What Hurts More: Paintball or Airsoft?

Looks like you're wondering what hurts more: paintball or airsoft? It's no doubt an important consideration when participating in either activity for the first time. After all, no one wants to feel sore and bruised the day after an adventure with family or friends. Let's explore this question in greater detail so you know what to expect as you break your paintball or airsoft cherry.

How Does It Feel?

In a sentence: it's painful! Both activities involve pistols, machine guns, and sniper rifles shooting' round plastic spheres. These spheres range in size, from 6mm for airsoft, to 8.2mm for paintball. Generally speaking, larger calibers create deeper penetration on impact and therefore are more hurtful than smaller ones.

The Difference in Caliber

The smaller airsoft round is less painful despite being able to travel at higher speeds of up to 130 meters per second, whereas a paintball could only reach speeds of up to 90 meters per second. That's because paintballs are larger in diameter, creating a bigger target area for more impactful contact. In some cases, even a full-on paintball sniper rifle will be no match for a high-end machine gun pistol.

Impact of Distance from Target

The distance from you and the target should be taken into consideration when deciding which sport hurts more. If the target is a few meters away, the paintball will undoubtedly be more painful as it has to travel farther before hitting the target, providing the sphere more time to pick up speed. On the other hand, if the target is a few feet away, the airsoft sphere will hurt more as it is able to reach speeds of up to 130 meters per second and generate more force on contact.

The Protective Gear

Protective gear plays a significant part in minimizing the pain of paintball and airsoft. For instance, most airsoft skirmishes take place in the woods, meaning players wear additional clothing, such as costumes and robing, to obscure their location. Although these costumes are mostly for aesthetics, the extra layer helps to lessen the sting of the spheres. Additionally, most paintball fields also require players to wear a full-face mask, chest protector, and elbow pads. So overall, extra protective gear will undoubtedly make the experience more comfortable.

In Summary

All things considered, paintball does hurt more than airsoft. Paintballs are larger in circumference and generate more force when they hit the target; and the slightly larger target area also adds to the discomfort. However, the more significant factor is the protection you can get from protective gear and the distance you are from the target.

Ultimately, both activities will hurt when playing without protective gear, but airsoft will be tolerable at close range whereas paintball is more painful at a distance. And if you do decide to take part in either one, we recommend you get yourself some armor to ensure a more pleasant experience.