CCM VR24 Hockey Visor Review

The CCM VR24 Hockey Visor is the product of a partnership between CCM Hockey and Revision Military — a company that builds ballistic-grade eyewear for the U.S. military. That military heritage shows up in the lens material, coating system, and optical quality. At $70–90, it's a premium half visor, but the clarity and durability justify the price for players who want the best vision on the ice.

Military-Grade Polycarbonate

The VR24 uses Revision Military's polycarbonate — the same impact-resistant material they use in combat eyewear. This isn't standard hockey-grade polycarbonate. It's formulated for ballistic-level impact resistance while maintaining optical clarity that most hockey visors can't match.

The practical benefit: the VR24 is thinner and lighter than budget visors that need extra thickness to achieve adequate impact protection. Less weight on your helmet, less visual distortion, and the confidence that the visor can handle a direct puck strike without cracking.

Anti-Fog Coating

This is where the VR24 separates from most competitors. The patented anti-fog coating eliminates the need for spray-on fog products that wear off mid-game. The coating is integrated into the visor surface — not a topical application that degrades with each cleaning.

In practice, the VR24 stays clear through hard shifts in cold rinks. Coming off the bench into a warm face after sitting in cold arena air is the most common fogging scenario, and the VR24 handles it without condensation buildup.

The coating's longevity depends on care. Never wipe the inside surface with your glove, jersey, or paper towel — this strips the anti-fog treatment. If you need to clean the interior, use a soft microfiber cloth with gentle pressure. The less you touch the inside surface, the longer the coating lasts.

Optical Clarity

The VR24 delivers distortion-free vision from edge to edge. There's no warping at the periphery — a common problem with cheaper curved visors where the polycarbonate thickness varies. The optical accuracy is noticeable immediately when you switch from a budget visor to the VR24: the ice surface, boards, and players look crisper.

The straight-cut profile provides clean sight lines without the curved wrap that some visors use. The 3.5-inch height at center covers from the eyebrow to just past the nose, giving full eye protection with a clear view of the ice below.

Anti-Scratch Layer

Hockey visors take constant abuse — stick taps, glove contact, boards, and pucks all hit the lens surface. The VR24's anti-scratch coating significantly extends the visor's useful life compared to uncoated polycarbonate.

After a full season of regular play (3-4 times per week), the VR24 maintains better clarity than budget visors show after a few weeks. Deep scratches from metal hardware or direct puck strikes will still mark the surface, but the light scuffing from normal use gets resisted effectively.

Mounting System

The VR24 uses a two-point mounting system with included hardware: 2 spacers, 2 metal brackets, and 4 visor screws. Installation takes under five minutes with a screwdriver. The system is compatible with most certified hockey helmets — CCM, Bauer, Warrior, and other major brands.

The mounting is secure and doesn't require adjustment during play. The release system is straightforward for removal between games or for cleaning.

CCM VR24 vs. Alkali Zenith

The Alkali Zenith is the most common budget alternative at $30 — roughly a third of the VR24's price. Here's how they compare:

Material: The VR24 uses military-grade polycarbonate (Revision Military) while the Zenith uses Lexan polycarbonate. Both are impact-resistant, but the VR24's formulation is thinner at equivalent protection levels. Advantage: CCM.

Profile: The Zenith sits at 2.75 inches at center — nearly an inch shorter than the VR24's 3.5 inches. For players who want minimal visor presence, the Zenith's low profile is appealing. For players who want more face coverage, the VR24 extends further. Preference-dependent.

Anti-fog: The VR24's patented integrated coating outperforms the Zenith's standard anti-fog treatment. The VR24 stays clearer longer without spray products. Advantage: CCM.

Certifications: The VR24 holds HECC, CSA, and CE certifications. The Zenith has CE only. If your league requires HECC or CSA certification, the Zenith may not qualify. Advantage: CCM.

Price: The Zenith at ~$30 vs. the VR24 at ~$70–90. For recreational players who replace visors frequently, the Zenith's low price is hard to argue with. Advantage: Alkali.

Verdict: The CCM VR24 is the better visor in every performance category. The Alkali Zenith is the better value for casual players who don't need military-grade optics or don't want to invest $70+ in a visor that may get scratched up in a beer league. If you play regularly and want the best vision and fog resistance available, the VR24 is worth the premium.

Final Verdict

The CCM VR24 is the best half visor available for hockey players who want premium optical clarity, reliable anti-fog performance, and military-grade durability. The Revision Military partnership delivers measurably better lens quality than budget alternatives, and the triple certification (HECC, CSA, CE) ensures compliance with most adult league requirements.

The only reasons to look elsewhere are budget (the Alkali Zenith at $30 gets the job done for casual play) or profile preference (the 2.75-inch Zenith sits lower than the 3.5-inch VR24). For everyone else, the VR24 is the visor to buy. If you also play football, it's worth noting that sport visors share many of the same performance priorities — anti-fog coatings, scratch resistance, and optical clarity all matter just as much on the gridiron, which we cover in our football visor buyer's guide. Still deciding between a half visor and full face protection? Read our hockey face shield vs. visor comparison.