| I can’t count the number of times that I’ve seen | | | | worth mentioning that you shouldn’t forget your |
| someone arrive at a field or paintball outing only to | | | | tank. There are two main varieties of tanks... CO2 |
| discover that they left their hopper at home… or how | | | | tanks are typically measured in ounces, which describe |
| many times I’ve seen a gun break only to find that | | | | how much liquid CO2 the tank will hold. 20oz CO2 |
| the owner doesn’t have a tool kit or spare parts | | | | tanks seem to be the most popular and a full tank will |
| available. Luckily in most cases, there are others | | | | typically give you 900 – 1000 shots. Keep in mind |
| around who did remember, and are happy to help out, | | | | that some guns (typically more expensive guns) do not |
| but sometimes being unprepared means you may get | | | | recommend using CO2 and instead recommend |
| to sit and watch others play. | | | | Nitrogen tanks, which in most cases use normal |
| That being said, I’ve compiled a list below of the top | | | | compressed air. These are typically measured by the |
| 10 things to make sure you always have in your bag | | | | size of the tanks (in ci or cubic centimeters) and |
| before you head out to the field. We’ll assume | | | | pressure (in psi or pounds per square inch). The larger |
| for the sake of this article, that you haven’t | | | | the tank and the higher the PSI, the more shots you will |
| forgotten your gun. | | | | get. It’s worth noting that not all fields can fill the |
| 1. Paintball Mask – This should probably be number 1, | | | | higher PSI tanks, so you may end up getting 3000psi |
| 2 and 3 on the list. You should never play paintball | | | | fills on a 4500psi tank. |
| without a mask that is designed for paintball. Let me | | | | If you play a lot, or don’t play on a formal field, then |
| say that again. You should never play paintball | | | | you may want to consider having two tanks. This will |
| without a mask that is designed for paintball. Your | | | | allow you to get both filled and allow you to keep |
| eyes are much to important to take any chance losing | | | | playing if one breaks or is empty. DO NOT attempt |
| them. Safety goggles or sunglasses don’t offer the | | | | to repair a malfunctioning tank on your own. Paintball |
| protection you need when a paintball is heading at your | | | | tanks are under very high pressure and you may be |
| face going 285 feet per second. | | | | injured or killed if you are not properly trained to |
| Paintball masks come in many varieties. All masks | | | | service and repair tanks. Your local paintball shop or |
| that are intended for paintball should meet the minimum | | | | dive shop are good places to start when looking for |
| safety requirements, so after that your choice is going | | | | someone to repair a tank. |
| to be focused more on comfort, visibility, and style. | | | | 7. Tools and Spare Parts - Most markers come with a |
| More expensive masks tend to excel in all three areas | | | | few spare parts and tools needed to performance |
| but something like the entry level vForce Armor | | | | maintenance on the marker. Make sure these stay in |
| Goggles are fine for beginners. For more experienced | | | | your bag. In addition, most manufacturers sell parts |
| players you may find them wearing the vForce | | | | kits which include more of the same parts, and in many |
| Profilers or the vForce Grill vision systems. | | | | cases other parts which you will want to have on |
| 2. Safety Gear – Even though a mask is | | | | hand in the event that they break. O-rings and cup |
| considered safety gear, I felt it was important to list it | | | | seals are obvious items to have. An o-ring pick will help |
| separately. There are a number of other safety | | | | with removing damaged or broken o-rings that need |
| items which should be considered as well such as | | | | replacing. You will also want to have gun oil in your |
| paintball gloves, neck protectors, and knee and elbow | | | | kit, which should be applied to the o-rings as well when |
| pads. These will make you more likely to dive when | | | | you are replacing them or cleaning your marker. Be |
| necessary to avoid being shot, and will make you less | | | | sure to check if your marker requires or recommends |
| likely to get hurt doing so. You can also wear a chest | | | | a particular type of oil. |
| and back protector. These come in different | | | | 8. Batteries – If your marker is electronic, as more |
| varieties and will help minimize the number of bumps | | | | and more are these days, you will want to make sure |
| and bruises you go home with. The Spyder Body | | | | you have spare batteries and a charger in your bag. |
| Shield is a very popular version because it looks more | | | | If your hopper requires batteries (many require 2), then |
| like a Jersey than a catcher’s chest | | | | you’ll want to account for those as well. I like to |
| protector.strong>3. First Aid Kit – I keep a small first | | | | keep a fully charged set of batteries in my gun and |
| aid kit in my bag in the event that I get a cut or | | | | hopper and another charged spare set as well. A rapid |
| scrape. You can typically find a general all purpose | | | | car charger can come in handy if your batteries |
| kit at your local drug store. I’d typically make sure | | | | die. You’ll be out of play for a bit, but at least |
| that it includes band-aids, triple-antibiotic ointment, gauze | | | | the whole day won’t be wasted. |
| pads and tape. If it doesn’t include them, I’ll | | | | Important: Be sure to check your markers guidelines to |
| throw in a small bottle of pain-reliever in the event I get | | | | make sure you are using the right type of battery. |
| a headache, or as I get older, for some of the related | | | | Some are pretty specific about whether standard |
| aches and pains. | | | | batteries should be used or the types of rechargeable |
| 4. Barrel Cover – I keep my barrel cover on my gun | | | | batteries available. |
| when it’s stored away. This helps me avoid | | | | 9. Food and Water – If you are playing at a field, |
| forgetting it. All reputable and insured fields will require | | | | chances are that they will have snacks and drinks |
| that you have a barrel cover on your marker at all | | | | available for sale, and will probably offer some sort of |
| times except during play. Most will not accept a barrel | | | | lunch as well. The key here is to be sure that you |
| plug, so if your marker came with a plug as most | | | | stay well hydrated. Because many players choose |
| Spyder Paintball Guns did until last year, you will want | | | | to dress in layers to reduce the sting of being hit and |
| to get a barrel cover before heading to the field. If | | | | are normally wearing masks, it’s easy to become |
| you forget, most fields will gladly sell you one. | | | | overheated or dehydrated. This will bring and end to |
| 5. Squeegee – Squeegees come in a few different | | | | what would otherwise be a great day. If you are |
| formats. The “battle swab” consists of two | | | | playing with friends in the woods, be sure to take |
| soft ends, which can be inserted into the barrel to soak | | | | drinks and snacks with you. Take the opportunity to |
| up any residual paint. They typically fold in half and are | | | | grab a drink in between games and I guarantee you |
| pretty easy to keep in your back pocket or cargo | | | | will last longer and feel better as the day progresses. |
| pants for easy cleaning on the field if you have a ball | | | | 10. A Towel – It sounds minor, but I’ve found that |
| break in the barrel. Jerk squeegees consist of a wire | | | | a small towel comes in handy for wiping my face or |
| or plastic lead with rubber washers and fabric on one | | | | my gun off between games. It gives you something |
| end. They are pulled through the barrel to pull out most | | | | to lay your gun on if you want to avoid getting it |
| of the paint. Straight shot squeegees are similar but | | | | scuffed up (though if you’re playing hard, it’s |
| do not have much flexibility in them. Both the jerk and | | | | going to get scuffed up), and it’s good for wiping |
| the straight shot squeegees require that you remove | | | | your hands off. |
| your barrel or disassemble your gun to use them, so | | | | Having fun on the paintball field has a lot to do with |
| they are not ideal for on the field cleaning. I would | | | | how prepared you are to play. A great paintball gun |
| recommend having both a battle swab and a jerk or | | | | is nice, but if you don’t have everything you need |
| straight shot squeegee in your bag. It’s frustrating | | | | to keep it and you in good working order, you’ll |
| to have your balls going every way except straight | | | | spend more time on the sidelines than the field. Having |
| because you have a dirty barrel. | | | | these items in your bag will go a long way toward |
| 6. CO2 or Nitro Tank – It seems obvious but it’s | | | | keeping you safe and on the field. Play hard! |