Football Visor Pros, Cons + Buying Guide

Sports gear has come a long way, and football visors are one of those pieces that players can’t stop talking about. Some love the style, others swear by the added protection—but there’s more to consider than just how it looks under stadium lights. In this post, our football experts explain what football visors are, their pros and cons, what regulations apply to them, and how to choose the right one.

Football visors, also called helmet visors or eye shields, are curved pieces of plastic that attach to the front of a football helmet over a player’s eyes. They are made of durable polycarbonate and are designed to protect players' eyes from injury caused by flying debris, fingers during tackles, harsh sunlight, and more.

Football players wear visors for a mix of reasons—some practical, some personal. They help protect the eyes from pokes, debris, and harsh sunlight, which can make a big difference during a game. For others, it’s about confidence and style. A good visor can cut the glare and sharpen focus, but it also adds a little extra edge to your look out on the field.

Football visors can affect vision, but it largely depends on the type of visor and how it's used. Clear visors provide protection without altering what you see. They’re made to shield your eyes from potential injuries without interfering with your vision at all.

Tinted or mirrored visors, on the other hand, can slightly change how you see the field. These are often used to reduce glare from the sun or stadium lights, which can be a huge help during day games or in brightly lit environments. However, they can also make it harder to see in low-light conditions, like evening games or during overcast weather.

For players with specific vision needs, tinted visors can actually improve clarity by reducing harsh light or filtering certain wavelengths.

Football helmet visors aren’t outright illegal, but there are rules around when and how you can use them, especially in official games. 100% clear visors are almost always allowed as long as they’re properly attached to the helmet. This is because they allow referees or trainers to see a player’s eyes in case of injury and don’t block visibility.

Tinted or mirrored visors usually aren’t allowed in games unless you have a medical exemption. If you get hurt, trainers need to quickly assess your eyes for signs of a concussion or other injuries, and tinted or mirrored visors can make that harder.

Always check your league’s rules before hitting the field with a football helmet visor to avoid penalties.

There are many types of football visors to choose from, each offering something different depending on how you play and what you need. Let’s break down the main types so you can find the one that fits your game.

• Clear Football Visor: These are the most common and allowed in nearly all leagues as long as they are 100% clear. They protect your eyes without changing your vision.

• Tinted Football Visors: These reduce glare, which can help improve visibility in certain conditions. However, they’re usually only allowed with a medical exemption.

• Mirrored Football Visors: These look flashy and add a reflective finish to your helmet while reducing glare. Like tinted visors, they’re rarely allowed in official games.

• Polarized Football Visors: These are designed to reduce glare by filtering out harsh light. They’re less common and may affect depth perception.

• Photochromic Football Visors: These adjust to light conditions, darkening in bright sunlight and staying clear in low light. They’re rarely seen in games due to strict league rules.

There are currently no manufacturers who make prescription football helmet visors. Most players who need a prescription typically opt for contact lenses or prescription sports goggles.

Football visors have many benefits, including:

• Protects Eyes From Contact & Injury: Visors prevent anything from going near your eyes that could cause them harm.

• Prevents Players From Grabbing Your Facemask: Visors typically block the upper openings of a facemask, making it difficult for other players to take you down by grabbing it.

• Improved Focus: Visors limit external environmental factors like wind, helping you concentrate on the game.

• Medical Benefits: Players with approved medical exceptions for tinted or specialty visors can benefit from enhanced vision and reduced glare.

While football visors can be a big help on the field, there are a few potential downsides to consider.

• Reduced Airflow: A visor can limit airflow to your face, making it feel warmer and potentially less comfortable during games.

• Scratches: Visors can scratch easily, which can distort your vision and require frequent replacements if not properly cared for.

• Reduced Visibility in Fog + Rain: Moisture can build up on the visor’s surface in wet or humid conditions, making it harder to see the field clearly.

Choosing the right football visor comes down to more than just picking the one that looks the coolest. Here’s what to keep in mind before adding one to your helmet:

• Check Your League’s Rules: Start by making sure the visor you want is allowed in gameplay.

• Make Sure It Fits Your Helmet: Not all visors work with every helmet, so double-check compatibility before you buy.

• Look for Anti-Fog and Scratch Resistance: These features will keep your visor clearer for longer and make maintenance much easier.

• Test the Visibility: Try it on to make sure it doesn’t distort your vision or feel uncomfortable during play.

• Invest in Quality: Cheap visors might seem like a good deal, but they often scratch or fog up quickly. Spend a little more for durability and performance.

• Ask Teammates or Coaches: If you’re not sure where to start, get recommendations from people who wear them regularly.

The NFL banned tinted visors in 1998 for players without medical exceptions due to safety concerns. Trainers and referees need to see players' eyes during games to quickly check for injuries like concussions, and dark visors make that difficult.

You do not need a doctor’s note to wear a clear football helmet visor. However, players who need tinted or other specialty visors for medical reasons must provide their league’s governing bodies with a doctor’s note.

The NFL only allows players to wear clear or lightly tinted visors provided by Oakley. This is because they are an official partner of the NFL and manufacture football helmet visors using their Prizm™ Lens Technology that fine-tunes colors to enhance vision.

A football visor might seem like a small piece of gear, but it can have a big impact on your game. Want to add one to your uniform? Check out the football visors available at Academy Sports + Outdoors! Take the time to find one that checks all your boxes — you’ll feel the difference every time you step on the field.