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Top 10 Things to Have in Your Paintball Gear Bags

Info_lover | May 19, 2010 |

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There have been so many times that I have seen someone arrive at a paintball outing only to discover that their gun break down due to the owner not having a tool kit or spare parts available, and I've simply lost count of that. Having said that, below is a list of the top 10 items that you must always have in your paintball gear bags. They will ensure your personal safety and make sure your paintball equipment will function as they should. For the sake of this article, I will just assume that you haven't forgotten about your paintball gun.

1. Paintball Mask - You should never play paintball without having a mask that is designed for paintball. Your eyes are far too important for you to risk losing them. Safety goggles don't offer the kind of protection you need when a paintball is heading towards your face at speeds up to 285 feet per second. Paintball masks come in several different types and sizes. All masks that are intended for paintball will have to meet the minimum safety standards, after which your choice is going to be focused on factors such as visibility, comfort and style. Something like the entry level vForce Armor Goggles are fine for beginners, whereas experienced players should go for the vForce Profilers or the vForce Grill vision systems.

2. Safety Gear - Even though a mask can be considered to be a safety gear, I felt there was a need to list it separately so as to emphasize on its importance. That said, there are also other safety items that need to be considered and they include stuff like paintball gloves, neck protectors, and knee and elbow pads. These safety gears will protect you from getting hurt when you dive down to the ground to avoid getting shot at. You should also wear a chest and back protector as well. These come in many different varieties and they will help to minimize the number of bruises and aches you go home with. The Spyder Body Shield is an extremely popular version as it looks more like a jersey than a catcher's chest protector.

3. First Aid Kit - I usually keep a small first aid kit in my paintball gear bag just in case I get a cut or scratch. You can usually find a general all purpose kit at your local drug store. I'd make sure that it includes items such as band-aids, antibiotic ointment, gauze pads and tape. I will also throw in a small bottle of pain-reliever just in case I get a headache or some body aches.

4. Barrel Cover - All reputable and insured paintball arenas will require that you have a barrel cover on your marker at all times except of course, during play. Most will not accept a barrel plug, so if your marker comes with a plug as most Spyder Paintball Guns did until last year, you will have to get a barrel cover before heading to the field. If you forget, most fields will be glad to sell you one.

5. Squeegee - These come in a few different formats. The "battle swab" comprises of two soft ends which can be inserted into the paintball marker's barrel to soak up any residual paint. Generally, squeegees fold in half and are high portable meaning they can be kept in your pockets to allow for easy cleaning on the field if you have a ball break in the barrel. Jerk squeegees consist of a wire with rubber washes and fabric on one end. To operate them, all you have to do is pull them through the barrel to pull out most of the paint. As for the straight shot squeegees, they are similar but do not offer the same level of flexibility. Both of these types of squeegees will require that you disassemble your gun to use them thus they are not exactly suitable for on the field cleaning. I would recommend that you include a battle swab and a jerk or straight shot squeegee in your paintball gear bag. It can be frustrating to see your balls shooting out in various directions and not straight all because your paintball marker has a dirty barrel.

6. CO2 or Nitro Tank - It is important that you do not forget about your tank. There are two main types of paintball tanks, the first of which is CO2 tanks which are usually measured in ounces to indicate the amount of liquid CO2 that the tank will hold. The second type is the 20oz CO2 tanks that are most popular and a full tank will generally give you 900-1000 shots. You need to bear in mind that some guns (the more expensive ones) tend to not recommend using CO2 and instead use Nitrogen tanks which typically use normal compressed air. These are typically measured by the size of the tanks (in ci or cubic centimeters) and pressure (in psi or pounds per square inch). The larger the tank and pressure level, the more shots you will get. If you play paintball frequently, you might want to consider having two tanks. This will allow you to keep playing in the event that one break down or is empty. NEVER attempt to repair a malfunctioning tank on your own as it is extremely dangerous to do so. If you wish to find someone to repair a bank, you can start with your local paintball shop or dive shop.

7. Tools and Spare Parts - Most paintball markers tend to come with a few spare parts that can be used to perform maintenance work on the marker. You should make sure these tools remain in your paintball gear bag. Moreover, most manufacturers sell repair kits which include more of the same parts, and in many cases other parts which you will want to have on hand in case they break. Some obvious items to have are the O-rings and cup seals. An o-ring pick will help with removing damaged o-rings that need replacing. You should also have gun oil in your kit to help clean your marker when necessary.

8. Batteries - If your paintball marker is an electronic one, you will need to make sure you have spare batteries and perhaps a charger in your paintball gear bags. Chances are you will want to get extra batteries for your hopper as well. In addition, a rapid car charger will come in handy in case your batteries die. You might be out of play for a while, but at least the whole day will not be wasted. Do note that you must check your markers guidelines to ensure you are using the right type of battery. Some are pretty clear on whether standard or rechargeable batteries should be used.

9. Food and Water - If you are playing paintball out at a field, there is a good chance that they will have snacks and drinks available for sale. The main point here is to ensure that you stay well hydrated. Most players can become dehydrated as they choose to dress in several layers to reduce the sting of being hit. Always take the opportunity to grab a drink in between games and I assure you that you will last longer and feel better as the day progresses.

10. A Towel - This may sound rather trivial, but a small towel can be particularly useful for wiping your face or your gun when you are resting between games.

If you wish to have fun on the paintball field, then you must be well prepared to play the game. You might have a great paintball gun, but if you don't have everything you need to keep it and you in a good working condition, then you are likely to spend more time on the sidelines than in the field. Having the above-mentioned list of items in your paintball gear bags will go a long way towards keeping you safe on the field!