish to deal with limited OTG goggle options. The downside is that it is a little more expensive to get inserts than it is to just use OTG goggles with your glasses, and you will also be removing your glasses when you take your goggles off. Therefore, in case you decide to utilize inserts, you should always have a pair of backup glasses in your pocket.
Wearing Contacts for Skiing & Snowboarding
It is not for everyone that contacts work, but if your optometrist recommends them for you, they are a great way to ski and snowboard. After you wake up, just put them on, and then wear your favorite goggles or sunglasses over them. This is by far the easiest way to ski with impaired vision. However, contacts do have their downsides. Some people cannot wear contacts if they have prescriptions or sensitive eyes, and contacts can fall out if you crash hard enough. If you are skiing with contacts, it would be a good idea to always carry a few extra lenses with you.
