masks suck for kids

[vijil]

Did anyone ever make a specifically kids size mask?

When I worked a field we had constant, and I mean every single game, constant issues with masks just simply being too big for kids. Didn't matter what you did with the strap. Most kids have a crap experience because they're trying to hold up a heavy (for them) gun with one hand while holding their mask up with the other. Like wtf.

Nobody in the PB industry seems to have been smart enough to design or make a smaller sized rental mask for kids specifically.

Unless anyone here knows of one?

[Chuck E Ducky]

The Vio, i4, proflex, x fire work just fine for kids.

as long as the straps and foam is in good condition.

FreeFlow custom straps are a bit smaller and hold a mask more secure. While pricy and difficult to get them made and shipped if your kid has a super small head using one on a proflex or shield would surely fit the bill using one. But honestly most masks that have a fresh strap should be just fine. Over time they lose elasticity especially when stretched out over a larger head.

have you tried just replacing the strap? Is your kid using head gear? Like a Sandana headband or winter cap? They can help hold the mask in place and protect their head.

[Cdn_Cuda]

I have a big head so in my opinion a Dye I4 is a child-sized mask.

[Cyberpyr8]

Yeah most kids do pretty well with an I4. They are small and the straps can tighten pretty well. I have tied knots in Proflex straps for really small headed kids. The other one my son who had a really tiny head did well with was the Sly mask. They have some issues, but they do fit smaller heads.

[Chuck E Ducky]

My son had issues with the I4 I gave him but the foam deteriorated and the strap dry rotted from age. If you get a newer one or put a new strap on them they fit small heads great. It’s probably the smallest mask on the market with the best lens in the industry.

I built him a Proshield to replace it since I had a bunch of extra parts laying around. But the VIO I got works good to.

[the_matrix_guy]

Thick headbands seem to help too, it helps the strap & mask get a better hold. With a thick headband + beanie you should be able to use more masks.

we had a friends and family outing recently with 4-7 yo’s and we used beanies, headbands, and mostly jt & virtue masks, and the headbands helped a lot. Little kids should have padding to protect them anyway so it offers multiple uses & benefits.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I just seen you can easily replace the I4 strap with a proflex strap. That might be an option for an older one with a stretched out or dry rotted strap.

I agree a good head wrap is key. It really helps keep the mask in place. The additional protection is just a bonus.

[the_matrix_guy]

Just FYI, all the OG Bunkerking stuff has thick padding and theyre also pretty tall:

[Jonnydread]

Such a salesman

[NONOBLITUS]

This is an old picture as my son who is now 20 and still playing and this was when he was 10. Baseball hat backwards is the way to go in my opinion. He never had an issue.

[nak81783]

Was reading through the thread to make sure someone said backwards ballcap. It is the best way.

[Chuck E Ducky]

Mini me…

[NONOBLITUS]

And still does is 10 years later

[Daltech]

The DYE i5 is made for children, then sold to adults. It’s so small it only covers half my chin. I made the mistake of buying one because it’s the top of the line and expensive but I wish I just ponied up for a flex from the start. Flex with a visor and backwards hat cannot be beaten. Old flex, not the new stuff, the new ize stuff is ok but the original flex 7 is the gold standard. You can change out the straps on a flex, I’ve gotten some straps off cheapie masks that are super small and kids sized.

[Ecapnation]

Try a push mask... They are tiny.

My whole chin sticks out of the bottom.

[Chappy]

I’ve never seen a mask problem that couldn’t be fixed with a.backwards ballcap. I’ve seen fields recommend it on their website for rentals specifically for this reason.

[TF_Aloha]

I did some research on this a while back and I think that a Consumer Products Safety Commission regulation is the reason that no company is ever going to make a mask specifically for kids. At best, they'll make one for small adults and let people figure it out.

The CSPC requires that paintball masks sold in the US comply with ASTM standards. They actually cite the ASTM standards even though the ASTM isn't a govt entity. Manufacturers only need to self-certify this though, and the ASTM testing is mostly just shooting the mask from a variety of angles, so its cheap and easy for them to comply.

Products specifically marketed for children require third party certification though, so manufacturers would need to pay an independent testing agency to set up a test and then publish the results. This isn't cheap because testing engineers don't do anything the easy and straightforward way. They would also need a lot of certifications from their overseas manufacturers stating that certain chemicals weren't used and other standards were met.