Don’t let Ma’ Nature throw your paintball addiction out in the cold! You can still play paintball, and in comfort, in the winter weather. In fact, some of the best paintball days can be had when it’s snowing outside.
Of course, you could just play indoors, but why let skiers and riders be the only ones who have fun in the white stuff. I’ll explain what to wear to keep your game going strong – no matter how cold it might be on the field.
The first, and probably most obvious tip, is to dress in layers. As a woodsballer, you may already dress in layers to cut down on the pain(you sissy). However, in the winter, you can take it one step further and add some thermal underwear. Cover that with a turtleneck sweater and then your camo BDU’s and you’re set. If during play you begin to get hot, you can easily remove a layer, but not being warm enough sucks and can ruin your day.
Next, you want to make sure that your hands are protected. Frostbite can set in rather quickly in extreme cold temps, and its first victim is usually fingers and toes. The trick here is that your fingers have to fit through the trigger hole. That said you must choose your glove carefully. There are plenty of fleece gloves that are thinner and keep hands very warm. Check around at ski shops, ATV apparel shops and even local paintball stores to find a selection of gloves that allow both movement and plenty of warmth.
Going along with frostbite attacking your fingers and toes first, heat escapes from your head first. That said, it is crucial to wear a hat. When it’s really cold, I like wearing my ski gear that also covers the face. A “robber” style face mask, or neoprene face shield will both fit comfortably under your paintball mask. Finding something that insulates your head and covers your ears will be crucial to your comfort and your possibly even your health.
You’ll want to be protected from head to toe. We just talked about the importance of wearing a hat. The proper shoes or boots are important to not only keep your toes warm, but also to provide the best footing. You will want to have a better tread on the bottom of your shoes since snow can make the ground pretty slippery. Waterproof boots will keep dampness from getting in and prevent freezing toes. Doubling up on warm socks is a good idea as long as you can still move comfortably. Bringing along a dry pair of socks would be a smart idea as well. If the snow is deep, think about wearing ski pants instead of your BDU pants or at least spray your pants with a good waterproof spray.
Another thing to keep in mind is protective eye gear. If you’re playing in an open area with lots of snow, you may want to wear sunglasses under your goggles. The sun can be damaging in the winter. It may not be warming you up, but its rays can still be harmful to the eyes. Have you ever seen someone with sunburnt eyes? Yeah, it’s nasty stuff!
Aside from clothing, you may want to bring backup equipment if you have it. Markers don’t always perform as they should when temperates are at or near freezing. Having a backup just might keep you in the game!
So, with these tips, hopefully you can take your paintball game outside into a real winter wonderland the next time it’s snowing. It’s a unique experience that you won’t soon forget!
A couple things I learned from growing up hunting in the midwest winters.
Neoprene gloves are awesome. They keep your hands super warm, and are usually thin enough to fit inside of a trigger guard. They would keep my hands toasty in near 0 temps, and my hands get cold fast. Poor circulation or something I guess.
Wool – It’s the best thing you can wear in snow, especially for socks because it keeps its insulation properties even when wet. Combine that with a moisture wicking layer on your feet (or anywhere for that matter) and you’re guaranteed warm dry feet all day.
[...] paintball this Winter, make sure you dress properly to avoid ruining a perfectly good day. (See: How to Dress for Winter Paintball) There’s nothing worse than having to leave the field because you’re soaking wet and [...]