So, you have finally picked out the perfect shooting equipment. 'What's next?' you might ask. The next and probably the most important step is for you to get kitted up with the proper paintballing protective gear.
As much as it is important to get a proper marker and other shooting equipment, acquiring an adequate protective kit is even more essential (safety should always come first). The impact from paintballs could lead to mild injuries if it hits your bare skin or more serious injuries if it hits delicate parts of your body like the eyes, ears, or crotch area.
Paintballing requires a lot of maneuvers including sliding, crouching, jumping, and rolling on the ground in order to make your way around the battlefield without getting shot. Therefore, without wearing the proper protective gear, injuries can be sustained while carrying out these actions.
I remember my first-time paintballing; I went home with so many bruises on my body, not because I was a novice attempting the game for the first time but because I was poorly kitted up. I got bruises on my ankles, hands, thighs, and neck. My overalls were quite light which did not prevent the impact from the paintballs from leaving a mark, my neck was not protected properly, and I did not wear the proper shoes, nor did I use gloves. It became apparent that I had to invest in better gear to get the best experience.
Common paintball injuries include bruise marks on the skin and bruises or light bleeding on the hands caused by the impact from the paintballs when hit, then shooters could also trip and fall which could cause cuts or sprains. Most of these common problems can be prevented simply by wearing proper protective gear.
I will be discussing extensively the best protective clothing for paintball that would keep you safe throughout the battle. With the worries of getting injured out of the way, you can be more confident on the battlefield and take more precise and daring shots.
Note: Although I wouldn't categorize a mask as "paintball clothing" per se, I am going to talk about paintball masks here! Always play paintball with a mask! Always! (enough said!)
So, let's get into it.
I believe the headgear is the most important piece of the paintballing protective gear every shooter should always have on during the game. The headgear protects the most vital and delicate parts of our body which if injured could lead to serious medical issues. Delicate parts such as the eyes, ears, mouth, and nose.
There are different kinds of headgears for paintball. We have masks that fully cover the head (both face and rear) and we also have masks that just simply cover the face and leaves the rear open.
The chances of getting hit at the back of the head are quite low but not impossible. Especially with beginners, there could be cases of unintentional friendly fires.
However, I prefer the full coverage masks because they protect both your front and rear. Even though shots at the back of the head are rare, I still feel more secure knowing the back of my head is just as protected as the front.
I'll be highlighting my overall best and best budget full coverage masks then the overall best and best budget face masks that don't cover the rear.
Our pick for overall best full coverage headgear is the JT Spectra Flex 8 Full Head and Face Coverage Thermal Paintball Goggles. This headgear is valued at about $85 and weighs 1lb.
This helmet is suitable for both airsoft and paintball. With the quality of this helmet and the price, it is a common choice for professional shooters and beginners.
Its main features include:
The best budget headgear has to be the Empire X-Ray V2.1 Thermal Protector Goggle. This headgear costs about $52 and it provides full head protection for shooters making it perfect for beginners and professionals alike.
This helmet gives shooters the option of removing the back cover or keeping it on to ensure maximum protection. I recommend leaving it on unless you find it uncomfortable.
Its main features include:
Our overall best paintball face mask is the Dye i5 paintball mask which costs a little below $200 and weighs 12.6 ounces.
This is an extremely lightweight quality mask and it offers full facial protection and is equipped with top-notch inner paddings that provide maximum comfort. This paintball mask is viewed by a lot of shooters as one of the best paintball masks currently in the market.
Its main features include:
Our pick for the best budget paintball face mask is the Empire 63458 Paintball Mask Helix Thermal which costs about $40 and weighs 14.4 ounces.
This mask has some great features and is quite decent in terms of quality given the price. It is made from hard plastic which offers full frontal protection.
Its main features include:
Neck protectors are often neglected by a lot of shooters because neck shots are not so common. However, the skin around the neck is much softer and can easily bruise if a paintball lands a direct hit.
The impact of paintballs can lead to light bleeding. So, it is advisable to wear some form of protection around the neck.
Some shooters make use of scarfs or neck gaiters while some make use of neck guards. I recommend using the guard given that most guards are quite affordable; they usually cost around $20 or less
Our overall best neck protector is the Dye Performance Neck Protector which costs about $25 and weighs about 1.92 ounces.
This one size fits all neck protector is a common pick, especially for woodsball games. It is equipped with reinforced padding around the throat area making impacts from paintballs have little or no effect. The inner part is made of a soft and breathable material. It comes in two colors (black and camo)
Our best budget pick is the Exalt Neck Protector which costs about $12 and weighs 0.8 ounces.
This neck protector is extremely lightweight and offers full protection to the neck area. Its ergonomic design makes it comfortable to wear and permits it to accommodate the twist and turns of the neck muscles.
As mentioned earlier, the game of paintball involves lots of movement and maneuvering around obstacles. You'll have to lay on the ground, crouch, run, and probably jump just to keep up with the speed of the game. That is why it is essential to wear proper chest paddings which protect you from sustaining any serious injuries.
The chest is perhaps the easiest and largest part of the body that enemies can target. So, it is important to keep it protected. Chest protectors are usually worn over paintball jerseys.
The GZ XINXING Black Tactical Paintball Vest is our top pick for best chest protector. This tactical vest costs about $47 and offers lots of unique features that make it a suitable option for professional shooters.
This vest comes with adjustable straps to accommodate different chest sizes (maximum chest size of 50") and Velcro straps that can be adjusted to fit different shoulder lengths. The vest can be used for either paintballing or airsoft.
Its main features include:
Our pick for the best budget is the Maddog Padded Paintball & Airsoft Chest Protector which costs about $24 and weighs 10.4 ounces. This lightweight chest protector is a perfect choice for beginners as it is not only is it affordable, but it also provides maximum protection.
Its main features are:
Paintballing requires a lot of dirty groundwork such as crawling and crouching which means that your legs must be well protected to avoid getting bruises and cuts all over.
There are fully padded paintball pants and lightweight paintball pants and we will be considering the overall best, best runner-up, and best budget for these two categories of protective pants.
Our overall best-padded paintball pants are the HK Army Hardline Paintball Pants. These tournament-ready pants are valued at about $150.
They are extremely comfortable and sturdy making them a common choice amongst pro tournament shooters. These pants are well-padded and give room for maximum maneuverability on the battlefield.
The paddings around the hips and knees make it safe to slide and crawl on the ground without sustaining any injuries. It comes in different colors and sizes from small to XXL meaning there is a size for everyone.
Its main features include:
Our pick for best runner-up padded paintball pants is the Exalt Paintball T4 Pants which is priced close to $120.
The pant comes in a black/grey color option and in different sizes as well ranging from small to XL. The pants are extremely sturdy and provide maximum protection while on the battlefield.
Its main features include:
Our best budget padded paintball pants are the Valken V-TAC Sierra Paintball Pants which can be purchased for close to $50.
These military designed pants are extremely sturdy and offer decent protection while on the battlefield. It is a great pick for woodsball games.
Its main features include:
Our overall best lightweight pant is the Empire F7 Contact Zero Paintball Pants. The price of these pants varies with sizes. You should find these pants for under $200.
These extremely lightweight pants offer quality protection while providing top-notch flexibility and ventilation. They are often viewed by a lot of shooters as the lightest and strongest paintball pants in the market.
Its main features include:
Our pick for best runner-up lightweight pants is the Bunker Kings Featherlite Fly Paintball Pants. The pants are valued at about $120 and weigh only about 15 ounces.
It has one color option and comes in different sizes. These pants are extremely lightweight and sturdy, making them suitable for pro shooters who need something that is rugged and can last.
The pants are made from a material that does not absorb sweat or water meaning you'll always feel dry while wearing these pants. It is also important to point out that no metal features can be found on these pants (no zippers nor buttons)
Its main features include:
Finally, our best budget lightweight pants are the HK Army HSTL Line Pants. The cost of the pants varies with different sizes. The price ranges from $80-$100.
These pants offer an affordable option to obtain quality lightweight paintball pants. The pants come in different sizes ranging from small to XXL.
Its main features include:
Paintballing requires a lot of crawling and crouching and playing without knee pads could lead to bruises and cuts to the knee. Padded paintball pants are equipped with sufficient paddings in the knee area meaning there is really no need to wear knee pads.
However, if you are wearing a lightweight paintball pant which has no knee paddings, then it is essential for you to get knee pads. A large percentage of the time playing paintball is spent with you on your knee; either trying to take a shot or hiding for cover behind a bunker.
Therefore, the importance of knee pads in the game of paintball cannot be overemphasized.
I would like to categorize kneepads into two main types which are the lightweight kneepads and the heavy-duty kneepads.
This type of kneepad is commonly used on softer turfs and terrains. My top two lightweight kneepads are:
1. Empire Neo-skin knee pads
The price for this kneepad ranges between $40-$80 depending on the size. This kneepad is extremely lightweight and minimalistic.
This kneepad, unlike most kneepads, does not come with an adjustable Velcro strap to ensure a firm fit. So, it is particularly important to get your perfect size when picking one out.
Its main features include:
2. Exalt free flex knee pads
This kneepad is valued at about $55 and would be my “Best Overall” for this category, just because of the Velcro straps and ability to create a perfect fit. This kneepad balances a proper amount of padding with the right amount of flexibility and breathability.
This kneepad is extremely comfortable and provides maximum protection making a top choice for pro shooters. They come in different sizes ranging from small to extra-large.
Its main features include:
This type of kneepad is suitable for rougher terrains (ideal for woodsball games). Heavy-duty kneepads greatly reduce the risk of sustaining an injury when playing more intense games. My top two picks are:
The cost of this kneepad ranges between $70-$80. This is a noticeably big kneepad when compared to others. The size of this kneepad gives the shooter confidence to take more daring moves while feeling secure.
Its main features include:
This kneepad cost about $40. It offers a tight and firm fit on the knee which helps maintain better balance and it also provides maximum protection to the knees making shooters more confident when diving or sliding.
Its main features include:
Elbow pads are meant to protect your arms while diving on the battlefield or to prevent bruising if you get shot on your arm. When it comes to elbow pads, there are little or no variations in pricing.
So, when choosing what elbow pad will best suit your needs, the main factors to consider are the durability, flexibility, and breathability.
Players that dive a lot might prefer durability over breathability while more conservative players might opt for an elbow pad that offers better flexibility and breathability.
My top three picks for the best paintball elbow pads are:
These elbow pads are extremely lightweight and made from a breathable stretchy material. The price for this elbow pad range between $55-$65.
These pads are a perfect mixture of lightweight and quality protective padding making it one of the best elbow pads out there.
Its main features include:
This elbow pad is ergonomically designed thereby making it conform to the shape of the shooter's elbow. This ensures maximum comfortability and flexibility.
This lightweight elbow pad is valued at about $60 and its main features include:
This elbow pad is arguably one of the best in terms of flexibility and mobility. It is so lightweight that it can fit under overalls without making it look obvious. It is valued at about $50
This elbow pad prides itself on its nonrestrictive ability, giving shooters an amazingly comfortable feel. It is made from a stretchy breathable material.
Unlike the other two elbow pads mentioned above, the Valken agility pads do not have a thumb loop with extended padding and coverage for the back and front of the shooter's hands.
Therefore, there might still be a need to obtain gloves to protect the shooter's hands. This is the only reason I placed these elbow pads in the “Alternate Category”. If you want to wear gloves, then this should be your choice. However, if you don’t want to wear gloves and still have coverage then my overall choice is the best one!
Its main features include:
Taking hits on the hands can lead to bruising and light bleeding. Given that your hands are mostly exposed especially when you are trying to take a shot, it is important to gear up with proper protection.
Gloves usually come in different designs. Some are fully covered while some just cover the back of the hands with the fingertips open (knuckle gloves) and some are designed with just the index and middle finger cut off while the other fingers are covered up.
I prefer the gloves with two fingers cut open because they feel like a mixture of the two other types. I like the fact that I can feel the trigger when pulling while also providing some sort of protection for my remaining fingers.
I will be highlighting my top picks of each type of glove, starting with my preferred type.
This glove comes in about 4 different colors and sizes ranging from small to extra-large. They cost about $35.
The cut off fingers often increases index finger mobility which can increase the firing rate. They are super comfortable and offer quality protection.
Its main features include:
These gloves are half-finger type gloves protecting the hand up till the knuckle area. These gloves are super affordable with price ranging from $8-$13.
These gloves provide quality protection at an affordable rate. They are super comfortable and are made of breathable fabric.
Its main features include:
This fully covered glove has some unique features that make it stand out and that is why it ended up on this list. It costs between $25-$30 depending on the size.
This glove is designed to feel like a second skin and it easily conforms to every gesture the shooter makes. They are super comfortable and sturdy.
Some of its unique features include:
Finally, what kind of shoes are suitable for paintballing? Although any good sneaker with a strong grip should serve you well, there are still some popular brands that have manufactured shoes that are solely for paintballing.
The price for this shoe ranges between $60-$70 depending on shoe size. This shoe is made from a mixture of leather and mesh which gives it a durable yet breathable feel.
This shoe is extremely lightweight (weighs about 1.5 ounces) and comfortable. It also comes in about 5 different colors
Its main features include:
Examples of other popular paintball shoes are the iExalt TRX Paintball Cleat and GI Sportz Faster'R Paintball Cleat.
CONCLUSION
As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, safety is the most important thing when it comes to paintball. So, it is important to gear up with the proper protective kit to get the best experience while staying safe.
I hope after reading this article, you'd have gained useful insight into how best to protect yourself while playing paintball.
Unless it's really cold out, one layer of clothing should be sufficient. If you are out playing paintball for your first time, then you don't have to buy hundreds of dollars of protective equipment.
You will want to wear a good quality mask, which most fields will provide to new players. Wear a jersey and a pair of loose fitting pants. You are going to be running around, you might be laying down and crawling on the ground and you are going to get some paint on you.
If you play more often, then you will likely want to purchase some knee and elbow pads. A vest will help to prevent too many bruises from being hit by paintballs. I would also suggest a nice pair of padded paintball pants.
As an order of priority. Purchase the knee and elbow pads would be my first purchase. As you get more serious, then pants and a vest are a must!
Yes, they can. The pain will depend on you and your pain tolerance and how far or near you are to the shooter. If you are shot by someone at close range and hit in the chest without anything but a t-shirt, it's going to hurt and you will likely get a bruise.
Always wear a mask when you play paintball!
I've been hit by a paintball that hasn't hurt too much and I've received a bruise. I've also been hit by a paintball that hurt much more. That shot bruised for sure!
If you are concerned about the "pain" of getting hit by a paintball, then purchase a vest and a pair of padded paints.
An estimate of about $340 should get you all the required protective gear from headgear down to the paintballing shoes.
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