The Equipment

The equipment used for airsoft in most cases is actual military issued gear. In some cases it’s very difficult to purchase some high priority tactical vests because of the need for them overseas. The vests are tailored for specific weapon configurations. For example: If you like AK47s then your vest will need to hold the magazines for this specific weapon. If you like M16 type of weapons then your load out be tailored for this particular AEG.

I am going to cover Weapons In a different section so I can go into more detail. These are carried on the Second and First layers Depending.

*Many Clubs lists will ask for more equipment on certain "Layers" or "Lines". This list covers an average day operation split into two 3 hour missions during daylight hours.*

First Layer or first line ~Uniform and pockets~

Lets start with BDUs(Battle Dress Uniforms) There are many manufacturers of BDU's I have found that the PROPPER brand seems to be the most comfortable. TRUE SPEC is a close second. These are available in many camo patterns. Woodland, 3 color Desert, 6 Color Desert, Urban, and Tiger Stripe are the most popular. You can get European styles and colors from surplus stores on the World Wide Web. You can get these for different climates and in RIP STOP, which will prevent tears longer than 1 inch from spreading. Boonie hats or Patrol Caps should be worn with BDUs. a military belt should be used to secure your BDU pants in place.

BDU.com

T-Shirt Black Under Armor or Cotton shirt is the ideal choice.

Goggles This is one of the most important items you can purchase for yourself. Please remember you only have 2 eyes and their safety is paramount. Paintball goggles from JT or Scott are an excellent choice. They are a bit bulky, however they have less of a chance fogging when you sweat and offer the best protection. Military ballistic goggles would be the second choice. These offer great protection as well, but in some cases I have noticed they tend Fog during play due to the fact that they usually are closer to you face and have smaller profiles so that helmets can be worn with them. You can purchase de-fogging solutions, but they do not seem to be as effective as you would hope. DO NOT wear sunglasses or any other non-ballistic eye cover! If you just can't be seen without your shades, WILEY-X makes ballistic sunglasses that are popular and offer good protection. they do tend to fog. Make sure your goggles seal around your eyes to avoid ricochet injuries. Bolle T800, ESS, WILEY-X, JT, and Scott offer the best protection. Make sure you check out your fields requirements before spending your hard earned cash. Some insurance companies require that you wear Paintball Goggles with or without the facemask.

Elbow and Knee pads: Optional but nice to have in certain environments! These are available in many colors and camo patterns.

Watch and Compass: It is good to have a quality watch that can be read even in the dark. Some clubs require navigation during missions so compasses are ideal!

Boots : The best boot are Military Spec boots. Altama, Wellco, and Danner are the most popular. These companies make different style boots for different environments. Jungle boots are the most popular due to their aggressive tread pattern. Infantry combat Boots are gaining ground due to the fact they have a tennis shoe like sole that is very easy to run in and the collar is around 8" tall instead of the standard 10" tall boot. Sierra soles are a linear jagged pattern that work great for climbing slick surfaces. Most boots require at least 40hrs of "break-in" time. ~ TIP ~ Re-lace your boots with Paracord. You can take the string from inside the paracord to tie objects together in an emergency!

Altama.com
Wellco Enterprises
Danner Boots

Socks: For the love of Pete! DO NOT wear regular cotton socks! invest in some high quality wool or military issue socks that will keep you feet cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They will also wisk away moisture from your feet helping to prevent blisters. You can wera nylon booties under your socks to help prevent blisters!

Gloves Military gloves with Nomex are a good idea, however not required.

Shemagh or Bandana These come in many Camo patterns and colors. these have many puposes; The first is provide protection, second to provide cover, and third to help regulate your temperature.

Balaclava These cover your entire head except your eyes. Mostly used in colder climates.

Second layer or Second Line ~ Load Bearing Equipment and Web Belt ~

Tactical Vest or Load Bearing Equipment: When buying your equipment make sure you invest in practical quality gear. The last thing you need when running around in the woods or desert is for your equipment to fall out of your vest or LBE because it isn't fuctional. You will be crawling and running through mud and brush, so make sure your gear fits well! People make the mistake of buying gear for the way it looks instead of the way in functions. Do Not fall into this mentality. Your Vest or LBE should fit snug to your body, all the pockets and holders should fasten tightly. The most common vests are made by Blackhawk Industries , Eagle Industries and , S.O. Tech. I would suggest reading reviews of the vest or LBE you choose before purchasing. Remember stealth is key! you don't want to sound like you are dragging cans behind you when you need to run. Your gear should hold your equipment tight to prevent rattling. Your Vest or LBE should hold at the least the following items: 8 standard magazines for AEG, extra battery, BB loader, radio, and small bag of BBs.

S.O. Tech Delta Rifleman's Vest

Hydration Systems are vital. It doesn't matter if you think you are going to be "ok" without water for 1 hour. You need 1 liter per hour to stay properly hydrated during normal airsoft operations. Most players use either 1 or 2-quart canteen systems attached to a web belt. For longer missions Camelbak makes great systems for military and civilian uses. Choose one that will fit your needs. These are available in many popular camo patterns and colors.

Survival Kit These are nice to have just in case you get lost! usually the fields are clearly marked and if you do get lost its for a very short time. Include a whistle so you can be found. ~Tip~ cary waterproof matches and Cotton balls covered with Vaseline™. These will light in the rain!

First Aid Kit You can get scratched and poked with brush or other objects. Pocket kits should be adequate.

Chemical Light Sticks and Small Flashlight Nice to have when the need arrives.

Pocket Knife Can be handy to cut rope with.

Third Layer ~ Outer layer or Third Line ~

Rucksacks usually hold 3 days of essentials. There are many styles and sizes. They should hold food and clothing for 3 days.
550 Cord 100ft used for climbing and securing object
Ponch Brown, Olive Drab, or Camo. This will keep you and your gear dry.
E-tool Military shovel. Good for clearing areas for camp.
Extra BDU's Boots and Socks Nice to have clean clothes after a rough day.
Plastc BagKeep your smelly muddy gear isolated
3 MRE (Meals Ready to Eat) High calorie food for energy. usually can be eaten with water added