Tech Topics - Paintball Goggles

Paintball Safety – Goggles and barrel sleeves

Two very important pieces of safety equipment are your goggles and your barrel sleeve (also called a barrel sox or barrel condom).

Whenever there is a paintball marker that does not have a barrel sleeve on it everyone in range should be wearing their paintball mask. Conversely, whenever there are players or others in range who are not wearing paintball masks you should have your barrel sleeve on your marker.

In the past barrel plugs were commonly used. These were typically plastic plugs that fit into the barrel of a paintball marker and they would either stop a paintball from leaving the barrel or at least slow it down. However, these plugs are not as effective as a properly installed barrel sleeve and most fields now require the use of barrel sleeves and do not consider barrel plugs a sufficient safeguard. It is important that you check your barrel sleeve to make sure that the sleeve and the cord are strong enough to capture any paintball that might be fired. At the sign of any wear replace the barrel sleeve.

Back To Top

Types of Goggle Lenses

There are two types of lenses, single lenses and thermal lenses, that are in paintball masks. Some players are fortunate in that they are able to play without having their mask fog but most of us, especially on a hot, humid day will experience fogging of our masks. Both types of lenses, single and thermal provide safety from impacts of paintballs but the thermal lens has two panes – like a thermal window. The thermal lens minimizes the fogging of your lenses. If you still get fogging you can install a fan in your mask (not all masks can accept a fan). Many single lens masks have an anti-fog coating, however, this will wear off over time.

Care should be taken in cleaning your masks. The inner pane of a thermal mask is made of a relatively soft plastic and can be easily scratched. We recommend using a very soft cloth or tissue paper to clean your lenses and we strongly recommend that you do not use window cleaners as these can damage the lenses. Only use water or cleaners that are specifically designed for cleaning mask lenses.

If your lenses become cracked or crazed or show any damage replace them before playing. Manufacturers recommend replacing your lenses every year. We agree. Why risk your sight?

Lenses come in different colors from clear to yellow, amber, blue, smoke, gradients and mirrored. Clear lenses work almost everywhere. Smoke or darker tints can be very helpful in sunny environments. Yellow, amber and similar tints can heighten the contrast of items in view especially in shaded areas. Mirrored lenses provide a special look for the player.

Replacement lenses are made for most masks. These are not interchangeable among types of goggles. When you replace your lenses you must get the appropriate lens for your mask. We recommend using thermal lenses when you replace your lenses and that you take care when installing the lenses in order to avoid scratching them. Many masks and replacement lenses come with a thin film on the inner lens. Be sure to remove it before playing.

Back To Top