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Image: MomJunction Design Team
As fun and thrilling as playing a game of football can be, being out on the field without tried-and-tested protective gear comes with the risk of injuries, especially to the head and eyes. The best football visors, which are curved pieces of plastic attached to the player’s helmet, protect your eyes against injuries, keep grass or dirt from entering your eyes, and enhance your vision of the field. The best visors are also simple to install and help you see what lies ahead by keeping the fog away.
If you’ve been looking for a comfortable and easy-to-wear visor, these best-selling options are varied enough to help you find the ideal fit.
Top Picks
11 Best Football Visors
1. Best Glare Reduction:Barnett Football Helmet Eye-Shield Visor
Are you on the hunt for a visor that cuts down on glare during a game? This dark, smoked, and stylish visor does an excellent job at it while also keeping you comfortable. Crafted with polycarbonate, the face shield comes with a universal fit and anti-scratch and anti-UV coating to enhance your visibility while not compromising on quality, durability, and ease of use. The anti-fog football visor has a two-clip system that makes it quicker for you to put it on and take it off. It is compatible with kids’ and adult-sized helmets and is thick and flexible enough to help improve your performance on the field.
Pros
- Universal fit
- Ideal for all weather conditions
- Approved for high school, CIF, and youth leagues
- Controls light intensity
Cons
- Tint might not be dark enough
"This visor provides clear visibility even on a rainy day, which my son admires. But it is not scratch-resistant. Still, he likes this one for its commendable performance."
2. Best Budget-Friendly:EliteTek Color Tinted Football Visor
If you want to bring home the best football helmet face shield without spending too much money on one, this option from Elitetek is worth considering. One of the best-selling options, it is designed to fit most helmets and comes in various colors. The polycarbonate visor has an impact-resistant shield and is also resistant to fog, so you can protect your eyes while reducing the risk of injuries. In addition to a two-clip attachment system, the high-quality football visor offers a universal fit and is made with rigid material that can withstand tackling and brutal force without breaking.
Pros
- Extremely clear lens visor
- Easy attachment and removal
- Shields against UV rays
- Lightweight and flexible
Cons
- Might not fit extra-small helmets
"With clear visibility and a subtle tint, this visor stood out to us for its performance. Although installation was a bit tricky initially, it has served well once installed. I found it a reliable choice for its functionality."
Point to consider3. Best Flexibility:Barnett Tinted Football Helmet Visor
Whether you are playing football in the scorching summer heat or under a heavy blanket of rain, this tinted visor from Barnett will protect your eyes in any weather condition without giving in. The widely tried-and-tested football helmet visor is clear, durable, highly flexible, and also fog- and scratch-resistant to help you avoid any sudden falls or injuries. The UV-coated visor helps protect your eyes and controls the intensity of bright light reaching you at any given moment, so you can focus on the game without hindrances whatsoever.
Pros
- Has a universal fit
- Made of strong, high-quality materials
- Easy to attach and remove
- Ideal for children and adults
Cons
- Might be prone to slight scuffing after extended use
"This visor's construction and flexibility make it a reliable option for me. It is easy to install but not scratch-resistant. Its UV coating is another plus, protecting my eyes from the direct sun's rays while playing."
4. Best Distortion-Free:Nxtrnd VZR1 Tinted Football Visor
For those who like their football visors tinted and efficient, this expert-approved option can be a great fit. Its quality craftsmanship includes shatter-proof polycarbonate that can endure high-impact situations and helps you see the field without obstacles or distortions. It blocks out 99% of the sun’s harmful rays and eliminates glare, thus keeping you alert, enabling perfect vision during games, and helping you become a better player. It fits a wide variety of adult-sized helmets and features a set of visor clips to make attachment easy.
Pros
- Features anti-scratch coating
- Made of anti-fog and anti-glare material
- Controls intensity of sun and stadium lights
- Lightweight and durable
- Improves field of vision
- Includes 12 different styles of visor stickers
Cons
- May not be compatible with small helmets
"I got this visor for its sun protection; it keeps my son's eyes guarded. The clear view is noteworthy, and it stands out for its snug fit. Moreover, I am delighted with its robust quality."
5. Best Helmet-Compatible:Sports Unlimited Universal Football Visor
If you’re looking for a visor that is compatible with various helmets, including Schutt and the Riddell SpeedFlex, this one with a no-tab design is one of the best football visors you can consider. It has an anti-fog coating that helps you get a clear view of the field and optimize your performance every time. Moreover, the football helmet anti-glare visor has an anti-scratch coating to enhance longevity.
Pros
- Customizable design
- Universal clip
- Comes with five sticker sheets
- Easy to install
Cons
- May not be easy to install and remove
"The clear design is a hit with my son; he has customized it with stickers. It doesn't distort his vision on the field, and its durable quality withstands rough use pretty well. Overall, it has been a worthwhile purchase."
6. Best Shock-Absorbing:Nike Gridiron Eyeshield 2.0
The Gridiron eyeshield by the trusted brand Nike is one of the finest and most recommended youth football visors you can lay your hands on. The visor is crafted with heavy-duty polycarbonate material and equipped with lenses that use optic technology to help you see the field from any angle without distortions. The beveled edges do a fantastic job of keeping glare away, while the shock-absorbing hinges offer a generous amount of protection against impacts and force, making this an ideal option for adults and children.
Pros
- Easy to install and remove
- Lightweight and scratch-resistant
- Customizable decals
- Available in two colors
Cons
- Might be compatible with limited helmets
"Although slightly larger than expected, this visor fits nicely on my son's helmet. It is durable but got some scratches with use. Also, my son loves the unique design."
Did you know?7. Best All-Weather:Under Armour Men’s Football Visor
This football visor from Under Armour is highly recommended by players and parents alike due to its compatibility with helmets of various sizes. It is designed with a polycarbonate lens and patented NXT technology, and the visor features quick-release clips that allow football players to install and remove it effortlessly. Not only is this face shield durable under different temperatures and weather conditions, but it is also lightweight and super-comfortable to wear for long periods, hence, one of the best-selling football gear accessories.
Pros
- Fog- and scratch-resistant coating
- Tagless and stylish design
- Quality craftsmanship
- Provides clear visibility
- Available in multiple colors
Cons
- Might not be suited for aggressive play
"What I love about this product is its versatility across different helmet types. Though I have observed some occasional fog, it is easy to clean. I also appreciate that it's lightweight and sturdy."
8. Best Endurance:Sleefs Borealis Football Helmet Face Shield
Bring your A-game to every football game with this stylish football helmet visor from Sleefs. It features a two-clip system that makes it easy for you to install and remove. You can also adjust it in the middle of all the action. The polarized football visor is crafted with optical polycarbonate for increased endurance and comes with a microfiber pouch and a pair of universal clips to let you play your favorite sport right away.
Pros
- Extra-clear and durable
- Prevents glare and fogging
- Easy to wear and remove
- Available in three colors
Cons
- Slightly dark—may not be to everyone’s liking
"The vibrant design of this visor caught my eye. Though assembly was slightly tricky, with no clear guidelines, it enhanced my helmet's appeal. Also, the quality is pretty satisfactory, with no signs of wear and tear yet, despite frequent use."
9. Best Style Statement:Unique Sports Football Helmet Visor
Make glare and blind spots a problem of the past with this high-rated visor for football helmets. It is designed using polycarbonate for impact protection and comes with coatings to prevent scratches and fog from building up. The two-clip system allows you to install and remove it quickly and effortlessly, so you don’t have to worry about wasting too much time or getting distracted while you play.
Pros
- Features patented Clear View lens
- Fits most helmets precisely
- Shatterproof and flexible
- Reduces risk of eye injuries
- Ideal for youth football teams
Cons
- Might be prone to scratches over time
"The durability and clarity this face shield offers impressed me. It is simple to install and does the job well. But I noticed some fogging in certain weather conditions. Still, I prefer this for a clean look."
Quick tip10. Best Vision Clarity:Oakley One-Size Football Shield
Uniquely crafted with a strong, premium-quality, and patented synthetic material known as plutonite, this blue football visor from Oakley, a tried-and-trusted brand, can help eliminate some risks of playing football. In addition to eliminating vision distortion, the polycarbonate lenses also protect your eyes against UVA and UVB rays, thus enhancing your overall visibility. Coated with far-lens treatment, this visor is especially ideal for players who want to expand their line of sight and view the field from every angle. The eye protection visor has been injection-molded to create an ergonomic shape and offer comfort when you wear it for long hours.
Pros
- Optimizes peripheral vision
- High-definition optics
- Provides UV protection
- Anti-scratch and anti-fog coating
Cons
- Might be slightly time-consuming to install
"After trying out various visors, we stuck to this option because it provides the desired coverage. Plus, it filters out all the harmful rays from the sun. My son has also noticed that it remains fog-free throughout his game, which is a bonus."
11. Best Unbreakable:Schutt Sports Football Optics Helmet Visor
This one-size-fits-all visor is a worthy addition to this list as it has been injection-molded with high-impact and durable polycarbonate and reinforced along the edges to keep it from breaking. You can focus on your strength and skill and not worry about cracking or chipping the visor when playing the sport. The football helmet visor offers a zero-distortion view from multiple angles and shields your eyes from dust and sunlight while giving you a comfortable fit.
Pros
- Optimizes clarity of vision
- Fits helmets of most major brands
- Lightweight and ergonomic design
- Offers impact protection
- Ideal for adult-sized helmets
Cons
- Might be slightly tough to attach
"I like that this visor is compatible with all my helmets. Plus, it is easy to install and protects my eyes well during the games. I can vouch for its sturdy construction and performance."
How To Choose The Right Football Visor?
The following are some factors you should consider when picking the right football visor.
- Size: A well-fitting football visor is crucial for protecting your eyes throughout the game. When buying one, it’s best to do a fit assessment and make sure the model is the right size for you and your helmet so that you can charge the field with a lot more confidence and a clearer line of sight.
- Lenses: Different visors for football helmets come with different levels of visibility. A good visor should let you see through your peripheral vision, help expand your line of sight, and allow you to perform better on the field.
- Purpose: Each of the visors on this list has unique features and benefits, so it’s important to know what you want out of the visor before buying one. Whether you wish to shield your eyes against the sun, enhance your vision of the field, or prevent injuries during the game, there is a right visor for every purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What visor do NFL players use?
Typically, NFL players wear clear football visors; however, football players who suffer from medical conditions like migraines are allowed to wear dark football visors.
2. Do NFL players have prescription visors?
There is a misconception that NFL players wear prescription visors. However, there is no such thing as a prescription visor. They wear regular clear visors under normal conditions.
3. Do clear football visors block the sun?
Yes, clear football visors block the sun because, typically, they are made from polycarbonate material that blocks UV and harmful blue light.
4. Why are dark visors illegal in football?
Under normal conditions, dark visors are illegal in football because they make it difficult for the medical staff to see the football player’s eye in case of injury.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Wedetso Chirhah, the author of this post, is passionate about all things related to sports and games. He has compiled this list of the best football visors after in-depth trend analysis and analyzing different types of visors and their features, benefits, reviews, and drawbacks. The ones he has handpicked for you are super-durable and functional, as they help protect your eyes against sunlight, dust, fog, glare, and even opponents. When choosing a football visor, consider essential factors such as the size, quality of materials, and type of lens.
Now that you know all about the best football visors available online, it’s time to assess your needs and pick the perfect one. The options listed here are built with high-quality materials and incredibly easy to attach to your helmet. When choosing one, make sure you consider all the crucial factors, such as the fit of the model and quality of lenses, so you can shield your eyes against sunlight, dust, or grass blades and enhance your line of vision. Whether you prefer a tinted or non-tinted visor, it becomes easier than ever to find the right option with all the different best-selling models highlighted on this list.
Infographic: How To Clean A Football Visor?
Football visors are essential protective gear used by players to shield their eyes and face during the game. However, proper maintenance and regular cleaning are crucial to ensure clear visibility and extend the lifespan of the visors. Refer to the infographic below for step-by-step instructions on how to clean football visors effectively to maintain their optimal functionality.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
References
- Christopher G. Ballmann et al.;(2021); Protective Football Headgear and Peripheral Visuomotor Ability in NCAA Football Athletes: The Role of Facemasks and Visors.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8167592/ - S T Stevens et al.;(2006); The effect of visors on head and facial injury in National Hockey League players.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16716662/
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