Imagine the thrill of the hunt, with the wind blowing past you as you race through the forest chasing after your prey. No, we aren’t talking about hunting, but rather the popular game of woodsball paintball. Since the first recreational game of paintball took place in 1981, the sport has taken on a life of its own.
Not as limited as speedball, which takes place in a smaller closed-off playing field, woodsball can be played on almost any open terrain. This leads to different challenges when deciding what gear you should own and what modifications you should make to it.
New to the sport? Looking to up your game? Continue reading our guide of must-have woodsball paintball gear to bring with you as you take to the woods.
Paintball Gun or Marker
The main piece of equipment used in woodsball is an air gun filled with compressed air or gas, such as CO2. It’s referred to as a marker because it was originally used to mark cattle and trees.
Depending on your role in the game and whether you are playing competitively or for fun, you might find yourself using a custom gun. If you are in a position overlooking the target or your base, adding a paintball barrel known for accuracy to your gun would be a smart choice.
You can modify the velocity of your gun to shoot harder. You can also change out your grip, trigger, and feed neck. Paint your gun or add a gun skin for an extra layer of durability.
Paintballs
The next piece of necessary equipment is the paintball capsules. Made from gelatin filled with biodegradable material and dye, these capsules are needed to determine hits.
Paintballs are non-toxic to humans and made from food-grade ingredients. This means if you get some paint in your mouth, it won’t cause harm.
Before you fill your loader with your paintballs, double-check them for optimal performance. You want clean and spherical paintballs to help with accuracy. Oval or dirty paintballs will affect how it leaves the barrel.
Protective Gear
Being hit by a paintball on bare skin or even over a layer of clothes can still sting and cause bruises. Playing in a forest or other covered area also comes with camouflage opportunities. Having the right protective gear can give a huge advantage:
- Headgear for full facial protection
- Anti-fogging solution to help see
- Knee and elbow pads
- Tactical vest for extra equipment
- Backup gun
- Fingerless gloves
- Water-resistant boots
Your base clothing should cover as much of your body as you can, while not limiting your mobility. Pants, long-sleeved shirts, or paintball coveralls are recommended.
Woodsball Paintball: Join the Game
Now that you are familiar with these paintball and woodsball tips, start your adventure today. When you play your first game of woodsball paintball, you’ll find yourself asking why you never tried it before.
If you found this guide helpful, look for more articles like this in our Sports section.
