Gear Basics and What to Bring to a Game
Contents
Background
Many people start out wondering about starting kit. Beyond essentials, this topic is vast and often debated. The options are as diverse as armies, soldiers and combat styles.
The key to your personal load is to think in terms of what type of trooper you wish to emulate, and seek out references of that setup of pouches, bags, and strapping. I have referred to other players on the Internet, airsoft magazines, armies, reserves, photo references, and a website called CombatReform.org.
While you should really just try playing and adjust your gear to suit your own style, you at least need the essentials shown below.
Absolute Essentials
Your gear is layers
BASIC PROTECTION
- durable pants and long-sleeve shirt in appropriate earthen colours or camouflages (consider nettle, thorns, brush)
- durable, supportive boots (consider muck, water, and loose ground)
SAFETY EQUIPMENT
- approved Goggles (refer to detailed discussion in linked forum)
- kill rag (red cloth to wear denoting players not currently playing)
- knee protection (optional)
- two-way radio (GMRS capable, 2 W peak output) - Communications Rigs (optional, recommended)
- whistle (Fox40, Fenix NP20, or Fox Micro) for signalling (three blasts to call for help)
LOAD CARRYING
- pockets in clothing
- satchel
- belt or vest with pouches (optional, depends on Specializing as below)
AIRSOFT
- rifle (rented or owned)
- spare magazine (Which Type of Mag?)
- magazine loader
- spare bag of BB's
- spare battery
HEALTH
- water
- personal first aid kit
SPECIAL ITEMS
- thematic preference
- beyond the essentials
- see below
Specializing
In games, you generally will be an infantryman or infanteer.
As infantry, you will need to carry the following beyond your safety gear, airsoft gun* and clothing as your "belt order" or "assault order" (webbing kit):
- spare magazines
- spare ammunition
- multi-tool
- snacks
- water
- kill rag (red)
- spent magazines
- notebook and field map
- two-way radio (GMRS capable, 2 W peak output)
You could also carry
- personal first aid and utility kit
- weapon cleaning kit
- supplementary camo items
- alternative weapons
- load strapping (15ft) or toggle rope
- rain cover or poncho
- light
- silencer
- and so much more
NOTE: Airsoft gun is either owned or rented.
Examples to review:
- 1980's special and irregular forces - http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/webbing.html
- Belt Kit, general - https://maxvelocitytactical.com/2013/09/20/battle-belt-question-answered/
- http://www.strikehold.net/2010/01/26/be-x-modernised-ephod-load-carrying-rig/ (need to dig up the archive.org link)
- Belt Kit, Israel or South Africa style - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etgipXVeyh0
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-WfYd1KKwc&feature=related
- Belt Kit, UK style - http://www.cadetdirect.com/kit2.php
- Belt Kit, UK - http://www.practicalairsoft.co.uk/loadout.asp (need to dig up the archive.org link)
- Belt Kit, UK - http://www.practicalairsoft.co.uk/plce-assembly.asp (need to dig up the archive.org link)
- Chest Kit, Original - http://soldiersystems.net/2016/10/19/rhodesians-didnt-invent-the-chest-rig/
- Chest or Plate Kit, US - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwDqn0ftSv4
- First Line List - https://www.ar15.com/forums/armory/Can_some_one_explain_1st__2nd_and_3rd_line_gear_to_me_/10-235618/
- 1980's Load Bearing Vest - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Individual_Integrated_Fighting_System
- Chest Kit, Rhodesia - http://www.rhodesianselousscouts.com/EQUIPMENT.htm
- Chest Kit, China - http://blog.gruppa-l.com/review-chicom/
- Chest Kit, Russia - http://blog.gruppa-l.com/review-sso-lazutchik/
- Chest Kit, Conceptual - https://outerheavenpaintball.blogspot.com/2017/03/gear-discussion-chest-rigs.html
Local Storefront Sources
(Additional information in retailer section, BC Airsoft Retailers, including local on-line and international on-line sources)
AirsoftGear
- Richmond
- airsoftgear.ca
- basic gear such as clothing
- safety equipment (paintball-approved goggles)
- load carrying
- airsoft
- spare BB's
- more
Dave's Surplus and Tactical
- New Westminster
- dstactical.com
- basic gear such as clothing
- safety equipment, except paintball-approved goggles
- load carrying
- airsoft
- spare BB's
- more
Ice Tactical
- North Vancouver
- icetactical.com
- basic gear such as clothing
- load carrying
MILSIG
- Richmond
- milsig.ca
- basic gear such as clothing
- safety equipment (paintball-approved goggles)
- load carrying
- airsoft
- spare BB's
- more
Paintball Gear
- Coquitlam
- paintballgear.ca
- basic gear such as clothing
- safety equipment (paintball-approved goggles)
- load carrying
PoCo Military
- Langley
- pocomilitary.com
- basic gear such as clothing
- safety equipment
- load carrying
- airsoft
- spare BB's
- more
Warcraft Games
- Mission
- www.warcraftgames.ca
- basic gear such as clothing
- safety equipment (paintball-approved goggles)
- load carrying
- airsoft
- spare BB's
- more
tags:
webbing kit belt order starting kit
what do i need to start