Understanding the Basic Paintball Equipment

If you are new to the sport of paintball, you may not realize the extensive amount of gear necessary for playing and enjoying the different games and competitions. Sure, you already have your gun and barrel, but have you considered the different paintball hoppers, specialty goggles, gear bags, harnesses, and specialty clothing?

You may not believe that they are necessary…until you get into some serious gaming, and that is when you will begin to understand how hard it can be to capture a flag, make a clear shot, or move as freely as you want without proper gear.

Among the most significant issues so often overlooked by beginning paintball enthusiasts is the need for some really optimal goggles. The materials that the many kinds of goggles are made from will occasionally fog or become hazy when the wearer is sweating or breathing heavily. This is due to the fact that they may not be designed for the level of activity that a paintball player must perform. This is one of the fundamental reasons that serious players will want to invest in the best pair possible.

Most will opt for what are known as “thermal” lenses because these have two layers of plastic, and the innermost is designed to entirely eliminate the fogging that makes it difficult to see. There are entry level masks and goggles for novice or amateurs to use in order to understand if they want to continue playing the game, but once the choice is made to become a regular gamer, it is pretty important to go ahead and upgrade to anti-fog goggles.

Another fundamental piece of gear that is essential to paintball success is the harness. This is something that can be found in a range of designs or styles, and which is a sort of pack that provides the player with the ability to tote around a ton of extra paint or even a specialty tank containing paint ammunition. This is a good idea for those who frequently find themselves engaged in the “speedball” variety of games, though many of the “scenario” and “woodsball” players also enjoy the ability to carry tons of paint easily.

Clearly, it really pays to begin exploring what might be mistakenly called the “extras” of paint gaming gear. These can allow anyone to perform at optimal levels and to reach their goals, regardless of the version of the game they enjoy playing the most.