The Ultimate Guide to Staying Safe on the Field
Gear is the paintball armor that keeps you protected from the flying paintballs and from all the rolling around you’ll be doing. We’ll guide you to the best ways of protecting yourself and remaining agile.
Paintball Gear
Your protective gear essentially becomes your paintball armor on the field. There are several types of paintball gear available to cover and protect the different parts of your body. No matter what, you’ll want to make sure that your first layer is the right type of clothes.
Paintball Vests
Vests are the paintball protection equivalent of bullet-proof vests. They protect your chest and back from the sting of paintballs. These padded vests are worn over your shirt. Some vests have additional padding for the shoulders and arms. Check out our review of the Best Paintball Vests.
Neck Protectors
Neck protectors are designed to protect your neck from paintballs. They usually consist of a padded collar that you wear around your neck.
Paintball Armor for your Knees and Elbows
Knee and elbow pads are designed to protect your knees and elbows from bruises and scrapes. They usually consist of a padded sleeve that you wear over your clothing.
Gloves
Paintball gloves protect your hands from paintballs and allow you to maintain a good grip after your hands have been covered in dirt and paintball grease. They usually have padding on the back of the hand and fingers. Check out our recommendations for the Best Paintball Gloves.
Paintball Masks & Goggles
Paintball masks protect your eyes and face from paintballs. And sometimes your ears. They usually consist of a plastic mask that covers your entire face and has a separate lens for each eye. If there is anything at all you do not want to cheap out on, it is a paintball mask. Check out our testing on the Best Paintball Masks.
Consider Your Playing Style
If you’re an aggressive player who likes to move quickly and take risks, you may need more protection than someone who prefers to stay back and shoot from a distance. Although I have sometimes worn less gear to stay more agile.
Maintaining Your Paintball Armor
Nobody wants to waste money on buying new paintball gear when it could be better spend on one of the best paintball guns. So be discipline and follow these few steps to preserve your stuff.
Clean your gear regularly – After each game, wipe down your gear with a damp cloth to remove dirt and debris. For more thorough cleaning, follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions and use a mild soap or detergent.
Store your gear properly – Keep your gear in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Avoid storing it in damp or humid areas, which can cause mold and mildew.
Keep Reading: Best Clothes for Paintball
