Anyone who has ever been on a paintball field will confirm that the game is captivating. Soon enough, you’ll find yourself wanting your own personal protective paintball gear. There’s a certain appeal to owning your own equipment – comfort, hygiene, individuality, and, to some extent, prestige. Good, comfortable equipment accounts for 70% of your success in the game.
Paintball Mask
When choosing your personal paintball gear, start with the mask. You won’t be allowed on the playing field without it – it’s the most important piece of protection: the mask protects your eyes, face, and ears from injuries. Other types of goggles or ski masks won’t suffice. Only paintball lenses can withstand a series of impacts at a rate of 14 balls per second.
These lenses are made from a special kind of plastic called Lexan. This type of polymer is also used in manufacturing military protective gear (shields and visors). Lexan competes with bulletproof glass in terms of strength. If you try to break a Lexan lens, it won’t shatter into fragments – at worst, it will split into two pieces.
Invest in a Quality Mask
Many novice paintball players spend big money on high-end markers, neglecting the importance of a good mask. This is a big mistake. A comfortable and reliable mask has a greater impact on your game experience than the weapon itself. A high-quality mask not only protects your eyes and face from injuries but also provides a clear view of the playing field without fogging or tunnel vision. It ensures no skin irritation and allows for normal breathing.
Paintball masks are divided into 4 categories: basic, intermediate, advanced, and premium.
- Basic category masks are the cheapest, which is reflected in their quality and functionality. Rental masks at clubs are typically basic: simple and not very comfortable, but durable and easy to maintain. What do all basic masks have in common? They feature an internal lining made of rubber, making them easier to clean than foam-based ones. These models often have single lenses and insufficient ventilation. They tend to fog up, chafe, and have a number of minor flaws that negatively impact your overall experience. Avoid purchasing the cheapest models.
- Intermediate category masks offer hypoallergenic foam inserts that adhere to the skin. These are often single-lens models with poor ventilation, with few exceptions. Masks in this category are better than basic ones and are suitable for occasional recreational skirmishes, but they’re still not very comfortable.
Good models for a beginner paintball player - Advanced paintball masks represent a significant step up from the intermediate level. Improved ventilation, dual lenses, ergonomic fit, and high-quality foam are hallmarks of advanced models. Dual-lens systems solve 90% of the fogging problems, and the wider field of view is invaluable. There’s also more internal space, allowing wearers to use prescription glasses.
Advanced level - Premium class masks. When chosen correctly, a premium-segment mask will fit perfectly, requiring minimal adjustment time. These always feature excellent ventilation, dual tinted lenses, high-quality foam, and the widest, distortion-free field of view. However, not every weekend warrior needs a premium-class paintball mask. Any paintball player will find their ideal model in the advanced segment.
One of the most reliable and comfortable masks on the market. Price matches quality.
9 Tips to Help You Choose the Perfect Mask
You don’t need advanced technical knowledge or an in-depth understanding of terms like diaphragm valve or RAPS activation regulator (like when choosing a marker) to pick a good paintball mask. While masks might look similar at first glance, the nuances make all the difference in your comfort and convenience.
Try on as many options as possible. You might not make a purchase at your first visit to the store, but trying on different models is essential. Video reviews can only inform you about the quality of a model, but heads and faces are unique – what fits someone else perfectly may not work for you. Make your fitting session as dynamic as possible: turn your head, assess the field of view, and test the ventilation.
Don’t buy the cheapest mask. This is the most critical part of paintball gear, directly affecting the safety of your vision as well as your comfort during the game. You can buy the simplest marker and still have a great time on the field, but it won’t be fun if your lens starts fogging up (taking off your mask mid-game is sheer madness), the rubber lining irritates your skin, or the field of view doesn’t even allow you to defend yourself.
A good mask is repairable, unlike entry-level models. By the third breakdown, buying a cheap mask may no longer feel like a good investment. Advanced models allow the replacement of all parts subject to natural wear and tear.
Look for sturdier models on the outside if you’re a beginner. Although, I would give this advice to everyone. The fact is, novice paintball players tend to take significantly more direct hits to the head area, so a sturdier mask design is justified. “Experienced” players see soft masks as offering a slight competitive advantage—there’s always a chance the paintball will bounce off and not break. However, this is a negligible chance and “scientifically unproven.”
Ventilation is more important. It allows you to breathe and stay dry without sweating excessively, thereby reducing the risk of fogging up the lenses. Ensure that the mask has ventilation not only in the front for deep breaths but also on the sides.
Consider a compromise between single-lens and dual-lens models. There are good single-lens masks as well as poor dual-lens options. This feature alone doesn’t make a mask better or worse in quality. Generally, most dual-lens masks are superior, but there are always trade-offs between the two types when it comes to performance, maintenance, and durability. Single-lens masks often feature an anti-fog coating, which doesn’t work in all situations. However, a single lens is easier to clean and cheaper to replace. On the other hand, dual lenses almost never fog up, but the inner lens is more susceptible to damage and requires careful handling. Dual-layer lenses are more expensive and durable but prone to scratches on the inside.
The space inside the mask matters. Each model has varying amounts of internal space. Some masks are more comfortable and spacious, while others are closer to an anatomical fit and don’t “breathe” as well. When trying on a mask, consider this factor, especially if you wear glasses. It’s best to opt for a “medium” fit: masks that are too roomy position the lens farther from the eyes, leading to distorted vision, while anatomical models may heat up too much. For speedball, streamlined and enclosed models are preferable; for woodsball, players often choose more spacious masks.
A mask should fit like a glove. If there’s even the slightest discomfort during fitting, don’t buy that model. Take your time choosing; otherwise, you’ll end up suffering for hours on the field.
The more coverage your mask offers, the better. While personal taste and style are understandable, safety should take priority in this case. Beginners should purchase a mask with more extensive coverage, possibly even a helmet. A few extra centimeters of protection can shield your neck and forehead from nasty bruises. By the way, ski goggles are not an alternative. In fact, they are unsafe.
Avoid bright colors and bold designs. Players in camo or with subdued gear always have a tactical advantage, independent of their paintball skills. The plainer and less noticeable your appearance, the less often you’ll get hit.
Maintenance and Care for Paintball Masks
Ultraviolet light and cold weather can make Lexan brittle. If you play regularly, it’s recommended to replace your lens every 1.5 years since the sun dries out the plastic’s pliable molecules, making the lenses unsafe. Lens care isn’t difficult but requires adherence to certain rules.
- If you have thermal lenses, wash them only with cool water to prevent condensation from forming between the panes. While the moisture will eventually evaporate, it will leave faint residue spots that can interfere with visibility. Cleaning the space between the two lenses is possible, but doing so might tragically end your mask’s life as a thermal model.
- Never use glass-cleaning fluids! Water-based paint is easily washed away with water, and if necessary, you can use a light watery solution of liquid soap (without alkali).
- For emergency cleaning on the field, bring toilet paper or paper kitchen towels. Damp toilet paper won’t scratch the lens and does an excellent job of absorbing paint and grease. A microfiber cloth is ideal for the final cleaning step.
- To prevent fogging, first and foremost, ensure you’re wearing the mask correctly. If the pads fit snugly against your face, you won’t exhale into the mask. You can also use an anti-fog solution, such as automotive anti-fog sprays. These products won’t harm paintball masks.
- Overindulging in alcohol increases mask fogging by 90%.
- It’s better to maintain a quality, well-fitting model than to replace cheap masks every season.
Paintball Clothing
Another vulnerable spot is the neck. While neck protection is often neglected in paintball, it shouldn’t be. Velcro neck protectors can save your neck from bruises, and they’re quite inexpensive. Alternatively, you can protect your neck with a scarf— a bandana with a custom design could even become your signature look on the field.
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The first rule for paintball clothing: all parts of the body should be covered. Special dense yet lightweight fabrics have been developed that are perfect for outdoor play. However, any clothing that does not restrict movement and that you’re not afraid to get dirty with grass and mud will do just fine. The paint, in fact, washes off without any issues.
A stylish accessory that protects the neck from 'paintball' bruises.
In the field, camouflage adorned with pieces of burlap or cloth scraps in earthy tones will come in handy. You can do the same with gloves and even sew a cover for your weapon. This will make it harder for others to spot you. In winter, though, such camouflage might simply amuse players on the opposing team. Designing your own version of camouflage is primarily cheap and also fun. Protective vests might be helpful, and for men—athletic cups.
Gloves are not an absolute necessity. Elbow pads, on the other hand, can be bothersome for some people—it depends on individual preference. However, knee pads are a completely different matter. During the game, you’ll often need to kneel while hiding behind bushes from your opponents. Knee pads come in various levels of firmness, so choose the ones that suit you best. For footwear, it’s better to opt for combat boots, as outdoor conditions may lead to tripping over roots, slipping on fallen leaves, or grass. However, your most comfortable sneakers or running shoes will work just as well.
