by Rynaldo Stoltz

Created on: July 06, 2009   Last Updated: July 08, 2009

Gear needed to play paintball

The biggest concern when it comes to paintball is the safety of the players. Although this fast paced extreme sport is not difficult to master, it can get a little rough. Wearing the proper paintball gear will ensure your safety, as well as the safety of others. Before stepping onto the fiels, lets take a look at the most basic needed equipment needed for paintball.

1. Markers

Also better known as the gun. This is the most basic as well as the most critical piece of equipment needed to paintball. The gun is used to eliminate your opponent. Different shapes and sizes are available.

2. Masks

The mask is essential when it comes to safety and is used to protect your face. As most injuries occur in the face, a mask is compulsory when playing this sport.

3. Goggles

Sometimes the mask just aren't enough and a good set of goggles can come in handy. Goggles can prevent as much as a little splat of paint from going into your eye.

4. Hopper

The hopper is a small container that sits on your gun and feeds the paintballs into the chamber before being shot out. You can get different hoppers with different loading rates.

5. Air Tanks

As we all know, the paintball gun works with compressed gas. Without air tanks, you won't be able to fire. Usually a set of two or more air tanks are needed.

6. Paintballs

This is what makes paintball possible. Paintballs are spherical containers of paint that are loaded into your hopper and then fired by the expansion of the compressed gas. Various colors are available.

7. Extra Gear

7.1 O-Rings

O-Rings are used in your air tanks and can wear out or blow at any time. Make sure to stock up on some extra o-rings so you can replace them in this case and get back in the game.

7.2 Allen Keys

Not something you may always need but sure a great help for when you do. Allen Keys and head screw drivers can resolve all your simple problems you may have when playing the game.

7.3 Chest Protector

The chest protector is additional and is used to lower the impact of the paintballs. This is recommended for newbies.

7.4 Pants and Shirts

Specialized shirts and pants are available. This equipment has protective padding on the inside and lowers impact and bruising.

What you wear to play paintball doesn't really matter once you have yourself protected and followed the basic rules. In time, you can develop your own style as you observe your fellow mates on the field.

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