7+ Essential Paintball Gear for Beginners [Detailed Guide]
Are you interested in playing paintball but don’t know where to start? Or maybe you’re a beginner and looking for some tips on the best gear to buy. In either case, this article is for you!
I’ll cover seven pieces of essential paintball gear that every player should have. From goggles and a mask to a marker and ammo, I’ll break it all down for you.
So whether you’re just getting started or are gearing up for your next game, read on for some helpful tips and advice.
1. Goggles and Mask
One of the most important pieces of paintball gear is a good mask or set of goggles. Paintballs travel at high speeds, so you need to protect your eyes from being hit.
There are a few different types of masks and goggles available on the market. The most popular type is the full-face mask, which offers the most protection.
If you’re just starting out, I would recommend a full-face mask like the Dye i4. It’s comfortable, has good visibility, and will protect your entire face.
Another option is to go with a set of goggles and a half-mask. This provides less protection but is more comfortable and has better ventilation.
A good option for goggles is the JT Spectra Flex 8. They have a wide field of view and will protect your eyes from getting hit.
2. Paintball Marker
The next piece of gear you’ll need is a paintball marker, also known as a paintball gun. This is the device that fires the paintballs and is the most important piece of equipment you’ll need.
There are a lot of different markers on the market, so it’s important to choose one that’s right for you. If you’re just starting out, I would recommend something like the Tippmann Cronus.
It’s a simple marker that’s easy to use and is very reliable. Another good option for beginners is the Spyder Fenix. It’s slightly more expensive but has some nice features that make it worth the extra cost.
3. Paintballs
Of course, you can’t play paintball without paintballs! These are the projectiles that you’ll be firing at your opponents.
Paintballs come in a variety of different sizes and colors. The most common size is .68 caliber, which is what most markers use.
As for color, there are a few different options available. The most popular color is white, but you can also find paintballs in yellow, orange, and even pink.
4. CO2 or HPA Tank
In order to make your marker work, you’ll need to get a CO2 or HPA tank. This attaches to your marker and provides the air needed to fire the paintballs.
CO2 tanks are the most common type and are available in a variety of sizes. The most common size is 9 ounces, but you can also find tanks that hold up to 24 ounces.
HPA tanks are becoming more popular as they’re seen as being more reliable. They’re also available in a variety of sizes, from 13 cubic feet up to 68 cubic feet.
5. Loader
The next piece of gear you’ll need is a loader, also known as a hopper. This attaches to your marker and holds the paintballs that you’re going to shoot.
Loaders come in a variety of different sizes, from small tube loaders that hold around 50 paintballs, all the way up to large hoppers that can hold up to 200 paintballs.
The type of loader you need will depend on how fast you want to be able to shoot. If you’re just starting out, I would recommend something like the Valken V-Loader. It’s a simple loader that’s easy to use and holds up to 100 paintballs.
6. Barrel
The barrel is another important piece of paintball gear. It attaches to your marker and is the part of the gun that the paintball comes out of.
Barrels come in a variety of different lengths and styles. The most common length is 16 inches, but you can also find barrels that are as short as 12 inches and as long as 24 inches.
As for style, there are a few different options available. The most popular style is the straight barrel, but you can also find barrels that have a ported or angled design.
7. Paintball Clothing
While you don’t need to go out and buy special paintball clothing, I would recommend wearing something that you don’t mind getting dirty.
Paintballs can leave stains on clothes, so it’s best to wear something that you don’t care about. Many people choose to wear old jeans and a t-shirt.
You might also want to consider wearing some type of gloves. This will help to protect your hands from getting hit by paintballs.
8. Other Accessories
There are a few other accessories that you might want to consider getting as well. These include items like a neck protector, elbow and knee pads, and a squeegee.
A neck protector is a piece of gear that goes around your neck and helps to protect you from getting hit by a paintball in the throat.
Elbow and knee pads are worn on, you guessed it, your elbows and knees! They help to protect these areas from getting bruised or scraped if you happen to fall down.
A squeegee is a tool that’s used to clean paintballs off of your marker. This is important because paint can build up inside the barrel and cause problems with accuracy.
Conclusion
Paintball is a great sport for people of all ages. It’s a great way to get some exercise, have some fun, and relieve some stress. I hope this guide has helped you to understand the basics of paintball and what you need in order to get started. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them in the comments below.
Happy shooting!
