Choosing the right paintball mask is a very important decision, other than your paintball gun, it’s the only mandatory gear.  While getting hit with a paintball is not necessarily the fun part of this game, it may hurt, but won’t cause any real damage… unless you get hit in the eye!  Getting hit directly in the eyeball with a paintball can cause blindness.  This is why wearing a paintball mask is mandatory every time you practice or play paintball. 

Fit, function and protection are the main things to look for when making your selection; this article will help you know what to look for in a good paintball mask.  If you have already done a bit of shopping, you know there are LOTS of options to choose from.  Most will offer adjustable straps and several accessory options (such as tinted lenses, visor fans, etc.).  Here are a few of the options you will encounter when deciding which paintball mask is best for you…  

Lenses
Lenses are available in numerous colors.  This not only give you several cool looking options – but different colors may also be better suited to various lighting conditions and game play types.  Clear is the most obvious choice and is a good all-around lens.  A tinted lens will help on a sunny day.  Another popular option is yellow, which will help make your vision more crisp and help with motion awareness.  DYE offers a Dyetanium series lens that is tinted and colored.  You should consider at least the clear and tinted lenses and should always have at least two (a primary and a backup).  Most masks offer interchangeable lenses – this (in my opinion) is a make-or-break issue in choosing the right mask.

Dealing With Fog
Fog is a huge enemy of the paintballer and can cost you the game very quickly.  A couple of ways you can avoid fog is to add a thermal lens and/or goggle fan. A thermal lens is usually a dual-layer lens that has a pocket of air between the two layers.  This is similar to how modern house windows are constructed.  A goggle fan fits above a lens and uses power to constantly move air across the lens to help prevent fogging.  These usually run on a single AA or AAA battery.  Both of these upgrades are available for most masks however the goggle fan is becoming harder to find.  They are however usually well worth the money you’ll spend on the upgrade. 

Venting
Better quality (and more expensive) masks offer ventilation to improve breathing and general comfort from regular air flow.  Venting will also help with communication because a sealed mask will greatly muffle your voice.  Depending on the brand, the ventilation system may be adjustable or have removable panels.  This is very brand-specific, but is definitely something to consider when choosing a mask. 

Extra Protection
Some masks offer extra coverage panels to protect more of your head.  These are usually in the form of extended ear pieces, chin extensions or other panels.  One example is the JT Headshield mask.  It has a setup that protects your entire head.  Some of these options are very cumbersome, so pay attention to balance the need for protection against the weight/bulk of the protection.  You can go too far either way. 

Some Brands to Consider
VForce: Most VForce masks use a single thermal lens, offering extra space for those who wear prescription eyewear.  Despite having a single lens, VForce lenses offer good fog resistance and are easy to change out or remove for cleaning.  VForce also offers some more budget-conscious models.  Many fields use VForce masks for their rentals; they are cheap to buy, solid and sturdy – but have no frills.

DYE: DYE is well known for the materials it uses to manufacture their masks.  They flexible and comfortable, yet offer great protection.  The Dye i4 paintball masks are extremely popular in speedball types of competition.  These are some of the higher priced masks.

JT: JT has been manufacturing masks for decades and has amassed a loyal following.  They offer a multitude of accessories and add-ons and even custom-made options.  JT produces lower end (meaning lower cost), quality paintball masks.

Save Phace: Save Phace paintball masks are a solid hard plastic and have great ventilation and foam pad cushion systems.  This company is known for their custom air brush designs and artwork.

Summary
Take the selection and purchase of your paintball mask very seriously, as you will use it every time you play paintball.  While it is one of the most common pieces of equipment, it is also THE most important.  Look at the different brands and models and what options they offer.  Find the correct mask for your type of play and your budget.  Add all the accessories to make your mask more effective and be sure to wear it always!  Choicepaintballguns.com offers a huge selection of masks, accessories and paintball protective gear at affordable, discount prices.