Go Thick and Layer Up
Layers mean padding. While you might be tempted to debut your freshest new t-shirt/ surf short combo, this is a no-no. You’ll be wearing paint stained overalls anyway. Layer up with old clothes, as these will absorb the brunt of the impact. Remember, you’ll want to be able to move so you need to find a balance. Plus, it’s not good charging around like Stay Puft in the heat of summer, again, balance is the key.
Make sure not to leave any skin exposed. You don’t want one of those suckers kissing the back of your hand at 300ft/s, so glove up and while the helmets will provide some neck protection, consider a scarf or old turtle neck for extra protection.
The Lower Body
Think baggy, think thick. Consider shorts under tracksuit bottoms, or even tracksuit on tracksuit. Failing that, cargo pants or a pair of old loose fitting jeans. Durability is essential, as you’ll want to be putting yourself about the battlefield.
Keep your wallet in a front pocket. This is a little nugget of advice from personal experience. Holding an outpost that was about to be overrun, I popped up in a window to lay down some home truths to the advancing enemy. Unfortunately I was poleaxed by a volley of paintballs, two crashing into my visor, the other careering groin-ward. However, because I was wearing baggy, durable tracksuit bottoms, my wallet had swung across to protect the soon to be kill zone.
Footwear
Dirt can’t be an issue here, there will be mud. If you’re a sandals guy, these will have to be left at home for the day, likewise heels. Sturdy trainers or boots that will allow you pivot, flip and roll across the battlefield. Be ankle savvy, and support accordingly. Canvas probably won’t cut it, especially when you’re dealing with direct hits and deceptively deep puddles.
Paintball is an opportunity to celebrate the long neglected, ruggedly handsome and solemnly virtuous pair of clompers tucked right in the far corner of the cupboard under the stairs.
Things to consider
Presuming you want to be covert, punt for dark colours or camouflage if you happen to have it. Bright colours and you’re toast. Be at one with your environment.
If you’re a fan of the combat crawl, and let’s face it, who isn’t? Then you can feel like a pro and don elbow and knee pads for added protection. You could even go the full hog and wear a chest guard and stride across the battlefield like some kind of paintballing juggernaut.
