What Mask Do You Use?

[Meleager7]

I still had my Olive JT Spectra from 2000 when I used to play. In 2018 i got back into paintball and found a nice shape all black pro-flex locally. Mixed and matched parts a bit , so now my main mask has the OG olive green thin frames and visor, the black flex lowers, black soft ears, and a clear thermal lens.

but in past few seasons I went through 2 warranty lens replacements for the bad lens issue, on both masks. Finally was sent new lenses that were the new part # where JT finally fixed their production issues

i was pretty close to giving up on JT too!

despite all that I still love JT, and have since collected a olive black JT X-Fire ,and a JT Camo Flex-8 !

[homerj]

I used an Invert Helix for the longest time. Foam wasn’t as comfortable as I’d like but otherwise i liked them for the price. I’ve got an Extreme Rage 20/20 mask that i REALLY like. Very comfortable. Since i played last i picked up an i4. It’s a little small but i think I’ll like it. I’ve got to say though that my favorite mask had to be a Proto Switch.

[Brandon85]

I switched from the good old jt flex 7 to an dye i4 and then finally to a Virtue XS.

[bellicose]

Right now, I've been using a KN95 for the most part. Empire EVS with a goofy steam punk looking color scheme. Only used it once before this whole pandemic business, so I cannot remember how it felt. Before then, it was my Empire Vents, and that was great until I had it with the foam decaying on me after years of use.

[OdinBuilt]

Same thing happened to me. I really liked them before they started falling apart.

[shadow191]

I had a long hiatus too, 20 years so took me a while to figure out current masks. Currently have

Profiler - was my go to for most of last year. Light, pretty good coverage. I like how quickly the lenses come out but I also have to take them out the most because design allows paint to get into space between layers so somewhat annoying.

Grillz - Use as backup (I often just grab new mask vs. cleaning at field) and overall not bad but I like it less than Profiler. A lot less coverage because it sits so close to face which I'm not a huge fan of but some might like. Also less field of vision compared to other masks.

EVS - Just got this and think it will be may favorite mask moving forward. Really nice field of vision and it fits well though slightly heavy.


Also just found my old JT from the '90s, think it might be the original Spectra? Picked it up in '94 so not sure what models were around then - it does have the rubber bottoms. Wonder if I can find new lens and foam for it.

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

[MrBarraclough]

If your old JT was from 94 and has a rigid plastic upper with flexible lower bottom, that would be a X-fire ("Crossfire"). They used Elite lenses, which have a narrower field of vision, basically the same width as their motocross goggle ancestors. X-Fires were primarily sold in an OD green/black combination, though there were a few all black and some brightly colored referee variants. JT didn't introduce the Spectra until about 96, maybe 95 at the earliest. I still rock my first generation Spectra mask and frames, the oldest components of which are date stamped June 1996.

[shadow191]

Thanks! Just took a look and the Crossfire is exactly what I have. Both of mine are all black and one has a gold/glitter JT logo for strap.

[Chuck E Ducky]

If that strap is in decent condition may want to check the price on that bad boy.

[OpusX]

Still using old school thin frame Spectra and Flex masks. Comfy and just feel right.

[Knuckle Dragger]

After getting back into the game I purchased VIO XS and Contour 2. I really like the XS, flexible bottoms, nice FoV and Lone Wolf had it for under a 100 bucks at the time. I used to play with a Proto Switch when they first hit the market, which was way better than the old PMI mask I started with.

[ElliotB]

When I was younger, any mask would've done the job. After a 10+ year hiatus, I saw that all my masks were deteriorating from the straps, lenses, and liners. I ended up with the BK CMD. All the rave reviews about breathability were on point, plus they have actual liner replacements (not generic ones). I tested the differences of breathability between my beloved E-Vents and my new CMD by working out, farting, and just doing chores around the house. Some folk have complained of the mask being too small, but it all depends how big your face is. For me it fit perfectly around the jaw line and chin. 5'8" 155lbs. RIP masks: BE Bug-Eye (lens cracked), Flex 7 (bottom half warped), Dye i something (lens was a biatch to switch out), E-Vents (liner deteriorated).

[nerdcore]

Push Unite, BK CMD, a few Proflexes. Whatever fits the mood.

[Matt Drown]

~1996 - JT Spectra, first mask, paid extra in my intro kit to not get the whippersnapper. Hated replacing lenses.
~1998 (maybe 99) - Brass Eagle "Bubble". Don't remember the name, got the free ones at the Pittsburgh Open. Awesome mask, loved that it didn't fog with easier to clean single pane lenses. Later became the vforce series.
~2002 - Dye Invisions for 1 game. Then Switched to VForce Morph. Over a couple years picked up a Shield also. Both on the "older" style of strap hookups.
~2013 - VForce Profiler, still don't buy any thermal lenses, all single pane
~2020 - Add a Grillz, alternate between the Profiler (vision), Grillz (gopro mount).

The profiler gives me the best vision and really doesn't fog up in the places I've played (northern california, hell's survivors, pittsburgh pa). It's comfortable, worked with glasses when I wore them, and didn't stifle breathing. Fogging occurred, but not often enough to really care. Grillz are tighter on my face, slightly less vision, don't notice the difference in play as much as I thought I would. I want to try on the new stuff, but don't play often enough to justify the cost compared to the lens pile I have for profiler, and they work. This year I get to learn how to rubber cement replacement foam onto them though.

So yeah, Vforce...

[ChuckLove]

JT Proflex & Virtue Vio Extend II

[Psycho91]

I find it hard to replace my JT proteus, could use new straps and it has the old JT lens not the new crap

[JeepDVLZ45]

I was running a VForce Vantage for about a year. I loved everything about it EXCEPT the field of vision wasn’t great.

I finally made the plunge and picked up a Empire EVS (with visor). It fits pretty well, doesn’t cover my jowls or ears quote as well as my Vantage did, but I finally have peripheral vision while playing, so I took a lot less shots playing with it (or maybe it was coincidence)

[spartan985]

Vforce Profiler and Virtue VIO contour.

[Jonnydread]

Vforce Profiler and Virtue VIO contour.

I just picked up a Contour and another Ascend. I still use my Grill weekly, but I am a huge fan of the Vio line.