snow paintball

From changing the camo you wear to the type of tank you use, playing in the snow can be a tricky business. First, make any necessary adjustments to help your marker continue to perform in cold weather. Use high pressure air tank instead of CO2. Paintball CO2 tanks tend to freeze when fired rapidly, even in the summer; this is multiplied when the outside air is cold.

High pressure air tanks supply constant air pressure, regardless of outside air temperature, and will perform more consistently in the winter than CO2. Also, consider using winter formula paintballs. Regular paintballs will freeze in the cold and become harder to break, causing them to hurt and bounce off their target.

Winter formula paintballs have a much lower freezing point and will remain liquid in very cold temperatures. These are only offered by a few brands and cost a bit more, however they are essential for playing in the cold. If you play paintball in cold temperatures, winter formula paintballs will make or break your game.

The clothing you wear will also be a bit different for cold weather paintball. In the normal season, most players wear loose-fitting jerseys, long-sleeved shirts, and pants paired with some type of protective paintball gear. This may include a paintball chest protector, body armor or tactical vest, elbow and/or knee pads, and neck protector. The paintball mask is an essential piece of equipment no matter what the weather.

One advantage of playing paintball in the snow is clothing that you would normally wear for extremely cold temperatures. Thick, heavy winter coats, long johns, gloves, and even ski pants are excellent protection against oncoming paintballs. Winter clothing almost replaces paintball protective gear accessories (except mask). The only problem with these types of clothing is that they are often heavy, reduce range of motion, and slow the player down a lot.

When choosing what to wear to play paintball in the snow, dress in layers and ‘think light’; don’t just wear as many clothes as possible. Long johns under jeans and a long-sleeved t-shirt are great as a first and second layer. Your winter parka with a hood or knit hat will be enough protection to play in, however add or subtract depending on how harsh the temperature is. Some players also wear a tactical vest over their winter coat if it fits to help them carry their gear.

Remember, you will also need some kind of storage capacity to carry the necessary equipment, such as paintballs or extra magazines for your paintball gun. Tactical paintball harnesses that fit around the waist will interfere with a winter coat, unless you wear it under your jacket. Consider wearing a thigh harness to carry ammo cases or extra gear and keep it from overlapping with your coat.

Choose wisely the type of paintball shoes you wear when playing in the snow. Sneakers or sports shoes often get wet very quickly; cold, wet feet can make game day uncomfortable (and shorter). Military combat boots that go up to the calf provide the best coverage and insulation, however, they can also become heavy and burdensome if snow accumulates inside the soles.

If you play in fairly deep snow, waterproof boots or shoes will sink in and make it much more difficult to travel, greatly slowing your speed. If the snow is deep enough, you can also add an interesting twist to your game by trying out snowshoes or even cross-country skis. These will help you stay on top of the snow and allow you to cover a lot more ground with less effort and higher speed.

Another fun aspect of playing snow paintball is the ability to create your own field. If you can build a snowman, you can build a paintball bunker! Turn a simple hay field into a paintball fortress with strategically placed mounds of snow to hide behind. Snow paintball bunkers cost nothing and do an excellent job of stopping oncoming balls; However, they require a lot of work to make!

Don’t put your paintball gear away just because it’s a little chilly outside! Playing paintball is still a lot of fun even in sub-zero temperatures. Make some modifications and wear the right clothes and you will have a much better time. For an even more interesting day, try paintballing in the snow; Get used to these conditions and you’ll be playing like a pro in the summer! Practice all year long and watch your paintball skills soar!