Airsoft equiptment 101

Airsoft gear - you're going to need sooner or later. More then likely sooner....

In this installment of the Warrior Blog I am going to discuss a few items that you're eventually going to need as you become more involved in the sport of airsoft.

Tactical load bearing vest or Chest Rig: Not required to play right off the bat, but as you add more and more to your collection of Airsoft stuff, you'll need the vest to help you store and carry all that stuff. Stuff like extra mags, two-way radio (aka "Comms"), maybe a stash of extra BBs or even some tactical snacks while you're out in the field. And perhaps one of the most important items you'll need to have readily available on your person during a game is easy access to water for staying hydrated. Getting dehydrated during a game is not only stupid, but downright dangerous. Not to mention extremely selfish. People can actually die from dehydration. And that puts a damper on everyone's day, which in effect, makes it a selfish act to literally die on the Airsoft field from not taking the proper precautions and maintaining your body to allow it to function like a champ on game day. Don't be that guy.

Red Dead Rag:  These are required at most fields to identify the "dead man walking" and should be used as soon as you are "hit". When you are hit you should raise your hand and/or gun up in the air to signal your opponent(s) that you have been hit and and put you "dead rag" on the barrel of you gun or hold it up in the air so that it can be clearly seen as you exit the field. I keep my dead rag in one of my front pouches and have Velcro sewn to the middle of the rag so that I can attach it to my helmet or hat. Sometimes I've been shot while walking out because my red rag wasn't visible to the shooter for one reason or another but it happens. I wouldn't say they are necessary to play, although some fields may require them so check that out before showing up to play for the first time, however, red rags can be effective and useful when used properly in conjunction with walking off the field with your gun pointed up in the air or something else to signal others that you've been hit. 


Extra magazines: You can get away without extra mags if you have a high-cap mag that came with your rifle, and there's always a decent chance someone at the field will have a spare or two that you could borrow, but at some point, you're going to need at least one extra mag of your own. I don't recommend being a charity case every time you go out the field.  I would also recommend that you work towards getting several high quality mid-cap magazines. First of all it forces you to become a better player because you have to pick your shots (no spray and pray) and second because later as you become more active in the sport, you will probably want to attend  mil-sim games that will limit or exclude the use of high- cap magazines.

Boots. Not an ABSOLUTE necessity, but if you're running around a field where it's basically just raw land or has a lot of treacherous and uneven footing, the next few weeks of your life could be ruined by a severely rolled and/or broken ankle. I use the same boots that are issued currently to our military, but any high top good quality boot will work. Again this is an area that you don't want to get cheep because in the end the phrase "you get what you pay for" really applies.

Padre' out...