Top 5 paintball masks

Many would argue that in paintball your choice of mask is much more crucial than your choice of marker. If you're a new player just getting in to paintball, or if you're an experienced paintballer who is in the market for a new mask, here is a short list (in no particular order) of some popular mask choices, and why they are usually considered appealing. No one mask is the 'best' for all players, and whatever your experience level, hopefully this list provides some insight into the merits of different masks available, and which one is right for you.

1. Empire Helix

If you're a beginner getting in to paintball, or if you just want an affordable mask that wont fog up on you, you should seriously consider a Helix. If you want to play paintball even a few times a year, perhaps hold off on buying a marker until you invest in a mask with a dual-paned lens. Almost any field will be able to rent you a marker that gets the job done, but few fields offer masks with dual-pane lenses, and when your mask fogs up on you mid-game, you cant really play if you cant really see. The helix comes with a dual-pane lens, and coupled with the ample ventilation, the Helix is extremely resistant to fogging. While it may not be as fog resistant as some $100+ masks, the low cost and effectiveness of this mask make it an excellent choice for any paintballer on a budget. 

2. JT Spectra Flex-8 Full Cover

Many paintballers want a mask that covers the entirety of their head, not just their face. You may desire a full coverage mask because you are new to the sport and are intimidated by the idea of headshots, or because your job or social life doesnt exactly mesh with goose-eggs and bruises on your head. There are quite a few full coverage masks on the market that cover the entirety of your head, but many of them have a significant increase in lens fogging due to the lack of ventilation. The Flex-8 Full Cover offers total protection but doesnt sacrifice ventilation. The entire mask is covered in vents and it comes standard with a dual-pane lens, so while it still may be more susceptible to fogging than a similar mask that only covers the face, it is easily one of the best combinations of full head protection and visibility available.

3. Vforce Grillz

This mask offers excellent visibility, ventilation, and all models come standard with two different lenses, a clear one and a tinted one for outdoor play. The included lenses are single pane and have a fog resistant coating on the inside. If the coating has worn off or if players desire a dual-pane lens, Vforce makes a huge variety of different dual-pane lenses that can be purchased separately. The mask is made of a pliable rubber, which makes it appealing to scenario players who use markers with a stock and/or optics. The soft rubber and low profile of the mask allow players to press their cheek against the stock of the marker and get behind any optics or sights they may have equipped.

4. Dye I4

Largely considered to have the best visibility available in any mask by a large number of paintballers, the I4 offers absolutely unparalleled visibility and ventilation, but sacrifices protection to achieve it. Put simply, the I4 is a massive dual-pane lens with a tiny mask attached, and while on most players it doesn’t obstruct their field of view in the slightest, they will feel almost every headshot, due to how little of the head is covered by the mask. The majority of I4 owners are experienced paintballers that don’t take as many headshots as the average beginner, and when they do they are less affected by the pain, but that being said, almost all I4 users combine the mask with a hat or padded headband to make up for the total lack of forehead protection. Players with larger heads will also notice that most of their lower jaw is left exposed, but that is less of a concern due to the difference in to the jaw t vs a hit to forehead. While having less coverage might not be considered a benefit to a mask, it means the mask has an incredibly low profile, and scenario players who use stocks and optics often favour the Dye I4 simply because there is almost no mask on your cheeks to interfere with getting behind your sights. The lens change system on the I4 is the fastest and easiest of any masks, making switching between lenses a 30 second process. The I4 is available in a huge variety of colours and patterns, and there is a near endless different variety of lenses available, all of them dual-paned.

5. Sly Profit

What sets this mask apart from all others is how comfortable it is to wear. Most players who have worn a Profit agree that it is easily the most comfortable mask on the market, and it offers excellent visibility to boot. A plush, felt-lined foam surrounds the lens and covers the ear pads. This foam absorbs most of the impact from any headshots as well as makes the mask feel great to wear. Unlike almost all other masks, the Profit offers two adjustable goggle straps instead of one, providing a comfortable fit that wont move around on your head while you're playing . The lens is dual-pane, and the mask has plenty of ventilation, so fog should rarely ever occur. It should be noted that all that plush foam on the ear pads has a tendency to reduce your ability to hear, but most players will not notice. Many players that are aware of the hearing loss consider it well worth the added comfort and fit the Profit provides.