How do you protect the rest of your face?

[Brandon]

JT Neck Protector On Sale (ansgear.com)

[Jonnydread]

Grow a big bushy beard for benevolent bounces.

I have a Vio Extend and it seems to cover a bit more of my face. Profilers offer decent chin protection too. I have a pretty big head, but for whatever reason my chin doesn't seem to be exposed that much and I don't take too many shots in that area for the most part. I hate wearing "extra" gear so most of the time I'll sacrifice protection for mobility/perceived mobility.

[Cunha]

Jt spectra / pro shield is larger and cheaper.

the v force shield with the chin protector is major big

[BlindFaith429]

Just a heads up, I ordered one of the Gator Mail ones for my mask, after emailing back and forth with them. They seem like really great guys.

They did warn that they are 8-12 weeks out. I put my order in, since it's winter here in Connecticut, and I wont need it for a few months anyways. Figured it would be good to order now, than in the spring / summer when I need it lol.

[Jonnydread]

FYI our outlaw group in Rhode Island plays all winter

[Chuck E Ducky]

#NoOffSeason

[SignOfZeta]

Most masks are made for speedball kids who’s moms never quit smoking all through the pregnancy. It’s…ridiculous how great the lenses are and over designed the masks are yet if they DO NOT COVER something they CANNOT PROTECT IT. You can’t “tech” your way out of that. With a twist lock strap and a camera mount or whatever. I see those larger trailer kids at the field…naked from the collar bone to the lower lip…makes no sense to me. The next time someone starts blowing smoke up your kilt about how HARD they supposedly tried to make the most protective mask, ask them why they only make one size? How many sizes of motorcycle helmets are there? Or rubber gloves? Or COVID masks? Or skateboard pads? Or adult diapers? It’s more than one in every case.

I use a JT Flex (the rare mask that isn’t BS) and a neck protector from Dye as well as PE Jersey with a small neck hole. It’s not impossible to get a throat shot but it’s much much less likely. I only play pump and I only play at Hell Survivors (not only do they allow full auto, they rent it out) so I can’t be messing around. Being lit up eventually is a certainly, I take precautions so I can keep playing.

[JeepDVLZ45]

This is EXACTLY what I mean!!

I’ll take a shot to the throat now and again and complain about it, and then shrug it off. It sucks, but it’s not my concern.

Taking a shot my “money-maker” is a little different…and I have taken more then one. I just want a mask (or something I can add to it) that extends down another 1” and keeps the welts off the side of my face…and yes, I have been growing out my face-muff lately…

Whatever it is doesn’t have to stick out or increase my cross-section it just had to be present. Hell, it can curl under my jaw for all I care.

I am firmly aware that “in the beginning there we’re only goggles”….but those were also the days of “Action Park”

I’ve actually been looking into a Flex…I really don’t have a need for a another mask nor do I want to drop the coin on a Flex…but I’d rather have it right so I don’t have to do it a 3rd time.

And I would like to add that I love that you can paint such a vivid picture for us all in your posts!

[Arthur]

"who’s moms never quit smoking all through the pregnancy"

hahaha

[Grendel]

Is this a problem for players getting hit in the jaw line a lot or throat or is it a worry or anxiety of getting hit in a tender area. While I do drape a sniper vale across my throat it does not provide that much protection and becomes misaligned easily so protection is mah but I really don't think about it. I've been playing for decades (over 3) and can only recall being hit in the jaw line/ neck a handful of time.

[JeepDVLZ45]

I can’t speak for everyone, but I’ve been hit more than once in the jawline and a couple times in the neck/throat. I have a lot of exposed area there though.

Getting hit and some pain is part of the sport. I work in outside sales though — my pretty face makes me my money!! I don’t need to try to explain away bruises.

The last game I played, one of my teammates took 3 or 4 shots up under the mask (welts all over his cheek and jaw). Luckily he didn’t catch one to the eye or his nose….

[Shaftski]

I have the worst luck when it comes to getting hit in the neck. About every other time out I take a bad hit there. Last time out at OSG I took a polar ice bouncer to the neck on the break that sucked pretty bad. Usually happens when i surprise another player at really close range like <10ft. 20 years ago it would look like I got in a fight the day after a tournament sometimes.

[Menso]

Is this a problem for players getting hit in the jaw line a lot or throat or is it a worry or anxiety of getting hit in a tender area. While I do drape a sniper vale across my throat it does not provide that much protection and becomes misaligned easily so protection is mah but I really don't think about it. I've been playing for decades (over 3) and can only recall being hit in the jaw line/ neck a handful of time.

It doesn’t matter how often it happens, what matters is it happens and a mask should protect your FACE. Your jawline is part of your face. And so is your forehead, to all you companies who don’t include visors with your mask. A lot of manufacturers have either decided their target audience is literal prepubescent children or they’ve forgot that male adults generally have a larger head than a 10 year old. It’s also frowned upon for adults to have welts and bruises on their foreheads, jawlines and necks in the professional world.

On top of all that, it just looks ghetto when you’ve got a bigger head and your mask looks like it belongs on the heads of the kids in the birthday .50 cal rental party instead of you, a fully grown man. But a lot of us don’t have the choice because our options are slim to none.

Carbon has a new mask coming allegedly being released in 3 different sizes. I’m ordering off a seller on Amazon with free returns and if their largest size turns out to be Youth XL it’s going back. I’m not wasting any more time driving half an hour across town to try some Little Tykes $200 bullshit.

[The Great Equalizer]

Is that the "Zero" line https://crbnpaintball.com/collections/goggles ?
How did they work out?

[Arthur]

A shemagh will give you the best protection but even then some can sneak through. I use a dye neck protector. I carry it on my person and wrap my neck if the fields busy. When Im waiting around or if things are silent, I'll take it off. I find that neck protection causes more heat issues than my mask. Just my personal observation.

[MrBarraclough]

Try the Exalt one. Not quite as much coverage as the DYE, but still pretty good, and comfortable enough to just leave on and forget about it on all but the hottest days.

[latches109]

I don't get shot - paintballs avoid me like a 90's Action movie

[SignOfZeta]

Then you’re hiding.

[latches109]

Yes always

[Meleager7]

in early 2000's was hanging dreads from the edges of your JT mask (made from leather used for fixing ball gloves i think) a thing, or am I dreaming that I saw that back then. Kind of made the JT masks look like the Predator ..... again, if i am remembering correctly.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I have one of theses it’s basically a padded handkerchief from BunkerKings. Also Eric at Evil Gerbil made me one out of Bull Denim to match one of his jerseys that works great. I used it mainly for bounces in Mech tournament play when the rules allow it. But it would eliminate neck welts to in rec play to. Shoot EG an Email I’m sure he can make you one.

Other option is a VIO with the extends chin piece that setup offers a lot of protection from just a mask. Probably one of the best lenses on the market now that they are available in HD thanks to the BunkerKings version of the VIO. The VIO with the new HD lens is a great combo. I think it’s one of the best masks on the market today especially for the money. I just got the BK version of it and it’s really nice as well. But you lose the ability to change the bottoms out for longer ones and they are more expensive. So the BK is not the best option for you. Also it’s not worth the difference in Price over the VIO (IMO).

I don’t see issues with what options are available today. There are tons of great mask options for all different shaped heads. Key is finding one that fits your bucket that’s all. But that takes going to a good proshop and trying stuff on. Most just order threw Amazon without ever trying a bunch of different options on. JT still makes one that’s literally a complete helmet. The Eflex is massive, Vio extends, and that Valken rental mask is massive. There are tons of mask options.

The top performance masks designed to fit a larger head would not be the top performance masks by default of its larger size. It silly to think otherwise. Performance masks trade protection for performance no way around that. Smaller targets are harder to hit.

[Magmoormaster]

100000% this. There are lots of masks on the market, and as such lots of different sizes to fit your needs. E-Flexes are indeed huge, the Extend is pretty big, a lot of the mid level stuff is as well. The majority of people who are going to spend $100-200 on a mask do not want a big mask, they want the smallest and lightest possible. So that's what the manufacturers make. You are correct, though, that you need a good proshop so as to test them.

I've reached a point where I pretty much exclusively play speedball, mostly d4/d5 level practice. You could not pay me enough money to wear a neck protector or a bigger mask. I wear a VIO Contour, I tried the Extend but I kept nudging the chin with my tank so I switched back. Yes I take neck shots every so often, but not enough for me to wear something restrictive.

[glaman5266]

If it's cooler out (under 50*F) I'll wear a shemagh. Otherwise, I just wear a neck protector.

I mainly use my two 2000s era JT Proshields. They provide great protection & they're not as expensive as Flex stuff. The aforementioned VForce Armor w/chin extension and Virtue Contour Extend would probably be good options as well.

I avoid Flex stuff. Everyone swears on the breathability & bounce factor of the soft lower, but every time I get hit in the lower I still get busted in the chops. No thanks. My E-Flex just sits on my shelf now.

[Meleager7]

the old JT X-Fire is a pretty big mask , with lots of coverage

[The Great Equalizer]

I'm still wearing my original X-Fire from 1996. Its lasted 26 years and that includes getting flung out of a car in an accident and then getting run over by a truck.

[BlindFaith429]

Got my gator mail in tonight. Love how it looks / feels. Can't wait to try it out.