What Hurts Worse - Airsoft or Paintball?

Humans have for millenia sought out activities to test their bravery and skills. Whether man-to-man combat in Roman Gladiator arenas, or the frenetic pursuit of victory in Dodgeball, the human race has a penchant for testing the limits of pain and what is deemed safe'. It is unsurprising then, with the advanced technological capabilities of modern days, that the two extremely popular activities of Airsoft and Paintball have grown in popularity. These combat simulations resulted in two major questions: Is either of these activities actually safe? What hurts worse - Airsoft or Paintball?

Airsoft vs Paintball: What Are The Differences?

Before we can delve into "What hurts worse?", we must first understand what the differences are between Airsoft and Paintball.

The first major difference is the ammunition used in each. Airsoft ammunition is typically 6mm plastic BBs, whereas Paintball uses .68 caliber pellets of paint filled gelatin. Both types of ammunition can be propelled up to 300 feet per second.

The second distinction lies in the protective gear. Airsoft typically calls for full body protective gear such as face masks and body armor, whereas Paintball typically only calls for face masks.

Thirdly, Airsoft and Paintball are both played in different game styles, with Airsoft having additional variants. Paintball is more often seen as a game of elimination, with players each taking turns trying to tag one another with paint, until one team has won. Airsoft, however, can come in both elimination and tactical combat forms, with the latter involving replications of more realistic weapon combat in a variety of ways.

What Hurts Worse?

The truth is, the answer to the question of what hurts worse - Airsoft or Paintball - really depends on whom you ask.

The main ammunition of Airsoft - six millimeter plastic BBs - is more likely to cause an impact sensation that may cause minor to moderate pain, and therefore is considered to hurt less than in Paintball. Paintball ammunition, on the other hand, is filled with a paint-like liquid inside a .68 caliber sugar-gelatin capsule - when fired, the capsule breaks upon impact and causes a more sudden and intense reaction, like an actual bruise.

However, the pain of Airsoft or Paintball can also be dependent on the distance from which you hit someone, as shots from farther away can be more concentrated and cause a sharper pain sensation due to a greater force upon impact.

Protective Gear

The protective gear worn when participating in Airsoft or Paintball is also an important factor in determining which activity hurts more. Airsoft typically calls for more protective gear, which is meant to provide more coverage and cushioning from the force of an impact. Paintball, though, rarely calls for more than a face mask.

Weapon Variations

Lastly, the weapon variations used also play a role in the answer of "What hurts worse?" Airsoft and Paintball weapons are sometimes designed to be more powerful than necessary, and could therefore cause more intense and prolonged reactions upon impact.

In Summary

Ultimately, what hurts worse, Airsoft or Paintball, depends on both the users of the weapons and the types of weapons and protective gear used. Airsoft is generally accepted as less painful than Paintball due to the ammunition used, however this answer can be disproven by using weapons with higher power settings, which can cause a more intense, prolonged reaction upon impact. The protective gear worn during either activity can also affect how intense an impact can feel for a player.

When participating in either Airsoft or Paintball, it is important to take all of the factors into consideration, and make sure that safety is always the priority. Also make sure all of your equipment is regularly checked to ensure it is in safe working order.

References:

1. https://www.extremepaintballpark.com/airsoft-vs-paintball-whats-the-difference

2. https://safetygearpro.com/airsoft-vs-paintball/

3. https://www.wisegeek.com/what-hurts-more-airsoft-or-paintball.htm