Gear Basics and What to Bring to a Game

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)

   LOAD CARRYING:
   - pockets in clothing
   - satchel
   - belt or vest with pouches (optional, depends on Specializing as below)

   AIRSOFT
   - rifle (rented or owned)
   - spare magazine
   - magazine loader
   - spare bag of BB's

   HEALTH
   - water
   - personal first aid kit

   SPECIAL ITEMS
   - thematic preference
   - beyond the essentials
   - see below

Specializing

In games, you will be an infantryman or infanteer. 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:

1. http://www.angelfire.com/art/enchanter/webbing.html
2. http://www.strikehold.net/2010/01/26/be-x-modernised-ephod-load-carrying-rig/
3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etgipXVeyh0
4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-WfYd1KKwc&feature=related
5. http://www.cadetdirect.com/kit2.php
6. http://www.practicalairsoft.co.uk/loadout.asp
7. http://www.practicalairsoft.co.uk/plce-assembly.asp

tags: webbing kit belt order starting kit what do i need to start