Visiodry is a water-repellent spray that provides outstanding superhydrophobic properties. When sprayed on the outside surface of riding glasses, goggles, and even your action camera lens, it prevents water and mud from adhering to the surface for unobstructed vision – even when stationary. I’ve been using it for six months, and it’s outstanding.
Visiodry Superhydrophobic Water Repellent spray - Technical details
Visiodry is a transparent superhydrophobic rain-repellent coating developed in France by Surfactis Technologies, which develops nanocoatings for the military, outdoor surveillance, and protective eyewear. Unlike a hydrophobic coating, which needs an application of energy or movement to allow water displacement, the Visiodry superhydrophobic coating needs less than a 10-degree angle of contact for water and mud to instantly roll off the surface, keeping your vision clear no matter what your speed or if you’re stationary.
It’s safe on all mirrored and photochromatic plastic and polycarbonate lenses - but not glass or textiles. The 35ml Aerosol is claimed to give 50 applications to riding glasses and 40 for goggles.
Visiodry Superhydrophobic Water Repellent spray - Performance
Visiodry is simply sprayed onto your chosen lens at around a distance of 15cm. This leaves a thin coating that evaporates in around 30 seconds, and then you are ready to go. The surface needs to be clean and dry before application, and if you touch the lens, you’ll need to reapply. If untouched, it should last for over a month and can be completely removed by rubbing with a microfibre cloth.
I sprayed a decent covering of Visiodry onto my riding glasses. As the coating evaporated, it left a slight matte sheen on my lens, but it was still completely transparent. At first, I was skeptical about how effective this coating could be, but I was blown away. Rain and mud bounce straight off. it’s pretty awesome stuff, but it doesn’t stop fogging.
It’s a bit of a novelty to ride in wet winter conditions and not have to stop to clear my lenses and, as so often happens, scratch them in the process. The use of this coating negated the need to touch or remove my glasses at all. But touch an area of the lens and it immediately compromises the coating – something I learned early in testing and more so wearing goggles where I needed to take them off more.
Visiodry Superhydrophobic Water Repellent spray - Verdict
While there are several spray products for glasses, few are designed especially for polycarbonate lenses.
It took me a little while to get used to handling my glasses and goggles to avoid disturbing the coating. But once I did, I was rewarded with unobscured vision, whatever the trail and weather conditions. The asking price represents great value for the number of applications in one can – especially if you don’t disturb the coating, as it can last for weeks.