Getting into airsoft is an exciting hobby that allows you to simulate military and tactical scenarios. However, assembling the right gear requires research and planning to avoid common mistakes. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the most frequent airsoft gear errors and provide tips to optimize your loadout.
1. Choosing the Wrong Gun
One of the biggest mistakes airsoft beginners make is choosing the wrong gun. With so many options like pistols, shotguns, sniper rifles, and assault rifles, it can get overwhelming. Consider the following when selecting your primary airsoft gun:
- Playing Style – Are you an aggressive run-and-gun player? A patient sniper? Support gunner? Your playing style should dictate the type of weapon.
- Skill Level – As a beginner, you’ll want a gun that is easy to handle and maintain. Avoid intricate replicas if you’re just starting.
- Field Type – Playing outdoor vs. CQB layouts requires different guns. Outdoors need more range and power while CQB benefits from compact dimensions.
- Budget – Airsoft guns span a huge range in pricing. Set a budget that fits your financial situation and find quality options within it.
- Realism – Some want identical replicas while others prefer colored models. Decide how realistic you want your gun to look and feel. You may want to opt for a blowback airsoft gun.
Taking time to research reviews and asking fellow players is key to picking the optimal airsoft gun for your needs. Avoid buying the cheapest option or what simply looks cool. Consider all factors to prevent regretting your purchase down the road.
2. Poor Quality Eye Protection
Protecting your eyesight is crucial in airsoft. Yet many players try to cheap out on eye protection. Blurred vision, fogging, and comfort issues are common with low-quality goggles and glasses. Avoid these problems by investing in proper airsoft eye pro:
- ANSI Z87.1+ and MIL-PRF-32432 rated goggles provide necessary impact protection.
- Thermal, anti-fog lenses prevent vision from obscuring fog during games.
- Indirect venting avoids direct air blasts into your eyes when shooting.
- Adequate coverage and a secure fit limit the chances of BBs entering from the sides.
- Quick lens change systems allow swapping out lenses for varied conditions.
- Prescription insert options accommodate glass wearers.
While more expensive than basic safety glasses, proper airsoft eye protection pales in comparison to the cost of repairing eye injuries. So make smart choices and only buy quality eye protection.
3. Inadequate Face Protection
Along with your eyes, protecting your face is a must in airsoft. Yet many players neglect proper mouth, ear, and head protection, putting them at risk:
- Teeth shots are excruciatingly painful and can cause serious dental damage or even loss of teeth.
- Ear shots, especially at close range, can rupture eardrums leading to permanent hearing loss.
- Unprotected heads are vulnerable to painful welts and bruising from airsoft BBs.
- Mesh masks only protect teeth and not skin which is still vulnerable.
Using a quality lower face mask in conjunction with ear protection and a helmet avoids these injuries. Make sure masks properly cover your mouth, jawline, and ears and have adjustable straps for a snug fit. Consider options with ear flaps or included ear protection for full coverage.
Helmets also provide vitally important head protection. Avoid skateboarding or bicycle helmets which lack coverage. Look for airsoft-specific helmets with ear protection and visor/goggle combos for comprehensive protection. Investing in full face protection enhances comfort, and safety and prevents long-term injuries.
3. Poor Quality Footwear
Quality footwear is often ignored by beginner Airsoft players. But the huge amount of movement in airsoft matches demands proper boots or shoes. Avoid these footwear mistakes out in the field:
- Wearing everyday street shoes leaves you prone to rolled ankles and injuries on uneven terrain.
- Low ankle support allows unstable side-to-side movement which hinders performance.
- Minimal tread offers poor traction leading to slips and falls.
- Insufficient cushioning causes foot pain, blisters, and exhaustion.
- Toes exposed to shots are agonizing.
The best airsoft footwear provides ankle support, grippy tread, and cushioning, and protects your feet. Look for light hiking boots or trail running shoes suited for outdoor activity. Some players prefer tactical-style boots as well. Make sure to break shoes in before intense airsoft use. Protect ankles and feet by investing in quality supportive footwear.
5. Chest Rig vs. Plate Carrier Confusion
What’s the difference between a plate carrier and a chest rig? And when should you use each? Rookie players often make gear mistakes by misunderstanding the pros and cons of these two main carry options:
- Chest Rigs are all about ammunition and magazine capacity. They are minimalist, allowing maximum mobility. Perfect for high-intensity CQB environments.
- Plate Carriers are made to carry tactical gear like medical supplies and tools. The MOLLE/PALS system lets you customize attachments. Excellent for MilSim patrols.
Choose a chest rig for CQB games where you need to constantly run and gun. Get a plate carrier for more tactical applications to carry extra gear into the battlefield. Veteran players may even run a plate carrier with an attached chest rig for the best of both worlds. Avoid overloading a minimal rig and underutilizing a carrier to prevent inefficient setups.
6. Inferior Tactical Gloves
Protecting your hands is critical for safe, effective airsoft gaming. As a beginner, you may be tempted to wear cheap Mechanix-style gloves meant for real steel shooting. But these tend to fail in airsoft use for multiple reasons:
- Lacking knuckle protection leaves you vulnerable to painful shots.
- Thin leather wears out quickly when crawling and kneeling.
- They hinder weapon manipulation needed for airsoft.
- Minimal padding reduces comfort during repeated impacts.
Look for purpose-built airsoft gloves with molded knuckle protection, durable synthetic construction, and reinforced palms/fingers. These provide the necessary padding and dexterity to enhance performance. Well-fitted wrist closures also secure the gloves during intense play. Don’t make the mistake of unsuitable gloves that hamper your airsoft experience.
7. Bad Tactical Clothing Choices
Clothing choices drastically impact an airsoft player’s effectiveness in the field. Avoid these poor apparel choices:
- Heavy materials like jeans limit movement. Look for lightweight, breathable fabrics.
- Bright colors fail to provide camouflage and concealment. Stick to neutral, low-contrast shades.
- Excessive external pockets on clothing add unnecessary bulk. Limit pouches to your rig or belt.
- Cheap, thin materials rip easily when moving through vegetation or kneeling down. Seek durable construction.
- Poor fits impede motion while overly baggy clothing risks getting caught on surroundings. Find proper fitting apparel.
Seeking airsoft-specific clothing from reputable brands provides suitable performance. Focus on pants, shirts, combat shirts, combat pants, and outerwear made with durable, lightweight fabrics. Proper patterns and smart design optimize airsoft effectiveness.
8. Neglecting Hydration
Airsoft is a physical game and dehydration is a major issue frequently overlooked and ruins the airsoft experience. Excessive sweating and exertion demand proper hydration. Common hydration gear errors include:
- Not carrying any water into the field leads to exhaustion, cramps, and headaches.
- Small, insufficient drinking capacity requires constant refilling. Seek larger reservoirs.
- Open-top bottles leak from movement and poor access. Use sealable hydration.
- Cheap bladders break easily and breed bacteria without antimicrobial coatings. Invest in quality.
- Forgetting to clean reservoirs causes mold and illness. Follow cleaning protocols.
- Not pre-hydrating before play leaves you drained. Drink plenty before and during gameplay.
Utilize quality hydration carriers like backpacks, plate carriers, or battle belts. Look for wide openings for fast drinking and large capacity like 3 liters. Stay healthy and energized with proper hydration gear.
9. Poorly Maintained Airsoft Batteries
Airsoft electric guns (AEGs) rely on rechargeable batteries to function. Neglecting proper battery maintenance results in frustrating failures. Avoid mistakes like:
- Using old, worn-out batteries prone to sudden voltage drops. Replace aging batteries.
- Failure to fully charge batteries causes weak shots and bad consistency.
- Storing batteries at full charge ruins cells over time. Discharge before storage.
- Exposing batteries to temperature extremes deteriorates components and runtime.
- Cheap chargers damage batteries and even cause dangerous failures. Invest in smart chargers.
- Prolonged non-use without periodic charging also harms batteries. Charge every couple of months.
With smart handling, airsoft batteries provide thousands of cycles if properly maintained. Invest in quality batteries like LiPo units and treat them well for reliable power.
Conclusion
Avoiding common mistakes with airsoft load-outs requires research and guidance. Seek input from more experienced players on optimizing gear choices and setups. Use their wisdom and the tips above to configure gear that enhances your enjoyment and minimizes risks. Airsoft is exponentially more fulfilling when your equipment works seamlessly together. So take the time to avoid these pitfalls and assemble an effective loadout you can trust.
