What are the best ways that you can protect your face during airsoft games? Here are some of the best items to wear:
- A full-face mask
- An airsoft mask
- A paintball mask
- A pair of goggles or protective eyeglasses with a mesh mask, a lower-face protector, or a shemagh
Quick Introduction
Should you cover your face when playing airsoft? Absolutely. It’s one of the top requirements of most airsoft venues and a highly recommended safety measure by experts.
Why? According to a 2017 study, from the year 2005 to 2014, 1965 cases and an estimated 55,060 emergency room visits are non-powder firearms-related injuries on the face and neck. Some get puncture wounds, lacerations, eye injuries, and even broken teeth when hit in these areas.
This is an alarming number, especially since a good chunk of these injuries are on young children. As a result, face protection is recommended by experts, as well as required by many organizers and venue administrators. It’s often strictly applied, too, so don’t think that you can flout the rules.
But what are the best ways to protect your face when playing airsoft? This article will go into detail of the various face protection options that you can go for.
What are the Best Ways to Protect Your Face when Playing Airsoft?
So covering your face with some kind of material is a must when playing airsoft. But what can you use to get effective protection from projectiles?
The good news is, there are lots of solid options to choose from. There’s no need to rack your brains or search far and wide for these items because there are tons available. To make your search simpler and easier, however, here are a few face protection items that you can look into:
A full-face mask
First on the list are the many full-face masks available today. As the name suggests, these items cover the face fully, integrating an eye covering and a lower-face covering. Most of the time, they use different materials for visibility and breathability.
The fascinating thing about full-face masks is that they come in a wide range of designs. Some are made to look like tactical gear, others can resemble motocross protective gear. There are also some designs with various themes so you can go for a unique look while in the battle field.
Full-face masks also tend to use a wide range of materials. Some may use softer materials like wire mesh but many are made of tougher stuff like fiberglass, carbon steel, and different kinds of hard plastic. These offer a myriad of options to buyers.
An airsoft mask
Airsoft masks are also solid options for protecting your face during airsoft games. They can be considered as full-face masks as well since they are designed as such. The only difference is that these items are specifically designed for airsoft.
Among the most common features of airsoft masks are their hard shell material and sun visor detail. They normally use hard materials with small perforations to prevent BBs from getting in contact with the skin underneath. The choice of material also cushions the skin from hits.
The sun visor detail is quite an interesting one as well. It’s a nice addition because most airsoft games are played outside and under the sun. It promises better visuals on your surroundings. However, if you’re planning to pair it with a helmet for better protection, the visor might not be necessary.
A paintball mask
Like airsoft masks, paintball masks are also full-face masks made of hard material. They’re a lot easier to find since paintball requires these protective gear to be worn during their games. Some airsoft players, however, are not too fond of the idea of wearing paintball masks for airsoft games for some reason.
Whatever the case is, if you’re in a pinch and want to make sure that your face is nicely protected from BBs, a paintball mask is also worth considering.
A pair of protective eyewear with a lower-face protector
If you don’t feel like donning a full-face mask during airsoft games, you can also wear a combination of eye protection glasses and a lower-face protector instead. There are lots of options to choose from, allowing you to experiment and find which one works for you the best.
Goggles
High-quality goggles are among the best options you can go for if you want to protect your eyes when playing airsoft. These items are easy to find and are available in a wide range of styles and sizes, so you can ensure your comfort and style.
Safety goggles are top choices for this purpose, however, since they are meant to withstand impact and protect the eyes from them. For airsoft, however, a specific standard is set, the ASTM F2940, making it easier for players to find a suitable protective gear product for their needs.
Safety glasses
In case you can’t get your hands on goggles or if you don’t find them comfortable to wear, safety glasses are good alternatives. There are lots of high-quality options available that are also very easy to find and are quite versatile. If you’re handy, you can definitely use safety glasses outside the airsoft field.
Note, however, that some venues require fully sealed safety eyewear. In such instances, you can’t use these items.
Half-face mask
To fully protect your face, you’ll also need to cover the lower-half of it when wearing protective eyewear. These are meant to cover your nose to chin, preventing projectiles from touching the delicate skin in the area.
The different options for half-face masks vary in terms of design and materials. Some of the most common ones are:
- These are soft but thick with ventilation holes in the front to ensure your comfort.
- Padded nylon. Their thickness guarantees comfort and cushioning against the impact of BBs. Some of them are combined with mesh material for breathability.
- Hard shell. These are often made of tough plastic so they can provide ample protection against projectiles.
Mesh mask
These are also classified as half-face masks but are way more popular than the other types so it’s best to discuss them separately. They can be made of various materials but the ones made of harder materials can be more useful as they will better protect you from projectiles.
These items are highly preferred because of their breathability. Other face coverings can get stuffy and can even cause eyewear to fog.
One downside of mesh masks, however, is that BBs can still get through them. Softer materials can be penetrated by high-velocity projectiles, rendering them useless.
Shemagh, gaiters, and other fabric coverings
Lots of airsoft players also go for fabric garments to cover the lower half of their face. This is a more affordable and comfortable option for some.
Choosing the Best Face Protection Products
How do you choose the best way to protect your face while playing airsoft? Here are some tips:
- Do a lot of research so you can get to know your options well. This article is a great start but you can dig deeper and see what different kinds of face protection products are available to you.
- Consider your comfort. If you’re in a warm and humid area, you might want to weigh your options as sweat and condensation will be a problem for you.
- Consider your budget. Full-face masks might cost you a bit but if you get yourself a high-quality one, they can last a long time and more effectively protect you from projectiles. It’s up to you if you want to skimp or splurge on these items.
Conclusion
There are lots of great ways to protect your face when playing airsoft. However, the best method to go about it is by wearing something durable and protective enough to keep the bbs from touching any area of your face, neck, and head. This way, you can really be sure to protect yourself from potential serious injury.
If you have additional suggestions or questions about the items discussed above, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below. All queries, clarifications, and recommendations are welcome.