Its amazing how many people I see spend over $700 on their rifle and over $250 on their side arm but skimp out on eye protection and go for the cheapest thing they can find. Then they have problems because it hurts their face, it keeps slipping, and, the biggest problem, they can’t see because it fogs up. What good is having a gun that shoots farther and faster than anyone else if you cant see who you’re shooting at? If you’re going to spend big bucks on your guns, batteries, tac-gear, and BDUs then why not just spend a little more money on good face protection. Here’s some things to look for when buying a good facemask.

1. Comfort
You could have the widest view, clearest vision, no-fog system on the market but what good is it if you hate wearing it? Look for something with nice thick soft foam on the goggles. Watch out for cheap goggles that use a foam rubber pad. These will irritate the face as sweat builds up and dust and dirt start to come into play. Also look at the shape of the goggle frame. Some goggles fit narrow heads, some fit larger heads. Getting the wrong shape could push against the nose or cheekbones, which may become painful as you play. Sometimes if the foam is thick enough it can shape itself to your face and allow itself to be used by a wide variety of players. I like JT Paintball masks for their foam. Its very soft and their goggles fit just about everyone.
Also look at the foam on the ear protectors. Does it allow space for your ears or does the mask push your ears into your head? Most goggle systems will use a dense piece of foam as a support to hold the earpiece away from the head. Cheap masks may not even have foam and squeeze the head. This not only makes the mask uncomfortable to wear, but if you get shot in the ear guard you may feel it more. A very important thing to look at is if it even covers the ears. The first line of Dye masks only covered half of the ear on most players. Their new design solves this problem and feels a lot better on the head.

2. Fog Resistance
The most common complaint is that goggles fog up. Cheap goggles claim to have a no-fog coating or treatment. This usually only works for 20 minutes and never stays clear again. Raven had a good no-fog coating on their masks which lasted longer than other brands, but eventually it does wear off. Other goggle systems set the lens farther away from the face and make the goggle volume larger to prevent fog build-up, but that also lasts only so long. The most sure way to prevent fogging is with a thermal lens. A thermal lens is actually 2 lenses combined with an airspace in the middle. You can easily identify this by a black foam gasket that outlines the goggle and separates the 2 lenses. The space between the lenses will build up a slight amount of heat, like a greenhouse or a car parked in the sun. This level of heat is undetectable by players but is enough to prevent water vapors from condensing on the lens and causing fogging. Unlike no-fog coatings and treatments this is a physical piece that won’t wear off.
If you already have goggles that fog up you can use a no-fog spray that is rated for paintball goggles. Majik Spray by JT works very well. However you will need to put it on at least every day you play. DO NOT use no-fog sprays that are not intended for lexan lenses. Windex and other household chemicals will eat away at the lens and make it brittle. Same goes for many other home remedies such as toothpaste, shaving cream, alcohol, soap, bleach, etc. Again, if you spend hundreds of dollars on your gun you can afford $5-10 for some Majik Spray.

3. Construction and Protection
What is the mask built of? Will it fall apart? Does it have large holes that bbs can pass through? Is it made of a soft material that bbs may slip through? These are things to watch out for. The Scott Bad Boy mask offers excellent paintball protection and has a great goggle system, but some of the vents are large enough to shoot through. The JT nForcer and Spectra series give great protection, but bbs can pass right through the flexible lower masks of their Flex7 and Ize masks. Additionally some masks are smaller than others. A mask might totally protect one player but leave another players jaw hanging out. For total protection there is the JT Headshield which covers the entire head in a rigid plastic shell.
Also look at the headband. Good masks have rubber or silicone on the band to add grip and prevent the mask from slipping off. Cheap masks dont have much grip and tend to slip off. Cheap masks also have cheap elastic that can stretch out over time and use.
One other key feature in the goggle’s structure is the field of view. Some offer more peripheral (side) vision than others. A good example is the JT Elite vs. the JT Spectra. The elite offers the same features as the spectra (thermal lens, thick foam, good headband) but its field of view is narrower. I highly recommend something with good peripheral vision. Almost all goggle companies such as JT, DYE, Vforce, Raven, Scott, and PMI offer something with a wide field of view.

4. Bells and Whistles
Lots of masks can be accessorized. Different lenses are available in different colors and tints to suit the player. Some masks can be fitted with fans to increase fog resistance. Some can even be fitted with communication devices. Masks by JT and Dye can be accessorized with special ear guards that have built in radio headsets. Not to mention almost all masks can be customized with different color goggle frames, face shields, ear guards, and headbands. This, however, is all up to the user.
So, find a good mask and most important of all, USE IT. You can have the perfect mask but its not going to do you any good sitting in a bag with your gas and bbs. Protect yourself and have fun.

Editorial Note:
Grant Woo has been modifying and repairing airsoft guns for over 8 years. In 2003, he opened his own store called Impact Games. You can visit his store at:
Impact Games
98-027 Hekaha Unit3-19
808.488.4120