This article contains Best Paintball Vest of 2021 | Buyer’s Guide & Reviews (Updated). Paintball mastery is impossible to achieve without first learning how to be a student of the sport. The first step is to ensure that you have the most safe, comfortable, and up-to-date equipment available.
The paintball vest is the piece of equipment that attracts the most attention on the field. Wearing it makes you feel like a real soldier on a mission to protect his or her country. It’s a cool sensation, but this equipment also has realistic applications. The military vests are equipped with ammunition storage slots. Layers of protection are also provided to keep you protected from serious injuries.
Paintball vest are an excellent accessory for players who want to have their accessories close at hand when playing. A paintball vest will hold not only your refillable pods but also a radio, a map, smoke grenades, paint grenades, and a water pouch. Most tactical paintball vests are designed to keep the weight of your gear off your arms and on your shoulders.
This helps you to drive around more easily and hold more gear without being cumbersome. Depending on the terrain, paintball vests come in a variety of sizes, designs, and colors. We have nice fitting rooms at our paintball store in Houston, so feel free to stop by and try on our line of paintball tactical vests before you make your decision!
The thought of having to stock up on protective gear can be intimidating for outsiders to the world of paintballing who have fallen in love with the sport after a speedball session.
For one thing, there’s a lot more to consider than just a face shield and knee pads, particularly when it comes to woodsball and scenario paintballing. Furthermore, being outfitted with a full wardrobe of safety gear can be an expensive situation.
You can spend a small fortune on a paintball vest only to discover that the non-breathable material will wear you out faster than the opponent. Perhaps you’ve spent a fortune on a new tactical jacket, only to find it lacking in padding and very few choices for adding accessories and pouch storage.
This is normally the last piece of equipment I purchase until I’ve found the perfect mask for my needs. The paintball protective vest is the missing piece of the puzzle that will allow you to improve your game. Complement that with heavy trousers and durable shoes, and you’ll be as safe as possible.
All of the above are important for those with low pain tolerance. The detailed guide below will go through the best paintball vest on the market. If that isn’t enough for you, you should look at the paintball vest we picked as runners-up.
If you’re new to the game and need some pointers, or you want to advance from speedball to the higher stakes of scenario and woodsball, our go-to buying guide has all the information you need to start compiling a premium lineup of the best paintball vest.
Key Protection Areas to Consider When Paintballing – Paintball Vest of 2021
Many newcomers to the world of paintball believe the safety gear consists solely of masks and face shields. Although this is undoubtedly the most important type of protective clothing, there are a plethora of other bodily regions that are equally worthy of protection.
As a general rule, you want to show as little bare skin as possible. Even before you start layering on specialist gear, you’ll need a tough base layer of clothing to help withstand impacts from high-velocity paintballs.
Wear long-sleeved tops with your arms covered wherever possible, and use fabrics that are a little looser. Why is this so? Tighter clothing may appear to be a better choice for absorbing impact force, but paintballs are more likely to break apart when they come into contact with it. When it comes to the lower half, you’ll want to cover as much of the leg as possible.
Thicker material is preferred here, as it is more durable enough to withstand all of the creeping, kneeling, and strenuous activity involved in paintball. Having said that, imagine how freely you can travel in your favorite pair of jeans or cargo pants. The ability to move freely is critical for staying one step ahead of the enemy.
The type of paintball format you’ll be playing eventually determines your footwear choices. Scenario and wood paintballing would be far more intense than speedball games. As a result, you’ll want footwear that fits well while still providing sufficient ankle protection to avoid sprains and injury. Hiking boots, for example, are a good option because they provide ankle protection and have better treads than other footwear.
Now that we’ve covered the fundamentals of what you should wear for paintball, we will get into the various types of protective gear you should consider purchasing.
Priority Protection (Masks/Goggles) – Paintball Vest of 2021
Without a doubt, this is the most critical aspect of the body to defend against high-speed projectiles. Consider all of the sensitive points on your face, and you’ll realize how important it is to be outfitted with clothing that protects both the front and back of your head.
Protective headwear must be worn for the duration of the game, so choose anything that is both practical and comfortable enough not to interfere with your performance.
When it comes to paintball vest, the first port of call should undoubtedly be a paintball mask. Always approach your purchasing decision with functionality in mind, and don’t be misled by aesthetic appeal.
When it comes to paintball masks, fit will most certainly be the determining factor. While masks can fit differently depending on the wearer, the main areas to focus on are the area around the eyes and the ears.
You should be adequately covered during play if the mask fits snugly around these lines. Another important component to remember is goggles.
When playing outside, the lenses of your mask will make all the difference, with anti-fog coatings essential to ensure your vision stays clear. Check out our study of the best paintball masks on the market to learn more about head defense.
Do you need neck protection?
Depending on if your paintball mask has built-in neck safety, you can need to add another component to your paintballing gear. Neck protectors are a low-cost piece of paintball armor, with the best options providing plenty of padding and ventilated material for maximum airflow.
Make Sure Your Torso Isn’t an Easy Target
In paintball, the torso is a popular target for enemy fire. And it’s not just incoming paintball missiles to be concerned about. Wood paintballing and scenario games can be physically taxing activities that require you to dive, roll, and slide through a difficult landscape.
When it comes to torso defense, there is a wide range of options available, with chest protectors being the most basic. These bits of protection are worn over your paintballing shirt.
More costly options incorporate the jersey and the protective layer into a single fabric. Such gear should provide padded protection not only for the chest, but also for the back, shoulders, and ribs.
When it comes to paintball vest, versatility and comfort are of the utmost importance. As a result, you’ll want torso security that’s light and breathable enough to keep you comfortable during all-day paintballing sessions.
Keep Protected When Crawling – Paintball Vest of 2021
It’s easy to overlook, but paintballing puts a lot of strain on the elbows. Any good game of woodsball or scenario skirmish will have you diving into the fray or scrambling through rugged terrain, so protecting your guns is critical.
An easy solution, in this case, is to stock up on a good pair of elbow pads. When choosing a suitable pair, the key things to look for are a snug fit and enough versatility to allow for sufficient freedom of movement.
Paintball elbow pads should not only cover the region in question, but should also match the curvature of your arm on either side of the elbow.
In an ideal world, elbow pads will encourage you to move your arms as freely as if you weren’t wearing them. The knees are another area of the body that takes the brunt of paintballing scrapes.
A good pair of knee pads are essential when you’re crawling through wooded terrain or kneeling down to scope out an enemy objective. As with elbow pads, the perfect pair of knee pads should cover the entire knee and fit snugly while still allowing you to move freely while paintballing.
However, you don’t want to cover your legs with something too heavy. Make sure the knee pads you choose are comfortable but discrete, able to fit comfortably under your clothes, and lightweight enough that your mobility and pace are not hindered.
Slide in Safety – Paintball Vest of 2021
If you play more difficult paintball games, slide shorts are definitely worth looking into. These protective shorts may be worn over paintball pants to provide additional protection for the groin and other sensitive areas.
These garments can also reduce friction while performing slides and dives, while also providing additional hip support. You’ll want to choose something that’s subtle enough to wear under your outer layer of trousers, while still ensuring that it’s lightweight and breathable enough to keep you relaxed in the game.
Gear Up with the Right Gloves
When paintballing, you’ll be using your hands at all times to power your marker and take shots at the enemy. As a result, constantly exposing them is not a smart idea. Having your fingers paralyzed by incoming paintballs could knock you out of the game, not to mention leave you with a pretty nasty bruise to take home with you. Gloves, like all other main pieces of paintballing armor, should be well-padded to withstand the force of high-velocity paintball impacts.
When it comes to paintballing, dexterity is much more important than any other part of the body. As a result, the gloves you choose must be lightweight and versatile enough to allow you to properly operate your marker while still performing vital tasks in the field. Choose a pair made of high-quality, breathable fabrics to ensure you’re at your best during the day.
Best Paintball Vest of 2021 | Buyer’s Guide & Reviews (Updated)
We figured you might benefit from another helping hand with your quest now that we’ve gone through some of the most important factors to remember when trying to buy paintballing protective gear. Below is a hand-picked list of some of the best paintball armor essentials currently available on the market.
Armadillo Dry Cooling Vest – Body Armor Ventilation, Air Flow for Ballistic and Tactical Vests, Keeps You Cool Under Internal Carriers and External Carriers (Large)
If you’re looking for protective gear that doesn’t sacrifice comfort, the Armadillo Dry Cooling Vest may be a good match. Because of the breathable material used in its construction, this vest not only keeps you cool when you exert yourself, but it also keeps you free of perspiration.
This cooling vest is designed to be worn under the outer layers of paintball clothing. It prevents bulky chest protectors and heavy armour from rubbing directly against your body, allowing for more relaxed paintball sessions. Furthermore, the simple design and classic black color make it an easy addition to your existing gear.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Empire Paintball BT Chest Protector, Olive, Small/Medium
This Empire Paintball BT Chest Protector is designed to provide full core security for your chest, back, upper arms, and shoulders, leaving you feeling secure as you engage in paintball action. This design’s groundbreaking materials are also worth mentioning. The underarms and side vents are made of stretch fabric that wicks moisture away from your skin, keeping it dry and at a comfortable temperature.
Padding placement has been carefully considered for the highest degree of safety, with perforation to allow airflow in padded areas. This chest protector’s padded feature is especially durable, thanks to the high-density material obtained through a thermoforming process.
GZ XINXING Black Tactical Airsoft Paintball Vest (Black)
If you’re looking for a chest protector that offers both protection from enemy fire and plenty of storage for a full day of paintballing, the GZ XINXING Tactical Paintball Vest is a good contender worth considering.
This tactical vest is made of high-density nylon that is designed to withstand heavy wear and tear. It is also highly flexible, making for a better fit to a wider variety of wearers. The storage capacity is especially commendable in this case.
YAKEDA Tactical Vest Outdoor Ultra-Light Breathable Combat Training Vest Adjustable for Adults 600D Encryption Polyester-VT-1063 (Black) (Black)
This YAKEDA Ultra-Light Tactical Vest is an excellent choice for those who value maneuverability and practical features in torso protection. Side and shoulder straps are adjustable, allowing the wearer to find the perfect fit for their body shape.
This vest’s safety credentials are more than sufficient, with high-density polyester guaranteeing a sturdy piece of paintballing armor that will last for a long time.
Mesh components provide breathability and comfort while also providing a torso shield that is less bulky and less likely to bog you down with extra weight. There are plenty of interchangeable pouches here, ensuring that you have everything you need for paintballing close at hand.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
EliteTek Padded Compression Shirt – CPS14 – Youth and Adult Sizes (Black, Adult M)
This padded compression shirt from EliteTrek will take your paintball protective gear to the next level. Despite being designed for multi-sport use, this compression shirt is ideal for paintballing due to its premium padded protection.
The use of strategically spaced EVA foam provides reliable support to the torso’s chest, ribs, and flanks. This high-quality material is not only long-lasting, but it also allows for a great deal of flexibility.
This compression shirt is cut short at the neck to ensure that the garment does not obstruct full range of motion. This EliteTek key provides the goods if you pay with an additional neck protector.
Maddog Padded Chest Protector – Black
This Maddog Padded Chest Protector is an inexpensive choice for torso safety that has been engineered to perform well in all Airsoft and paintballing adventures. Because of the elasticated shoulder straps and an adjustable harness on the foot, you should expect a comfortable fit. This is useful since the protector is one-size-fits-all.
This chest protector also ensures good levels of versatility, with a lightweight design that won’t prevent you from participating in games where manoeuvrability is important.
There are a number of colorways and styles to choose from, which, when combined with the adequate front and back safety offered, makes this an important piece of gear from a quality manufacturer.
Oliver has been a paintball enthusiast since he first stepped on the field at just 11. He quickly joined clubs and teams all throughout New Hampshire! He started Paintball Hive to share his passion and knowledge with other paintball heads out there!