We get asked a lot about our reviews of the best airsoft goggles to wear over glasses–why we didn’t include certain models, reader opinions, comments, and more. It has become a touchy subject, and arguably our most “controversial” write up.
With every face/player being different, it makes sense that everyone has different experiences with different airsoft goggles and their effectiveness, but one thing is certain– everyone hates fog. Aside from safety, fog is the number one reason someone tosses a pair of goggles in the trash. If you can’t see the field, your enemy, or your teammates, whats the point?
There has also been some confusion on what constitutes “full-seal”, whether mesh facemasks are optimal for safety, and how to keep your goggles fog-free as long as possible. Buckle up, because we’re about to tag you with some airsoft goggle knowledge.
Types of Airsoft Goggles and Masks
To start, we’ll quickly cover the two options for protecting your face from speeding BBs– full face masks and airsoft goggles (which are recommended to pair with a lower-half face shield). Why? While you may think your eyes are all that need to be covered, an airsoft BB can easily chip a tooth or cause a fat lip, so if you’re going the goggle route, a face shield is a must.
However, there are pros and cons to each of these choices, and many official airsoft matches require that you have what’s called “full-seal” protective eyewear, so we’ll cover what that means exactly.
Face Masks
Full airsoft face masks simply offer the most protection, and are commonplace in matches worldwide. They generally fit pretty snug against the face, and can extend all the way up the forehead, providing the most coverage of all the airsoft face protection options on this page.
However, that comes at a cost. Because it sits so close to your face and covers so much area, the chance of fogging is high. As we make our way through this list, the order of importance (as we see it) for airsoft goggles and masks is the following: Safety, Visibility, Comfort, Style. In that order.
So because full airsoft face masks fog easier than others, they fall short in the visibility category. But if you’re after the look and protection of an airsoft facemask, here are some top choices:
Outdoormaster full face mask
As far as full airsoft-specific facemasks go, this one is hard to beat. It’s comfortable, adjustable, and provides significant protection. The eye holes are metal mesh, not lenses, so you may want to choose a lensed mask if you’re playing in very close quarters. There aren’t a ton of ventilation holes, but because you can’t fog anything up, that doesn’t matter a whole lot in this case (unless you get very sweaty).
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YASHALY Airsoft Mask
Although the above is comfortable and protective, you may not love the “skull” aesthetic. If that’s the case, you might opt for a more “standard” airsoft face mask like this Yashaly airsoft mask, which still has a mesh eye guard, and protective sides/back.
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Anyoupin face mask (w/ lens)
There’s a couple reasons why you may not want a metal mesh eyeguard (although its much better for ventilation, there’s a chance that the projectiles might fracture or break, sending pieces inside your mask. It’s rare, but possible). If this is a worry, this Anyoupin mask has an actual lens that is pretty well-ventilated.
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Mesh facemasks
The following subset of facemasks are made entirely of mesh. While these completely solve the problem of fogging (theres no lens whatsoever!), it’s not easy to see through the mesh when playing on a long-distance field. These mesh facemasks are best reserved for more close-quarters matches, which is ironic– because extremely close shots to the face of a mesh airsoft facemask will sometimes shatter the BB, potentially causing some light scratches or injury to the face. If you’re willing to accept this risk to completely reduce the probability of fog, then these lightweight mesh facemasks might be for you:
Airsoft Full Face Mesh (steel)
This full mesh head cover is very very tough, and provides an all-over, comfortable fit. Unlike the facemasks above, this is entirely ventilation, which is great for very warm climates. It may be difficult to focus on long range targets with the mesh in front of your face, and if you use an optic on your rifle, getting a proper cheek weld may be difficult.
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Paintball masks
Can you use a paintball mask for airsoft? We certainly think so. You may read some accounts saying that paintball masks aren’t an appropriate option as an airsoft face mask as they occasionally have holes that are larger than the diameter of the plastic BBs. This is true, but you simply need to keep this in mind and choose a paintball mask that is appropriate. Paintball masks are well-designed to fit comfortably, fight fog, and many fit over prescription eyeglasses well. These are the priciest option, but they are the top choice in our opinion, as they check all the boxes of protection, vision, comfort and style. Bonus: if you also play paintball, then you just have just one piece of gear to buy.
Dye i4 Precision
While it’s marketed as a paintball mask, the Dye I4 is well-suited for airsoft. It also fits well over glasses, if you wear them. (More on that here). The minimal design lets you get closer to your optic and get a proper cheek weld. Extremely fog-resistant.
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Virtue VIO Extend
Another favorite for players is the VIO Extend, which is top tier quality and protection. (these, however, will not comfortably fit over eyeglasses, for what it’s worth). What we like is that the bottom half can be removed, which is handy for outdoor games that you’d prefer a little more ventilation by using a lower-half mesh mask (see down the page).
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HK Army Paintball KLR Thermal Anti-Fog Mask
Lastly, there’s the HK thermal, which also near the top in terms of comfort, fog-fighting, and protection. We particularly like the way the vents are designed on this mask, as there’s no way BB’s are getting through. Unlike the above, these also come right in under $100. Good deal for a high-quality mask that can double for both paintball and airsoft.
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Airsoft Goggles
Maybe you prefer to wear a tactical helmet or shemagh, or just prefer the lightweight nature of protective airsoft goggles. In that case, there are a handful of options for quality goggles to wear that can stand up to repeated BB impact.
Lancer Tactical
As for goggles, it’s hard to beat the Lancer Tacticals. They are specifically designed for airsoft, with slanted vents to keep BB’s out and prevent the goggles from fogging up, at which they are quite effective. This are a bit on the large size, so if you’re a smaller teenage player, consider the Valkens below.
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Valken V-TAC Sierra Airsoft Goggles
These provide the least amount of coverage area, so a lower half mask is highly suggested, but they are almost impervious to BB impact and really fight fog well. Good for small and large faces alike.
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ESS Turbofan Goggles
The Rolls-Royce of goggles, these ESS’s are what some military branches use in the field. They’re tough, comfortable, and feature a small fan to keep airflow moving within the interior. The fan can get slightly noisy, but only to yourself (not other players).
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Will any safety goggles work?
Early/beginner players might think that simple safety glasses might be enough to play a casual game of airsoft. While it’s certainly better than having NO goggles, these are not designed for this unique sport. Often times, safety goggles and worse, safety glasses, still have wide gaps that BBs can ricochet into. The goggle options above are full-seal (no gaps) and aren’t wildly expensive, so it’s worth the investment to protect your eyes and face.
Lower half face masks
As mentioned earlier, the lower half of your face is still at risk to injury when wearing airsoft goggles, so many choose to pair their goggles with what’s called a “lower half” face mask. These come in a variety of stylish options – from a tactical military look to simple protective mesh. Regardless, you should look for one with the most amount of ventilation (without sacrificing protection). This is why most players choose a full mesh lower half mask (below)
Tactical Crusader Steel Half Mask
Pair this with any goggles above for maximum protection of your mouth and nose area. The elastic bands are fully adjustable for a comfortable fit
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OneTigris 6″ Foldable Half Face Mesh Mask
This half mask is a little more secure on the head, perfect for games when youre running through brush or constantly putting your cheek on the weld of your rifle stock. Maybe a little less ventilation than the mask above, but definitely a higher quality product.
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OneTigris Half Face Mask with Ear Protection
Pretty similar to the OneTigris model above, but with cutout mesh holes over your ears, making it easier to hear your teammates instructions and approaching enemies.
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Airsoft Helmets and Additional Protection
the benefit of airsoft goggles (as opposed to a full mask) is they can align nicely with airsoft helmets, which many players choose to protect the rest of their head from both BBs and tree branches as they run. As a little bonus protection, here are a few tactical airsoft helmets and head protection options:
Airsoft SWAT Tactical Helmet
Go for the full tactical look with this lightweight ABS tactical helmet that fits heads up to 7 5/8″. The inner suspension is comfortable and lets the top of the head breathe to cut down on overheating.
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Preventing Fog on Airsoft Goggles
Let’s say you’ve made your choice and spent some cash on an awesome, comfortable set of airsoft goggles – and your first day on the field, they start fogging up. F**! What can you do?
First, there are some general goggle fogging prevention tips (whether its airsoft, snowboarding, etc.) that you should keep in mind. In the instance of airsoft, make sure that whatever is in front of your mouth is breathable and not shooting hot air straight up into your lenses.
You can also pick up a cheap anti-fog solution to treat your goggles before you begin. The science behind these has come a long way from just rubbing spit around the inside, and they only cost a couple bucks for hundreds of treatments.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a full face mask, paintball mask, or separate airsoft googles with a lower half mask, you should now be prepared and well-informed to keep your eyes and face safe as you flank the other team!
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