Gear Up: Paintballs can be painful, so dress in layers Until you play it safe and dress properly, paintball can be a great sport for everyone, even when you lose every game. This is probably the best fun without playing strictly military war games with weapons equipped with flash suppressors, laser sights, and blank rounds.
Goggles, chest protectors neck / and masks come in all shapes and sizes for paintball, and they can all be very expensive items. But when you get stuck in an area not covered you quickly find how much you need all the above. If you're worried about your budget, craigslist search and e-bay first. Sometimes, if you search for "free" on craigslist you could find someone all unloading equipment or giving one point they were just replaced by something new. If cost is not an obstacle, get the best equipment money can buy and make all your opponents and teammates jealous. Remember that more expensive products are not always better. Ask around and see what is used by most people and what works best.
Regarding clothes, do not forget to dress in layers, no matter how it's hot. Paintball involves lots of hiding and running and is usually done in wooded areas where if you overheat, you can find a shady place to hide pretty easily. Just drink plenty of water to compensate for wearing three or four layers.
Start with long underwear and thick socks. Next should be adjusted long-sleeved shirt and a pair of tight spandex or sweat pants. Finally, you'll need to find outerwear dark or Cammo. Try to obtain official military fatigues, if you can. Also known as EDR (Battle Dress Uniforms), you can get tired in all sizes and all sorts of models for all lands in the jungle wilderness.
Before making a purchase, if you need to check the signs that you are getting the real deal, not cheap imitations. Real fatigue for use by the U.S. military are made in the USA, not China. My own fatigue, issued by the United States Air Force Academy, are 50% cotton and 50% nylon, made by Golden Manufacturing Company in Golden, MS. My cousin once bought a set of fatigues that were virtually identical in appearance to mine, but they were made by a company called Atlanco and were actually manufactured in China. The big difference at the close inspection was the thickness of the material. The pair made in China fatigue were very thin and lightweight. The truths are thick and durable and may not be available in stores too. Even the Army / Navy stores might try to sell imitations as the real case, then think of the tag gold production or find someone in your family in the army that is big and has additional hardships he or she is anymore.
Of course, you'll also want a nice pair of boots that will not weigh you too, but will not under pressure. Hi-Tec manufactures affordable boots that feel like sneakers and are perfect for running or walking in. Their backpack and hiking boots lightweight models are ideal for paintball.
Just be smart and think first of your most sensitive areas. If you do not want to Crushing Blow directly into a certain area of your body, cover it as best as possible.
Posted on March 16, 2010.