I'm relatively new to the game but I think they take the fun out ov it yeah it gona hurt but man up or go play airsoft* lol
It's not necessarily a matter of manning up
In the woods etc I would say just wear loose clothing, but if it gets people playing then they are worth wearing to give them confidence to go out and play
But out in the woods it's just another layer to get you hot
In tournament play you should probably wear them - especially players who are going to be heading out to the front and bunkering / being bunkered. People will be wanting them for a couple of reasons - one of the 2 layers permitted, the slight chance of getting bounces, the padding will normally be on sensitive areas such as kidneys
In tournament for marshals and photographers the marshals go directly into the line of fire paint checking players etc, when photographing I get battered to hell on the sidelines - and especially when I lean in to get photos over a players shoulders
Unlike players, marshals and photographers are constantly shot - players are shot and walk away
I'm no wimp, when it's hot you'll find me playing scenario in a t-shirt, photographing a tournament in a media vest, but in the cold or at the start of a day I'll probably have a t shirt, bounce vest, tournament jersey and media vest on top
If you shoot my little finger or shoot me when I'm cold wet and miserable then I'll bitch like hell - but still lean into the lane of paint being shot past the player whilst I try and get that shot
* airsoft is soft - however the first time I was shot by an airsoft pellet / ball was into the back of my head from less than 6 foot when knelt down just inside a building facing the players inside whilst photographing / marshalling an urban event
I let out a yell before realising it didn't actually hurt
