With ZSh-3 helmet, it was decided to take a different approach to the hard shell design then the one used on US helmets. Just like British MK.1 helmets, Russian ZSh-3 helmet was just an outer protective shell which pilots wore over the communication helmet. Probably the main deciding reason for adopting this design was its ease of putting in mass production - as a communication helmet, Russians simply adopted their already existing leather helmet. The only modification to the helmet was addition of a soft ridge located on top of the helmet which was used to mate leather helmet with ZSh-3 shell. This new leather helmer design is known as ShL-60.

ZSh-3 shell is made out of thin outer layer of some light metal alloy (aluminum?) covered with white paint. Underneath it there is cushion padding covered with material. ZSh-3 shell consists of main shell and two hinged ear flaps. 3 (or in some cases 4) position visor is attached to the main shell. Visor can be moved to any of the positions by squeezing spring loaded button located on the left side and then pushing visor up or down. Visors were produced in light blue, green and charcoal colors.

Zsh-3 helmets were designed to be worn with KM-32 oxygen mask, though it could also be worn with later version of KM-16N mask. The difference being that KM-32 is a pressure compensating oxygen mask, while KM-16 is a simple constant oxygen flow mask.

ZSh-3 shell is available in sizes 1 (small) and 2 (large).