Helmets or Hard Masks

airsoftsniper45 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:05 pm

Helmets or masks which one is better? I know people have different opinions so I am just trying to get some ideas of what helmets are like.I have been thinking which is better because I used to have a mask but what are helmets like? This is just som

Also are helmets easy to breathe in?

BLargog · **Joined:** Sun Feb 21, 2010 9:54 pm **Posts:** 126

airsoftsniper45 wrote: Also are helmets easy to breathe in?

Uhh, well helmets are on the head, but if you meant masks then, for me yeah. I have a paintball mask and it is harder then without a mask, but its good enough for airsoft. I think if you get a good quality mask, they don't fog as much as some airsoft goggles. My mask never fogs. Helmets are not really nessacary for airsoft as there are no explosions, snipers, etc. For me, i'd go with goggles and a lower face mask that don't make your goggles fog.
Heres my combo: http://www.airsoftpost.com/product_info ... s_id=32187
http://www.airsoftgi.com/product_info.p ... ts_id=3891
My flakjaks almost never fog and they are comfortable.

GregM71 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:38 pm

BLargog ...hahahha ...I just spit coffee all over the monitor "Uhhh..."

Helmets seem a bit much to me ...you do want face protection besides just goggles ...those neoprene masks or a balaclava work fine ...you just have to do trial and error until you find what works without fogging issues.
Also ...a helmet on a player (for me) just means I can bounce one off your noggin and not feel bad about it.

SA08 · **Posted:** Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:43 pm

I like helmets for the realism of them. Face masks just always said "I want to play a sport with flying projectiles but am afraid to get hit," which is why i avoid them. Its very rare that someone gets hit in the face anyway so the ease of breathing will definitely be worth not having a huge piece covering your face. Well to each their own but id go with helmets all day or even just a simple ball cap like a Condor or something. Here is my helmet, I absolutely love it and is the most comfortable hemlet ive ever worn. It was worth every penny and I have the tan one pictured http://www.tnvc.com/shop/ops-core-fast-base-jump-shell

M-DOT · **Posted:** Mon Feb 07, 2011 9:01 pm

SA08 wrote:I like helmets for the realism of them. Face masks just always said "I want to play a sport with flying projectiles but am afraid to get hit," which is why i avoid them. Its very rare that someone gets hit in the face anyway so the ease of breathing will definitely be worth not having a huge piece covering your face. Well to each their own but id go with helmets all day or even just a simple ball cap like a Condor or something. Here is my helmet, I absolutely love it and is the most comfortable hemlet ive ever worn. It was worth every penny and I have the tan one pictured http://www.tnvc.com/shop/ops-core-fast-base-jump-shell

I use a half mesh mask and eyewear.I've seen bb's inbedded in cheeks.I've seen bb's knockout front teeth.I've seen bb's hit the back of someone's mouth and swallowed.They split foreheads,ears etc.Now you be the judge.

Keeper · **Posted:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 7:33 am

Here is a Scary pic, me in my ESS Goggles and Skull mask!

So Pretty..... :lol:

New-Mask.JPG [ 43.82 KiB | Viewed 1088 times ]

SA08 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:00 am

M-DOT wrote:
SA08 wrote:I like helmets for the realism of them. Face masks just always said "I want to play a sport with flying projectiles but am afraid to get hit," which is why i avoid them. Its very rare that someone gets hit in the face anyway so the ease of breathing will definitely be worth not having a huge piece covering your face. Well to each their own but id go with helmets all day or even just a simple ball cap like a Condor or something. Here is my helmet, I absolutely love it and is the most comfortable hemlet ive ever worn. It was worth every penny and I have the tan one pictured http://www.tnvc.com/shop/ops-core-fast-base-jump-shell

I use a half mesh mask and eyewear.I've seen bb's inbedded in cheeks.I've seen bb's knockout front teeth.I've seen bb's hit the back of someone's mouth and swallowed.They split foreheads,ears etc.Now you be the judge.

I have also seen a couple of teeth been shot out and im still not discouraged to keep just the helmet and eye protection. If people are getting bbs inbedded in their cheeks and so forth then someones gun is shooting fairly strong but they are using it at way too close of range and for some reason are aiming for the face at those ranges. I persoally feel that if everyone follows the engagement rules set by the field i will be fiine.

NOTE: I have yet to have any serious damage done to my face. Sure ive been hit in the face a couple of times but it happens to the best of us.

TheGrayMan · **Posted:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 11:35 am

Facemasks are required indoor at Godfathers. Though, required or not, I'd rather have one at those ranges. Outside im perfectly fine with my ESS's. Greg left some welts on my face that stayed 6 months. As mentioned above, it happens to the best of us. If your fast enough, and learn not to "turkey peek" behind the same tree for half an hour, you'll be less likely to get shot in the face. Remember: Shoot and Scoot!

M-DOT · **Posted:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:42 pm

SA08 wrote:
M-DOT wrote:
SA08 wrote:I like helmets for the realism of them. Face masks just always said "I want to play a sport with flying projectiles but am afraid to get hit," which is why i avoid them. Its very rare that someone gets hit in the face anyway so the ease of breathing will definitely be worth not having a huge piece covering your face. Well to each their own but id go with helmets all day or even just a simple ball cap like a Condor or something. Here is my helmet, I absolutely love it and is the most comfortable hemlet ive ever worn. It was worth every penny and I have the tan one pictured http://www.tnvc.com/shop/ops-core-fast-base-jump-shell

I use a half mesh mask and eyewear.I've seen bb's inbedded in cheeks.I've seen bb's knockout front teeth.I've seen bb's hit the back of someone's mouth and swallowed.They split foreheads,ears etc.Now you be the judge.

I hear you.Like we all know accidents happen.By the way it was a stock echo-1 at 40 -50 feet that knocked the tooth out.(360fps)
I have also seen a couple of teeth been shot out and im still not discouraged to keep just the helmet and eye protection. If people are getting bbs inbedded in their cheeks and so forth then someones gun is shooting fairly strong but they are using it at way too close of range and for some reason are aiming for the face at those ranges. I persoally feel that if everyone follows the engagement rules set by the field i will be fiine.

NOTE: I have yet to have any serious damage done to my face. Sure ive been hit in the face a couple of times but it happens to the best of us.

BumbleCrap · **Posted:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 12:54 pm

I had a tooth shot out from a gun shooting under 410 FPS from over fifty yards away. Overpowered guns aren't the only way it can happen. Also, it cost me about 800 wing wangs to get that tooth fixed. If you don't want to wear a full mask, lower face masks are nice too and don't inhibit breathing. I paid 50 bux for a mask so that I don't have to pay another 800 in the future.

deviated rationality · **Posted:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:21 pm

Helmets aren't neccessary unless you have NODS, a bolt on head cam, or you are playing CQB in an area that has a lot of hard walls or metal doors. Too easy to slip or trip and have you bash your head on something.

M-DOT · **Posted:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 5:06 pm

BumbleCrap wrote:I had a tooth shot out from a gun shooting under 450 FPS from over fifty yards away. Overpowered guns aren't the only way it can happen. Also, it cost me about 800 wing wangs to get that tooth fixed. If you don't want to wear a full mask, lower face masks are nice too and don't inhibit breathing. I paid 50 bux for a mask so that I don't have to pay another 800 in the future.

I was waiting for you to speak on this.All I say is protect your self.Wear what you want and feels right to you.

GregM71 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 08, 2011 9:37 pm

So was I ....why protect your skull ( a natural helmet) and not your teeth?

SA08 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 4:35 pm

GregM71 wrote:So was I ....why protect your skull ( a natural helmet) and not your teeth?

Im not tying to be a smart a$$ but thats why I have lips. I dont run around with my mouth wide open when I play which decreases my chances of losing a tooth even more.

GregM71 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 6:08 pm

SA08 wrote:
GregM71 wrote:So was I ....why protect your skull ( a natural helmet) and not your teeth?

Im not tying to be a smart a$$ but thats why I have lips. I dont run around with my mouth wide open when I play which decreases my chances of losing a tooth even more.

Nor am I (as you can see in the photo below I often wear no face protection)....the question still remains why bother with the helmet?

airsoftsniper45 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 6:28 pm

I am gonna go with the mask but I still wonder if they make a mask with something to cover the top of your head. I don't mean the visor like a built in helmet

BumbleCrap · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:16 pm

Behold: the JT Headshield.

I would own one myself if my head weren't so enormous. I've been told that my ears look like they're trying to escape when I wear one.

airsoftsniper45 · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:41 pm

Looks like a motor cross helmet don't it.

Steven1234sv · **Posted:** Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:30 pm

lol if you took a fall with that it would crack open and the plastic would stab your face. (not advised)

TechnoMagi · **Posted:** Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:50 am

I'm looking to get one of those lower face mesh masks from ebaybanned.
I've been shot in the tooth from a ~400fps gun at roughly 40 feet at a night game (No damage! Sure heard the "Tink!" noise and felt it though, lol) as well as being shot twice in the eye wearing shooting glasses (from the side, hurt bad, no permanent damage.. after shaking myself off and respawning; it happened immediately again.. got my goggles, hah) and now I'm pretty much sold on masks and goggles. It all comes down to personal preference.. Take your risk, but don't complain when it happens!

I used to wear a replica MICH, but they don't fit well as they're one size fits all and slide too much. FlakJaks are excellent goggles for use with helmets.
Gasmasks of any variety are great for airsoft use IF you score some ANSI lenses. Custom cut plexiglass secured in works great. Remove the filter gaskets and you can breathe well too.

airsoftsniper45 · **Posted:** Thu Feb 10, 2011 9:45 pm

I bought a us army ranger paintball mask(still works with scope)and I like it can't wait to put it into action. I also wore it around my house to break it in and it doesn't fog.

Shm00ve · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2011 12:10 pm

As far as Airsoft is concerned, all a helmet really does is make your head a bigger target.

MikeyMisery · **Posted:** Fri Mar 11, 2011 3:51 pm

I enjoy the sound made from a bb hitting someones brain bucket. Other then that I think the main reason people wear helmets in airsoft is one of two things; either you are going for thay milsim look and its just part of your kit or you are required to wear one when you get out of bed in the morning. I've been playing airsoft for almost ten years and never heard of a head injury from a bb that could have been avoided with a hat/balacava/etc.
As far as mask so I would suggest you wear something over your face (paint ball mask, balacalva or something of the like) but i don't usually. Yes you can loose teeth and get bloody a bit but after all airsoft is a physical sport and I've seen teeth knocked out from soccer. (yes some people call soccer a sport believe it or not)
Eye Pro is probably the most important thing for airsoft, more important then your gun. You only get two eyes and they don't grow back (as far as I know) Working as an EMT I have seen some nasty eye injuries, mostly from carelessness. Full seal googles rated for impact are the best. Safety glass can be knocked off the face and don't offer much protection from the side. As far as gas mask go...it all depends on the quality. Make sure to not only check the lens but the rubber seal around the lens for damage as well.
Everything I use in airsoft I always test fire on it first at point blank range with a 415FPS AEG and a 500 FPS sniper. If it surives that then I wear it. My advice is that you always shoot at your gear before you need to rely on it.

Grinder · **Joined:** Fri May 20, 2011 7:11 pm **Posts:** 41

Regarding fogging: I added a fan kit to my paintball mask:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Paintball-DUAL-Anti ... %26ps%3D54

The fans work perfectly!! I'm sure the kit will work with goggles too.

Ghost · **Joined:** Sun Feb 14, 2010 9:18 am **Posts:** 360

I wear a Ops Core Bump for mout AOs and sometimes in the woods. I have bumped my head alot so I find its worth it. I still have my issued mich but dont see the point in wearing a ballistic helmet in airsoft so mine is strictly for bumps and to mount my light, PVS14s strobe and a camera if needed not all at once.

Normally I wear my old issue Oakley Mframes when full seal isnt required and when it is I found that the ESS turbofan profiles are the best. Some people wear the mesh face masks I was looking to rig one up to the Ops Core side rails but just havent gotten around to it.

Philadelphia Area Airsoft

Helmets or Hard Masks

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