GEARING UP

Now that you have your first Airsoft replica set up, be sure not to overlook the importance of having the right gear for the field. The right equipment is essential to your loadout and can be just as important as the gun you use. More importantly, the right choices can keep you safe. Follow me as I go over my recommendations of essential gear for the airsoft field.

EYE / FACE PROTECTION

We are starting off strong with the most important set of gear: eye protection. With 6mm projectiles going in every direction, there will always be a chance one can strike you in some of your most sensitive areas. Let me get this out of the way first: NO safety glasses! Standard safety glasses leave small gaps around the edges that BBs can slip through. Seek out full seal eye protection (typically with a foam or rubber lining) as they would minimize the chance of BBs reaching your eyes.

Dye Precision Goggle i5 Onyx

Arguably, the most popular style of eye protection is the full-faced mask. They serve as one piece solutions that provide a moderate amount of protection for the face and eyes. The biggest drawback would be the bulkiness of them. Using them with a rifle can impact how you aim down your sights and limit senses like hearing.

Another popular method of face protection is using a combination of full-seal goggles with a lower face mask. This is the lightest solution for most players wanting to stay safe with the least amount of obstructions. Due to the nature of the design, proper fitment must be made to minimize gaps between the two parts that BBs could potentially slip past.

With all this said, playing airsoft leads to sweating, which could lead to fogging. Look into saving a little more and purchase eye protection with “thermal” or dual-paned lenses. These are designed to greatly reduce the chance for any fogging to occur and will pay for themselves again and again.

GLOVES

Hand hits are no joke. No matter how careful you are, you cannot guarantee the safety of your fingers and knuckles. A nice set of gloves can go a long way, even helping with dexterity and grip in some variants. For some heavy duty and high quality gloves look into Mechanix as they have grown as a standard for most players. Many brands even offer versions with rubber padding for extra protection around the knuckles and joints. You can even purchase some G&G Armament cross-branded gloves for some added brand recognition.

Mechanix Tactical Original Covert Gloves	G&G Mechanix Gloves	G&G Mechanix M-PACT Gloves

SLINGS / HOLSTERS

You only hold so much, and Airsoft replicas can get heavy over time. There will be times you need to juggle your replica while adjusting gear, checking your phone, holding a friend’s gun, or whatever else the field will throw at you. A rifle sling allows it to swing to the side or behind you as you walk or pull out your sidearm. A holster for your pistol will keep it safely secured on your person and at-ready for those crucial firefight moments. Whatever the occasion, a sling and holster is a must for any length airsoft skirmishes.

Single Point Bungee Rifle Sling (Tan)	G&G Thigh Holster (Black)

VEST / BELT

All of the extra equipment you take to the field is best not kept in your pockets. A proper vest and/or belt setup will provide a safer and structured layout better fit to secure your valuables. With a vast amount of pouches available, you can carry all your extra magazines, refills of BBs, spare batteries, snacks, phone, radios, etc. There is an endless variety of styles and brands available to tailor fit your needs and desired look. Vests can even take some of the impact from incoming BBs, but be mindful of hits as gear hits still count as a death.

CONCLUSION

Airsoft is a versatile sport. Whatever your playstyle may be, you can always customize your loadout to serve your exact needs. Though I could not cover specifics here, information can be found everywhere. Ask other players, check online, or just try on different layouts. You never know what works best for you unless you try. Even more, the same layout you like today may shift as you gain experience, so don’t be afraid to change things up. With that said, good luck to you on your journey and we hope to see you on the field one day! Till next time.