7 Tips to Stay Cool and Comfortable While Paintballing
No matter how much you may enjoy playing paintball, there’s no denying that it can be a physically demanding activity. If you’re not prepared for the heat and humidity, you’ll quickly find yourself feeling uncomfortable and out of breath.
Check out these seven tips to stay cool and comfortable while paintballing.!
7 Tips to Stay Cool and Comfortable
Paintball players must prepare for any kind of conditions. Image by Nikkolas Smith/PDSA.
1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate
There are a few things more important than proper hydration while playing paintball. Be sure to drink plenty of water before the game begins and during breaks between games. If you’re playing in particularly hot, humid conditions, you may want to consider using a sports drink instead of water.
A recent study found that players who drank a carbohydrate-electrolyte solution after being exposed to high heat conditions had higher plasma volume and lower heart rates than those who drank plain water.
2. Protect yourself from the sun
Paintball involves a lot of running around outside, so it’s inevitable that you’ll be exposed to the sun. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and apply sunscreen to any exposed skin before going out into the sun.
Sunburn not only makes you feel uncomfortable, it also raises your risk for heatstroke.
3. Dress appropriately
Dress in loose-fitting, lightweight clothing that will keep you comfortable as you move around outside. Natural fibers are preferable to synthetic fabrics because they breathe better and feel cooler when wet with sweat.
If your shoes aren’t already broken in, now is the time to break them in! They’ll protect your feet from the hot ground, provide better traction on paint-splattered fields, and protect you from injury.
4. Use a paintball harness
A paintball harness will allow you to clearly see the load limit of your air tank, which helps you avoid overfilling. It can also decrease wear on your paintball marker’s regulator and hoses.
You’ll still want to inspect your equipment before playing to ensure it is in good working order, but a paintball harness makes the task much easier.
5. Play during the early morning or evening
If you’re playing in hot, humid conditions where heatstroke is a risk, consider playing at dawn or dusk when the temperatures are cooler. You’ll still need to wear appropriate clothing to protect yourself from the sun, though.
6. Take breaks between games
Paintball is an intense sport that can cause you to lose a lot of fluids and electrolytes. Take a break every half hour or so to drink some water, eat some fruit, and rest in the shade.
7. Eat healthy foods
Being healthy doesn’t just mean eating lots of fruits and vegetables; it also means eating foods that will help replenish electrolytes that you lose through sweat.
Bananas, oranges, and other fruits are good sources of potassium and sodium, which can help you feel better during intense physical activity. Now get out there and play!
Last Words
Playing paintball during summer can be a hard task even if you follow these tips closely. If you get exhausted, consider playing inside a climate-controlled facility. That way, you can stay cool and comfortable while having fun!
