How To Choose Cool Paintball Masks

Why are cool paintball masks so necessary you ask?

You’re in the middle of an intense paintball battle. Your friends have surrounded you and you’re gonna have to make a run for it if you have any hope of winning this thing. Peeking your head out from behind the barricade, you look to see if anyone is close by. All you hear is the sound of the wind in the trees and a lonely bird chirping. This is your chance. Ready…set…RUN! It might as well have been an epic war movie. Everything seems to stop as you run, when suddenly the paintballs start whizzing towards you. You hear them zip past your ear, one pelts your arm and you feel several paintballs pepper your back. You’re almost to safety when SPLAT! A yellow paintball nails you right in the eye. You feel no pain, thanks to your mask.

Wearing a mask while playing paintball might sound like an inconvenience but believe me, you’ll be happy you did. It’s the absolute most important piece of equipment you can own. Getting pelted with paintballs can be pretty painful, and if one hits you in the face it could cause extremely serious damage. With paintball being such a popular sport, there’s thousands of cool paintball masks out there for anyone who wants to show their personality with their mask while they play.

There are several things you want to consider when looking for cool paintball masks. Of course, design and appearance is super important but you also want to make sure it’s going to properly protect your face and eyes from those paintballs as they whiz towards your face!

Find An Awesome Mask Design To Fit Your Face

Proper fit is extremely important when looking for cool paintball masks. You might have to test multiple different masks as each person’s face is different and some will fit better than others.

Make sure you test if the mask fogs up when you put it on. The most annoying thing when you’re trying to play an intense paintball game is constantly dealing with a fogged up mask. Nobody wants to keep removing the mask to clean off the fog, not to mention it’s extremely dangerous to do so. Cheaper masks tend to have a fog problem, so keep this in mind when you’re shopping for one. Look for masks that are anti-fog and have a thermal or dual lense to make sure you won’t have this problem. Avoid the single lens masks as they’re more likely to give you trouble.

It’s also important to make sure the goggle frame is comfortable on your face. The goggle frame is surrounded by foam. When you try the mask on, adjust the tightness and make sure it’s comfortable and seals properly around your face. This also contributes to making sure your lens doesn’t get fogged up. The more expensive mask you purchase, the cushier the foam will be.

Helmets vs. Half Face Masks

There’s a lot of debate in the paintball community about whether helmet style masks or half face masks are better. You want to make sure you get something that reflects your personal playing style and has excellent coverage to keep your eyes and face safe from any paintballs that come at it.

Most organized clubs or fields that recreational paintballers go to require anyone under the age of 18 to wear a helmet mask. Regardless of age, if you’re a beginner you should look for a mask with full coverage so that none of your face is exposed. They’re made of hard plastic and will fully protect your face and neck from any paint balls that come into contact with the mask. This can add a little extra weight to your mask but it’s necessary if you’re new to the game or just playing recreationally.

If you’re a little more advanced, you could consider a half face mask that sits closer to your face and leaves your jawline, chin and forehead exposed. These are popular with tournament players because they are lighter and less bulky. They’re also made of softer materials and more flexible which means sometimes a paintball will bounce off the mask instead of actually breaking. Unfortunately though, these masks don’t protect you from the pain of a direct hit so that’s something to keep in mind for sure. Some of these masks come with built-in goggles, while others require you to purchase a separate pair of goggles while the mask just covers the rest of your face.

Personalize Your Cool Paintball Masks With Skulls or A Favorite Design

The best part about wearing a mask is that you can buy or design one to fit your own personality! So even if your face is covered up during a fight, you can still show who you are to the people you are playing with. Wearing a unique mask makes you easy to identify on the field and can be a great conversation starter if you’re playing with people you don’t know as well!

There’s tons of different masks out there that can reflect who you are and your interests, whether you want to look hardcore with a skull mask or wear a Darth Vader helmet. Or maybe you want to kick in a little extra money and get one custom designed just for you!

Regardless of what type of mask you end up choosing, be sure to take your time deciding! Cool paintball masks are truly are the most important piece of equipment you can use for the sport, whether you’re playing recreationally or in an official tournament. Take the time to try several, invest your money, and find the perfect fit for you to keep your head safe!

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