Helmet Visors and Face Shields: Mesh vs Polycarbonate, and How They Attach

A safety helmet protects the top and sides of the head. It does nothing for the face — and once flying particles, molten metal or liquid droplets are in the picture, the helmet needs a visor attached to it.

In short: SHL’s helmet visors split into mesh (for general particle protection with full airflow) and polycarbonate (for higher-energy impacts, liquid droplets and molten metal), both certified to EN166. Neither attaches directly to a helmet — both need a visor carrier fitted to the helmet’s universal accessory slots first.

Mesh visor: airflow with general protection

Our Surefit Mesh Visor (104-ANX100) is a 20cm wire gauze visor offering general robustness against particles at 12 m/s, meeting EN166 and EN1731 S. Because it’s mesh rather than solid, it doesn’t fog and allows full airflow — a genuine advantage in hot, humid conditions like brushcutting or general site clearance work, where a solid visor would mist up.

Polycarbonate visor: higher-energy and liquid protection

Our Surefit Clear Polycarbonate Visor (104-ANX060) is a 20cm visor rated for medium-energy high-speed particles at 120 m/s (270 mph), liquid droplets and molten metal, marked EN166 1.B.3.9. We also stock a more economical Clear Polycarbonate Visor (104-FC45) for general attached face protection where the higher 120 m/s rating isn’t required.

Visor carriers: the part that actually attaches to the helmet

Neither visor clips straight onto a helmet shell. Our Surefit Visor Carrier for EVO Helmets (104-ANV0008, EN166 1.B.3.10) is built specifically for JSP’s EVO helmet range, using their universal accessory slots. Our Visor Carrier with Spring Fastener (104-A4) is a more generic, economical option for attaching visors to other helmet models.

Getting the combination right

Buying a visor without checking it has a matching carrier for your specific helmet model is the most common mismatch — an EVO-range helmet needs the Surefit carrier, not the generic spring-fastener one. Check your helmet model against our safety helmet range before ordering a visor and carrier separately.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between mesh and polycarbonate visors?

Mesh (104-ANX100) offers general particle protection at 12 m/s with full airflow and no fogging. Polycarbonate (104-ANX060) is rated for higher-energy particles at 120 m/s plus liquid droplets and molten metal, but doesn’t ventilate the same way.

Does a visor attach directly to a safety helmet?

No — it needs a visor carrier fitted to the helmet’s accessory slots first. SHL stocks a Surefit carrier built for JSP’s EVO range and a generic spring-fastener carrier for other models.

What standard are SHL’s helmet visors certified to?

EN166, with the mesh visor also meeting EN1731 S and the higher-rated polycarbonate visor marked EN166 1.B.3.9.

Can any visor fit any helmet?

Not without checking the carrier — the Surefit carrier is built specifically for JSP EVO-range helmets’ universal slots, while the spring-fastener carrier suits other models.

See our guides to safety helmets compared and helmet-mounted ear defenders and chin straps.

Browse our full helmet accessories range in stock now, or get in touch to talk through what your helmet needs.