Fogging is, without a doubt, one of the major hazards when riding a bike. Worse yet, it can roll in at any time.
Given that the main cause of fogging is condensation that builds up due to the difference between the outside air and your body temperature, it’s something that can occur at any time of the year. Fortunately, most modern helmets include special features preventing the visor from fogging, such as anti-fog coating, air vents, and special inserts. Does your helmet come without them? Well, it’s not a problem. The tips on how to stop the helmet from fogging that I provide below will come to your help.
How to stop helmet visor fogging?
The easiest way to stop visor fogging is to stop breathing. However, it’s hardly a viable option when you’re heading for a long ride. To solve the fogging problem without suffocating, you can consider doing the following things:
Use the pinlock visor inserts
Among all options available meant to prevent fogging, a Pinlock visor is the most effective one. This visor is lined with a silicone bead, which helps create a double glazed window effect when attaching the visor to the helmet visor and acts as an insulator, effectively absorbing moisture. As a result, the inside temperature in the helmet doesn’t change no matter the weather conditions outside. The combination of moisture-absorbing properties with the double glazed feature makes the Pinlock system the most effective and durable anti-fog solution out there. However, be aware that installing this visor is only possible if your helmet is Pinlock prepared.
Use anti-fogging masks
If a pin lock is not available in your helmet, face masks can make for a decent alternative. For example, you can try a Respro Foggy Mask. Unlike conventional masks, it uses a special “breather,” which allows the air exhaling from your nose to come down rather than going up and fogging the top of your visor. However, note that this mask can be used only with the flip-up types of helmets. A FogStop is another option you can try. It is a thin pure sheet designed to prevent motorcycle helmet fogging, which goes inside the helmet.
Open the motorcycle helmet vents
Motorcycle helmets usually have all sorts of intake and exhaust vents to keep you cool in hot weather. Some of them always stay open while some vents close, which helps on cold days. However, when the vents are closed, it often causes mist condensation that blurs the glass. In cases like this, opening all vents available on your helmet can help you quickly fix the issue.
Open the helmet visor
If opening the vents doesn’t help, you can try propping your helmet’s visor with an adhesive stick or even your bubble gum. If you have a full-face type of helmet, most likely, it will have a lock that will allow you to secure the visor in a slightly open position. That said, while this solution can help stop the fog, it won’t stop the dirt and dust particles from coming into your eyes and face, which makes it ill-suited for riding at high speeds.
Use the anti-fog solutions
Keeping the outside of your visor clean is just as crucial as cleaning its inside fog-free. That’s where special silicone-based helmet visors and car windscreen cleaners come in. Further down, I’ve rounded up the most popular anti-fog solutions on the market that are best to take with you to use on the run.
Anti-fog spray for helmet visors
The market is full of various anti-fog sprays. It’s a great solution when you need to stop the fog from building inside your visor quickly. That said, they provide only a temporary effect, which means you will need to reapply them before each use. While treatment with sprays is definitely not a bad option in and out itself, it is not ideal for those who often ride in wet conditions.
Anti-fog coating
If you want a more long-lasting anti-fog solution, I recommend anti-fog coatings. This type of coating can last for up to two years and requires little in the way of maintenance. Besides, you won’t need to go through the hassle of applying it since, as a rule, it is applied by manufacturers.
Anti-fog wipes
Personally, I like anti-fog wipes. They help prevent fogging and come in small bags that can be conveniently stored in the pocket of your jacket.
Rain repellents
Finally, you can use special rain or water repellents. These solutions use chemicals that help instantly disperse rain and snow from your visor, helping keep it clear throughout your ride. Besides, if you wear prescription glasses, water repellers can help keep the lenses clean.
Riding the bike and not seeing the road is a big safety hazard. However, after reading these tips, I hope you will protect yourself from any unexpected situations and ride safely whatever the weather.
