Can You Play Paintball With Glasses? YES (with a paintball mask)

Hi, Freddy here. I’ve been playing paintball for a decade, and I know everything about playing paintball with glasses as I’ve been using glasses and contact lenses for years.

Yes, you can play paintball with glasses! The most critical concern is safety. Wearing a mask is essential to protect your eyes, and you must wear a paintball mask that fits over your glasses. 

You can take a few approaches if you wear glasses while playing paintball. Let’s explore.

Buy a big paintball goggle.

Buying an oversized paintball mask with a lot of interior room for your glasses is one way to play paintball with glasses. Consider this option if you already have expensive prescription glasses and don’t want to buy new ones or a separate pair. The right mask for glasses is a big paintball mask, such as Dye i5, Push Unite, or Empire E-Flex.

You may also feel more comfortable wearing a bigger mask even when not wearing glasses, and they provide a great field of view.

Buy smaller glasses that fit inside most paintball goggles. 

The number one reason to buy smaller glasses is that they are less likely to interfere with the fit of your paintball mask. It is the best option if you rent masks when you go play, as you don’t know which brand or type they have at the paintball field, increasing your chances of finding one that fits your glasses.

Additionally, small glasses inside your mask will give you good peripheral vision, fog up less than big glasses, are less likely to cause discomfort, and won’t fall off easily during play.

Buy prescription lens inserts for sports goggles.

Prescription lens inserts might be the best option if you want a more comfortable option than wearing glasses since there are no temples, hinges, or end pieces. The lens insert fits within the interior of the paintball mask lens. The disadvantage is they may be hard to fit perfectly, and if you run and jump a lot, they may become loose and annoying.

Here are a few reasons why you should choose lens inserts:

1. Lens inserts for paintball masks provide reasonable protection for your eyes. The lenses are made of high-quality material that can withstand the impact of running, jumping, and getting shot.
2. Lens inserts offer better clarity and vision than regular paintball masks, as the lenses are closer to your eyes, providing a wider field of view.
3. You can use lens inserts for paintball masks of almost any type, allowing you to use a paintball mask of any style or color, customize your look, and match your team.
4. Lens inserts are easy to change if they become scratched or damaged. You can remove the old lens and insert a new one without replacing the entire mask.
5. Most lens inserts are compatible with various paintball mask brands, so you can use the same lenses in multiple masks, which is convenient if you own more than one mask, if you rent one, or if you want to lend your mask to someone else.
6. Lens inserts for paintball masks are typically less expensive than buying a new one, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious players who still want to get the most out of their gear.

Wear contact lenses instead of glasses

If all else fails, consider wearing contact lenses instead of glasses. Problem solved. Especially day lenses, you can keep them for a long time and only wear a pair while playing paintball. I prefer daily lenses over monthly lenses since there is no need for any lens solution or lens cases. Monthly lenses are also a more expensive option unless you use them often. Some glasses wearers swear never to use contact lenses, but I think everyone should at least try it to see for themselves.

Finding a proper paintball mask that fits with your glasses

It would be best if you had a mask that fits comfortably with your glasses and has good ventilation, so it doesn’t fog up. 

If you rent a mask, ensure it fits comfortably with your glasses. Otherwise, it will be annoyingly pressing against the rims, the bridge, the end pieces, or the temples.

Go to a sporting goods store or some store that sells paintball equipment and try on a few goggles. Don’t forget to bring your glasses. It’s better to try this in the store before you purchase a paintball mask than to regret your purchase later.

Alternatively, you could order many paintball masks from an online store with a good return policy and try the masks at home. Many e-commerce stores that sell glasses have an option such as this:

• Pick five pairs of glasses you like.
• Try them on at home.
• Only keep the one you liked the most and return the rest.

If you go this route, make sure the store will accept returns, even after you have opened the package and tested the product for yourself.

How do you wear a paintball mask with glasses?

You can wear a paintball mask with glasses in a few different ways. The first way is to put the glasses inside the goggle, which will protect your eyes from the paintballs, but it may make it uncomfortable if the mask doesn’t fit well. 

Here’s how to wear a paintball mask over glasses:

1. Make sure the inside of the mask is large enough to fit your glasses.
2. Choose a mask with a foam gasket that will create a seal around your glasses and keep them from fogging up.
3. Adjust the straps of the mask so that they are tight enough to keep it in place but not so tight that they are uncomfortable.
4. If possible, try on the mask before buying it to ensure it fits well and doesn’t obstruct your vision.
5. When wearing the mask, ensure you can see clearly in all directions.
6. Be aware of your blind spots, and try to position yourself so that someone else can cover them for you.
7. Practice removing the mask quickly if you need to do it in an emergency.

The last option is to remove your glasses and play with a paintball mask with reduced vision, which depends on how good or bad your sight is.

If you can’t see anything, you probably won’t be having a fun experience playing paintball with a disadvantage, and you’ll end up being a sitting duck for your opponents on the field.

How do I keep my paintball mask from fogging up my glasses?

One of the most common problems paintball players faces is that their paintball mask fogs up their glasses, which is highly frustrating as it can impair your vision and make it challenging to play the game. However, you can do a few things to prevent this from happening:

1. First, ensure that your paintball mask fits properly. If it is too loose or tight, moist air can cause fogging. 
2. Second, use anti-fog spray or wipes on your lenses before putting on your mask, which helps to prevent fog from forming in the first place. 
3. Third, avoid breathing heavily while playing, as this can cause condensation inside your mask. 
4. Fourth, keep your glasses clean and free of debris. Dirty lenses fog up more quickly.
5. Fifth, try adjusting the vents on your paintball mask to allow more airflow and ventilation.
6. If all else fails, try wearing contact lenses instead of glasses. This way, you won’t have to worry about your lenses fogging up inside your mask.

How to Choose the Right Paintball Mask for You If You Wear Glasses?

When choosing a suitable paintball mask, there are a few things to consider. First, you want to ensure the mask fits well without putting pressure on any part of your glasses and that it has anti-fog features. Second, you want it to be comfortable so you can use it for a long time, and finally, clear and clean to not impede your vision while playing paintball.

Things to consider when buying a paintball mask with your glasses

There are a few things to consider when looking for the best paintball mask if you wear glasses:

1. You want a mask that does not put pressure on your glasses.
2. You want to find a mask that has a good seal around the edges to keep paint and debris from getting inside the mask and damaging your glasses.
3. You want to ensure the mask has a wide field of view so you can see clearly while playing.
4. You want to find a mask that is comfortable to wear for long periods.
5. You want to ensure the mask is durable and will not break easily.
6. You want to find a mask that is affordable and won’t break the bank.

In summary: With the right gear, you can absolutely play paintball with glasses.