The good news is you won’t need a full set of military fatigues when you go paintballing and all of the specialist equipment will be provided on the day, but to give you complete peace of mind, here’s a head-to-toe run-down of what to wear to paintball.
Although you’ll get fully kitted out with protective gear when you get there, you still need to put some thought into what you’ll be wearing underneath it all – a party of football-mad teenagers might want to turn up in their team’s kit, but shorts and socks aren’t really suitable for paintball.
Likewise, if you’re a group of glamorous girls on a weekend away, paintballing is probably the one time you’ll need to put function ahead of fashion, especially when it comes to footwear. Seeing as we’re already down there, let’s take a look at the footwear first…
Ankle twists are the most common type of paintballing injury so, if possible, try to wear boots or high-tops that offer good ankle support – hiking boots are always a good option as they also offer good grip in the mud. Old trainers (if they’re comfortable) work just as well, but whatever you decide on, it should be something you don’t mind getting wet or dirty.
Your bottom half… As with the footwear, comfort and protection have to be the main considerations for the legwear, so it’s best to go for a loose pair of jogging or tracksuit bottoms, or cargo pants will also do a good job.
Your top half… The main rule of thumb for paintballing is to leave as little skin exposed as possible – those paintballs can really sting – so avoid vests and anything with short sleeves and instead wear a jumper, hoody or a long-sleeved t-shirt. It’s a good idea to layer up with maybe a long-sleeved t-shirt and a hoodie for an extra level of padding. Remember to pack a waterproof jacket in case it rains, too!
Head and hands… Two of the most vulnerable parts of the body when paintballing! Wear gloves that offer protection but aren’t too cumbersome – golf, gardening or weight-lifting gloves will all do the trick, but don’t worry if you can’t find anything suitable as we have gloves for sale here at Mayhem.
Although you’ll be given a protective mask to wear when paintballing, you might want to supplement this with further head protection, as a headshot can leave your ears ringing – something like a baseball cap or a beanie should fit the bill.
Don’t forget to take a spare set of clothes to change into once the game is over, you won’t want to be travelling back in soggy, paint-stained clobber.
The following equipment will be provided by Mayhem…
Camouflage overalls – designed to maximise your ability to hide from the enemy and minimise the risk of getting your own clothes covered in paintball splats, our camouflage overalls fit over your own clothes for an extra layer of cover.
Protective visor – these are without a doubt the most important bit of kit you’ll have – paintballs can travel at speeds of up to 200mph, so never take your goggles off in the battlefield.
All paintballers need to be at least 12-years-old (or year seven at school) – this is an industry-standard supported by the UK Paintball Sports Federation – and there are no specific paintball clothes for youth or younger players, just different sized overalls.
There is, however, protective chest equipment available, ideal for female paintballers.
While a couple of thick layers is good for protection, five minutes of running around in the heat and you’ll be finished. So when you’re working out what to wear when paintballing in hot weather, we’d recommend layering up as you would in the winter, but use thinner layers – so ditch the hoody for a couple of long-sleeved t-shirts, and perhaps replace the heavy sweat pants with cotton combats.
Although you may want to wear shorts and t-shirts in the hot weather, you’ll regret doing so the second you’re struck by a paintball pellet – so thin layers of protection is your best option!
Although Mayhem will provide a camouflage overall and we recommend you only wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, no-one wants their clothes to be permanently paint-splattered.
If you’re wondering ‘Does paintball paint wash out?’ the answer is ‘Yes!’ – paintballs are water-soluble, non-toxic and will wash out of your clothing on a normal wash cycle.
Paint on your hair or skin will also wash out easily in a shower, and the paint is hypoallergenic, so there should be no adverse reactions from taking a hit, other than a mark if you get one directly on your skin.
Protection is the main thing to consider when deciding what to wear when paintballing – a thick, protective outer layer with several layers of thin clothes is the best option – and you can easily adjust what you’re wearing to suit the weather and conditions.
Remember to try not to leave any skin exposed as paintballs sting a lot more on bare skin!
That’s all there is to it! Think comfort, think safety and enjoy the game.
If you have any other questions, check out our FAQ page.