What You Should Wear When Playing Paintball

Paintball is a thrilling sport enjoyed by many and often comes with a unique sense of fashion. While it's important to dress in clothing that allows for movement and agility, it's also important to make sure that your wardrobe provides enough protection to keep you safe when you're out on the field. The following topics will explore why and what to wear when playing paintball, including historical context, key milestones, popular trends, and potential pitfalls.

How the Game Began

Paintball is a surprisingly recent sport, with the modern version having been popularized in the 1980s. A group of friends had the idea of playing a team-based game similar to games they had seen when they visited their local paintball gun factory. It caught on quickly, and paintball fields started popping up all over the country. The combination of a team sport, outdoor stimulation, and a bit of thrill-seeking created a perfect balance that has kept players coming back for decades.

How Paintball is Played

Players play on either a commercial or homemade paintball field, depending on their experience and comfort levels. Commercial fields are stocked with bunkers, walls, and other obstacles to create a realistic landscape while homemade fields can be as simple or complex as the player desires. Matches are typically split into two phases: setup and battle. During the setup phase, teams can plan out their strategies for the upcoming battle. Once the battle begins, players rely on wits, agility, strategy and speed to take out their opponents. Players who are hit by an opponent's paintball must retreat to the sidelines in order to prevent a double elimination'.

Safety Gear

Although a fun and adrenaline-packed activity, paintball requires players to wear protective gear in order to minimize their risk of injury. Player should always wear a full-face mask and a padded jersey or vest, and protective gloves are often recommended. This will protect players from direct hits and ricochets. Paintball guns shoot at high velocity, so proper eye protection is a must. Additionally, navy blue, green, brown and camouflage are all colors that can help players blend in with their surroundings and make it more difficult for opponents to spot.

Eye Protection

Hands down, eye protection is the most important gear to wear when playing paintball. Without adequate eye protection, players can easily suffer serious and sometimes permanent eye injury. Goggles or masks should provide at least full-face and full-eye coverage to ensure maximum protection. Look for goggles that are ANSI-approved and carry the UL approval stamp. This means that they have been tested and approved to meet specific safety standards for the sport of paintball.

Clothing

When it comes to paintball, loose clothing is no good. Loose clothing can easily get caught in obstacles or get snagged on branches. For this reason, most players opt for baggy pants, shirts, and shorts that allow for maximum agility. Lightweight clothes that are designed to wick away sweat are great for keeping cool and are less likely to soak up paint splatters. And lastly, home-made jerseys are always a popular way to make a statement on the field.

Footwear

As with any sport, the right shoes can make or break your performance on the field. Shoes that have good grip and ankle support are important for making quick turns and dodging paintballs. Boots or sneakers with a thicker sole and tread can provide optimal support, but the type of shoe can vary based on the type of terrain you will be playing on. For those playing on artificial surfaces or in the woods, a sturdier sole might be better.

Luxury Fashion Brands

As paintball has grown in popularity, luxury fashion brands have taken notice. These brands create high-end apparel with the latest trends and technologies, giving players the most fashionable and functional clothing for the sport. Popular luxury brands such as Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour offer paintball-friendly clothes with all the protection and comfort of their regular lines. Other brands have more exclusive lines, with many players opting for custom jerseys with team logos and personal designs.

Potential Pitfalls

Although paintball is exciting and action-packed, there are some potential pitfalls that come with the sport. The most important thing to remember is that paintball guns shoot at a high velocity, so eye and other face protection is a must. For those playing on commercial fields, make sure to read and understand the safety procedures. Finally, proper clothing and footwear should be worn in order to prevent any injuries that can be caused by hitting an obstacle or slipping on a slick surface.

Insights

Paintball can be an exhilarating sport when played safely. From choosing the right apparel to selecting the proper protection, there are many factors to consider when it comes to dressing for a paintball game. Historically, the game has come a long way and has even been picked up by luxury fashion brands. Thankfully, modern safety gear and apparel make the game safer and more enjoyable than ever, so make sure you are well-equipped before you hit the field.