Is the MSA 10118697 V-Gard Accessory System Kit the right cap-mount face shield system for a crew that already runs slotted hard hats?

Short answer: If your crew already wears MSA-style slotted caps, the MSA 10118697 V-Gard Accessory System Kit is a tidy one-box way to add brow-to-chin face shield coverage: it pairs a universal V-Gard frame for slotted caps with a clear polycarbonate visor. The catch is in the name — "Without Cap" means you supply the slotted hard hat yourself, and the shield is secondary protection worn over safety glasses. For workers who want a complete standalone unit instead, a ratchet-crown shield like the 3M H8A combination is the simpler buy.

MSA 10118697 V-Gard Accessory System Kit (Without Cap) Review (2026)

The MSA 10118697 is not a complete face shield and not just a loose visor — it is a V-Gard system kit that combines two pieces in one box: a Universal V-Gard Frame for Slotted Caps and a Clear V-Gard Polycarbonate (PC) Visor. The frame is the bracket that hangs the visor off the side slots of a slotted hard hat or cap; the visor is the impact- and splash-rated polycarbonate window. Per OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 and ANSI/ISEA Z87.1, a face shield is secondary protection — it rides over primary safety glasses or goggles, never instead of them. Because this kit mounts to cap slots rather than carrying its own ratchet crown, it only makes sense if you already own — or plan to buy — a compatible slotted hard hat; MSA sells the same kit with the cap as a separate SKU. Within the V-Gard family it is the building block that also accepts other V-Gard visors down the road, so it doubles as a frame you can re-window. If you want the background on what the Z87 marks mean before you buy, start with how to choose a face shield.

Editorial verdict — 4.2/5
For an existing slotted-cap fleet the 10118697 is a sensible, modular way to add Z87.1 polycarbonate face coverage at frame-plus-visor cost — but anyone without a slotted cap pays twice and may be better served by an all-in-one ratchet shield.VIEW ON WC SAFETY →CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

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Who it is for

• Maintenance and facilities crews who already issue MSA-style slotted caps and want to add a face shield without changing helmets
• Grinders and chippers needing brow-to-chin polycarbonate impact coverage over their safety glasses
• Light chemical handlers wanting a splash-capable clear visor on an existing slotted cap, like the MSA chemical-splash V-Gard visor
• Safety managers standardizing one V-Gard frame to stock interchangeable clear and steel-mesh visors
• Buyers who do NOT own a slotted cap and should instead look at a complete shield such as the 3M H8A combination

What the MSA V-Gard 10118697 does well

Two pieces, one purchase

The kit ships the Universal V-Gard Frame for Slotted Caps and the clear polycarbonate visor together, so you are not cross-referencing a frame part number against a separate visor part number. For a crew rolling out cap-mounted face shields at scale, that single SKU simplifies ordering.

Polycarbonate window

The visor is injection-molded polycarbonate, the toughest of the common shield materials — it exceeds acetate and propionate in ANSI Z87.1 high-impact testing and resists UV crazing. That makes the 10118697 a solid choice for impact work like grinding, in line with how to choose a face shield.

Stays married to the hard hat

Because it hangs off cap slots, the shield travels with the helmet and flips up out of the way, which keeps hard hat head protection and face protection as one integrated unit rather than two things to carry.

Re-windowable frame

The frame is the durable part; the visor is the consumable. When the clear window scratches you can re-lens with another V-Gard visor — clear, chemical-splash or steel-mesh — instead of replacing the whole assembly.

Clear Z87.1 positioning

MSA states ANSI Z87.1 compliance for impact and particle hazards under OSHA 1910.133. If you need a primer on the markings, what Z87 plus means and ANSI Z87.1 explained cover the basics.

Where the MSA V-Gard 10118697 falls short

You still need a cap

"Without Cap" is the headline limitation: this kit gives you the frame and visor but not the slotted hard hat they mount to. Budget for a compatible hard hat if you do not already run one, or you cannot use the kit.

V-Gard-only fit

The universal frame is universal across slotted caps, not across brands' shield systems. It will not retrofit a Fibre-Metal speedy-loop, a Jackson headgear window or a Sellstrom DP4 crown — stay inside the V-Gard line.

No standalone wear

Unlike a ratchet-crown shield such as the Jackson MAXVIEW, this cannot be worn off-helmet. If some tasks are done without a hard hat, you need a second, crowned shield.

One visor, clear only

The kit includes a single clear polycarbonate visor — there is no IR/welding shade or mesh in the box. Torch and welding users must add a shaded window like the Fibre-Metal IR/UV shade 3.0 on a compatible platform.

MSA V-Gard 10118697 vs the competition

Compare prices on Amazon →MSA V-Gard 10118697 on AmazonMSA 10115840 V-Gard Cl

When to step up from the MSA V-Gard 10118697

If you want the same MSA V-Gard look but a single replacement window rather than a frame-plus-visor kit, the MSA 10115840 clear polycarbonate V-Gard visor drops into a frame you already own, and the general-purpose and chemical-splash V-Gard visors swap onto the same frame for different hazards. If you do not own a slotted cap at all and want one purchase that just works, step over to a complete ratchet-crown shield such as the 3M H8A combination or the Jackson MAXVIEW 14201 — both bundle window and headgear so there is nothing else to source. Our best face shields guide and the best face shields for welding, grinding and cutting round-up compare those complete units head to head.

Category context

Face shields fall into three buckets, and knowing which you are buying prevents a wasted order. A complete shield carries its own ratchet crown — examples are the 3M H8A combination and the Sellstrom DP4 32010 — and works straight out of the box. A replacement window is just the lens, like the Jackson 30706 window or the MSA 10115840 V-Gard visor. The 10118697 sits in the third bucket: headgear/accessory hardware — here a frame plus a visor that mount to a slotted cap. Material drives hazard fit: polycarbonate like this kit's visor is the impact champion, PETG and propionate favor chemical splash, steel mesh handles heat and brush, and IR shade numbers are for welding and torch radiant heat. Mount style is the other axis — ratchet crown, cap/hard-hat slot adapter (what this kit uses), or speedy-loop. Whatever you choose, it remains secondary protection over safety glasses or goggles, as how to choose a face shield explains.

Total cost of ownership

Think of this kit as a durable frame and a wear part. The polycarbonate visor is the consumable — in dusty grinding or splash work, clear windows haze, scratch and pit and typically get rotated out on a schedule, while in light intermittent use one window can last many months. When the window goes, you re-lens with another MSA V-Gard visor rather than buying the whole kit again, which is the cost advantage of a modular system over a sealed complete shield. The frame and its cap-slot hardware should outlast many visors with normal care. The one upfront line item buyers forget is the slotted hard hat itself — not included here — so factor that into first-purchase cost if you do not already own one. Because asin is unavailable, we link a tagged Amazon search rather than quoting a price; confirm current cost there before ordering.

Final verdict

Buy the MSA 10118697 V-Gard Accessory System Kit if you already run MSA-style slotted caps and want a one-box, re-windowable way to add Z87.1 polycarbonate face shield coverage for grinding, particle and light chemical-splash work over your safety glasses. Skip it if you do not own a slotted cap or run a different headgear platform — in that case a complete ratchet shield like the 3M H8A combination, the Jackson MAXVIEW 14201 or the Sellstrom DP4 32010 is the cleaner buy. For welding or torch work, this clear-only kit is the wrong tool — go to the welding/grinding/cutting face shield guide and pick a shaded window instead. Compare all-arounders in our best face shields guide.

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MSA V-Gard 10118697 FAQ

Does the MSA 10118697 kit include a hard hat or cap?

No. The name says "Without Cap" — the kit includes only the Universal V-Gard Frame for Slotted Caps and a clear polycarbonate visor. You must supply a compatible slotted hard hat yourself, so budget for one if you do not already own it.

What exactly comes in the box?

Two pieces: the Universal V-Gard Frame for Slotted Caps and the Clear V-Gard Polycarbonate (PC) Visor, packaged together as one accessory kit. It is a frame-plus-window bundle, not a complete crowned shield like the 3M H8A combination.

What kind of caps does the universal V-Gard frame fit?

It mounts to slotted caps — hard hats with the standard side accessory slots used across the V-Gard system. It will not attach to a smooth-sided, non-slotted cap, so verify your helmet has slots before ordering. See how to choose a face shield for mount-style basics.

Will this frame fit a Jackson, Fibre-Metal or Sellstrom system?

No. Compatibility is V-Gard-specific. A Jackson window such as the 29104, a Fibre-Metal speedy-loop, or a Sellstrom DP4 crown are separate, non-interchangeable systems. Match windows and frames within the same brand line.

Is the MSA 10118697 a complete face shield I can wear on its own?

Not standalone — it relies on a slotted cap for mounting and has no ratchet crown. If you need off-helmet wear, choose a complete shield with its own headgear like the Jackson MAXVIEW 14201 or Sellstrom DP4 32010.

Can I wear it instead of safety glasses?

No. Under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.133 and ANSI/ISEA Z87.1 a face shield is secondary protection worn over primary safety glasses or goggles. The shield guards the broader face; your glasses still protect your eyes. The distinction is covered in safety glasses vs face shields.

What hazards is the clear polycarbonate visor good for?

Polycarbonate is the strongest common shield material — it exceeds acetate in ANSI Z87.1 high-impact testing — so the visor suits grinding, chipping and flying-particle work, plus light chemical splash. For heavy splash, MSA's dedicated chemical-splash V-Gard visor is the better window.

Can I use this kit for welding or torch cutting?

Not as supplied. The included visor is clear, with no IR/welding shade number, so it offers no protection from welding or torch radiant heat. For those jobs choose a shaded window such as the Fibre-Metal IR/UV shade 3.0 and see the welding/grinding/cutting guide.

How is this different from buying just the MSA 10115840 visor?

The 10115840 is the clear polycarbonate window only — it needs a frame you already own. The 10118697 adds the universal slotted-cap frame, so it is the right pick when you are starting fresh and need both the bracket and the lens.

Is the MSA 10118697 ANSI Z87.1 compliant?

MSA states the kit meets ANSI Z87.1 for impact and particle hazards under OSHA 1910.133. As always, confirm the actual Z87 marking molded on the visor matches your hazard; what Z87 plus means explains the high-impact suffix.

Can I swap the clear visor for a steel-mesh or chemical visor later?

Yes — that is the point of the modular frame. The same V-Gard frame accepts other V-Gard visors, including the steel-mesh for heat and brush and the chemical-splash window. Stay within the V-Gard line for guaranteed fit.

How often will I need to replace the visor?

It depends on duty. In abrasive grinding or splash environments the clear polycarbonate window hazes and scratches and is usually rotated on a schedule; in light, intermittent use it can last many months. You re-lens with another V-Gard visor rather than replacing the frame.

Does it work over a respirator or with safety glasses?

It is designed to ride over primary eyewear, so safety glasses fit underneath. Tight-fitting respirators and bulky goggles can affect how the visor seats on some setups, so check clearance during a fit check; the secondary-protection principle is detailed in safety glasses vs face shields.

Why is there no price button on this listing?

This product has no fixed Amazon listing in our data, so instead of a price button we provide a tagged Amazon search link. Click through to see current availability and pricing before you buy — we deliberately do not quote a price we cannot verify.

Is a cap-mount kit or a complete ratchet shield the better value?

If you already own slotted caps, the cap-mount kit is cheaper per worker because it reuses existing head protection and re-windows cheaply. If you have no slotted caps, a complete ratchet shield is usually the better single purchase since nothing else is required.

What should I compare it against before buying?

Within MSA, compare it to the standalone V-Gard clear visor and the V-Gard H1. Against other brands, weigh complete units like the 3M H8A and Jackson MAXVIEW 14201. Our best face shields guide lays out the trade-offs.

Does it provide overhead or chin coverage?

The polycarbonate visor delivers brow-to-below-the-chin frontal coverage with side geometry for lateral protection, which is standard for cap-mounted V-Gard windows. For maximum wrap with integrated chin and crown guards, an oversized complete shield like the Jackson MAXVIEW goes further.