| | | | | arms and legs. Gloves, vests, boxes and collars also |
| Paintball Gear is a broad term covering all the | | | | increase your protection on the field. Many players feel |
| paraphernalia you need to set you up in paintball. This | | | | happier about playing if they know they are fully |
| might include: a gun, ammo, mask, clothing, safety | | | | protected and can, therefore, enjoy the game more. |
| equipment and carrying belt. For the purpose of this | | | | One of the reasons for the encouraging paintball |
| article, I will disregard the paintball gun and all of its | | | | safety statistics is that there is a strong emphasis on |
| attachments. Whilst it is the most important piece of | | | | wearing the correct protective gear and you may not |
| "gear", it requires a whole article to itself ( if not many). | | | | be allowed to play without it. |
| Apart from the gun, what else do you need to kit | | | | Although there is no requirement to dress in a certain |
| yourself out for paintball? | | | | way, your clothing choices are important. You need to |
| After the gun, the most important piece of paintball | | | | wear thick clothing for added protection; short sleeves |
| gear is the mask. The number of serious injuries may | | | | or pants do not give sufficient coverage, whatever the |
| well be lower in paintball than numerous other sports, | | | | weather. Your clothes should be reasonably close |
| but they can be severe. It is not pleasant to be struck | | | | fitting; baggy clothes increase your chance of getting |
| on the head by a paintball travelling at 300 feet per | | | | hit and eliminated. You can buy clothing designed |
| second. It is essential that you protect your eyes and | | | | specifically for paintball, which can be effective, but |
| ears from paintball damage. | | | | whatever you choose, you need to feel comfortable |
| It is sensible to wear a mask with ear flaps, and a | | | | and be able to move freely. |
| visor to give protection from the sun. The mask should | | | | Paintballs fall loosely into the category of paintball gear. |
| cover the whole head to avoid being struck on a | | | | They too, like markers, merit an article to themselves |
| sensitive area. They come in an assortment of colours | | | | (see Paintballs: Your Questions Answered ). They |
| and styles, but as cool as they look, safety must be | | | | vary a great deal in quality, and as you would expect, |
| your first concern with this type of paintball gear. The | | | | they give different levels of performance. You should |
| mask must fit securely and be comfortable. | | | | expect to pay more for ammo of a higher quality. |
| Alternatively, You could opt for protective glasses or | | | | Another useful item of paintball gear is a special |
| goggles. These do not give as much protection as the | | | | carrying belt for holding your paintballs. The carrying |
| full mask, but they are better than nothing. Protective | | | | belt holds tubes that can hold 200 paintballs each. |
| eye-wear must provide full coverage of the eye area. | | | | You can find a wide variety of appropriate paintball |
| Regular glasses or sunglasses are not sufficient. The | | | | gear in sporting goods stores, discount retailers and |
| glasses must have side blinders to protect you from | | | | paintball speciality stores. There are also many |
| fast flying projectiles. | | | | different online stores offering an impressive selection |
| Keeping to the safety aspect of paintball gear, you | | | | of guns, ammo and protective kit for reasonable |
| may also want to consider a padded paintball suit. This | | | | prices. Aside from the gun and ammo, your most |
| gives extra built-in protection to vulnerable areas, such | | | | important items of paintball gear will be concerned with |
| as the chest and neck. Or you may favour hard plastic | | | | safety and comfort. You must take your time to |
| body armour that can help protect your back, chest, | | | | purchase wisely. |