Full Masks or Goggles?

[zafiroff]

I'm not new to airsoft but I am new to organized airsoft. I was just wondering which would be better, a full mask or just Goggles? I've been looking at a few. I found some that are pretty nice, masks and goggles. One mask is a thermal lense with a fan and its only around $50 on amazon. Here's the link
www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001D8LBMY/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=A371G8H8A5MY53

I found some flakjak goggles on Amazon as well for around $30. Here's the link for the goggles.
www.amazon.com/Flakjak-dust-free-ANTI-FOG-Goggles/dp/B001O2KCPG/ref=sr_1_5?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1315350331&sr=1-5

Basically I was wondering if both would work for CQB indoor and for outdoor as well. Also I wanted to make sure that they would work for full seal and ANSI requirements before I went out and dropped $50 on something. I had looked for ANSI req. on the pages but didnt find anything.

Thanks everyone.

[Knief]

Ever since Bolle stopped making their T-600s, these have become some of the best goggles you can get for the money:

bdu.com/oakley-si-o-frame

Whether you want to go with goggles or a full face mask is your choice. At some fields, if you're under 18, you're required to wear a full face mask, so that might dictate for you a little bit. For me, I like to wear just goggles on the field, but a mask in CQB. The engagements are just so much closer and faster that you're more likely to take a hard shot to the face. On the field, it can happen, but it's far less likely and frequent. As long as you know the risks, that you may in fact have a tooth shot out, then you're free to take that risk. Most of us do.

[zafiroff]

Awesome! Thanks a bunch. I think i'll probably get those. They are definitely within my very limited price range. ahhah.
I know the full mask that I posted above was a paintball one but do you think it would work for airsoft? Because thats kind of what I was thinking, get one nice pair of goggles for the field and get a mask for CQB. So if I was to purchase the mask do you think it would work for CQB stuff?

[Knief]

Yeah, that mask looks like it would do just fine. They don't make very many airsoft specific masks, and they're often not as good as the higher quality paintball masks. For whatever mask you get, thermal lenses are a must and a fan is nice. It looks like you've got that covered. The only other thing to consider is the mask's profile. Unlike in paintball, we actually aim down our sights in airsoft. Some of the bulkier masks can make that difficult. Some paintball masks have a soft neoprene face shield that bends in when you want to use your sights, so that can be helpful. And some people will notch out a piece of their mask so they can get their cheek onto their stocks. You can also use optics and elevate them to get a better sight picture. There are options, you just have to figure out what works best for you.

[Javelin]

If you're looking for a good mask, I recommend the Save Phace brand of tactical masks.

www.savephace.com/Tactical/Tactical-Masks

As Knief mentioned above, you want a mask that is low profile so you can use your sights, these are just the thing. I just picked one up and it has to be one of the better face masks I've ever used. Take a look, they're worth every penny.

[Knief]

Javelin, what makes it so much better than other masks you've used?

[Thundernuts Cockpunch]

I think you meant the T-800s Knief.

[Javelin]

Well Knief, I would probably say the profile of the mask itself. They actually thought about how the mask would be used with airsoft players, which is actually using the iron sights. The mask is very low profile, I can get behind the sights of my AR and my G36K very easily, unlike most paintball masks which make that difficult on most guns. The lens they use barely fogs, which was surprising to me. Wearing it in 85 degree weather and high humidity, the lens fogged slightly, but it was not persistent. The finish on the mask is very durable, and very low gloss, almost matte, so it doesn't reflect light. The one I picked up included a thermal lens, and with that installed it never fogs. It is just a very durable, low profile, comfortable mask, and I would recommend it over any other paintball mask any day.

[TheEnd]

I've been using this mesh half mask for about 6 months.

Pros

- At just over $10 it's cheap.
- Allows you to use whatever goggles you want.
- If you don't want the full face coverage outdoors, simply don't put it on, and use the same pair of goggles you always do.
- Because it's mesh it allows you to breath easily.
- Because it's mesh it won't trap your hot breath and fog up your goggles.
- You can form it to fit your face/stock.
- You will keep your teeth.
- It's strong. We fired a 410fps rifle at it point blank several times in the same spot resulting in only minor bending. It was easily bent back.

Cons

- Can act like a cheese grater on your face if not bent/adjusted correctly. If you have a large nose this is more likely.
- Can make your cheek weld slippery (metal mesh on plastic). I fixed that by adding a strip of the soft velcro to my stock.
- To keep it in position I have to put the mask on, then put my goggles on to hold the mask strap.
- May interfere with your ability to aim down the sights. I have very little trouble aiming down the EOTech on my M4.
- The glue holding the fabric edging down will come loose over time, but it's easy to glue it back down.

I would also suggest looking at the Hakkotsu Iron Face mask. It works best in winter, because it's full coverage can trap your breath and fog up your goggles if it's too hot. It is the thinnest mask I know of and won't cause you any trouble aiming down the sights.

I've owned and used both the above masks and I liked them both a lot. I prefer the half mesh mask because it makes communication easier and allows you to breath easily.

[Praetorian]

I ran with a pair of goggles the first time I went to a CQB game and the first time I got hit, I was shot in the lip. My suggestion is listen to TheEnd on this one. The mesh half mask is beautiful choice when you see a nice pair of goggles. I picked mine up on ebay for 7$ shipped.

Pros: (Just pretend I copy and pasted TheEnd's)
Along with his test, I tested my own mask from a ten foot range with a 320fps replica. I used up around a full G&G standard high-cap mag I can say I am glad I spent a whole 7$ for something that hardly dents from 10 feet away and so sturdy.

Cons: (Copy and paste from TheEnd's)

You can also look into a sheet-metal half mask too if the idea of mesh doesn't please you. Another idea of course is that you make your own.

Overall it is a good option for a person that does CQB and outdoors. It's reliable, durable, and well ventilated. This is a rare occasion that you get more than you pay for.

[zafiroff]

I checked out the mesh mask, it looks legit. I didn't want to have just goggles or just a mask. But i'm thinking that the Goggles with the half mesh mask will cover me for field and CQB and it will be the cheapest option. Pretty good deal. The mesh one also looks like its pretty easy to aim down your sights with it on. I like all the ideas. Thanks guys.

[zafiroff]

So I ordered the Oakley goggles and the mesh mask. I got the tan mask because i'm thinking about goin with a desert tan camo. Thanks again for all the advice guys.

[zafiroff]

So the stuff came in yesterday and my friends and I were trying it all out. It works perfectly, like it was worth all the money. Goggles are especially nice, no fog might be the best part. Thanks for the suggestions, they work great.

[Praetorian]

Mission accomplished.