Whether you’re switching from Paintball to Airsoft or you just like paintball masks better than airsoft ones, you might be curious as to how well a paintball mask holds up in an airsoft field. It is definitely possible to play airsoft with a paintball mask, provided that you understand its pros and cons.
A paintball mask provides better protection than fabric airsoft masks and is hence a good defensive measure. Paintball masks look cool and protect your face better than airsoft fabric masks. However, they are heavier and hotter, which can hinder your shooting efficiency and lower your speed.
In this article, we will dive deeper into the pros and cons of wearing paintball masks in airsoft games, alongside the validity and context of each advantage and disadvantage. Towards the end, you will find my recommendations for the best paintball masks for Airsoft, alongside some frequently asked questions. But first, let’s go over the pros and cons at a glance.
| Pros of paintball masks for Airsoft | Cons of paintball masks for Airsoft |
| Hard Polycarbonate Material offers great protection | They don’t work with Airsoft Helmets |
| Paintball masks can be high-techThey look better | They might not always be allowed on Airsoft fields |
| They provide headcover | Paintball masks can be heavyPaintball masks can get hot |
| They can protect your face if you fall | Paintball masks set a target on your head |
Paintball Mask For Airsoft: A Brief Overview
Paintball masks are designed to provide two-fold protection since paintball projectiles can hurt on impact and produce a stain-leaving splatter of paint. These masks often cover the eyes and a portion of the face. Over the last decade, paintball masks have been adopted by cosplayers, which has opened up the market for masks designed after movie characters from superhero franchises.
All of these bring us to the general conclusion that paintball masks are generally protective, cover a broad area, and look good. To what extent this translates to advantages in the airsoft field is yet to be seen. For that, we need a deeper dive into the pros of paintball masks in this context.
The Pros Of Using A Paintball Mask For Airsoft
In this section, we go over the main advantages of opting for a paintball mask for airsoft games. Most of these pros are related to paintball masks’ material and construction. Some of these features are also available in airsoft masks made from hard shell materials. For other materials, check out my article on airsoft mask materials.
Hard Polycarbonate Material Offers Great Protection
Paintball masks are usually made with Polycarbonate material and have a design where goggles and face-cover and integrated into a single design. Because of that, Paintball masks cover a larger area, and their hard shell structure can protect your face from Airsoft BBs.
Paintball Masks Can Be High-Tech
Since masks are pretty much mandatory in Paintball and optional in Airsoft, it is reasonable for paintball masks to be more advanced in some ways. There are paintball masks with in-built fans for ventilation, as well as masks that can house Go-Pro cameras for game-tracking. In contrast, mesh masks used in Airsoft are pretty low-tech.
They Look Better
Paintball masks look better than Airsoft masks. That much is certain. They offer full face coverage, which makes room for creative design. From Deadpool-style masks to full Deathstroke masks, almost every comic book antihero and villain masks are available in the paintball mask section. Good luck trying to find even a range of colors in the Airsoft aisle, though.
How much does appearance matter to you? Being honest about this question will help you figure out which way you should lean. If you really value looking cool on the field, then you don’t really have a choice. You have to go with a paintball mask. But if you value speed and agility, you’ll find a few fabric masks that look decent.
They Provide Headcover
Even hard material Airsoft masks fair to protect the back of your head. Many paintball masks incorporate a helmet, which provides cover for the entire head. They also protect the ears, which is important since ears are very sensitive to Airsoft BBs.
They Can Protect Your Face If You Fall
It is not uncommon for players to trip during an Airsoft game. If your hands are occupied, you can fall face-first, which can incapacitate you for a while or even result in a medical emergency. Paintball masks are hard-shell masks which means they stay rigid, unlike fabric masks. Needless to say, they’re much better at protecting a player if he falls.
The Cons Of Using A Paintball Mask For Airsoft
Most of the disadvantages of paintball masks in airsoft fields have to do with the masks’ compatibility with the rest of the airsoft equipment. But when these masks work, they work wonders. So make sure to judge each drawback in this section based on context, as some of these might not even apply to your situation.
They Don’t Work With Airsoft Helmets
Most airsoft masks are helmet-style masks, and if you already have an airsoft helmet, you might have to let it get dusty in your closet as it won’t work with your paintball mask. Paintball masks can also make goggles redundant in many cases as they come with mandatory eye cover. Ironically this eye cover isn’t sufficient for many airsoft fields, which brings us to the next drawback.
They Might Not Always Be Allowed On Airsoft Fields
This is one of the most significant drawbacks of paintball masks. The masks that have mesh eye covers aren’t allowed on airsoft fields because they do not sufficiently protect the eyes. Paintball masks have an eye cover that is designed to protect one from a paint splash. Some airsoft fields have hard rules around eye protection.
This drawback is valid only if the airsoft field has a mandatory eye cover rule and the paintball mask has a mesh eye cover. If the cover is made from hard material, then you can use it, and if the field has no face cover rules, you can even use mesh eye cover masks too.
Paintball Masks Can Be Heavy
Paintball masks have manageable weight. However, they are pretty heavy compared to airsoft mesh masks. There are Airsoft polymer masks that are heavier than airsoft mesh masks. But even the hard shell masks in Airsoft are not as heavy as the paintball masks.
This disadvantage dissipates with time, though. As you get used to a comparatively heavier mask, you can stop noticing the difference. Eventually, your speed is not affected by the mask, which results in almost the same agility as you had before wearing the mask.
At this point, you might wonder why paintball masks are heavier. The simple answer is that your face can get hit when you play Paintball. In contrast, the odds of your face getting hit with an Airsoft BB are quite low. In neither game, players target your face. However, the wider paintball spread can reach your face even if you’re shot in your chest.
Paintball Masks Can Get Hot
Airsoft games can last up to 6 hours. A paintball session lasts 15 minutes before the break. So wearing a mask designed for 15 minutes of continuous use might be unwise, especially if you’re playing in a hot and humid environment. Paintball masks have poor ventilation in an Airsoft context.
The fact that Paintball masks are poor at ventilation and get hot can even be an advantage if you’re playing during winter. But most often, airsoft games aren’t conducted when the mercury drops low enough for a facemask to have any temperature regulation value. Even during winters, if the climate is warm enough to play Airsoft, a fabric mask provides enough of a cover.
Paintball Masks Set A Target On Your Head
Since paintball masks often cover the entire face and come attached to a helmet, they paint a target on your head. Generally, players avoid shooting anyone in the head. Only the players who have a helmet on get shot in the head because they aren’t likely to get hurt. If your face is covered in a large hard-shell mask, other players might think that it is okay to shoot you in the face. Depending on how tough the mask actually is, you might not be as protected as other players assume.
In the worst-case scenario, your rivals assume that your mask is tough enough to take a direct shot, but your mask transfers the impact of the pellet directly to your face. That’s exactly the reason why you need to get the highest quality paintball mask that can actually protect you from airsoft pellets.
Best Paintball Masks For Airsoft
Since breathability and weight are some of the most problematic drawbacks of paintball masks in airsoft games, the best masks are light and have good ventilation. Here are my recommendations for masks that won’t bother you when you play Airsoft and will provide superior protection.
Best For Breathability: Independentthose Tactical Paintball Mask
This mask has enough hard material to prevent airsoft pellets from hitting your face. It covers your entire face and has a lens cover for the eyes instead of the classic paintball mesh eye cover. It has over 450 reviews and ratings that add up to a global collective average of 4.2 stars on a 5-star scale. 72% of the customers have given it 5 or 4 stars.
Best For Mobility: Rinling Paintball Mask
This mask balances breathability with being lightweight. However, it is not as durable as some of the sturdier paintball masks. It can withstand the impact of an airsoft pellet but not at a point-blank range. Moreover, it cannot withstand metal BBs from a BB gun. Still, it provides better face protection than the average airsoft mask.
With over 200 reviews and ratings, this mask also has a 4.2-star average on a 5-star scale. 78% of its customers have given it 4 or 5 stars, which is quite promising. These reviews are most likely in a paintball context, and since airsoft games need less protection, this mask can exceed your expectations.
Best For Durability And Protection: Carbon Paintball Full Head Coverage Mask
This mask can slow you down a little because of a noticeably heavier weight burden. However, it is one of the most sturdy options and comes with a well-vented structure that can help you keep your cool. Airsoft masks can have polymer construction, but this paintball mask is a polymer head cover on steroids. That is why it has a 4.5-star average, which is very rare for paintball masks. 82% of the customers have given it 5 or 4 stars, and its comfort is rated at 4 out of 5 stars.
Paintball Mask For Airsoft: The Faqs
Now that you know not just the pros and cons of wearing paintball masks for airsoft games but also the best paintball masks to wear to your next one let’s go over some of the frequently asked questions regarding the topic.
Can A Paintball Mask Protect From Airsoft Pellets?
Paintball masks can protect from airsoft pellets, provided that the pellets are not shot at point-blank range. Paintball masks with lense eye-cover are best for face protection in airsoft games.
What Is The Difference Between An Airsoft Mask And A Paintball Mask?
An airsoft mask is generally lighter and built for accidental impact defense. Paintball masks are built to minimize intentional shots, which is why they are sturdier and rarely made of fabric.
Can You Wear An Airsoft Mask To A Paintball Game?
You cannot wear an airsoft fabric or mesh mask to a paintball game. Some airsoft polymer masks might be accepted in a paintball game. It is best to stick to paintball masks for paintball games.
Can You Wear Any Paintball Mask To Any Airsoft Game?
You cannot wear mesh-eye paintball masks to airsoft fields with full-face protection requirements. Fields without such requirements accept all types of masks, including paintball masks and no masks.
Should You Buy An Airsoft Mask If You Have A Paintball Mask?
You don’t have to buy an airsoft mask if you can cover your face with a paintball mask without compromising your speed and agility. But you should not continue using it if it hinders your performance in any way.