Paintball is an exciting game and the main rule is, “a splatter of paint anywhere on your body means you’re hit and, therefore, have lost. Due to the thrill of this game, professionals came up with the idea of masks to at least cover the head.
So, if you’re just getting into the game, then you should get a decent paintball mask before any other kit. The best mask should protect your ears, eyes, and whole face.
Since in the beginning, these masks were a little costly, so most people were used to renting them. This meant that the masks could be the right fit for others and the wrong for some. So, as time went by, paintball players began customizing their masks to fit their level of comfort, protection, and taste.
With this idea in mind, paintball mask manufacturers started designing brands that were up to the players’ standard. Most designers opt for replaceable parts that are also customizable so that the user can adjust some parts to get the right fit.
Finding the right paintball mask for yourself is crucial as it will determine your ability to achieve set goals in the field. You want a mask that provides a full and clear vision so that you have the perfect site during the game. The mask should also allow you to hear properly for fact action in case an opponent attempts to sneak up on you.
The ideal paintball mask should also be breathable so that sweat doesn’t build up and hinder your vision. To complement this factor, manufacturers use innovative lenses like anti-fog wipes or thermal design lenses.
If you have on the right paintball mask, then your head will be in the game as you’ll not be adjusting or worrying about it coming off!
What to Look For When Buying a Paintball Mask
Pro paintball players know the importance of a mask while in the field. Besides ensuring your safety while on the battlefield, paintball masks also improve your skills.
As such, when buying a paintball mask, you must conduct thorough research to identify the most reliable brand. Different brands come with varying features that are suitable for different paintball player-levels.
A professional paintball player should recognize the quality of every brand to determine which better meets your needs. The strength and sturdiness of the make material determines the quality of the mask.
Manufacturers make different masks for various paintball games based on the:
If you’re a beginner, you should know that the type of mask you go for will ultimately impact your performance. So, while you seek to protect your face, don’t leave out your gameplay. The best mask should guarantee the player’s safety and boost the winning probability.
This buying guide will tell you what to look for in a paintball mask and why. But first, what do you need to know about these masks?
As such, when buying a paintball mask, you must conduct thorough research to identify the most reliable brand. Different brands come with varying features that are suitable for different paintball player-levels.
A professional paintball player should recognize the quality of every brand to determine which better meets your needs. The strength and sturdiness of the make material determines the quality of the mask.
Manufacturers make different masks for various paintball games based on the:
- Level of protection needed
- Lightness required
- Level of profile; low or high
- Amount of comfort for padding or foaming
- Speed needed in the game
- Risk associated with the game
If you’re a beginner, you should know that the type of mask you go for will ultimately impact your performance. So, while you seek to protect your face, don’t leave out your gameplay. The best mask should guarantee the player’s safety and boost the winning probability.
This buying guide will tell you what to look for in a paintball mask and why. But first, what do you need to know about these masks?
Paintball Masks
Paintball Mask Brands in the Market
Like many other products in the market, there’re several paintball mask manufacturers out there. Each brand has special features that make it unique, hence recognizable by the customers. The feature variations bring about price variation due to differences in quality and style.
Instead of buying a cheap mask that might cost you a good game, why don’t you spend extra dollars for excellence!
Some of the popular paintball mask brands you’ll come across are HK Army, JT, Push, Virtue, DYE, VForce, Empire, and BunkerKings. There’re more brands available and the more you familiarize with them, you’ll eventually pick your favorite based on the features.
Instead of buying a cheap mask that might cost you a good game, why don’t you spend extra dollars for excellence!
Some of the popular paintball mask brands you’ll come across are HK Army, JT, Push, Virtue, DYE, VForce, Empire, and BunkerKings. There’re more brands available and the more you familiarize with them, you’ll eventually pick your favorite based on the features.
Features to Lookout for When Buying a Paintball Mask
The best quality paintball mask should meet all your comfort and protection needs. Some of the features you want your mask to have are:
Comfort
Comfort should be your number one issue when buying a paintball mask. The mask should fit well and sit on your face perfectly. A tight mask will have you distracted in an attempt to adjust it for comfort. A loose mask, on the other hand, will move constantly, therefore, removing your focus from the game.
Some brands use soft foam padding on the inside to improve comfort when the mask is on your face. The quality of the foam will also matter since poor quality material may be too rough on your skin and itchy.
The mask should also have proper ventilation so that your face stays in a cool space for the utmost comfort during the game. Venting will also promote airflow for easy breathing as the hot air is readily removed.
Paintball mask ventilation also promotes effective communication as your sounds will be transmitted better on the battlefield.
UV protection
Paintball is carried out in open fields where you'll be under direct sunlight for long periods. To protect your eyes and give you proper vision, manufacturers feature UV protection when making paintball masks.
Lenses
The quality of lenses the mask you get is made of will impact your vision quality during the game. The best lenses should offer a 260 to a 290-degree field of vision for a peripheral view.
Avoid the cheap knock offs that use flat lenses that only give you a narrow view that will cause you to perform poorly.
Avoid the cheap knock offs that use flat lenses that only give you a narrow view that will cause you to perform poorly.
Weight
Lightweight paintball masks are preferable since you’ll not be carrying a load on your head during a game that requires you to be flexible and physically fit. The lighter the mask, the better your gameplay and performance.
Durability
The quality of material used to make the mask impacts its strength, comfort, and durability. The material should be strong and sturdy to withstand the rough activities in a paintball game.
Paintball markers move at a super-fast speed such that they could break or crush a weak paintball mask. A reliable mask make should withstand heavy force.
The inner material should be soft and flexible for durability amid the rough wear and removal. The skirt and facial area of the mask should have a sturdy yet soft and flexible material for fitment and durability.
Go for masks with double-pane lenses since they’re sturdier, hence durable.
Paintball markers move at a super-fast speed such that they could break or crush a weak paintball mask. A reliable mask make should withstand heavy force.
The inner material should be soft and flexible for durability amid the rough wear and removal. The skirt and facial area of the mask should have a sturdy yet soft and flexible material for fitment and durability.
Go for masks with double-pane lenses since they’re sturdier, hence durable.
Ear protection
The other factor that you should consider when buying a mask is the level of ear protection it'll offer you. Based on the welt you see the paintball markers leave behind, you can tell that they travel at a super-speed. If the marker were to hit your ears, then it could jeopardize your hearing capacity or general health.
Most brands use padded ear protection to ensure the safety of the player since the shock is absorbed with every hit.
Most brands use padded ear protection to ensure the safety of the player since the shock is absorbed with every hit.
Scratch resistance
Good masks have a scratch-resistant material because with the roughness of the game you could never predict a collision. If you get a poor quality mask that can be easily scratched, then your performance will be poor. This is especially if the lenses were scratched as it will impact your vision on the field.
Also, a mask with scratches doesn't look that nice!
Also, a mask with scratches doesn't look that nice!
Mask profile
The design of a mask impacts its profile. There’re two profiles often featured by manufacturers; low and high.
A low profile is more effective for speedball games since only a few parts of your body will be exposed, like the head. However, a high profile mask is safer for players since it fully covers the face.
Paintball masks also have straps that aid in adjusting the fit for comfort. A double-strap setup is more comfortable and durable in comparison to a single strap setup.
A low profile is more effective for speedball games since only a few parts of your body will be exposed, like the head. However, a high profile mask is safer for players since it fully covers the face.
Paintball masks also have straps that aid in adjusting the fit for comfort. A double-strap setup is more comfortable and durable in comparison to a single strap setup.
Summary and Recommendations
If the style of the mask is important, then rest assured there're a variety of cool paintball masks to choose from. Depending on the game you’ll be playing, there’s a brand out there for you. However, take time to consider your needs and the features each mask comes with. This step will ensure proper decision making as you optimize comfort and performance.
The best paintball mask for you should have a defined air ventilation system and offer a full peripheral view. The mask should also be lined with foam or padded for facial comfort.
The lenses of the mask should also be easily removable to ensure simple replacement and quick cleaning. Take time to analyze the market since your comfort and performance on the battlefield all depend upon the mask type and brand!
The best paintball mask for you should have a defined air ventilation system and offer a full peripheral view. The mask should also be lined with foam or padded for facial comfort.
The lenses of the mask should also be easily removable to ensure simple replacement and quick cleaning. Take time to analyze the market since your comfort and performance on the battlefield all depend upon the mask type and brand!