When participating in paintball, the most important piece of safety equipment is the mask. A paintball mask is always necessary. Getting hit on open skin with a paintball is painful, and it leaves a large welt. Getting hit in the eye, nose, or lip can cause even more serious damage and possible emergency treatment. Buying the proper safety gear will alleviate most problems associated with getting hit in the face. While many fields offer masks for rental, it is recommended to purchase one because it can be matched to fit.

While some participants choose only to wear protective goggles, this type of protection is inadequate. A mask is made to cover the entire face, or at a bare minimum, the area above the mouth. A paintball mask can absorb direct hits from any range, whether point-blank or from a distance. They are constructed specifically to withstand the impact of paintball hits. Goggles are more generalized pieces of equipment, and should be avoided. In addition to their specialized craftsmanship, these masks are manufactured to meet the stringent standards of federal guidelines for safety equipment.

The material masks are made of is very important, but several different materials will work well. Some are made of rubber or foam, but most are made from various forms of plastic. The material of a mask is especially important in the viewing area, because it is not only important to protect against impact, but it must allow the player to see with a clear field of view. Anyone who has worn a bad mask knows how frustrating it can be when it is impossible to see.

The best masks have a viewing area made of an anti-fog material. Foggy lenses are the ultimate annoyance in a game, and it often tempts players to remove their masks altogether, thus removing any form of protection they once had. Many an accident has occurred exactly for this reason, and it is hard to blame the player. Bad masks fog up so badly, it reduces visibility to exactly zero.

The next most important decision is the foam padding. This can make a huge difference in comfort. For players who are only engaged in short games, the padding is less important, but for those who like to play for hours on end, comfort is a huge factor. The best masks use either open-cell padding or two-layer foam. The open-cell padding is considered the best and is likened to memory foam.

The last factor to consider is style. Style is not so important when it comes to safety and practicality, but a stylish paintball mask can make a big psychological difference in a player’s game.