Face protection in airsoft
How to protect your face in a skirmish?
Looking through the offers of various airsoft sets, we often notice that they also include protective masks. Often, due to the need to reduce costs, these will be regular stalker masks made of steel mesh. We will also find those that are partly made of material, which increases their functionality by helping to aim down the sights or adapt other equipment. You can look for various arguments for and against the use of this type of measures in airsoft games. After all, hits to the teeth or even more generally to the face are relatively rare, especially in the woods. But personally, I don't think it's worth the risk. With the current offer of various protectors, it is very easy to find something for yourself and the prospect of avoiding a painful injury is reward enough. Another thing is playing in arenas or in buildings. Headshots are quite common there, so it's worth investing in some form of protection.
In this article, we will review several types of face protection. This will be a rather loose line-up, not intended to determine a winner. Each player must answer for themselves what their priorities are. Do them prioritize mobility and comfort over protection? Or are they more interested in maximizing safety at the expense of ergonomics? And of course, although we won't talk much about it in the article itself, glasses are the basis of protection measures in airsoft shooters. We have to wear them whether we have an extra face shield or not. In fact, the only situation where we don't need glasses is when our mask also provides eye protection. In this case, however, it is worth having glasses as a backup in case of damage to the basic means of protection.
Face protection measures for minimalists
The first group of protection measures we will talk about are those that provide the least protection, but also the greatest mobility and comfort. Here we will find solutions such as balaclavas, shawls, scarves and scarfs. Can it even be called protection measures? In my opinion, yes. Maybe they won't stop a sniper replica's BB from point blank, but they will certainly be useful when we want to at least minimally reduce the effects of abrasions or impacts on the environment. I'd rather wade through the bushes wearing a balaclava than without it. In addition, some thicker layers of material may help minimize the BBs energy. However, a lot depends on the conditions, how thick the balaclava or scarf we use, how many layers we have and how strong is the airsoft gun that someone shot at us with.
Slightly better protection will be provided by covers dedicated only to the mouth. These are, for example, protectors known from boxing, but also masks with sewn steel mesh or pieces of mesh placed under a balaclava or a multifunctional scarf. They won't help much in the case of a cheek hit, but at least they can save our teeth. Importantly, such solutions will be quite minimally invasive. They will make it the least difficult to take a shot or manoeuvre.
Mid thier measures in airsoft
If the balaclava itself, even when it has a mesh sewn on, is not enough, it is worth checking something that provides a bit more protection. I would include all stalker masks in this group. Both those made entirely of steel mesh and those with fabric inserts. It is worth noting that we are dealing with their different variants. The described products may differ in the way they are mounted and held on the head. They can also cover a larger or smaller part of our head. Sometimes we will meet models that reach up to the chin. They will certainly protect us from a potential hit better than the solutions described above. In the worst case, the BB hitting the metal mesh will splash. However, such shards should not have enough energy to cause us real harm. In most cases, the BBs will simply bounce, which can only scare us.
However, such solutions have their negative features. Even the most flexible stalker masks, such with fabric inserts, will make it difficult to aim down the sights to some extent. It will be easier for users of AK platform replicas, where the aiming line is naturally quite high. Those of us who use other constructions or just want to keep the scope low profile will have to reckon with this limitation. In addition, often described masks are poorly made or wear out quickly. I've seen examples of steel mesh covers, which after 2 years of use in airsoft games have already completely rusted. However, this is largely just an aesthetic problem.
Full face and eyes protection
What besides the lips themselves is vulnerable to painful hits? Basically, the whole face. One of the best ways to protect it is to use a mask. In recent years, paintball masks have become very popular, including excellent Dye Precision products. However, we will also find other manufacturers of this type of protection. It is worth remembering here that when the mask also offers eye protection, it must meet the same requirements as glasses. And unfortunately, especially in the case of cheaper products, for example those that are supposed to imitate military gas masks, it is difficult to find clear information whether they are suitable for airsoft games. If you are unsure, it is better to skip the purchase or use such a mask only for styling or photo sessions, and not in real games.
Sometimes the mask can be combined with a helmet, which will provide us with very good protection of practically the entire head. However, it comes at a price. There is a good chance that we will start to feel the weight of such a set when moving the head. In addition, if we do not have properly set optics on the airsoft gun, it may be impossible to take a shot. Despite these limitations, I like to play in a paintball mask myself. I use it mainly for CQB games where the chance of getting shot in the face increases. In addition to increased protection, a good mask will also support ventilation and can reduce evaporation, which is its considerable advantage.
Author: Boreq
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