What to Wear (and Not Wear) When You Play Paintball?
Dressing for paintball can be a daunting task. You want to wear something that will protect you, but you also want to look good and feel comfortable. What’s the best way to dress for this sport? Keep reading to find out!
What to wear when playing paintball?
Paintball is a fast-paced game. It can get extremely hot in the middle of the battle, especially in the summertime. Wearing light clothing is important in order to keep your agility and flexibility during the game.
If you’re planning on buying paintball equipment, then you might want to consider spending a little bit more money on some good-quality paintball pants.
These pants are made out of tough material, and they won’t rip apart on you just after a few uses. They’re also extremely easy to move around in, which is really helpful during the game.
You might want to wear a shirt in order to cover your arms. If you’re wearing long sleeves, then make sure that they aren’t loose at all. Otherwise, it will get caught on the trigger of your gun every time you lift it up.
Try to avoid wearing white or bright colors when playing paintball. It can be extremely difficult to hide in the bushes when you’re wearing a white T-shirt. Jeans are also a bad idea since they can be ripped apart by gunshot pellets.
What not to wear when playing paintball?
Although it’s usually fine to wear casual clothes for this sport, you also have to be careful about what you’re going to wear.
Here are some things that you should avoid wearing when playing paintball:
- Jeans
- Loose clothes with dangling sleeves
- Bright colors, such as white or yellow
- Large coats
Even though it’s not a rule that you have to abide by, it is a lot better if you wear dark clothing. For instance, a pair of blue jeans will be a lot harder to spot in the bushes than white ones.
How about footwear?
The best option is to wear some sneakers or trainers when playing paintball . While you might get away with wearing boots, they might actually slow your movements down and reduce your agility.
If you’re planning on running quite a bit during the game, then make sure you wear some good quality running shoes. Just make sure that they are completely comfortable for you and that they don’t restrict your movements.
How to dress for different weather conditions?
If you’re playing paintball in the middle of summer, then wearing light clothes is probably a good idea. After all, it will be much harder for your opponent to spot you if you wear dark colors.
However, depending on where you live and what time of the year it is when you play paintball, things might not always be so simple.
Let’s take a look at how you should dress in different weather conditions:
Snowy or rainy weather:
Even though paintball is an extremely fun sport, you might not want to play it when there’s snow on the ground. The ground will be extremely slippery, which can certainly slow your movements down. You’ll also get wet very quickly, which might make it difficult for you to keep your gun in your hands.
If you happen to play paintball in the wintertime (or in the rain), then try wearing dark clothes made out of thick material. Wool, for instance, is a perfect choice since it will both insulate your body heat and provide some extra protection against the elements.
Extremely hot weather:
If you’re playing paintball in extremely hot weather, then wearing light clothes is a no-brainer. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year when it is most likely that your opponents might wear jeans or other types of thick clothing. In order to counter this advantage, make sure to hide in the bushes and surroundings.
Cold weather:
If you’re planning on playing paintball when there’s snow on the ground, then wearing dark colors is a good idea. In this case, it will be much easier for your opponents to spot you when you wear light clothes.
Extremely windy weather:
In extremely windy weather, your clothes will become extremely important. For instance, wearing loose fitting clothing might result in you accidentally revealing yourself to the enemy team. Even though it’s not a rule that you have to abide by, try wearing dark colors in order to avoid getting spotted.
Tips for staying comfortable and safe while playing paintball:
When playing paintball, make sure you wear clothes that fit well and provide the right level of comfort. The most important rule is to avoid wearing any jewelry or other items that can potentially interfere with your equipment.
1) A pair of sturdy shoes:
Make sure you always wear a pair of closed-toe shoes that provide good traction and ankle support. This way you’ll avoid twisting your ankle when moving around.
2) Pants/Shorts:
Make sure the pants or shorts you wear are close fitting, have deep pockets and are made out of a durable material that’s also flexible enough to allow maximum movement. Using cargo pants is also a good idea since they come with additional pockets where you can put extra equipment.
3) Gloves:
Even though having paint on your hands when playing paintball might sound unpleasant at first, it’s much better for the players if their gloves are covered in paint. Your bare hands are extremely vulnerable to injuries since there’s no padding whatsoever. Paintball gloves prevent your hands from getting injured and they also provide a much better grip which means you’ll be able to fire and handle your paintball gun more effectively.
4) Long Sleeved Shirt:
Although long sleeved shirts might come in the way of your equipment or gun, this is definitely one piece of clothing that can save you from getting injured. If another player manages to hit you with his paintball marker, wearing a long sleeved shirt will prevent the paint from getting into open wounds.
5) Head Protection:
Even though most indoor fields require that your head is protected by a mask or cap, make sure you bring a bandana as well. Wearing this simple protection device might prevent potential injuries and taking it off in between games is also a lot easier.
6) Knee/Elbow Pads:
Even though wearing knee and elbow pads might feel cumbersome when playing paintball, this is one piece of equipment that can help you avoid injury. Most injuries occur to players who don’t wear any body protection whatsoever which is why it’s recommended to use at least a pair of knee pads.
7) Sweat Absorbing Headband:
Since paintball games tend to last for a few hours, it’s important that you don’t get too sweaty and that your headband is able to absorb the sweat. This way you won’t lose concentration because of an uncomfortable feeling and your marker will also be much easier to aim with.
8) Protective Goggles or a paintball mask:
Wearing protective goggles is absolutely essential when playing paintball. Even though most indoor fields don’t require a mask, you should still have one with you just in case the game suddenly turns into an outdoor battle.
9) Extra Clothing:
Make sure that if it’s cold outside that you wear some additional clothing, like gloves and a scarf. The temperature can drop dramatically even during spring or autumn which is why you should bring some extra clothes with you.
If it’s summertime then wearing sunglasses might be a good idea since they won’t fog up as easily as goggles do. When playing paintball indoors, make sure that your mask doesn’t touch your glasses or skin since this will almost certainly result in a horrible fogging up.
In order to make sure that paintball remains a safe and enjoyable activity, you should always wear the proper clothing and bring extra equipment with you.
Final Thoughts:
Since paintballs are considered projectiles, proper clothing is very important for both your protection and safety. This is why it’s crucial that you wear the safest clothes possible since they’ll help you avoid potential injuries.
If you want to stay safe and sound, make sure that your clothing is durable enough so that it can withstand rough usage. When playing paintball for fun with friends or during competitions, proper equipment always comes first!
