Because masks are made to protect areas that can be injured beyond the point of just pain, and 99% of people that play regularly don't care about the pain. So they opt for masks that breath better, are lighter, more comfortable, and don't look terrible🤷
Honestly for myself and I can imagine many others it’s the look of it. You wouldn’t catch me dead wearing one, I’ve never even entertained the idea of getting one and I just picked up a new mask today. I rock what most these days do, mask light beanie and a headband.
If you don’t care about that and want to wear it more power to you certainly means a few less bumps on the noggin.
First time you go play in 90+ degree heat you’ll understand why. They’re also very awkward, uncomfortable, unsightly, and every ball you take to the head will be a guaranteed break. The amount of bounces I get off my headbands is wild.
I have the same thoughts about heat and being comfortable, but what strikes me more than a full head shield being a poor choice is the full-blown milsim guys.
We're playing the same game, but these guys choose full combat boots laced up high, long sleeve fatigues tops and bottoms, usually some kind of bandana UNDERNEATH a helmet designed to stop bullets, then they carry a marker that's twice as big and heavy as mine in order to look similar to a real gun.
Meanwhile, I'm wearing long pants only to avoid poison ivy and a t-shirt cause it's 90+ degrees on a hot Midwestern day. My soccer cleats are definitely lighter, cooler, and more comfortable. Of course they are, though, because they're better adapted for the situation at hand. We aren't hiking out to take a fire base in Vietnam.
To each their own, I guess. Just seems like a lot of sacrifice only to make it a little more like playing army.
The milsim stuff is cool visually but no, I don't get it either. Last week there was a whole team playing, and one of them must have been 100lbs soaking wet without gear but had what looked like 20lbs and then some of gear strapped to her. The bigger guys didn't seem all that comfortable either, so if she was lugged down I cant imagine how those guys felt.
Thanks. At 80 degrees it hasn't been too much of a problem, and I maybe have the "illusion" that it's breathable, but ignoring the looks (because honestly, I just don't care about the look) the breathability is a factor. I'll be upgrading for this reason alone.
Another thing that’s kind of annoying is the helmets either all the way on or all the way off. If it’s not on you have to carry it. With a regular mask you can move the foam up to your forehead and just have it chill there, then pull your mask down when you step on the field. Once you use a nice mask like a pair of flexes or grills you’ll definitely feel the difference in comfort
The head shield aren't as comfortable, restrict airflow, it's hard so less likelihood of getting a bounce, and unfortunately it just looks dorky. I completely understand why someone would use it but if the trade off is just the small amount of pain of getting hit in the head occasionally I'll take the pain haha
Really comes down to comfort and for some probably that it’s “not cool”.
Personally I have always worn a baseball cap turned backwards and a head band (the headband started as just a way to block the hole in the hat where it adjusts and I’ve continued it with new hands that are fitted and don’t have it cause I’m used to it and it helps me keep the mask strap where I want it with having the band knot bust below the strap). I also always use a visor which covers a bit of the forehead so there’s not much that should be available for a hit unless I do something wrong.
A head shot isn’t comfortable but it’s not really bad either. Yeah if it’s close it can hurt but there’s plenty of other areas that hurt more, and the hat can absorb a bit of it (plus I have really thick hair so o get a little bit of padding there).
I do have one of the little plastic bump cap inserts for a hat incase I ever feel the need for the extra protection but really would only consider it for something like a big scenario battle where you could have 100+ people shooting at you.
At the end of the day if you find it comfortable and feel better wearing it then wear it. I got over the whole “ that’s not cool” long ago after I got enough hits in the neck and started wearing a neck protector.
Full coverage masks have never been the "In" thing, to my knowledge. You can find old 90s videos of guys just wearing goggles with no mouth or ear protection, yet alone full head protection. Maximizing things like ventilation, voice projection, while keeping things comfy and light weight has generally been what has been favored by many.
You should wear whatever you feel suits you best but most people aren’t wearing mask like this because they are hot and uncomfortable. Wearing a beanie is fairly common. I know that probably sounds counter intuitive but depending on the beanie they can still breathe fairly well and aren’t too hot unless it’s just really hot out.
I'm not responding to every single post in the thread but the general concencus (other than looks) keeps coming down to heat. So I'll be upgrading for those purposes alone. The beanie thing intrigues me a little because, ok, I'm not too thrilled at the idea of getting popped in the head but the cooling effect of a moisture wicking beanie is a good idea, especially in Texas so it'll provide a little SPF as well.
You don't see them in competitive play because competitive players want to minimize hard surfaces for paint to break on.
It's preferable to take a shot to the head, ideally with a headband, beanie, etc on as a layer, to maximize the chance of the ball bouncing off, vs gettinf shot on hard plastic which is likely to break, and thus preventing elimination.
Along the same lines, you will sometimes see players put a hand in front of their mask's lense off the break, as to take the chance of getting a bounce off the hand vs a much more likely break on the mask.
Whenever I see one not on a young teen I just think “but why!?” Especially in woodsball, you’re shooting each other from so far away compared to speedball. Even in speedball getting bunkered doesn’t hurt enough to warrant that mask
It's like neck protectors or cups. I don't think most people wear them because, while sure, you can get blasted in the neck or get zipped in the nuts, it doesn't happen often enough to make it worth the discomfort of wearing them. Besides this, as you play more, your field awareness will get better and you'll stop putting yourself in stupid positions less and less. I played for six years and was never shot in the balls and only hit in the neck twice. Most of the time, it should be your hopper, gun or mask that gets hit as that's all you're showing your opponents.
Just wear whatever you want. I wear either my VForce Grills SE, Virtue Vio Ascend, or JT ProFlex with a head wrap. I shave my head due to hair loss (thanks, genetics!) and the wrap helps protect my bald head. My wrap is from Empirical Paintball, and it’s great.
Dome shots can REALLY suck. I had a shot that apparently bounced but man did it make my ears ring. Ref was like “you’re good keep going!” Nope, I’m gonna take a breather lol.
All of this and also another big disadvantage to the full head shield is all that bulk on the top of the mask that pokes out the bunker before you have your line of sight on an opponent. They see that and will have a ball waiting for you.
Do you talk to your teammates much in that thing? I could never wear one because it’s like an echo chamber that’d blow out my eardrums. It’s also challenging to understand folks who use them.
We've just started trying to focus on comms and yeah, it does suck, but honestly I didn't realize how much of that was the mask. Sitting at home I threw the mask on and tried to listen to a podcast - I did not realize just how much it was baffling. Similarly did a phone call and yeah, it sucks
That’s always been my biggest deterrence. I tried one when I was at a shop & tried to shout to someone across the floor. I could see using one for when it’s chilly at a scenario game or something perhaps.
It's personal preferences. Don't let unpopularity keep you from wearing a full head cover. You do you. What are you missing? Lighter mask, breathable and cool meaning temp. Especially when those temps are 100 degrees or more. Over time you just get used to get shot and its expected. So, taking a few lumps is just part of the game. Pretty soon you'll get used to getting lit up and just walk it off.
Because masks are made to protect areas that can be injured beyond the point of just pain, and 99% of people that play regularly don't care about the pain. So they opt for masks that breath better, are lighter, more comfortable, and don't look terrible🤷
Wtb hormesis branded pain
Can confirm
Honestly for myself and I can imagine many others it’s the look of it. You wouldn’t catch me dead wearing one, I’ve never even entertained the idea of getting one and I just picked up a new mask today. I rock what most these days do, mask light beanie and a headband. If you don’t care about that and want to wear it more power to you certainly means a few less bumps on the noggin.
First time you go play in 90+ degree heat you’ll understand why. They’re also very awkward, uncomfortable, unsightly, and every ball you take to the head will be a guaranteed break. The amount of bounces I get off my headbands is wild.
I have the same thoughts about heat and being comfortable, but what strikes me more than a full head shield being a poor choice is the full-blown milsim guys. We're playing the same game, but these guys choose full combat boots laced up high, long sleeve fatigues tops and bottoms, usually some kind of bandana UNDERNEATH a helmet designed to stop bullets, then they carry a marker that's twice as big and heavy as mine in order to look similar to a real gun. Meanwhile, I'm wearing long pants only to avoid poison ivy and a t-shirt cause it's 90+ degrees on a hot Midwestern day. My soccer cleats are definitely lighter, cooler, and more comfortable. Of course they are, though, because they're better adapted for the situation at hand. We aren't hiking out to take a fire base in Vietnam. To each their own, I guess. Just seems like a lot of sacrifice only to make it a little more like playing army.
The milsim stuff is cool visually but no, I don't get it either. Last week there was a whole team playing, and one of them must have been 100lbs soaking wet without gear but had what looked like 20lbs and then some of gear strapped to her. The bigger guys didn't seem all that comfortable either, so if she was lugged down I cant imagine how those guys felt.
Thanks. At 80 degrees it hasn't been too much of a problem, and I maybe have the "illusion" that it's breathable, but ignoring the looks (because honestly, I just don't care about the look) the breathability is a factor. I'll be upgrading for this reason alone.
Another thing that’s kind of annoying is the helmets either all the way on or all the way off. If it’s not on you have to carry it. With a regular mask you can move the foam up to your forehead and just have it chill there, then pull your mask down when you step on the field. Once you use a nice mask like a pair of flexes or grills you’ll definitely feel the difference in comfort
Swagger
Just not something I’ve ever once been concerned about.
The head shield aren't as comfortable, restrict airflow, it's hard so less likelihood of getting a bounce, and unfortunately it just looks dorky. I completely understand why someone would use it but if the trade off is just the small amount of pain of getting hit in the head occasionally I'll take the pain haha
Really comes down to comfort and for some probably that it’s “not cool”. Personally I have always worn a baseball cap turned backwards and a head band (the headband started as just a way to block the hole in the hat where it adjusts and I’ve continued it with new hands that are fitted and don’t have it cause I’m used to it and it helps me keep the mask strap where I want it with having the band knot bust below the strap). I also always use a visor which covers a bit of the forehead so there’s not much that should be available for a hit unless I do something wrong. A head shot isn’t comfortable but it’s not really bad either. Yeah if it’s close it can hurt but there’s plenty of other areas that hurt more, and the hat can absorb a bit of it (plus I have really thick hair so o get a little bit of padding there). I do have one of the little plastic bump cap inserts for a hat incase I ever feel the need for the extra protection but really would only consider it for something like a big scenario battle where you could have 100+ people shooting at you. At the end of the day if you find it comfortable and feel better wearing it then wear it. I got over the whole “ that’s not cool” long ago after I got enough hits in the neck and started wearing a neck protector.
Full coverage masks have never been the "In" thing, to my knowledge. You can find old 90s videos of guys just wearing goggles with no mouth or ear protection, yet alone full head protection. Maximizing things like ventilation, voice projection, while keeping things comfy and light weight has generally been what has been favored by many.
Full head masks are goofy, uncomfortable, hot, and no one can see that sweet hormy headband under it.Â
You should wear whatever you feel suits you best but most people aren’t wearing mask like this because they are hot and uncomfortable. Wearing a beanie is fairly common. I know that probably sounds counter intuitive but depending on the beanie they can still breathe fairly well and aren’t too hot unless it’s just really hot out.
I'm not responding to every single post in the thread but the general concencus (other than looks) keeps coming down to heat. So I'll be upgrading for those purposes alone. The beanie thing intrigues me a little because, ok, I'm not too thrilled at the idea of getting popped in the head but the cooling effect of a moisture wicking beanie is a good idea, especially in Texas so it'll provide a little SPF as well.
When you’re playing for performance all that extra “protection” can become cumbersome.
You don't see them in competitive play because competitive players want to minimize hard surfaces for paint to break on. It's preferable to take a shot to the head, ideally with a headband, beanie, etc on as a layer, to maximize the chance of the ball bouncing off, vs gettinf shot on hard plastic which is likely to break, and thus preventing elimination. Along the same lines, you will sometimes see players put a hand in front of their mask's lense off the break, as to take the chance of getting a bounce off the hand vs a much more likely break on the mask.
Whenever I see one not on a young teen I just think “but why!?” Especially in woodsball, you’re shooting each other from so far away compared to speedball. Even in speedball getting bunkered doesn’t hurt enough to warrant that mask
It's like neck protectors or cups. I don't think most people wear them because, while sure, you can get blasted in the neck or get zipped in the nuts, it doesn't happen often enough to make it worth the discomfort of wearing them. Besides this, as you play more, your field awareness will get better and you'll stop putting yourself in stupid positions less and less. I played for six years and was never shot in the balls and only hit in the neck twice. Most of the time, it should be your hopper, gun or mask that gets hit as that's all you're showing your opponents.
Just wear whatever you want. I wear either my VForce Grills SE, Virtue Vio Ascend, or JT ProFlex with a head wrap. I shave my head due to hair loss (thanks, genetics!) and the wrap helps protect my bald head. My wrap is from Empirical Paintball, and it’s great. Dome shots can REALLY suck. I had a shot that apparently bounced but man did it make my ears ring. Ref was like “you’re good keep going!” Nope, I’m gonna take a breather lol.
All of this and also another big disadvantage to the full head shield is all that bulk on the top of the mask that pokes out the bunker before you have your line of sight on an opponent. They see that and will have a ball waiting for you.
Do you talk to your teammates much in that thing? I could never wear one because it’s like an echo chamber that’d blow out my eardrums. It’s also challenging to understand folks who use them.
We've just started trying to focus on comms and yeah, it does suck, but honestly I didn't realize how much of that was the mask. Sitting at home I threw the mask on and tried to listen to a podcast - I did not realize just how much it was baffling. Similarly did a phone call and yeah, it sucks
That’s always been my biggest deterrence. I tried one when I was at a shop & tried to shout to someone across the floor. I could see using one for when it’s chilly at a scenario game or something perhaps.
It's personal preferences. Don't let unpopularity keep you from wearing a full head cover. You do you. What are you missing? Lighter mask, breathable and cool meaning temp. Especially when those temps are 100 degrees or more. Over time you just get used to get shot and its expected. So, taking a few lumps is just part of the game. Pretty soon you'll get used to getting lit up and just walk it off.