First off, you definitely don't need your gun looking like this...
Just imagine trying to run through any type of foliage with all this... Yeah, it will not end well.
When trying to choose new gear for myself, there are three main things I must consider:
1. Role: What is my playing style?
2. Environment: Where do I typically play Airsoft?
3. Practicality: Will I really use it, or do I just want it for the "cool" factor?
Below I will explain each aspect in detail.
ROLE:
Every Airsoft player has a unique playing style. Choosing the right gear will help to enhance the effectiveness of your chosen role. There are three main types of Airsoft players; Aggressive, Passive, and Somewhere-In-Between.
Aggressive players like to be at the forefront of the action and are always on the move. Because mobility and speed are important in this role, small, light weapons and minimal gear will maximize efficiency. Due to the intensity of this playing style, weapons and gear tend to be rather abused, so choosing durable gear is very important as well.
Passive players are often referred to as "campers" - they prefer to sit tight and wait for the enemy to come to them. Engagement distances can vary from extremely close (depending on the patience of the camper) to quite far, so players should be equipped for both short, intense shootouts, and longer, drawn out engagements.
Those players who are Somewhere-In-Between do not consistently display either of the above traits, and just tend to do whatever they feel like at the moment. A versatile load-out is best suited for this type of player.
ENVIRONMENT:
There are three main types of environments in which the Airsoft player will find themselves; Woodland, Close Quarter Combat/Battle (CQC/CQB) and Urban.
Woodland typically consist of a wooded area, although there can be open fields and bodies of water as well. Greenery can range from mature trees to dense undergrowth, or a mix of the two. Engagements usually happen at medium (75-100 feet) to far (150+ feet) distances.
CQB/CQB generally takes place indoors, where opponents frequently face off at 15-75 feet. Because of this, most CQB arenas have a 330-350 FPS limit on all weapons. Mobility and speed are extremely important factors in this type of environments
Urban warfare tends to be a combination of of both the latter, therefore a diversity of weapons and gear is highly recommended.
PRACTICALITY
When choosing your gear, you must be careful to choose those items which you are definitely going to use. For example, if you only or mostly play during the daylight, you don't need to invest in a laser or flashlight. Also, you don't need that 9x30 magnification scope on your AEG; you can see way further that you'll ever be able to shoot. Those things may look cool tacked to your gun, but your money could have been better spent buy purchasing extra mags, batteries, or any number of things that you often find yourself in need of.
The whole point of this article is to help you choose between what is practical and what is not - Functionality versus overkill. The military has a great grasp on this concept. They know that to much gear is going to slow them down and make them easy targets. They also know that not being equipped with the right equipment could be deadly. Thankfully in Airsoft the stakes are not so high, but it still pays to be prepared.
MAIN GEAR CATEGORIES:
Not to sound like a broken record, but again I find that this can be consolidated into three main categories: Protective, Collective and Effective (see what I did there?)
Protective gear will include gear such as:
-Gloves: Getting shot in the hand can hurt - a lot. If you play woodland this may not be such an issue for you, but for CQB players, gloves will definitely save you from large amounts of pain.
-Goggles/Safety glasses: Definitely a must. Vision is a very nice thing to have, so you probably don't want to lose yours. Personally I prefer the mesh goggles so I never have to worry about fogging.
-Helmets: Head shots can hurt, although usually just a hat is sufficient protection.
-Masks: These can be one-piece units which cover the entire face (or the whole head), or just a "lower face" mask which protects your mouth and cheeks and is used in conjunction with goggles or safety glasses.
-Pads: Knee pads are very common among Airsofters because often you will find yourself falling or sliding on your knees - which doesn't feel to good if you don't have pads and land on rocks or thorns. Some players also opt for elbow pads for added protection to the arms.
-Plate carriers: These are essentially hard vests which protect your back and chest. Usually shots in these areas are not that painful, but again, it's up to you.
Collective gear is what you use to store stuff and can range from, well, read for yourself:
-Back-Pack: Self explanatory. Bulky, but it can hold a lot of gear.
-Drop leg Magazine Pouch: If you don't like stuff packed around your chest, you can tack it on your leg instead! The only problem is that available space is limited.
-Dump Pouches: A great little device where you can stuff any item that needs a home. Most people use them as a place to dump expired magazines, hence the name. I would not advise using it as a mobile waste device...
-Holsters: Having a back-up weapon is nice, but having an accessible place to store one makes it even better. Most holsters also have an pouch to store an extra magazine or speed loader.
-Vests: From S.W.A.T styles to MOLLE, a vest is a great place to store extra ammo, magazines, batteries etc.
Effective gear is what enables you or your weapon to be more effective. This includes items such as:
-Batteries: There is nothing worse than the sound of a dying battery in the middle of battle. Having and extra battery or two on hand will help you keep on playing longer. Getting a 9.6v battery will increase your rate of fire instantly without any of the risks of higher voltage batteries.
- BBs: It is amazing how many people underrate this vital piece of equipment. Using quality bbs makes all the difference in range and accuracy. BB weight is also very important - using 0.30g bbs in a stock gun is not going to be effective, and .12g are going to fly all over the place. .20g are good for the average player, or .23g-.25g if you want more accuracy.
Bipods: For most people, this is one of those "overkill" items, but for snipers and designated marksmen who need every bit of accuracy they can get, this is a vital piece of gear. Also, gunners with heavy weapons will find it a welcome alternative to firing from the hip or trying to shoulder a bulky weapon.
Claymore Mines: For the most part impractical, but if you know how to use it can work. As with most things, the greater the quantity, the greater the likelihood of success.
Flashlights: If you play in the dark a lot, a flashlight can be a helpful friend to penetrate the darkness and reveal the enemy. Strobe lights (the ones that flash) are good for disorienting your enemy and are even used in lit CQB situations.
Flip-Up Iron Sights: Most guns come with stationary front and rear iron sights, which usually work fine. Really the only advantages to flip-up sights is that you can place them to your preference and they can fold out of the way so you can use your reflex sight or other optic
-Fore-grips: Some people love 'em, some people don't - but the truth is they do make whipping your weapon around a bit easier. You can even get one that splits in two to double as a bipod!
Grenades: There are several types; Some actually spray bbs everywhere when they go off and some simply make a very loud pop. Smoke grenades can be helpful when you need to make yourself invisible to the enemy. When used right, any of these can be effective tools.
Grenade Launchers: Nope, they don't actually launch a grenade (bummer, right?). Pretty much it's a giant shotgun that you can mount on any gun as long as you have a rail large enough to accommodate it. Very good for clearing small rooms or bunker rushing (if you can get close enough to use it, that is).
Hydration Packs: Also called "camel packs" these are large bladders which you can fill with water and sling on your back. A hose runs from the pack and clips onto your vest so you can have ready access to a freshening gulp. Hydration packs are a great way to carry large quantities of water without the bulkiness of water bottles or canteens.
Lasers: Another low-light accessory, it functions like a reflex sight by allowing you to quickly acquire your target. You may consider one if you play a lot of night or CQB games.
-Magazines: They are like potato chips - one is just not enough! High capacity, mid capacity, low capacity - get whatever suits you. Many people like high caps because you have 200+ rounds ready to fire. Others, however, prefer mid or low caps for the realism of swapping out mags, or to avoid the tell-tale rattle of high caps.
- Multi-Tool: You never know what tool you might find yourself in dire need of. A multi-tool helps to cover all the bases.
PEQ Boxes: Great for storing an extra battery, or to use if you or your gun don't have room for a battery anywhere else.
Rails: Many guns come with rails pre-installed, but there are also many options for adding onto what you already have. Rails are a necessity if you need to mount accessories to your weapon.
-Red/Green Dot Reflex Sights: Need speedy target acquisition and your iron sights just aren't cutting it? Look no further! Reflex sights come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and any decent one will be fully adjustable. Once dialed in, just stick the dot on your target and fire.
Slings: Be it a 1,2 or 3 point sling, this tool makes it easy to transition to a secondary weapon or just keep your main weapon on your back and out of the way. It can also be used to enhance a rifles stability when trying to make accurate shots.
-Tape: Duct or electrical tape is great for a host of things. When you want it you find you can't make do without it - so always have some on you.
-Two-Way Radios: While these are not specifically "Airsoft" accessories, the importance of communication cannot be overstated. Winning or losing can hinge on a simple piece of information delivered at the right moment.
-Whistle: A great tool to signal game starts and stops. Also comes in handy of you need help, although hopefully you'll never have to use it for that.
So, let's recap the main points.
Role - what's your playing style?
Environment - where do you play mostly?
Practicality - will you use it often?
Protective Gear - accessories that protect your body from injury or pain
Collective Gear - accessories that provide a place to store other gear
Effective Gear - accessories that enhance you or your weapons' effectiveness
Next time you are thinking of buying that new piece of gear, just take a moment to review this information and you will be well on your way to making an educated decision.
Play hard, play well. Play Airsoft!
.
-Batteries: There is nothing worse than the sound of a dying battery in the middle of battle. Having and extra battery or two on hand will help you keep on playing longer. Getting a 9.6v battery will increase your rate of fire instantly without any of the risks of higher voltage batteries.
- BBs: It is amazing how many people underrate this vital piece of equipment. Using quality bbs makes all the difference in range and accuracy. BB weight is also very important - using 0.30g bbs in a stock gun is not going to be effective, and .12g are going to fly all over the place. .20g are good for the average player, or .23g-.25g if you want more accuracy.
Bipods: For most people, this is one of those "overkill" items, but for snipers and designated marksmen who need every bit of accuracy they can get, this is a vital piece of gear. Also, gunners with heavy weapons will find it a welcome alternative to firing from the hip or trying to shoulder a bulky weapon.
Claymore Mines: For the most part impractical, but if you know how to use it can work. As with most things, the greater the quantity, the greater the likelihood of success.
Flashlights: If you play in the dark a lot, a flashlight can be a helpful friend to penetrate the darkness and reveal the enemy. Strobe lights (the ones that flash) are good for disorienting your enemy and are even used in lit CQB situations.
Flip-Up Iron Sights: Most guns come with stationary front and rear iron sights, which usually work fine. Really the only advantages to flip-up sights is that you can place them to your preference and they can fold out of the way so you can use your reflex sight or other optic
-Fore-grips: Some people love 'em, some people don't - but the truth is they do make whipping your weapon around a bit easier. You can even get one that splits in two to double as a bipod!
Grenades: There are several types; Some actually spray bbs everywhere when they go off and some simply make a very loud pop. Smoke grenades can be helpful when you need to make yourself invisible to the enemy. When used right, any of these can be effective tools.
Grenade Launchers: Nope, they don't actually launch a grenade (bummer, right?). Pretty much it's a giant shotgun that you can mount on any gun as long as you have a rail large enough to accommodate it. Very good for clearing small rooms or bunker rushing (if you can get close enough to use it, that is).
Hydration Packs: Also called "camel packs" these are large bladders which you can fill with water and sling on your back. A hose runs from the pack and clips onto your vest so you can have ready access to a freshening gulp. Hydration packs are a great way to carry large quantities of water without the bulkiness of water bottles or canteens.
Lasers: Another low-light accessory, it functions like a reflex sight by allowing you to quickly acquire your target. You may consider one if you play a lot of night or CQB games.
-Magazines: They are like potato chips - one is just not enough! High capacity, mid capacity, low capacity - get whatever suits you. Many people like high caps because you have 200+ rounds ready to fire. Others, however, prefer mid or low caps for the realism of swapping out mags, or to avoid the tell-tale rattle of high caps.
- Multi-Tool: You never know what tool you might find yourself in dire need of. A multi-tool helps to cover all the bases.
PEQ Boxes: Great for storing an extra battery, or to use if you or your gun don't have room for a battery anywhere else.
Rails: Many guns come with rails pre-installed, but there are also many options for adding onto what you already have. Rails are a necessity if you need to mount accessories to your weapon.
-Red/Green Dot Reflex Sights: Need speedy target acquisition and your iron sights just aren't cutting it? Look no further! Reflex sights come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, and any decent one will be fully adjustable. Once dialed in, just stick the dot on your target and fire.
Slings: Be it a 1,2 or 3 point sling, this tool makes it easy to transition to a secondary weapon or just keep your main weapon on your back and out of the way. It can also be used to enhance a rifles stability when trying to make accurate shots.
-Tape: Duct or electrical tape is great for a host of things. When you want it you find you can't make do without it - so always have some on you.
-Two-Way Radios: While these are not specifically "Airsoft" accessories, the importance of communication cannot be overstated. Winning or losing can hinge on a simple piece of information delivered at the right moment.
-Whistle: A great tool to signal game starts and stops. Also comes in handy of you need help, although hopefully you'll never have to use it for that.
So, let's recap the main points.
Role - what's your playing style?
Environment - where do you play mostly?
Practicality - will you use it often?
Protective Gear - accessories that protect your body from injury or pain
Collective Gear - accessories that provide a place to store other gear
Effective Gear - accessories that enhance you or your weapons' effectiveness
Next time you are thinking of buying that new piece of gear, just take a moment to review this information and you will be well on your way to making an educated decision.
Play hard, play well. Play Airsoft!
.
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