Paintball

[JoeJustPlainJoe]

Originally Posted by Nonsense Man

Is it necessary to wear pants and pads?

The first time I played (1993 or so), someone told me to purchase a cup. I found one and wore it the next weekend. Sure enough, I caught a paintball "south of the border." The paintball had not broken and, in fact, had fallen to the ground.

A few months later, I reffed a woodsball tournament. I saw a player who also caught one in the same spot I did. Only, he did not have a cup. He was crying and was carried off the field. Twelve years later, I still remember him on the ground, curled into a fetal position, after the game.

Bottomline: for guys, a cup or some sort of padding is critical. I now wear slider shorts and paintball pants (padded in the crotch and zipper area). For female players, I suggest a sports bra or the plastic cup protectors (I don't recall what they are called) you can find online.

Further down, my knees are tweaked so I consider kneepads a necessity. Kneepads are also good if you're playing woodsball (for rocks, sticks and the like).

Just my opinion. That and five dollars will get me coffee at Starbucks.

Joe

[HP_Lovecraft]

I've never worn a cup in.... 20 years of paintball. But I also wore "Goggles-only" for much of the 90s, so I'm not the best example.

I don't fear paintballs. I DO however fear busting my kneecaps, so I'll usually wear neepads.

When I started playing in the 80s, I was OBSESSED with "proper" camo. So I bought the trendy tigerstripes back then. When "black" came into style in the early 90s, I went "all black". When those nylon ghillie-style suits came out in 1995, I was the first at all the "big events" to sport one.

But I don't really care anymore. All that camo didn't really help. I was more interested in "looking cool". Now that I'm old, and married, being "cool" is no longer important, so I'll just wear whatever is comfortable.

Usually shorts, tshirt, and flip-flops. Yes flip-flops.
So don't worry to much about it. Just have fun.

nick

[forstgump]

Originally Posted by drg

It's not strictly necessary but if you want to perform at your maximum then yes. You simply cannot go full speed as hard without pads as you can with. And I sure hope you wear SOME kind of pants ... nobody wants to see your junk.

I wear shorts when it's warm out, and I go full speed! My friends say the scars are cool......

[TheAznInvazn]

interesting...

I don't think that wearing shorts and sliding is the smartest idea, but whatever will tickle your pickle...

[forstgump]

Originally Posted by TheAznInvazn

interesting...

I don't think that wearing shorts and sliding is the smartest idea, but whatever will tickle your pickle...

Only thing that really bothers me are grass cuts (the itches).

[flyweightnate]

Anyone know how much paintball pants weigh? I sport a pair of ACU pants, with home depot foam pads in the knees. They're great, but feel heavy. I played in basketball shorts once (with a kneepad in my crotch, just in case!) and felt like I was flying. So, if real paintball pants are lighter, I might need to invest...

[ih8cornnuts]

I think I've played in every incarnation of shorts, pants, tees, sneakers, boots you name it. Years ago in socal I played in shorts and a T, Last time I played in a long sleeve T and a generic pair of dockers. FlyinweightNate was there sporting a leotard and pink bunny slippers. Once I even played in a collared shirt and dockers after work when I swung by a field to see my brother and ended up playing a few games.

Flektar is the best, by far my fav camo pattern. I have a pair of basic flektar bdu's that I picked up used on ebay for about 15 shipped, complete with nazi paraphernalia in the pockets from the terd I bought them from.

Talfuchre's review of the smokin' outlast's are really making me think about buying PB specific pants though. I've destroyed my knees the last couple of outings and I cant get used to strap on knee-pads. I'd like them built in.

[flyweightnate]

I have to say... the bunny slippers didn't afford much traction.

[drg]

Originally Posted by flyweightnate

Anyone know how much paintball pants weigh? I sport a pair of ACU pants, with home depot foam pads in the knees. They're great, but feel heavy. I played in basketball shorts once (with a kneepad in my crotch, just in case!) and felt like I was flying. So, if real paintball pants are lighter, I might need to invest...

Paintball pants generally are quite light due to the nylon- and mesh-heavy construction. Depends on the exact model though.

[brycelarson]

Originally Posted by flyweightnate

Anyone know how much paintball pants weigh? I sport a pair of ACU pants, with home depot foam pads in the knees. They're great, but feel heavy. I played in basketball shorts once (with a kneepad in my crotch, just in case!) and felt like I was flying. So, if real paintball pants are lighter, I might need to invest...

yup, light overall, tough in the right places, thin in others - stretchy in the crotch for ease of movement.

While it may seem like the tourney types wear them as a fashion statement - they are built for the sport and function well.