Eye protection: Tactical vs. Paintball
 

I noticed that the FAQ recommends paintball approved goggles, until you've gained enough experience. I also notice that most of you just use a set of tactical goggles, and my question is pertaining to only those.

What do you find face contact like without full face protection? Furthermore, have any of you had problems with BBs getting into orifices, such as the ears or mouth?

I only ask because, being new to airsoft, I wonder if it's really worth it to go for tactical goggles instead of the paintball ones.

You might now have a choice, some fields require paintball goggles ONLY, others MAY let you use tactical goggles, talk to the local club/field owners/club admins and ask before you buy tactical goggles.

I got a piece of my tooth shot off by a BB

^sounds rough

Well, it's not an issue (about the field owner) since we'll play out on my friend's property. Essentially, it was a cosmetic choice, but after hearing about the tooth incident, I think I'll stick with paintball goggles...

I've been shot up the nostril, shot inside the throat, deep inside the ear, had some nasty bleeders on my cheeks and neck and head, even had my front teeth shattered once - that was a really bad feeling. That being said, I try to wear something to protect my teeth as much as possible (mouth guard or shemagh wrapped over my face - those ski masks don't do shit since the BB's pass right through).

Any time I have a chance to wear balistic or safety glasses I'm wearin em. They are far more comfortable, never fog up, and go better with your kit while still offering good eye protection IMO.

I have AOSafety glasses from CrappyTire and I love em.

now when u say tactical i would think like shooting glasses. now i have heard that sometimes BB's will bounce off your face then the glasses in to your eye. witch would suck.

Ah ya ... and where might you have heard this? Although I will not say there is a zero chance of that happening, I have never heard of it yet. This sounds like an assumption to me.

I use a full paintball mask to play. Not that many people wear the full mask because of the severe fogging issues. To me, having to use a de-fogging agent and keeping the moisture off your goggles is a small price to pay for the protection it provides. Another problem I have it that it becomes harder to site a rifle when using a paintball mask. You don’t have to worry about getting hit in the teeth or getting any nasty scars.

what about balaclavas?

From my experience balaclavas are pretty good protection from bb's, just dont keep your mouth open, unless talking.

Or, just get a hockey mouthguard, and get used to talking with it. I've worn one for 10+ years (from hockey, and I can talk almost like normal now with it in, and it guarantees protection.

what type of balaclavas would provide more protection to the mouth the nomex ones or the cotton ones??

I dunno, I have a nomex fireproof balaclava from SWATshop, I also have a fleece CADPAT balaclava, and both are pretty thick, I'd think both would stop it.

I think the nomex one is thin? Wait, crap, if Nomex is thin, then I have cotton :P

I'm not sure, I don't know much about mine, except that it makes you look uber.

I have a thick winter balaclava and it does not do much at all, just fogs up the goggles and makes it VERY hot to play. I end up taking it off most of the time because it's just to hot for a day game. The thin ones are fine.

I've got the thick one, and my goggles don't fog up at all, and I never get too hot. I've always had a strange tendency to be able to withstand very uncomfortable temperatures.

Now that I think about it, I think mine is a black, fireproof, winter balaclava, cause that is all they had in stock.

I use the fullmask paintball kit. Fogtech halts essentially all my fogging issues, if I happen to have any. I also happen to find it comfortable and proper fitting, and I have no issues sighting through my RDS. (I use a FA-MAS G2 Sniper, so I have retardedly high sights + rail+ RDS itself.)

It's a matter of finding the balance between what you consider acceptable risk and ease of gameplay. With proper use, you shouldn't have any problems with a full mask. Plus, you can always modify the mask so it doesn't interfere with aiming down your sights. (Greylocks can probably inform you as to how it is best done.)

Personally, I'd prefer to not have any marks on my face, seeing as how I'm incredibly vain and I also have to look presentable for work if I want decent tips...bleeder wounds just don't say, "Your vodka + cranberry is worth 40% of the price in tip."

:D

-J