1. Ghillie Suits and Sniper Suits

Ghillie suits and sniper suits are similar. They are both camouflage suits that consist of headgear, jacket (or poncho) and pants covered with simulated vegetation made from jute or other similar material. Basically, you look like a walking heap of forest growth.

Ghillie-type headgear is especially useful in that it breaks up outline of human head. The shape of human head is not found anywhere else in nature so it is easily recognized by an opposing paintball player... or by a wary deer, for that matter.

Since ghillie suits are used by hunters, as well as paintball players, you might try your local sporting goods store. Sniper suits can often be found in military supply stores.

There are several online stores that sell ghillie suits. The only problem with buying online is that you can't try on suit to see how it fits or to see how you like one particular style versus another. So, make sure any online store has a good return policy. You can get a lot of tactical gear, including ghillie pants, jacket and poncho, here: http://www.ablewebs.com/rap4.htm.

2. Headgear

Headgear other than goggles and masks consists of ghillie hoods, veils, headwraps, baseball caps and knit caps. Ghillie hoods and veils are used for camouflage to disguise shape of human head. Baseball caps, knit caps and head wraps are used to keep paint out of player's hair. Baseball caps worn backwards are also useful to cover back of neck.

3. Regular Clothing

Paintball requires a lot of physical energy so players tend to get quite warm when playing. Although sufficient layers of clothing are needed to prevent paintballs from leaving welts, too much clothing can cause overheating of body. Therefore, a heavy winter jacket should not be worn.

As well, most fields won't allow a heavy jacket because it prevents player from feeling impact of paintball when they are hit.

The rule for clothing is to wear loose-fitting long pants (not fitted jeans) and a long-sleeved shirt or jersey over a t-shirt, with an added light jacket in cool weather. Although some fields allow t- shirts and short pants to be worn during play, this leaves skin exposed... and since you WILL get hit... ouch! Not recommended!

Wear clothing that is earth-toned or olive green in color. Do not wear white unless playing in snow. Avoid colors referees and judges wear (usually red or orange) and avoid bright colors that you wouldn't find in nature, like bright yellow, lime green, shocking pink, etc.

4. Footwear

There are a lot of recommendations about various kinds of footwear for paintball. Most players wear running shoes, sturdy work shoes, hiking boots or combat-style boots. Cleated paintball shoes are available in some paintball stores.

5. Gloves

But first a note of warning for all newbies...

Paintball is Not a War Game!

Many people mistakenly believe that paintball is a "war game." However, it’s really more like hide-and-seek, with marking of opposing team being way to tag person out. This is especially true of recball, woodsball, jungle paintball and scenario games. It is advised that you do not refer to opposing team as "the enemy" or a mark as a "kill"! Some communities have shut down paintball because players engaged in "war" talk during and after a game.

How to Quickly and Easily Find Useful Information About Paintball

1. Research Internet

The World Wide Web contains a vast storehouse of information on paintball. To make best use of Internet, search Google or Yahoo for specific paintball terms like "woodsball tactics," instead of general term "paintball." Look for sites that list paintball rules and offer hints, tips, tactics and strategy. You can also check out sites that review paintball equipment, but beware: a newbie doesn’t need an expensive paintball gun to get started. Many of expensive guns don’t work any better than a good newbie gun. This is what paintball players who wrote "Paintball Heroes" say, "If you’re a newbie, buy a good quality semi-automatic gun, but don’t spend a fortune on it. And for goodness sake, learn how to clean it, load it, take it apart, and put it back together again...in your sleep!"

2. Read Books

Go online and visit Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com (Chapters.Indigo.ca in Canada). Search for books on paintball. Check out reviewers’ comments carefully before you buy. Or better yet, trot down to your local big bookstore and see if you can find copies of paintball books you found online. Take time to browse through them and see which ones appeal to you most. Check local prices against prices online before you buy.

3. Read E-Books

You may find a few paintball e-books online, too, but these are harder to find than print books. "Paintball Heroes" at http://www.paintballheroes.com is a great e-book for beginners. It was written by two teenage paintball fanatics!

To find other e-books, try searching for "paintball ebook" on Google or Yahoo. Ask around in forums and pay attention to advertisements on paintball sites.

4. Study Forums

Also search for "paintball forums" and you will find experts and newbies alike sharing information about paintball equipment and strategy. However, be aware that much of information shared on forums is misleading, if not just plain wrong. Pay attention to what is said by forum leaders and well-known players, but take everything said by anyone else with a grain of salt...or a shaker of salt, for that matter!

- Air-Powered.com (Autococker Owners Group) - http://www.air- powered.com

- Atomix Paintball Forums - http://www.atomixpaintball.com/vb

- BSG Paintball Forums - http://www.bsgpaintball.com/forums

- Calgary Paintball Forums - http://xtremepaintballcanada.com/calgary/forums

- Epic Paintball Forums - http://www.epicpaintball.com (Click on "Forums.")

- Fat Bob’s Paintball Forum - http://www.fatbobsdirect.com/forum/index.php

- Force of Nature Forums - http://www.forceofnature.com/invision

- New York City Paintball Forums - http://www.nycpaintball.com/forums/index.php

- P8ntballer-Forums.com - http://www.p8ntballer-forums.com

- Paintball Addict Forums - http://www.pb-addict.com

- PaintballArizona.com Forums - http://www.paintballarizona.com/modules.php?name=Forums

- Paintball.com Forums - http://paintball.com/pb/forums/index.cfm