My Newbie Queries

[Arcadian]

Howdy,

At the previous site I asked some stuff about eye protection and got great advice. (Which was appreciated!)

New Question:
What do folks usually wear when playing..
Do folks usually wear helmets? I also see what appears to be 'padded' underarmor fpr sale on some websites too.. Do folks usually wear this level of protection?

Personally as it stands at present I dont have a helmet and had planned to have a headwrap and ballcap in addition to my goggle-mask. Otherwise basically fatigues with undershirt, and padded cyclling gloves. I was also planning to wear a cup. I have a set of 'underarmor' I've used for different forms of combat training..(Mine is basically like the protective innards of a Motorcycle jacket.) but wearing such seemed a bit excessive. I

I have a red bandanna and a red linnen head scarf for kill rags.

As I've never taken part in an airsoft firefight, and am a bit uncertain what to expect.. I am basically planning out gear based upon my paintball experience. Is this a sensible beginning.

[rig]

This is what I use. Head wrap, mechanix type gloves, goggles, mouth guard, plate carrier, BDU pants, t-shirt or BDU top and Merrell continuums (hiker hieght boot). I try to stay as light and basic as possible. I wear a plate carrier because I hate getting shot in the side and back. That's just me though. You see people dressed in a full seal loadout playing right beside guys with a t-shirts and BDUs with mags stuck in their pockets. Gear choice is really an individual thing. The only basic gear you should have (in my opinion) is goggles, mouth guard and water. After that, it's how you want to "Roll" and what you need to carry when your on the field. You don't need a helmet unless you hit your head a lot. You don't need knee pads unless you bang your knees a lot. Same with any other protective gear. It will take you quite a few games to realize what you need, what you don't need and what makes you look cool. After years of playing I still change my gear on a regular basis. So basically, protect your eyes and mouth, stay hydrated and wear what keeps you cool and comfortable.

[norris]

When you go to an event, you will see a variety of styles and looks. This is where you can really pickup some ideas for yourself. There are a "lot" of different load out options available. You will probably even go through a trial of like and dislike on this area and possibly even multiple changes based on the character of play. Also, season or time of year will possibly dictate your load out as well. Plate carriers are awesome but you will hate them in the heat of summer, trust me! For myself, I have multiple styles to suite the season. This is so I wont experience heat exhaustion, especially in August time frame. Helmets look good for the pictures but could pose an added heat problem or fogging of goggles. Ive also experienced this. When you make it out to your first event, take note of the styles that each operator brings to the table and ask questions. Im sure most would gladly allow you to sample a loadout.
Just my two cents......

[Arcadian]

Cool.. Thanks..
I currently do not have a tac vest or the like, but it sounds pretty much alot like what I was figuring really.
I'm pretty used to fighting/exertion in heat and ridiculous weather, got plenty of experience in that regard so what you are saying makes complete sense.
Thanks again.. and please, if anyone else wants to throw in Point of view.. please do so.

[79stang]

I personally use a condor vest with 6 M16s built in. Your gear really isnt for protection. Your gear should do one thing, carry what you need. You need to carry water, mags, death rag, radio, etc. Its up to you, however the biggest problem I see is people wearing too much gear. My vest weights probably about 15-20lbs with everything. Any heavier and you really slow yourself down unless you are ridiculous shape.

The other part of gear that is really important are a good pair of boots. Take care of your feet and they will take care of you. Helmets are for the look, although I use one in CQB games because it gives better protection for my head then a ball cap. The only other piece of gear that I use are knee pads.

[sdk1968]

im still new at this but "over gearing" seems to be a common thing.

good z87.10 eye protection is a must (lots of places demand goggles)

boots you can move in.

i wear gloves so that briar's brambles and that type of thing are not an issue.... not too worried about getting "hit"

carry a red dead rag and i do wear a "boggin" in the cold.

clothing wise its just my camos with my regulars under them... my camo's have about 20 pockets on the jacket so nothing else is needed harness wise or pouch wise.

that makes you travel lighter, move faster and hopefully more aggressive.

i take water but so far have only had to drink it in between rounds. (we work in a lot of heat so its not anything new or out of the norm for us)

oh yeah: always take a few NAPKINS in case u get in a "bind" LMAO

[jonahm740]

One thing to think about if you are adding a ball cap or really any hat with a brim over goggles. In most cases these will interfere with the airflow in the top venting and cause your goggles to fog like all get-out. I would HIGHLY reccomend getting a pair of goggles with a fan built in or rigging a computer fan to a 9v battery as my full face mask is. Just food for thought but like most of the others have said, gear tends to be more for utility than it does for protection .

Enjoy man.

[Arcadian]

Actually, due to the fit of the mask.. Was likely to wear the hat backwards when playing.. done the mask/hat/facewrap for paintball before,and didnt have too much fogging trouble in the setup I use..
HAve a few friends both in shooting games and in fencing who've rigged small fans in their mask.. smart idea.

[Combat Cows]

Depending on what I feel like doing or looking like, I'll play in Russian-based gear, or my US infantry gear. The Russian gear is fairly light, just a SMERSH and the weapon. The US gear, however, is the opposite. IBA with soft armor and SAPIs (Real ones) carrying magazines, my M9, a Camelbak, some first aid equipment, and random other bits, along with a MICH.

But none of that is for protection. All I use to keep myself safe are some Oakley M-Frames. Gloves are mainly there to keep my hands from beaming my position all over (I'm a naturally pale person), and in the US gear, the armor is just for the look, nothing else. Who needs body protection from plastic pellets? Pfff.

As far as a mask, a lot of people in the area don't wear them due to how much they interfere with using iron sights or even optics that aren't mounted on risers. There are some low-profile options, and even wearing a balaclava or a shemagh can provide protection to your lower face and teeth if you're too concerned. As for needing fans and such, in the situations where my eyepro is not allowed (My Oakleys aren't full seal), I tend to wear some ESS goggles that had the foam removed, and fog is a non-issue, even when wearing my a MICH.