Paintball Mask Camouflage

paintball mask camouflage

Beginning Paintball – Know Before You Go

The first question to ask when going paintballing for the first time is what should I wear? Some commercial paintball parks offer fields that are indoors, however most are outside. If you’ll be playing outside, the weather may be a factor in what you choose to wear, but here are some general ideas. The most important thing in paintball clothing is to be covered; no matter how hot it is you want full coverage. The paintballs move at a very fast speed and hurt when they hit. Wearing loose clothing that covers your entire body will reduce the sting.

You want your paintball apparel to be comfortable and easy to move in. If it’s restrictive, it could slow you down and cause you to get hit and eliminated from the game quicker. You also want to consider the playing environment and what type of paintball you are playing. If you are playing scenario paintball in the woods, camouflage clothing or military fatigues are the best. Most players who enjoy speedball or tournament play wear paintball uniforms made of specific jerseys and pants, however any loose, full coverage clothing will do for either game.

Once you are on the field you will be required to wear a paintball mask. Most masks provide full coverage for the face with a lens to see through. The best masks offer thermal lenses to reduce fogging. It is crucial that your mask remain on the entire time you’re on the field, even if the tournament hasn’t started yet. The only serious injury caused from paintball is getting hit directly in the eye by a paintball; this is why protective eyewear is mandatory.

Chances are you will be at the Paintball Field for the whole day. Before going, think of all the things you might need or want while you’re out for the day. Paintball fields are usually located in fairly secluded areas so you’ll pretty much have to make do with what you have or do without. Most fields sell snacks but you may want to bring some of your own.

Bringing water is very important, especially on a hot day. Nothing will ruin your fun quicker than getting heat exhaustion or dehydration. Take lots of water to drink to keep you hydrated, even though the field will most likely sell water or have a water fountain; just don’t get caught without! You may also want to take a change of clothes for afterwards.

The initial equipment needed to play is a paintball gun, mask and Paintball Co2 Tank. If you don’t own this gear yet, you can usually rent all of it at the field or perhaps borrow some from a friend. Paintball markers aren’t difficult to use, however if you’ve never played before it’s smart to familiarize yourself with it before going out on the field. Shoot it a couple times to get the feel of it. Learn how to take it apart and put it back together in case you need to fix something during the game. Also learn how to attach/detach the air tank safely.

As far as playing the game, avoid getting shot! Use bunkers for cover and keep moving; however don’t move just to move but do so to safely advance your position towards your mission goal or target. Try not to stay frozen with fear, housed behind cover without ever firing; it’s a safe, but boring way to play. When you do need to change positions, keep as little of your body exposed as possible. The less target the enemy has to shoot, the less likely he’ll succeed. Always look before you move out from behind cover. It is a good idea to fire a few shots as you emerge as well.

With your first couple of games, mainly focus on getting a feel for the equipment and how to play. Don’t expect to be a star on your first trip to the field; that will come later with practice. Try to relax, have a good time and meet new friends. You’ll quickly discover why playing paintball is extremely addictive as you plan to go back to the field for the next several weekends!

About the Author

Dan Levesque is the owner and operator of a successful online paintball retail store, ChoicePaintballGuns.com. He also owns and operates several other successful businesses and is the treating doctor at a full time chiropractic clinic. He is also a professional powerlifter and trains several top level strength athletes.