Yes, I could end the blog here. But I know the next question is always, “Okay, but how much does it hurt?” And honestly, pain is kind of hard to quantify.
That said, let’s be real for a second. You’re getting hit by a ball that’s over half an inch in diameter traveling around 285 feet per second. There is a very real chance you’ll walk away with a welt or a bruise, especially if you get shot from closer range. That’s just physics.
Here’s the thing though: the anticipation of getting shot is way worse than actually getting shot. Once it happens, it’s usually a quick “yep, that happened,” and then you move on. And also… getting shot is literally the whole point. You’re here to play, not run around the woods playing hide-and-seek. If there’s zero fear of getting hurt, it just isn’t that fun.
If you’re reading this because you’re deciding whether to bring your kid and they’re right on the line between regular impact and low impact, here’s the question I always ask parents:
Does your kid play contact sports, and do they enjoy it?
If the answer is yes, they’re probably fine for regular impact. If not, starting with low impact is a great move.
Does low impact hurt? Not really. Maybe at point-blank range, but otherwise you’ll know you got shot without it being a big deal.
Some people say regular impact paintball feels like getting snapped with a rubber band. I don’t fully agree with that… but I do think that comparison gets you in the right ballpark.
Pro tip: getting shot in the hands and neck hurts the most. If you want to minimize that, bring a pair of mechanic’s gloves and wear a collared shirt or neck buff. Your future self will thank you.
So, does paintball hurt? Sometimes. Is it still fun? Absolutely. Pain is relative, and for most people, the adrenaline and excitement far outweigh the sting.
And if it didn’t hurt at all… it wouldn’t be nearly as fun.
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