The invention of the Pinlock anti-fog insert was a major advance. Fitting to the inside of a crash helmet’s visor, this helps prevent the build-up of moisture on the inside of the visor in the form of misting or fog and hence, keep the rider’s vision as clear as possible.
The Pinlock works by absorbing moisture as well as insulating the inner surface from the cold outer visor, much like double glazing. However, Pinlock inserts aren’t available for every helmet and what can you do about a drop-down sun visor, many of which suffer from misting problems? What about glasses for spectacles-wearers inside a helmet?
Related: Best water-repellant sprays for your motorbike helmet visor
You can generally help reduce or remove misting by opening a vent – usually the chin – or, in the worst-case scenario, the visor itself slightly. However, misting tends to be more common in damp or cold ambient conditions and hence when you probably least want to open the visor.
There are numerous proprietary products available to help prevent or disperse moisture forming on the inside of your visor (or indeed, glasses).
They generally seem to work by reducing the surface tension of the moisture so that instead of forming numerous tiny droplets, a single layer is formed which is transparent and, being close to the eyes, generally you can see ‘through’ it as you do with moisture on the outside.
Here is a selection of anti-fog products that are available now.
Fog Gone
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Hopefully this does what it says on the tin bottleu2026 Fog Gone is a natural product and, as a result, is safe for the eyes and the skin. Itu2019s applied to both sides of glasses though just the inside of a helmet and after a moment, polished dry. It comes in a 120ml bottle which is just right for keeping in your pocket or in your rucksack, along with visor cleaner.
Cost: £9.15/100ml
Pros:
Handy-sized bottle
Natural ingredients
Kind to skin and eyes
Cons:
None we can think of
Tucano Urbano Magic Spray
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Magic might be a little strong but versatile is definitely appropriate for this spray from Italian brand Tucano Urbano. In addition to preventing fog build-up on visors, goggles and spectacles, it can also be used to clean the visor as well, making it very handy to keep under the seat of the bike. The flat-profile bottle is also handy and takes up minimal space.
Cost: £59.93/100ml
Pros:
Clean as well as anti-fog
Flat bottle handy
Well-known name
Cons:
Very expensive
Hendlex Nano
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This handy little aluminium spray bottle contains 50ml of liquid that works at a molecular level, preventing the fluid droplets from forming on the surface. It wonu2019t work on anti-reflective coatings, as this prevents the nano-technology from working but itu2019s good for visors, goggles, spectacles and swimming or diving masks.
Cost: £17.78/100ml
Pros:
Sturdy bottle
Nano technology
Suitable for various applications
Cons:
Not for reflective lenses
Muc-Off Anti-Fog
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This product from Muc-Off gets pretty good reviews online and Iu2019ve tried it and it definitely prevents the visor fogging up. Itu2019s supplied in a 32ml pump-spray bottle and you just spray it on and wipe it off with a tissue.
It’s good for visors, goggles, ski and snowboard goggles and lasts for up to five days. It also works on the outside of the goggles or visor to prevent water from sticking and helping it to bead off.
Cost: £25/100ml
Pros:
Well-known brand
Proven performance
Handy-sized bottle
Cons:
Quite expensive
Mist-Defy
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The Mist-Defy product appears very similar to the Tucano Urbano, with a flat, rectangular pump-spray bottle containing 15ml of product. The product itself is eco-friendly and a bottle should last for up to six weeks with individual applications lasting from 24 to 36 hours. You simply spray on and wipe off with a cloth and it will work on glass, plastic and all coatings on glasses, visors and goggles.
Cost: £86.60/100ml
Pros:
Work on all coatings
Handy spray bottle
Bottle lasts for six weeks
Cons:
The most expensive here
Oxford Mint Spray
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British company Oxford are something of a one-stop-shop for the production of clothing, parts and potions for motorcyclists and this anti-fog spray is part of their helmet-care range. With a pleasant mint odour, it provides a fog-free finish with no streaks or stickiness for the interior of visors, goggles or glasses and comes in a handy 50ml pump-spray bottle.
Cost: £11.98/100ml
Pros:
Handy-sized bottle
Fresh mint odour
Good value
Cons:
None we can think of
LifeArt Wipes
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A variation on a theme, these clothes can be used for both cleaning glasses, goggles or visors but at the same time, impart an anti-fog treatment to the item in question. The treatment can last for up to 48 hours and one wipe can be used up to 700 when sorted correctly in the included pouch. They can be used on visors but also on glasses, screen and binoculars.
Cost: £7.60ea
Pros:
Always ready to use
Cleans and protects
Great reviews online
Cons:
Can’t really think of any
FogTech Wipes
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Weu2019ve used these wipes from Fogtech before and found them to work very well. They come in sealed packets u2013 five in this case though larger quantities are available and the price comes down significantly u2013 and they are designed to be used once.
You wipe the product on the surface to be kept fog-free and then, allow to dry. They get great reviews online and the handy packets are easy to keep one or two in your pocket or on the bike somewhere.
Cost: £1.67 per use
Pros:
Easy to apply
Easy to store
Proven product
Cons:
Lots of disposable material