23 replies to this topic

[speedymmx]

I found this article and decided to share it with my BT brothers:


If you know what to do, paintball and winter go hand in hand pretty well. Even snow just adds a new, but definitely surmountable, challenge. These quick tips will help any paintballer face freezing temperatures and snowy fields with a smile:

Use layers. When it comes to paintball, layering is the key to dressing all year long, but it becomes even more critical in winter. Wear those thermal underwear. (Don’t have any? Buy some! They’re cheap!) Put on sweaters and jackets. If it gets too warm, you can always peel a layer off, but if you don’t have enough on, all you can do is quit playing or feel miserable. As a bonus, the more layers, the more likely paintballs will bounce off, and the less likely a player will end up with a nasty bruise.

Use gloves. A numb trigger finger isn’t going to do much good. And numb hands are hopeless for anything more complicated, like cleaning a busted ball from a paintball barrel. Keeping hands warm is critical. But gloves need to be practical too: they must allow your finger to fit around the trigger and shouldn’t be so stiff or awkward that you have to take the gloves off just to reload your hopper.

Pick the right shoes. The shoes you normally wear to play paintball might not be so helpful if the ground is icy or snowy. Wear something warm, sturdy, and waterproof... like leather boots (and don’t forget to wear warm socks!) It might sound like it would slow a player down, but wearing the wrong shoe would be even worse.

Cover your head. The majority of a person’s body heat escapes from the head. Just wearing a ball cap or a stocking hat can make a big difference in your comfort level.

Beware of the glare. Even with the weak winter sun, snow can create a powerful glare. If you have anti-glare goggles, great – use them! If not, you may want to wear sunglasses underneath your goggles.

Warm up before playing. On a cold winter’s day, a paintballer’s body acts somewhat like a car. Sure, it’ll do what you want it to do if you just start it up and go, but you might pay for it later. Warming up for five minutes will increase a person’s performance and decrease the amount of soreness afterwards. Jog (don’t run!), do jumping jacks, anything to get that body heat up. Also, rotate your ankles before you play so that if you slip on ice or trip because a snow bank was deeper than you thought, you won’t sprain yourself.

Bring a warm thermos. Or two. Between games, sipping on some warm coffee, tea, apple cider, or chocolate can be wonderfully rejuvenating.

Go for the icy balls. Not all paintballs are made to withstand winter temperatures. Cough up the extra dough for paint that will perform in cold weather, or be prepared for a disappointing game.

Be kind to your equipment. Plastic turns brittle when it is cold, so things like hoppers and loaders can crack more easily. Try to keep everything protected and dry. Don’t leave gear in the car, where temperatures can easily drop below the outside air temperature.

Bring a change of socks. West socks from snow or sweaty feet can make any paintball player feel miserable (and can even be dangerous if it is cold enough). Fortunately, there’s an easy fix: putting on some clean, dry socks.

[Soeveth]

very good info here, not just for paintball but for any outdoor winter activity.

[Canascar]

Nice post Speedy, thanks.

[Mr.Pockets]

Thanks for the post Speedy because you know up here in Canada there is lots of snow to worry about .

[SGTJBlaze]

Good post Speedy...I am all ready gearing up for winter paintball mode.

[popusito]

Great post and good tips!!

[Dadops]

Good tips!

[Snake Devil]

had warmers.  That is what we used when I played once.  Duct taped the to the hopper and air supply and dropped one in each pod holder on my vest.  It seemed to work.

[cdnmustang]

side note hpa will easily outperform co2 in the winter

[speedymmx]

Also don't forget to carry towels, spare set of clothes, and some dry comfy shoes that you can wear after the game.

[BTWO Jackal]

Also never underestimate the value of those propane heaters.  When you are wearing layers and working up a sweat on the field, it's easy to come off the field for an air fill, reload and a snack and feel twice as cold because of the downtime and residual sweat moisture.  A propane heater (treated with the proper safety precautions of course) can keep you warm during downtime and even dry you out a bit before you retake the field.

[SGTJBlaze]

Good idea Jackal I will have to try to remember my propane and colman grill next time I go out for a cold winter game.

[outoftowner]

Thats what me and my friends are going to do. Between games were going to rig up a heater in one of the sheds near his field. Nice and toasty!

[The_Original_Modifier]

One more thing before I pin this- Long johns. They will save your body heat immensely.



Mod

[Dorian Feyd]

I work out side and for the winter I have a pair of boots I bought a half size bigger than I need. I wear two pairs of socks and have room so my feet can breath. I also wear sweat pants underneath they are warmer than thermals. But with that I buy bigger pants. But I'm never cold that way. But after playing this weekend in 22 degree weather at the warmest part of the day I can't say I'll be running out to play in that kind of cold again. I'm going to the new Boston Paintball and working on my speedball skills. Feyd..............

[Merlin]

cdnmustang, on Nov 18 2008, 05:53 PM, said:

side note hpa will easily outperform co2 in the winter

thats an understatement    brings back some old memories of trying to play in below freezing weather with co2...

a nice tip I can give is to keep you mask on even when you dont need to.  It helps keep it at a constant temperature which will cut down on fogging issues.

[Kezia]

dude thank you soooo much this was just the kind of info i was looking for

[GiNjANiNjA222]

The thing about the most heat escapes through the head is false. The same amount of heat will escape the body at any uncovered point. Other than that A++++.

[bvdave]

I always find I just bring my igloo kit with me and make a quick one at the field, not as big as my house or anything but enough to get outta the cold if need be for a bit, that and it gives the sled dogs a place to stay while i play.:P

What I also find helpfull is I got a pair of skinz (i think theyre called) padding that are like small hockey shorts with upper leg padding and a small cup, I only wear it in the winter and it keeps my legs quite warm compared to without, that and keeps me from taking a paintball shot to the theigh when your skins brittle from the cold.


and dont go out in winter without gloves! its like going without goggles.. you need em, I still have a scar on my right hand from a shot in winter 2-3 years ago, your skin is brittle and if your holding a marker in your hand its probubly tight too which is a recipy for trouble.

[slim]

great post thanks for the tips i wont to play in the winter