Most hockey players will tell you that nothing is more irritating than to be frozen out of a game because the referee didn’t see you rolling around on the ice with a huge cartoon character painted on your helmet. Your team is losing and the coach isn’t happy, either. Suddenly, a breakaway happens and you’re off to the races. But, once the initial shock wore off, you realize that your helmet doesn’t have enough coverage and you start taking a beating.
What you need is a visor. And no, we aren’t talking about those creepy-looking devices that spy on you through your smartphone’s camera. We mean the ones that protect your eyes from getting frozen out by the wind (or someone’s puck). Before we begin, it’s important to note that there are various types of visors, so make sure you’re getting one that fits your needs.
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Types Of Visors
There are three basic types of visors: interior, exterior and tinted. The interior visors are the simplest and they are shaped like a half-circle. They fit inside the helmet and rest against the inside surface to provide some protection from the whipping wind. Interior visors are usually made of protective materials such as plastic or polycarbonate and they have built-in wings that allow them to protect your eyes from getting frozen out by the wind.
The exterior visors are also known as ‘hockey glasses’ or ‘ski goggles’ because they cover the whole face and shield the eyes from the weather conditions. Like the interior ones, the exterior ones are usually made of plastic or polycarbonate and have a shape that is half-circular, but they have larger circular lenses which are more adjustable. There’s also a tinted version of the exterior visor, which is essentially a tinted window that provides protection from the sun and the wind conditions.
Consider All The Factors
When shopping for a sports equipment visor, you need to consider a number of factors. These include, but are not limited to, your budget, the type of sports you participate in and the style of helmet you use. While pricier sports equipment can be found in hockey stores that specialize in offering the best possible prices, it is always smart to research online for the best possible deals. This will help you avoid spending more money than you need to.
To determine the best price for a sports equipment visor, use these guidelines: Look for manufacturers that are well-known and have a good reputation. Also, check out reviews of the products, as well as reading online comments from other customers. This will give you a good idea of what you’re getting into. If possible, test out the product before buying it so that you don’t have to worry about ordering the wrong one. If you end up having to return it because it didn’t fit or it was defective, you’ll have to pay for the shipping charges.
Where Should You Sit?
The ideal place to sit while wearing a sports helmet is behind the ear. This is where the outer ear connects to the head and it serves as a natural break for the wind, so you can keep your head protected. There is also a special place inside your ear called an ‘opening’, which is where the sound waves enter and leave the ear. This is another ideal position for sound isolation and it provides better coverage than sitting behind the nose or atop the head.
How Do You Wear It?
There are multiple ways you can wear a hockey helmet with a sports equipment visor. The most common one is to set it on the outside, near the temple. This way, it rests comfortably against your head but shields your face from the sun and the air. When the wind is blowing, it will cover your ears and rush past the visor, keeping it in place. Fewer people are injured by falling objects while wearing a hockey helmet in this position, compared to other styles.
Another option is to set the visor on the inside, against the cheekbone. This provides better coverage than the outside position, but it might feel a bit strange, since the helmet will always be in front of your face. Still, due to its adjustable design, it can be moved around to find the right position for each individual user. When the wind is blowing, it will cover your ears and rush past the visor, keeping it in place.
The Final Takeaway
A good sports equipment visor provides good sound attenuation and it can shield your eyes from the wind. Also, make sure you look out for those that are water-repellent (DWR) or sweat-repellent (DWR). These materials are important to keep the moisture from building up on the inside of the helmet, causing it to fog up. Otherwise, your performance will be interrupted and you might even hurt yourself. If possible, test out the product before buying it so that you don’t have to worry about ordering the wrong one. If you end up having to return it because it didn’t fit or it was defective, you’ll have to pay for the shipping charges.