Fogging Face Shield

[ZED]

This fall I'm commuting later in the year than last year.  This is partly due to heated grips, and partly due to having some actual wind protection now.  However, with the warmth of wind protection also comes the lack of airflow to keep the helmet from fogging over.

I'm wondering if there is something that can be applied to the shield for example.  Back when I used to ski, I recall something like that, but I'm not in that scene now so I'll ask the STN crew at large.  How do other people keep their face shields from fogging over?  

Edit:  I wear a Shoei RF1000

[Lucky_Devil]

I've always used a Fog City inserts... it's the only thing that really works (for me anyway)

I've been contemplating converting to the new Shoei pinlock system though...

[Johnny Monsoon]

IMO Fog City blows chunks; the distortion is dangerous.  Have much hate for this product.

Foggy Respro Breath Guards are the bees knees though.  Keep it in all year long.

[Lucky_Devil]

IMO Fog City blows chunks; the distortion is dangerous.  Have much hate for this product.

wow... what distortion?  

[dark_isz]

I think the results of the Fog City inserts are dependant on the helmet you have. My Shoei RF1000 did not take well to them. The shield has a 3 dimensional curve, not just side to side, but top to bottom as well. This caused the insert to not fit on the shield flush and caused some ripples in my vision. Plus, the Fog City caused alot of halos/starbusts from oncoming headlights, and I have enough trouble with night blindness as it is. I think helmets with shields that are just curved side to side will benefit from the inserts without the disadvantages I and others have noted.

I tried a couple of rub-on products to help with the fogging, but they only seemed to work a day or two per application.

In the end, I got a Respro Foggy Breath Mask, and I couldn't be happier.  

[Yankee Dog]

IMO Fog City blows chunks; the distortion is dangerous.  Have much hate for this product.

............................

Excuse my disagreement but

-1  

Fogg City is the way to go.  I have been using them for years.  Just one thing, make sure you shield is CLEAN when you install the Fogg City.  Even if it is brand new, wipe it down with rubbing alchohol.  There is some sort of residue from the factory that will cause it not to stick.  

Yankee Dog

[jwhite518]

I have had great success with a Fog City on my Arai. However I just bought a Shoei and sprung for the Pinlock. It hasn't been foggy yet so I have no results to report yet.

[airborneXX]

If you can get a pinlock shield for your Shoei that is the best there is.

Fog City is a close second. The problem I found with mine is it gets a film on it that is hard to clean off without scratching.  

[Johnny Monsoon]

I think the results of the Fog City inserts are dependant on the helmet you have. My Shoei RF1000 did not take well to them. The shield has a 3 dimensional curve, not just side to side, but top to bottom as well. This caused the insert to not fit on the shield flush and caused some ripples in my vision. Plus, the Fog City caused alot of halos/starbusts from oncoming headlights, and I have enough trouble with night blindness as it is. I think helmets with shields that are just curved side to side will benefit from the inserts without the disadvantages I and others have noted.

I tried a couple of rub-on products to help with the fogging, but they only seemed to work a day or two per application.

In the end, I got a Respro Foggy Breath Mask, and I couldn't be happier.  

This was precisely my experience with both products.  Fog City = dangerous at night and optically impure at any time.

[BHW]

My Suomy doesn't fog. My Arai Quantum was terrible though. My biggest problem is keeping my glasses from fogging.....thinking of trying contacts soon.

[ZED]

I too have found that the Shoei's compound curvature can cause distortion when mixed with other optics.  I have a really good pair of polarized driving glasses that I can't wear on the bike becuase everything goes rainbow colors with the shield down.  I almost lost track of which way up was!

Can someone elaborate on what this Shoei Pinlock thing?

[highside]

As a quick fix if you are stuck and out of choices, shaving cream to the inside of the visor works OK to stop fogging. Rub it in untill it turns clear and it won't fog up. It won't last long, but in a pinch it's better than nothing.

I used to wear a Skorpian and they have some kind of awesome anti-fog coating on their visors that all but elimates fogging in it's entirety. I rode all last winter and didn't once have a problem with fogging. My new Shoei (which cost three times as much as my old EXO400) fogs up if I even look at it funny. I just ordered the foggy face mask, and may invest in a pinlock shield as well if I still have a problem.

My understanding of the pinlock shield is that it is a seperate sheet that goes inside the visor and that it is locked into place with pins that are permanently fitted to the visor itself. People say it works great.

It still bothers me that I can buy a $30 Skorpian shield that WILL NOT fog, but no amount of money will get me a Shoei shield with the same feature.

[dark_isz]

Can someone elaborate on what this Shoei Pinlock thing?

Check it out:

http://www.pinlockusa.com/

Basically, it's a removeable fogg city shield that fits onto a special visor with pins that hold the insert in place. The inserts come in different tints for different conditions. They also make shields/inserts for HJC helmets.

[Johnny Monsoon]

ALL of the anti-fog gunk relies on the use of glycerin.  If you want to get your best deal and go with the most effective product without paying for fancy packaging or marketing, just go get a bottle of glycerin.

[highside]

ALL of the anti-fog gunk relies on the use of glycerin.  If you want to get your best deal and go with the most effective product without paying for fancy packaging or marketing, just go get a bottle of glycerin.

Since you mention it, I bet a bar of glycerin soap (that clear stuff) would make for a fine and economical anti fog treatement that would last awhile between changes. I think I'll try it this weekend and report back.

[jim williams]

Pinlock in my X-11 and couldn't be happier.

[Johnny Monsoon]

Since you mention it, I bet a bar of glycerin soap (that clear stuff) would make for a fine and economical anti fog treatement that would last awhile between changes. I think I'll try it this weekend and report back.

I learned this from a salty old diver on a boat dive one day.  When I got back from the dive, I went to the dive shop.  Sure enough, each and every single one listed glycerin as the primary ingredient.  His suggestion was actually to use Johnson and Johnson's baby shampoo (the no more tears, yellow stuff).  Mostly glycerin and very cheap.

I just love it when I listen to my elders and they wind up spot on!

[highside]

I learned this from a salty old diver on a boat dive one day.  When I got back from the dive, I went to the dive shop.  Sure enough, each and every single one listed glycerin as the primary ingredient.  His suggestion was actually to use Johnson and Johnson's baby shampoo (the no more tears, yellow stuff).  Mostly glycerin and very cheap.

I just love it when I listen to my elders and they wind up spot on!

That makes sense, come to think of it glycerin is the primary ingerdient in shaving cream too so that probably explains that. I guess the best advice for chemical anti fogging is just to find the cheapest source of glycerin that you can find and go with that.

[RickC1957]

ALL of the anti-fog gunk relies on the use of glycerin.  If you want to get your best deal and go with the most effective product without paying for fancy packaging or marketing, just go get a bottle of glycerin.

Shhhhhhh you are telling the world all of my secrets This is STN.....they want to pay for the fancy packaging and the clever use of the word "motorcycle"

[bomber]

two field expediant methods to prevent fogging for a couple of hours

spit -- spread it around until clear, burnish with soft cloth

potato -- cut skin off, rub potato around on inside of shield, burnish with soft cloth

good fun, breaking out your potato as fuel stops!

[STJockey]

+1 on the Fog City. I use the amber tint in my Arai. No fogging - ever. You do have to install it perfectly on an alcohol prepped shield. The downside is, if you scratch it, you're done. Toilet paper will scratch it. I found that the best way to clean it was to run water over it and dab it with a microfiber cloth. For $17, you can't go wrong.

[ekowd]

My Suomy doesn't fog. My Arai Quantum was terrible though. My biggest problem is keeping my glasses from fogging.....thinking of trying contacts soon.

Yup, my glasses is my biggest concern.
And be careful with contacts. A friend of mine lost his on an unexpected speedbump. Since he didnt have his glasses with him he forced himself to ride home. Crashed his Duc 916 into a ditch trying to avoid the bike in front of him.

I'm thinking about getting those laser eye surgery to make the problem go away permanently

[Lucky_Devil]

ordered the Shoei Pinlock system yesterday  

we'll see if it lives up to the hype