Airsoft Gear
When you first start out in Airsoft the wide range of Airsoft Gear to wear and equipment you can use, can be overwhelming. Each player ends up acquiring whatever Airsoft Gear best suits them and the way they play.
Apart from suitable eye protection, there is no special requirement for a player to have certain Airsoft Gear.
Your game style may determine what sort of Airsoft Gear you want to use. If you are always in the thick of battle you might want to aim for a tactical vest, helmet and lots of spare magazines. Alternatively, as a Sniper, you might opt for minimal Airsoft Gear but make sure it’s all camouflaged and also carry a sidearm.
Here is some Airsoft Gear that are popular with Airsoft players.
Face Mask
Face masks greatly reduce the chance of a painful face shot. These can come in full-face and half-face configurations. Full-face masks cover your entire face and have built-in eye protection. Half-face masks are worn in addition to separate goggles and offer lower face protection. We recommend mesh Half-face masks rather than fabric masks as they offer solid protection from bb impacts.
Caps & Boonies
Some sort of head protection is recommended for all Airsofters. They not only help to take the sting out of a head shot but also protect against the sun. Most Airsoft games take place outdoors and in fine weather so some form of sun protection is a must. There are a range of tactical caps and boonies available to suit all players.
Helmets
Helmets are the next step up from a hat. Helmets offer better head protection and many can also be fitted with additional tactical gear or even cameras. There are a variety of styles available, from vintage replicas to modern tactical designs. They can come in plain colours or camouflage designs.
Canteen
Airsoft games can be very long and very hot. For this reason it’s recommended that all players bring their own liquid refreshments on the field. Having a canteen or hydration pack (a water bladder that you wear on your back) is a great way to ensure you are never without a drink on the field.
Helmets
Camo clothing, also known as Battle Dress Uniforms (BDU) are great for helping you remain unnoticed by the enemy. There are many patterns, we recommend you pick one that works well on the field you most often play. TAC uses Multicam as their preferred camo as it works the best on their home field at TECT All Terrain Park.
Tactical Vests
Vests are a great addition to any game kit. They offer protection from body hits and also give you a means to carry gear on the field. Most vests come with an array of various pouches designed to accommodate common items. Some have mounting systems that let you add or arrange your own pouches to compliment your game style.
Gloves
BB hits to the fingers, especially the knuckles, can hurt. When holding an Airsoft gun you tend to present at least one hand to the enemy. Many Airsofters opt for a pair of fingerless work gloves or tactical gloves. These offer good protection for the back of the hand and most of the fingers while leaving the fingertips unencumbered for working your gear.
Boots
Some good quality boots are a popular first purchase for many Airsofters. As most Airsoft in New Zealand is played outdoors, having suitable footwear is important. Good boots not only offer better traction in the mud but also offer better ankle support when navigating rough terrain.
Spare Magazines
There is nothing worse than running out of BB’s mid-game. For this reason most players quickly acquire additional magazines for their various Airsoft Guns. This is particularly important if your gun only accepts low-capacity magazine, such as a Pistol or Sniper Rifle. Speed-loaders and dummy-BB containers are also popular for on-field reloading.
Sidearms
A sidearm, usually a pistol, can be very handy to carry during a game. It gives you a back-up weapon should your rifle fault while you are playing. Snipers are often required to carry a pistol so they can engage the enemy once they are too close to safely shoot with the high powered rifle. There is a huge range of pistol styles on the market.
Radios
Co-ordinating with your team members or communicating with game organisers is much easier outdoors when you have a radio. Radios should be in the 4-5 Watt range and be rechargeable. Airsofters often fit PTT (push to talk), earpieces or throat-mics to their radio to make it easier to use during combat.
Tool Kit
Tool Kits go hand-in-hand with learning how to service and maintain your own Airsoft Guns. Airsoft guns can fault during a game day and often times it’s a simple fix if you know how, and have the tools. A basic kit should include Screwdrivers, Allen Keys, Spare Fuses, a Barrel Rod and Plastic Tape.
Kill Rag
Kill rags are a piece of cloth, usually in red or fluro colours that a player can display once they are shot to let other players know they are not in combat. While not all clubs require them, kill rags are recommended as they make it easier to discern live player from dead. Doing so lessens the chance of a dead player continually being shot.
Duty Belt
Duty Belts are handy if you want to take extra gear on the field that will not fit on your vest, or if you don’t want to wear a vest. There are several varieties from a basic belt to the battle belt style with modular attachments. You can use a belt to hang a pistol holster, carry a canteen or magazine pouches, a dump pouch, or even hang leg pouches from.
Dump Pouch
A Dump Pouch is a pouch that you wear on you belt to “dump” empty magazines in. They are less fiddly than trying to replace a spent mag in a vest pouch so you are less distracted during combat. They are also handy for carrying other game items you may need to take onto the field or collect during a game.
Fake Knife
A stealthy “knife kill” is considered a very skillful way of taking down an enemy player. To do this you have to get close enough to tap them with a knife. For safety reasons, real knives are not permitted in the game. Instead, players use fake plastic or rubber knife replicas. Some even use foam swords or axes!
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