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Paintball is a game that can be played indoors or outdoors on a variety of terrains. The idea is to shoot opponents with paintballs and capture their flag. Hitting an opponent results in them being eliminated from the game.
Many people think that playing paintball requires specialized outfits, but this isn’t true at all: paintball can be played in regular clothes. However, if you want to take things up a notch and get more professional about it, there are some key things to keep in mind when choosing what to wear for paintball.
Long, loose pants
It’s important to wear long pants that cover your legs, even if the weather is warm. Paintball pellets can cause bruising or welt-like reactions (or, less commonly, cuts and bruises) on any part of your body. Wearing long pants will protect you against potential injuries to your shins and knees.
Longer pant legs are also useful for hiding in foliage when you’re trying to be sneaky and avoid the enemy team. The more of your body that is covered with fabric, the harder it is for opponents to see you.
Finally, if you aren’t already aware that paintball guns may sometimes “bounce” off a surface before hitting their target—such as when they hit an object like a tree branch instead of hitting a player—you should know this now. You don’t want to be standing in front of someone who is firing because stray pellets could come back and hit your exposed legs or ankles!
Padded gloves
If you’re someone who ends up with bruises on your knuckles after a competitive game of Monopoly, you can imagine the damage that could be done by a high-velocity paintball pellet. That’s why there are gloves specifically designed for paintball players. Paintball gloves can look like any other gloves, but instead of being made of leather or wool, they’re made from synthetic materials like nylon that are tough and flexible. They also have extra padding on areas that come into contact with your opponent’s gun or get bruised when you fall to the ground after getting hit during a match. The padding is thin enough so that it doesn’t interfere with your hand movements, but thick enough so that it absorbs the impact from taking shots at close range. Most importantly, they have some type of wrist strap or Velcro closure to ensure they stay in place during gameplay. Whether you’re playing airsoft or paintball (or both), make sure your hands are protected before you head out onto the field!
A long-sleeved shirt
If you’re participating in paintball, it’s important to wear the appropriate shirt. This doesn’t mean the most stylish or newest-looking shirt; this means a long-sleeved shirt made of thick, absorbent material that can take a beating from both projectiles and paint, and will also be easy to wash and dry after each use.
A mask and helmet
In addition to proper attire, you will also need a mask and helmet. The best option is to wear a full-face paintball mask complete with padding for protection from impacts and comfort. You may also choose to wear goggles that prevent paintballs from reaching your eyes, though this can leave the rest of your face exposed. A good helmet will cover your head completely, including ear guards for protection from high-velocity impacts that could damage your hearing. While it may be tempting to use a balaclava as a substitute for an expensive mask, keep in mind that they are designed only minimally to protect against the elements and not against projectiles flying at you at up to 300 miles per hour, which is what you’ll be dealing with during a game of paintball.
Eye protection
The first thing to consider is whether or not you have the right eye protection. This may seem obvious, but it’s important that you make sure your eyes are protected by certified safety goggles, not regular prescription glasses. While glasses can protect your eyes from small particles of debris and sharp objects, they won’t protect them from paintballs. Face masks are a good additional layer of protection—it doesn’t replace your safety goggles, but it does provide an extra barrier against stray shots.
If you routinely wear contact lenses, we don’t recommend playing paintball with them in. Paintballs can travel at speeds up to 200mph and cause severe damage to unprotected eyes. You should also avoid wearing any loose clothing or jewelry that could be pulled when shot at close range.
A paintball gun
Let’s talk about the weapon of choice: a paintball gun. While you might be tempted to use your dad’s old paintball gun from the ‘90s, it may not work on today’s field, so it’s important to rent or buy one. Don’t worry—you don’t need to drop tens of thousands for a brand new one. You can find some pretty decent used guns online for less than $100. Make sure that you have plenty of extra paintballs as well—they’re bound to run out quickly if you’re anything like my friend Julius who accidentally shoots himself in the foot every time he plays. If you do run out of paintballs and no one will lend you some, try stealing them from other players! It’s what I do!
If all else fails, there are always stores where you can buy them during your game. Just be sure not to get caught!
Paintball is an exciting sport but it can also be very painful if you aren’t dressed properly.
In order to understand how to play it safely, you need to learn a bit about the sport, including what gear you will need. What follows is an introduction to the essential pieces of equipment and strategies for playing paintball.
Conclusion
Remember, safety is your top priority. Whether you’re playing paintball at a commercial field or in the woods, make sure you dress for success. Wear long sleeves and pants to protect your skin from paintballs, and bring a mask to protect your eyes and face from harm. You’ll also want to wear gloves and a helmet if you’re playing on an official course with obstacles.
And of course, don’t forget to bring your own paintball gun.