Best Paintball Vests in 2024
(Ultimate Buying Guide)
GFIRE LIGHTWEIGHT PAINTBALL VEST
GZ XINXING BLACK PAINTBALL VEST
MADDOG TACTICAL PAINTBALL VEST
YAKEDA ADJUSTABLE PAINTBALL VEST
MGFLASHFORCE PAINTBALL TACTICAL VEST
VISMIX MULTICAM PAINTBALL VEST
ACTIONUNION MILITARY PAINTBALL VEST
SNACAM TACTICAL PAINTBALL VEST
GZ XINXING LE TACTICAL PAINTBALL VEST
You might not know, but going into the game field without putting on the best paintball vest can be detrimental! Do not underestimate the fatality of the paintball game. Getting shot in a sensitive place can cause critical damage and this is something you don’t want to experience. Therefore, getting a paintball vest that will offer protection, support and functionality should be your top priority when paintballing.
In this article, I will provide the ultimate guide on buying the best paintball vest and go through the list of the best picks in 2024!
Why Finding The Best Paintball Vest Is Vital For Your Game
Whether you are playing speedball or woodball paintball, being protected at all costs and time is the right thing to do with safety in mind. Since there is no telling when things can turn sideways, being prepared and fully protected is not being overdressed for the event! This is why protection is the first reason why finding the best paintball vest is vital.
Protection
The most important reason for getting the best paintball vest is protection. As I stated in the early part of this article, you can never be overdressed with safety in play. Prevention is better than cure which is why you need the best paintball vest to protect you all the time.
People have sustained serious injuries on the body after being shot with paint. These injuries tend to leave marks that, if you are not lucky, might not fade away and will remain there to constantly remind you of the mistake you made by going to the field without a paintball vest.
Access to Ammunition
You need to carry ammunition regardless of whether you are playing woodball or speedball, whether you are just a beginner or a professional paintball player engaged in an intense game.
To be a quick and efficient player, you need the best paintball vest to carry whatever you need now and later in the game. A good paintball vest must have enough pouches and pockets plus MOLLE System to carry and attach whatever supply you will need at that time and later on.
Value for Money
Getting a paintball vest that will fall apart after just a few days of use is not cool! Sadly, a lot of people have experienced this. Sometimes, people have their paintball vests falling off in the middle of a game which is devastating.
Get the best paintball vest like the ones that will be reviewed on this list and you will never regret it. No matter the amount spent, everyone deserves to enjoy the value of their hard-earned money!
Professionalism
Above all, looking professionally dressed for paintball comes with a boost of confidence for you and tampers with the confidence of your opponents, especially if they are not carrying the same gear you have!
Plus, it gives the expression that you love paintballing and, at the same time, you know what you are getting yourself into. Do not forget that being professional also means you know that safety is your number one priority.
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What To Look For When Buying The Best Paintball Vest
Before buying a paintball vest, you must consider the following characteristics to ensure you get the best deal.
Safety
The best paintball vests are characterized by the safety they offer. You don’t want a paintball vest that is too thin. This won’t stop the painfulness of the shots; rather, it will just keep your shirt and body from being stained by paint.
Nonetheless, the thickness of the vests you use can also be determined by the kind of paintball game you play and with whom you play it. If the game is not an intense one, perhaps a training game, then even light paintball vests will serve just well by protecting you from paint stains and all. But if you intend to play with the big dogs, getting a thick paintball will not only keep paints from staining you but also ease the pain of being shot.
Functionality
The best paintball vests should be able to carry whatever you need now and later in the game, so you will not be caught off-guard and in despair.
To make the paintball game more exciting and long-lasting, we now have paintball vests with a tank pouch that allows you to carry extra paintball tanks – giving more access to CO2 or HPA, depending on what you use. Although some players might see this as extra weight, I believe it all depends on how intense the game is. If you are playing woodsball, you can never be too slow or over-prepared!
Weight
The weight of your paintball vest is one good characteristic to consider. This is before you attach whatever you wish to carry and fill the pockets and pouches on the vest. Carrying all these gears and accessories can equal a great amount of weight. It will do great justice if the vest itself does not contribute to the heaviness! A good feature of the best paintball vest is being weightless!
Durability
Not all the paintball vests out there are durable and will let you enjoy the value for your money. Reviews like this will help you decide which paintball vest to buy that is durable and long-lasting enough for you to enjoy the value for your money.
Parts And Features Of A Paintball Vest You Should Know About
So many parts make up the best paintball vests depending on the manufacturer. The best of the best are made up of the following features.
Pockets and Pouches
Pockets and pouches are lifesavers and have been proven helpful in paintball games. You get to stack a lot of paints in your pockets and pouches and not have them falling off even when you crawl or run when the game gets intense. You also get to keep your walkie-talkie or personal devices close to you, so you don’t end up missing an important notification or update in the middle of the game. There are many other uses for pockets and pouches, making them some of the most important parts of paintball vests.
Adjustable Straps
Adjustable straps allow you to customize the fitting of your vest after mounting to hinder unnecessary movements when you walk, crawl or run in the middle of the game.
Strong Zippers
Zippers are present in most of the modern paintball vests we have today. They are sometimes used as pocket covers. But in most cases, they hold the front-left and front-right sides of your paintball vest together in the middle. Zippers make some paintball vests stylish and tend to give that kick-ass feeling. Also, zippers make paintball vests easy to take off!
D-Rings
D-rings are those D-shaped metals that are used to connect other accessories that you might need. These give you more space to attach more supplies and gear you might need in the game.
Belt Loops
Belt loops play the part of ensuring your vest sits tight where necessary even after attachments. They provide a perfect grip through thick and thin! They are somewhat comparable to adjustable straps, but I believe you should know the difference they share from their names.
MOLLE System
MOLLE system (modular lightweight load-carrying equipment), AKA MOLLE webbings, are woven straps that allow you to attach many other accessories you want. This is one of the parts that distinguish between the already-made and customizable paintball vests – the two types of paintball vests that I will review in the next part of this article.
Two Main Types of Paintball Vests
Even though there are a lot of paintball vests designed by different manufacturers, we say there are two main types.
Already Made Paintball Vests
Already-made paintball vests are easily identified by the number of pockets and pouches they carry. Most of these vests do not come with the MOLLE system, which can be used to distinguish between them and customizable paintball vests. The already-made vests are best recommended for beginners. Some professionals do not fancy these limited options, while some do. Sometimes, it all falls back on what you are willing to carry.
Customizable (MOLLE) Paintball Vests
The customizable paintball vest, AKA MOLLE system, was first introduced by the United States Army in 1997. Ever since this vest’s invention, many gamers have adopted it due to its functionality.
Wearing this type of vest, you get the space to carry extra loads – even though sometimes we do not need to carry any load at all. However, having the assurance that whenever you need to, you can, makes the customizable vest the most recommended for paintball players.
The customizable paintball vest is designed to evolve as the need arises. If you intend to play with professionals, this is the vest for you since you can never be too sure of what you need until the need arises. Their functionality is another reason why they are loved!
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Our Top Picks Of The Best Paintball Vests In 2024
Here are the best paintball vests in 2024 that are essential and significant for safe gameplay. Let’s go through the list together!
GFIRE LIGHTWEIGHT VEST
A perfect example of the MOLLE system is the GFIRE Lightweight Paintball Vest. This one can be customized to carry paintball tanks and other gear if the need arises. You can see how the MOLLE webs are sewn on this particular paintball vest. Unlike some of the paintball vests reviewed here, this one is very easy to customize.
GZ XINXING BLACK VEST
This one is not for lazy gamers, as you can only wash this with your hands. I don’t know about you, but paintball vests are not something I want to wash with my hands. Nonetheless, GZ XINXING Black is one of the best paintball vests with unlimited options. One thing that makes this particular paintball vest unique is the fact it is made with nylon, which makes it stand out!
MADDOG TACTICAL VEST
Maddog tactical paintball vest is one of the lightweight paintball vests out there. It is made with neoprene, one of the most skin-friendly materials you will come across. This vest comes in a combo pack, so there is no need to buy other protective wear if you get this. It is built to step the game up for speedball paintball.
YAKEDA ADJUSTABLE VEST
If you love carrying extra accessories and gear into the game, this is the paintball vest for you. YAKEDA Adjustable Paintball Vest has enough pouches and pockets for you to stuff whatever you might need in the game. It also comes with D-strings and a MOLLE system for extra attachments.
MGFLASHFORCE TACTICAL VEST
Keeping it light but with the freedom to attach it whenever necessary is one of the reasons why many players love the MOLLE system. The MGFLASHFORCE Tactical is a customized version of the already-made and customizable paintball vest. It features a short-length MOLLE system that can allow you to attach a limited amount of accessories when needed. This vest is made with polyester and designed to feature a hook and loop closure.
VISMIX MULTICAM VEST
The VISMIX Multicam is one of the best paintball vests with a tank pouch. You can carry as many as two paintball tanks with you into any paintball game – making you worry less about air during gameplay. This vest also features a lot of MOLLE systems which allows you to carry extra accessories as well. VISMIX Multicam is made with nylon and is highly comfortable to use even in harsh weather.
ACTIONUNION MILITARY VEST
Paintball vests with zippers are some of the best and are recommended for players who wish to maintain style even in gameplay. Vests that come with zippers are easy to pull off after a long day of playing. You can easily take them off with all the attachments and deal with them later when you regain energy. The Actionunion Military Paintball Vest also features a MOLLE system that can come in handy when needed.
SNACAM TACTICAL VEST
This military-grade vest is another one of the MOLLE systems that paintball gamers have adopted. This vest looks better in customized form for those who do not fancy military camouflage. You simply get unlimited options with the Snacam. It features velcro and a MOLLE system, the standard for military vests.
GZ XINXING LAW ENFORCEMENT VEST
Another one for zip lovers is the GZ XINXING Law Enforcement tactical paintball vest. The breathability of this vest is on another level. The pouches are mounted on nets, making them extremely comfortable and, at the same time, protective. However, this won’t keep paint from staining your body if you play with the big boys.
BONUS:
INNOLITES PAINTBALL VEST (FOR CHILDREN)
Children also participate in paintball games; therefore, they should be protected and well-covered during gameplay. The INNOLITES Multi-Function Tactical Vest is perfect for children. It is light and flexible. It won’t restrict their movements and will allow them to carry just enough paintballs that they need for the duration of the gameplay.
FAQ
Are Paintball Vests Expensive?
Paintball vests are not generally expensive. Nevertheless, you will come across some that are quite expensive but will give you a good deal for your money. However, with as low as $40, you can get yourself one of the best paintball vests reviewed in this article.
Do All Paintball Vests Come With A Tank Pouch?
No, not all paintball vests come with a tank pouch. If you require a vest with a tank pouch, you should consider getting the Multicam paintball vest. This is one of the best ones that are designed to carry paintball tanks.
What Is The Most Recommended Paintball Vest?
The most recommended paintball vest is the customizable one. With the vests covered in this article, you have unlimited options of what you can carry. Think of whatever you want to take into the game and I assure you that the MOLLE system will carry it for you.
How Long Do Paintball Vests Last?
Paintball vests last up to 5 years and more with proper care and maintenance. If you shuffle your paintball vests, you will have up to 10 years of use and remain in good condition.
Now You Know All About The Best Paintball Vests
Always remember – safety first! Underestimating the power of your enemy is a grave mistake. So also is undermining the gravity of the risk you expose yourself to when playing paintball.
Safety is essential even in our daily lives and we should be prepared to go to extra lengths to protect ourselves no matter the price we have to pay. The paintball vests reviewed here are protective, supportive and, above all, they are functional and durable.
Get yourself one of the best paintball vests reviewed here and enjoy the paintball game!
