Don't Get Fogged Out!

A personal pet peeve of mine is my mask fogging upspray is to keep moisture from condensing of flat
while playing. I find that it happens more so playingsurfaces. The basic principal is to spray a mist (or
outdoors, but it can occasionally happen playing indoorsapply some cream) of the anti-fog on the lens, which
as well.will in turn prevent fog vapors from gathering on your
So the question becomes why do masks fog? Maskslens. The results for anti-fogging sprays and creams
fog when the moisture from your face evaporatesare mixed. In my opinion it is a very cheap and easy
into the space between your mask and thenway to possibly prevent your mask from fogging. With
condensates on your lens. This typically occurs at twothat being said on really hot and humid days it may
times: when you sweat a lot and release lots ofonly delay how long before your mask fogs.
moisture from your face or when your face isMask Fans - Originally these started out as an extra
considerably warmer than the outside air. The firstthat could be added to your mask to help prevent
situation typically occurs during hot days while thefogging. Now some masks are created with the fan
second, similar to a windshield that fogs, happensbuild into the mask. The fans sit above the goggles
when the outside air is considerably colder than the airand blow air down over the lens to help evaporate
around your face.moisture of the lens. In comparison to anti-fog sprays
So now you might be saying well how to I prevent this;fans are a more expensive option. Depending on your
I can't stop sweating, and I can't regulate my bodymask fans can range from $20 to $50, they require
temperature to equal that of the air around me. Sobatteries to operate, make a considerable amount of
here are a few suggestions.noise, and are prone to break. Despite all that they do
Thermal Lenses - I would strongly suggest investing ineffectively reduce fog.
a mask with a thermal lens. Thermal Lenses basicallyDry the Foam - Inside every mask is form that helps
consist of two lenses that are places together with athe mask fit snug to your face. Depending on the form
small are-filled space between them. The spacethat is inside your mask it can collect some of the
between the two lenses acts as a barrier betweenmoisture from your face while you are playing. I find it
your body temperature and the outside temperature.very helpful in-between games to take a towel and
Because of this barrier your inner lens remains closerpress it against the form to remove as much of that
to the temperature of your body while the outside lensextra moisture before I play the next game.
remains closer to the temperature outside. Through outBeing able to see your targets while playing paintball is
my testing I would say that a Thermal Mask is theimportant; so having a clear mask is essential. In most
most effective way to reduce fogging.circumstances you can prevent fogging by using one
Anti-Fog Spray - There are many companies outor a combination of the tips listed above. You need to
there that market anti-fog spray's and creams.find out which combination works best for you. Also
Anti-fog sprays have been around longer than paintballremember that what works for you playing indoors
as they have been marketed to scuba divers sincemany not work as well playing outdoors.
before I can remember. The concept of an anti-fog