What Mask Do You Use?

[Sottyman]

Just curious. I ran flex's for a while then jumped over to profilers. Still on that "been gone for a decade so what did I miss" kick, so if you're willing, let me know what you're using! I see masks $200+ which is a bit rich, but if masks have really improved THAT much I'd be willing to consider it. That's still cheap to keep my eyes working

Thanks!
Mike

[bassninja]

I use the Base GS-O. I used a Profiler for a while and tried a Virtue Vio Extend, which was like $160, but I like the Base the best. It's super breathable, lots of coverage, extremely fast lens change, and the built-in visor is designed so that even if the mask tips over on a table or something, the lens won't touch the table. Best part is, it's all hard plastic, so to clean it you can stick the whole thing (without the lens obviously) under hot water without worrying about deforming soft rubber or ruining foam ears.

[Sottyman]

Never heard of it, but time to get to googling!

[Memornix]

Been a Spectra/flex guy for as long as they existed and thought it would never get better than that. A few years back I pick up an eflex and thought it had the feel of the flex but the easily removable lenses were a huge improvement. I would still be running that mask and had no quams about it but like you I was curious. I sold some fancy markers and had money to burn so I bought an i5 and just started using it. It is the most comfortable and least intrusive mask I have ever used. I don't even notice it on the field and it has all the modern features you could ever want. That being said, it doesn't give much coverage which is about the only negative I could find.

[Sottyman]

I saw those, and the I4s had just come out about the time I stopped playing...I think? I'm not a big guy (5' 7", 145-155lbs - depends on if it's the holidays or not lol - and I seem to recall I might have tried one on and wasn't sure if it was big enough. Long time ago, so time to revisit lol

[Trbo323]

Push unite!

Just got it and it's soooo legit. Breaths and feels like a huge mask (not constricting at all) but you look at yourself in the mirror and it's one of the smallest profiles I've ever seen.

Super nice case comes with it but it is one of the priciest options out there, I got a limited edition mask with a chin extension and a second lens and ended up right around $300

That said you don't need to go that high by any means, there are much cheaper options

I'm planning on writing up a review when I have a chance

Sent from my Moto Z (2) using Tapatalk

[The Jayster]

I've been using the same i4 for the last 5 years or so. In my decades of playing paintball, that one has to be the best mask I ever bought. I love the small profile, it feels lightweight, I can breathe easily, doesn't fog up even when it's humid and the lens is very easy to remove.

That being said, amongst the slew of the latest generation of masks, the only one that I really like style-wise and would pay the big $$ for it is the Push Unite.

[Toestr]

I initially ran a Proto Axis Pro. Got it on sale right before Dye switched them over to the Dye brand (and bumped up the price significantly). I liked it for the price I got it at, but I certainly wouldn't pay what they want for it now. Almost as low profile as i4s, and good for a small face like mine. It does have a kind of poor field of view, as well as some ventilation and echo issues. I ran it with a helmet, which made it feel cramped. I've recently ditched it because I grew my hair out, making the helmet no longer fit.

I'm currently running a Proshield I picked up used for $10. It's really everything I could ask for in a mask. Breathes well, comfortable enough even with hardened foam, provides good protection, doesn't fog. I can also sell it on Facebook for 3x what I bought it.

The only other masks I have experience with are the Helix style (both the events and the hard plastic). The hard plastic ones are really just meant to be rental masks, and I didn't find them that comfortable. I'd rather get a JT for the same price point, and deal with the lense change (which gets significantly easier over time). The events is a bit more comfortable, with JT style foam, and soft ears, but I still didn't like it. To me these masks seem better suited for people with big heads. When I wore them, I hardly knew they were there, but in a bad way ... Idk.

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

[Cdn_Cuda]

I’ve got a small collection of masks for lending out and have switch mask types over the years. Started with a JT Spectra which were great but any mask without a quick changing lens isn’t worth the hassle. Love Profilers and wore a pair for years and replaced it with a pair of E-vents. Now run a pair of Grills.

My current collect of lender masks are profilers, E-vents, E-flexes. All larger masks with good comfort and coverage. I would gladly wear any of them to play with. The Grillz is my primary because it’s a fancy special edition I bough used for $15 and got new foam and lenses for it. Actually hated Grillz when the first came out and found them uncomfortable but whatever change since then I quiet like them.

I haven’t touched any of the new premium mask offering out now and at their current prices I don’t play enough to justify the costs over the masks I currently have.

[Dusty Bottoms]

I use a couple Grillz and honestly couldn't fathom why I'd use anything more expensive. The thermal lenses work great, they change out extremely easy, it breathes well, is low profile, has good coverage for my big head, and looks cool. The current trends in very expensive premium masks make absolutely no sense to me.

[russc]

I used JT Spectras and Flexes for years, and then used the lens system with retro Vents. These days I use a Push unite. The crappy JT lenses did it for me.

[Tinybear]

I run a V force grill and a Empire E-Vents (with Fanz).

I switch between the two thought the day as to prevent the foam from getting too gross from sweat. Recently picked up a second V force grill to replace the e vents but going run that mask one more season I think.

Both masks feel good to me don’t fog at all and fit well. I prefer the Grill for lens changing. But the e vents do have a slightly better field of view.

[Magmoormaster]

I used a Profiler for close to 10 years before switching to the VIO. I use the standard Contour bottoms. IMO it has the best foam on the market. Super comfortable, low profile without exposing as much jaw as an i4 or KLR. I picked up a Push Unite mask last year, and it's pretty cool as well. I use the VIO for woodsball (HD lens) and the Unite for speedball.

[Bang*Bang**]

Grillz.

First and only mask I've ever owned. It still works, so I still use it.

Fun tip: Instead of using a coin or a tool, you can use the the brackets that the strap clips into, to undo the inner foam lock. Thus, they become tool-less assembly and disassembly. Just be gentle, I'm pretty sure this wasn't part of the design for the clips.

[Brandon]

For a long time I used E-vents, and Sly Profit. At the end of last year I got an Empire EVS, i played in it once before my season ended. I liked it, great field of view no problem breathing or hearing. Only gripe is that it doesn't come with a visor I had to buy that separately.

[wunderbarsafari]

I used a Spectra and Flex 7 when I previously played in the 90s/00s. Since coming back 3 years ago, I have tried a few different masks (Profiler, Vio, i5, E-flex) but wound up sticking with JT because I felt they still breathe easier.

That said, after covid and wearing a mask everywhere, I’m now convinced that my perceived suffocation is psychosomatic. I’d really like to try out a Push or possibly revisit the i5 now.

[Cyberpyr8]

I've tried and used a lot of different masks over the years. I started with Vforce years ago and I had a pair I loved but the strap wore out and I couldn't find an affordable replacement. More recently I had Sly Profits and Valken Identity masks which were super comfortable and affordable but you cannot hear in them very well and talking and yelling is very loud. I went to HK KLR's which I really like. But they started coming apart at the soft ears and I went with a Push mask. I bought them used for $100 to try them out and ran them for a while before this year replacing them with a new pair of the CRBN (Push) Blood masks. It is a Push with a better case and was limited runs. The red I have had only 100 made. I have put chin extenders on both of mine to be sure I felt like I was covered better.

But I have sinus problems and the KLR and Push are the only ones I have owned where breathing wasn't an issue. Plus I don't get paint in my mouth every time I get shot in the head (look at you Vforce Grillz). My son had the BunkerKings CMD and I tried those. They are really nice too. I would say on a budget look at the KLR's or spend the money once and get a Push or CMD. If you go to a NXL event where Push is onsite, they will let you customize your mask anyway you want for no extra charge. I also was able to negotiate a better price for a custom mask and extra lens at an event for a friend of mine. Good luck.