My base/protective layer is pretty much always the same:
My primary outfit these days, in addition to the above, consists of:
- Exalt FreeFlex knee pads
- DYE slide shorts
- Proto performance top padded sleeveless undershirt. Appears to be circa 2009 vintage, but I bought it new old stock from someone clearing out a storage unit of inventory from a paintball store that closed in like 2010.
- Exalt neck protector
- Seibertron SOLAG half finger "tactical" gloves. Got these off Amazon for less than $20 and absolutely love the things.
- Valken headband in multicam that was $9.99. I just don't understand these kids running around in overpriced headbands.
- Mask is always an old style Spectra (Proshield) with the horizontal vents, either solid black, solid olive, or black with olive ears.
My primary outfit these days, in addition to the above, consists of:
- British Army surplus UBACS (under body armor combat shirt). These are awesome for paintball. The torso is a synthetic fabric in a wicking, breatheable weave, while the arms and shoulders are a tough cotton/poly canvas with interior removable neoprene panels from the elbows to the wrists (and on top of the shoulder). That's why I don't have elbow pads: they're built into my shirt sleeves. When it is really hot I can just pull the whole thing off between games. I have one in the desert DPM camo pattern and another in MTP (multi terrain pattern, the British derivative of Multicam). The upper sleeves have pockets and loop panels for patches. I made myself some recognition flashes by slapping velcro on strips of red and blue EVA foam rubber, in an effort to cut down on friendly fire by trigger happy rentals. Recently found some cat eye red patches (pictured below), but haven't found a blue version yet.
- British surplus combat pants in camo matching the UBACS. My MTP ones, which I wear the most, are some kind of synthetic blend that is tough but fairly breathable. The front slash pockets have hook and loop closures, which is a little weird but useful. The legs have big hook and loop slits on the sides, about 12" up from the cuffs, so they are worn over the boots. The cargo pockets are flat front, with gussets at the edges.
- Merrell Moab tactical 8" waterproof boots in tan, or what had been tan before the dirt stains set in.
- British surplus combat shirt in the classic woodland DPM pattern. Like most Cold War era NATO member patterns, this is a rather dark woodland pattern meant for the temperate forests of north/central Europe. It looks cool (to my eye at least), but isn't especially suited to the sub-tropical Gulf Coast. I like that there's a hidden zipper I can use instead of buttoning.
- Solid black BDU pants I played in back in the 90s. I don't know which contractor made these things, but they didn't skimp on materials or workmanship.
- Hi-Tec Magnum tactical boots. Another relic of my 90s outlaw ball days. Now held together with generous amounts of GearAid silicone adhesive, these are relegated to the closet on ready reserve status.
- Merrell Moab 2 low top hiking/trail running shoes. These are my normal weekend casual shoes. I occasionally play paintball in them if the weather has been very dry and I don't feel like fooling with my boots. Since my home field sits in a very low lying floodplain close to a river, if there has been any rain to speak of in the preceding week I'll go with my waterproof boots instead. But when I can get away with wearing the hiking shoes, they're much more comfortable to crouch and kneel in.
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