Grappling with goggles on, day one.

[Sloth]

Hey all,

I just got some goggles to protect my eyes while I'm grappling (had an eye injury a few weeks ago, have to wear protective eye wear) and figured that there really isn't a whole lot of info out there about this , especially as applies specifically to Bjj (there's the excellent Jon Trenge wrestling documentary "Veritas") that I would post something on my blog about my experiences grappling with goggles on. I'll have to wear them for a while, so I'll be posting stuff about what kinds of problems I encounter (like fogging, etc...) and any solutions I find as well as any technical adaptions I have to make to my grappling game that might benefit other Bjj people/grapplers in the same boat as me.

Here's a link to the blog:

Josh Vogel Art: Grappling Goggles, Day one! By Josh Vogel

If you guys have any questions, feedback, or information, I would love to hear it. I just want to make sure theres relevant info out there for folks who have eye problems.

If you don't feel like reading the blog post, here's cliff notes:

-goggles fog up
- Zenni Optical - Eyeglasses, Prescription Glasses, Bifocal, Progressive Eyeglasses, Rimless Glasses has cheap goggles/glasses
-rec specs are another option
-low,tight pressure passing is harder to do because the face gets rubbed a lot and the goggles move

 

[jhasan]

If you want some advice from Trenge himself I could put you in contact with him and I'm sure he'd be more than happy to try and help. Shoot me a PM if you haven't already talked to him.

edit: on an unrelated note I stopped by Balance in philly on my way home for thanksgiving, got some good training in. Tell Drew I said thanks again for having me there.

 

[Sloth]

If you want some advice from Trenge himself I could put you in contact with him and I'm sure he'd be more than happy to try and help. Shoot me a PM if you haven't already talked to him.

edit: on an unrelated note I stopped by Balance in philly on my way home for thanksgiving, got some good training in. Tell Drew I said thanks again for having me there.

Nice, thanks man! I appreciate it. I'll tell Drew and I'm glad you had a good time at Balance! You are always welcome there.

 

[Abninfamy]

When I was deployed we were required to wear eye protection of some type, and fogging was the rule. I ended up getting some rain-x anti-fog wipes for it. It helps, but it's not a miracle. It may be an issue with it being used on plastic rather than glass.

 

[sandmann]

Hockey players use some kind of spray on thier visors to avoid fogging. Might be worth a try.

 

[Sloth]

Hockey players use some kind of spray on thier visors to avoid fogging. Might be worth a try.

I'll check that out. Hopefully I can find something that will work with prescription goggles.

 

[Bruce Calavera]

When I was a kid and forgot to pack my anti fog spray with my trunks and a towel I would actually just spit on the inside of the lenses and wipe it around. I never had the fog problem again.

 

[Toastytoy]

When I was a kid and forgot to pack my anti fog spray with my trunks and a towel I would actually just spit on the inside of the lenses and wipe it around. I never had the fog problem again.

yea thats what you do when you are snorkeling

 

[dRocket]

I rarely do more than lurk on this forum, but I had to make a post here, I'm that excited. I too have to wear goggles during BJJ training. I've been training for almost 3 years, and for the past 4 months I've had to adjust to wearing eye protection. I thought I was the only goofy looking bastard in a gi and goggles, but hey, there's at least two of us! I didn't 'injure' my eye, per say, but I did have a corneal transplant in my right eye this past February and this put me out of training for 6 months. Once I was able to return, I had to come up with something, more out of precaution than anything, to protect my eye, and my investment, if nothing else.

I've been using a pair of strapped safety glasses that have a rubber seal around the inside to cushion (and help grip the face). I give their overall performance a 6/10, without having experienced anything else. I have the same problems you do, but it seems like maybe just a bit more often. I'm definitely buying a pair from that website in your blog. I'm thinking the anti-fog spray is the only way to go. I tried spit and it didn't seem to help much. I even tried drilling several small holes into them, and the difference was minimal. Well anyway, definitely stoked to read your story! Hang in there and good luck! It's always good to know your not the only one fighting your battle.

 

[Championstuff]

Hockey players use some kind of spray on thier visors to avoid fogging. Might be worth a try.

we would also use dish soap and clear crayons

 

[Sloth]

I rarely do more than lurk on this forum, but I had to make a post here, I'm that excited. I too have to wear goggles during BJJ training. I've been training for almost 3 years, and for the past 4 months I've had to adjust to wearing eye protection. I thought I was the only goofy looking bastard in a gi and goggles, but hey, there's at least two of us! I didn't 'injure' my eye, per say, but I did have a corneal transplant in my right eye this past February and this put me out of training for 6 months. Once I was able to return, I had to come up with something, more out of precaution than anything, to protect my eye, and my investment, if nothing else.

I've been using a pair of strapped safety glasses that have a rubber seal around the inside to cushion (and help grip the face). I give their overall performance a 6/10, without having experienced anything else. I have the same problems you do, but it seems like maybe just a bit more often. I'm definitely buying a pair from that website in your blog. I'm thinking the anti-fog spray is the only way to go. I tried spit and it didn't seem to help much. I even tried drilling several small holes into them, and the difference was minimal. Well anyway, definitely stoked to read your story! Hang in there and good luck! It's always good to know your not the only one fighting your battle.

Thanks! Haha, definitely an interesting look on the mat I feel like the grappling wood shop teacher lol

I'll keep on posting any new stuff I encounter with the goggles on and would certainly be interested in hearing any thoughts and experiences you have had with training with goggles on.

Let me know how the ones from the website work for you, if you don't mind! They take a couple of weeks to make and ship out, but I'm really satisfied with them so far. They are not 100 per cent sealed to the face (like swimming goggles would be for instance), so the fogging is not too too bad. They have rubber on the points of contact with the face and the plastic frames are really sturdy so I don't feel any danger of them breaking, which is good. Since they are only $30 I'll probably pick up a spare pair just in case something happens to them.

 

[stuckpixel]

Back when I played airsoft, there was a product called 'Cat Crap' (terrible name, but memorable if nothing else) that you basically applied, let dry a bit, and then wipe off with a soft towel -- kinda like waxing a car.

Worked wonders for the goggles and for those wearing glasses. You can find it on amazon for like 5 bucks I think.

 

[Sloth]

Back when I played airsoft, there was a product called 'Cat Crap' (terrible name, but memorable if nothing else) that you basically applied, let dry a bit, and then wipe off with a soft towel -- kinda like waxing a car.

Worked wonders for the goggles and for those wearing glasses. You can find it on amazon for like 5 bucks I think.

Wow, I don't even care if it works. I'll get it just for the name! thanks for the tip!