How to Size and Select a Hockey Visor

A hockey visor is a plastic shield that's usually made from a high-impact polycarbonate to protect the upper half of the face. The benefits to a visor are obtaining a clear and unobstructed view of the play and experiencing optimal breathability and comfort. While visors offer some level of coverage and protection, there is still a high risk of injury to the face, therefore, we strongly recommend wearing a hockey cage or full shield. If you've made the decision to switch over to a visor and need help sizing and selecting the right one, you've come to the right place. We'll walk you through certification requirements, visor styles and their benefits, and even how to install one after you've decided which one best suits your game.

Visors are designed with a one-size-fits-most construction to fit most certified senior-sized hockey helmets. They are not recommended and will not fit properly on junior or youth helmets. They provide upper facial protection to the eyes and nose while offering the most amount of breathability and vision for the puck. Most visors come with included hardware for installation and are generally universal between brands. Some included hardware may not be compatible between brands, in which case purchasing a separate Visor Spacer Kit that comes with a variety of screws and spacers will allow you to get the proper hardware combination for your visor and helmet.

Before selecting a visor, you need to check with your league requirements when it comes to certification and if you are allowed to wear a visor in gameplay. Many leagues require certified visors for player eligibility and these visors are tested for impact resistance, scratch resistance, and optical clarity. If you're playing recreational hockey, you may have more flexibility, but purchasing a certified hockey visor is always the safer choice. Here are the three main certifications to look for and their respective countries:

HECC (Hockey Equipment Certification Council) - USA hockey leagues
CSA - (Canadian Standards Association) - Canadian hockey leagues
CE (Conformité Européenne) - Europe hockey leagues

Hockey visors come in a variety of shapes and styles, each offering different levels of protection, comfort, and visibility.

Straight Visor: One of the most popular choices, this style offers a balance between visibility and facial protection. While it doesn't offer as much facial protection as the Aviator style, it provides a great field of view and is a great choice for players who prefer a classic look.

Small/Slim Straight Visor: Similar to the straight visor, this style has a narrower and more low-profile design. Players who want a minimalist look and maximum vision will appreciate the lightweight design and unobstructed sightlines. The drawback to this style is it offers the least amount of coverage for the face, however, it still provides adequate eye protection.

Aviator Visor: Opposite to the slim straight visor, the Aviator style offers the most amount of protection. The visor curves downward on the sides to resemble aviator sunglasses, which extends coverage for the face against impacts. This design may cause players a slight disruption in their peripheral view.

Tinted Visor: Each of the mentioned visors may come in a smoked, mirrored, or colored tint. These are a great choice for players who struggle with light sensitivity, such as brightly lit arenas or sunlight in outdoor gameplay. While they deliver a cool and aggressive look, tinted visors are not allowed in all leagues, so be sure to check with your league rules.

Installing a visor is relatively easy and only requires a few materials and tools for installation. To get started you'll need your helmet, visor, mounting hardware (usually included with the visor), screwdriver (Phillips or flathead, depending on your screws), and measuring tape or ruler (optional for alignment). These are general guidelines, and some visors may come with specific instructions that you should follow instead.

Step 1. Place your helmet on a flat surface to keep it stable while working and lay out your tools and hardware for easy access. For hardware, make sure you have four screws, four spacers, and either two or four t-nuts depending on the hardware. T-nuts can come as a single design or a double (as shown in the image below).

Step 2. Place one visor spacer between the visor and helmet on one side. Insert the mounting screws through the visor's holes, through the spacer, and into the helmet's pre-drilled holes which holds the t-nuts. Lightly tighten the screws with a screwdriver so that the visor can still be adjusted. Follow these same steps on the other side of the helmet.

Step 3. Try on the helmet to check visibility and comfort, adjusting the visor up or down slightly to ensure a good fit. Adjust the visor so that the top edge is at least 6mm above the eyebrows and at most 60mm away from the front edge of the helmet.

Step 4. Once satisfied with your visor positioning, fully tighten the screws to secure the visor in place. Try on the helmet to check for visibility and comfort and make any changes as necessary by loosening the screws. Wipe your visor with a microfiber cloth and anti-fog spray to remove any smudges or fingerprints during the installation process, and you're good to hit the ice.

Will this visor fit my helmet?
Most hockey helmet visors fit certified hockey helmets from different brands. They usually come with a hardware kit, but some brands' hardware may not fit on other brands, so you'll need a universal hardware kit for installation. Visors are also only designed for senior-sized hockey helmets.

What is the difference between a straight visor, slim visor, and aviator visor?
The main difference between the three visors is the shape or "cut" of the style. Straight visors offer the best balance of protection and visibility, slim visors offer the best visibility, and aviator visors deliver the most amount of coverage.

Do all visors come with a protective coating?
Anti-fog and anti-scratch coatings are not designed on all visors. These performance features are usually limited to the higher-end models.

How do I prevent my visor from fogging up?
Look for a visor with an anti-fog coating, as they will provide the anti-fog performance. You can also apply an anti-fog spray before and after each game. After installing the visor, ensure there is a gap between the visor and helmet for airflow and avoid touching the inside of the visor with your hands.

Do all visors come with mounting hardware?
Generally, most visors come with the necessary screws, spacers, and t-nuts for installation but some may require the hardware purchased separately. Always check the product description.

How do I clean my visor properly?
Use a soft microfiber towel and a visor-specific cleaning spray to avoid scratching the visor. Never use rough fabrics or paper towel.

What certification do I need?
It depends on your league regulations. If your league does require a certified hockey visor, HECC is for United States leagues, CSA for Canadian leagues, and CE is for European leagues.

How long does a visor last?
Depending on how much you play and how well you protect the visor between games can affect its lifespan, which can range anywhere between 1-3 seasons.

How do I protect my visor from being scratched?
Scratches from gameplay are hard to avoid, but you can thank your visor for doing its job when you take a high stick. The best way to keep your visor protected between games is by storing your entire helmet and visor combination in a dedicated helmet bag.

Are tinted visors legal in all leagues?
No, some leagues do not allow tinted or mirrored visors to be worn. Always check your league regulations before purchasing a tinted or mirrored visor.