What is Paintball?

Paintball is an adrenaline-seeking sport opting for strategy and speed while challenging opponents with a paintball-shooting marker. Generally, it involves teams that compete to remove members of opposing teams or strategically capture the enemy camp. It's one of the most popular extreme sports since its emergence in the 1980s.

What Do You Need To Wear for Paintball?

First and foremost, you must wear a paintball mask, as paintballs are shot at up to 300 feet per second and some markers can shoot up to 20 balls per second. An appropriate body suit and protective gear over the vital areas and arms are also recommended. Depending on the style of paintball you choose, some facilities may also require you to wear camouflage.

Protective Gear

The general protective gear includes paintball masks, neck guards, chest protectors, padded shorts, kneepads, and arm pads. To avoid bruising or significant injury, wearing multiple layers can be helpful. In some cases, players may choose to use a pod pack which is a belt containing ammo, backpacks, and tools like a squeegee or something to clean off paint.

Paintball Masks

As previously mentioned, the paintball mask is the most critical piece of protective gear for any paintballer. The primary goal of the mask is to protect the eyes and face, as a paintball shot at high velocity can cause blindness, disfigurement, and even death. Furthermore, the certainty of paintball masks and their standardization has helped solidify paintball as an extreme sport, as less than professional masks previously caused many undesired injuries.

Camouflage Clothing

Depending on the style of paintball you'll be playing, camouflage might be necessary. Take woodsball, for example, which requires concealing oneself in order to remain hidden from opponents. To simulate the effect of camouflage and better blend in with the environment, it's useful to wear camouflage paintball clothing. If you're playing an urban paintball game, then camouflage may not be necessary, and what you wear is determined by personal preference and the decorum of the facility.

Miscellaneous Equipment

In addition to the basics, there are some necessary items to bring for an enjoyable game of paintball. As far as weather protection, consider bringing:

• Jacket
• Raincoat
• Hat
• Gloves

For off the field, including carrying your paintball gun, it is useful to bring a bag. This way, you can store items such as your gun, magazines, field supplies, or any extra clothing you may need. Last but definitely not least, you should bring a pair of shoes designed to be used on uneven terrain. Sturdy, ankle-high boots which protect the ankles from twigs or rocks are invaluable on the paintball field.

Insights

Before participating in a game of paintball, be sure to wear the standard protective gear including a paintball mask, neck protection, chest protection, and a body jacket. It is also beneficial to wear gloves, a hat and the appropriate garments. Do not forget to bring miscellaneous essentials such as a bag to store items, and even shoes that are designed to be used on the paintball fields. With the right attire and gear, you can engage in an incredibly exciting and adrenaline-packed game of paintball.