FAQ of Tactical Gear – How Do I Create a Good Kit?

You can’t just arm yourself with an airsoft rifle and rush into the battlefield. Not only are you underequipped, but you leave yourself at risk of getting injured. Therefore, creating a good kit is one of the first things beginners learn.

What consists of a good set of gear and kit? There isn’t an easy answer, but that’s only due to how many components are involved. Read on to learn how to compile a good kit for every day and MILSIM environments.

The Standard and Everyday Airsoft Kit

Some pieces of gear are essential for participating in airsoft war games. Besides offering protection, they’re also great for carrying spare magazines and other equipment. They include eye, face, and head protection and tactical vests.

Eye Protection

Airsoft face protection comes in several configurations, and goggles are one. These only protect the eyes from BBs and won’t offer your other body parts security. They’re often worn with half-face masks.

Goggles are mandatory, as BBs travel fast enough to cause painful injuries. Permanent blindness is also a possibility since anything traveling at 350 FPS and above is capable of causing harm to soft parts.

Therefore, procuring high-quality goggles is necessary for keeping your eyes safe. Spending a bit more on goggles can go a long way too.

Many goggles are becoming glasses-friendly for those who wear them. It’s best to check before buying.

Half Masks

A half mask worn alongside a pair of airsoft goggles will keep all the delicate facial features from harm except for the ears. Half masks tend to be ventilated and allow for communication, as keeping all the sweat inside eventually leads to discomfort. In addition, you need to talk to teammates to plan an assault or discuss a strategy.

Some face masks have steel mesh for protection, while others are made of thicker polymers. Regardless of your choice, an excellent half mask shouldn’t be uncomfortable to wear or prevent clear speech.

Helmets

When you wear a mask and helmet, your whole head is guarded against stray gunfire. Helmets protect the top of the head and ears from BBs and even offer other advantages. They’re not 100% necessary but still highly recommended.

A good airsoft helmet should be rigid but lightweight plastic while not obscuring your vision. Advanced models may even have slots for action cameras and wireless communication systems. The former is excellent for recording gameplay footage, while the latter keeps you informed no matter your location.

Helmets don’t just keep you safe from BBs but also accidental falls and bumps into objects. Remember that the skull may be rigid, but impacts still hurt. You’ll be less prone to injuries because these helmets absorb most of the shock.

Full Head Protection

Some airsoft masks offer full-face or complete head protection. Full-face masks combine goggles and half-face masks, so everything is put on simultaneously. These systems can also have room for wireless communication and GoPros, but it will depend on the model and price point.

When coupled with a helmet, you should be safe from all gunfire.

Full head protection packages are an all-in-one solution. You won’t need additional headgear because the system protects the front, back, and sides of the head from BBs and impact. Many helmets are glasses-friendly to let those with poorer vision comfortably participate in airsoft.

Choosing between complete head protection or any other choices comes down to personal preference. You still need to keep the goggles, but everything else is optional beyond that. We recommend a complete package to appear more like a special forces operator.

Tactical Vests

An all-in-one tactical vest is better for beginners since it has everything they need to stay in the fight. The objects you likely need it to hold are:

• Spare magazines

• Walkie-talkie

• Flashlights

• Grenades

• Pistols

Some players use a chest holster or other vest-mounted holsters for their pistols, but this is up to personal preferences. However, spare magazines are essential since you’ll be shooting a lot. Walkie-talkies are also desirable for communication.

All-in-one vests tend to have enough pouches, but some have unnecessary ones or have them placed in the wrong spots. Many are also not customizable.

Despite these cons, they’re still popular for players just starting or who don’t mind a basic kit. Bear in mind that these aren’t the best for a MILSIM look either.

MILSIM-Specific Gear

This section will cover specific kits for “MilSim” or “military simulation.” The term refers to civilians re-enacting or recreating military scenarios for entertainment or sport. Airsoft is a perfect activity for MilSim since you wear protective equipment and carry replica weapons.

As the name suggests, replicas look more realistic or are copies of actual military-issued equipment. Customization tends to be more common with these products as special forces operators also value familiarity in their gear.

Plate Carriers

Plate carriers are a different type of tactical vest designed to carry bulletproof plates. In real life, military personnel wear them and place rigid ceramic or even steel plates inside for protection against bullets. Airsoft players aren’t dealing with lethal projectiles, but having a plate carrier is still a good idea.

You have the option to insert rubber plates or even real steel plates if you prefer an authentic MilSim experience. The latter is more realistic but can be tiring to wear in warm weather or after excessive running. You’ll need to be fit to carry solid steel or ceramic plates around.

However, plate carriers do tend to be more customizable. They may have MOLLE panels or other popular systems, so you can attach only the pouches and pockets you want. Therefore, it leads to a more personalized appearance.

Plate carriers tend to cost more but offer extra protection. Rubber plates are lighter and eliminate practically all the impact from BBs shot from the front.

Radios

While walkie-talkies are usable, players committed to the MilSim look or those who value higher-end communication equipment will invest in a two-way radio. These devices have a longer range and can even be set to precise frequencies, so everyone is on the same page. Walkie-talkies may not have this functionality.

Specialized airsoft radios are designed to endure getting crushed, dropped, or hit by BBs. They’re usually made of stronger plastics, yet they aren’t too heavy.

Some models come with extra accessories like earpieces and different chargers.

Higher-end models even have privacy codes to prevent eavesdroppers. To keep your strategy safe from opponents, the team can agree to use one frequency and a single privacy code. That way, your conversations are kept private.

You have five to 20 miles of communication range depending on the radio. These radios also last very long, depending on how you use them.

Hydration Carriers

Long war game sessions will eventually lead to thirst and hunger. Energy bars can easily be stored in a pocket, but water bottles are too bulky and can get in the way. It’s also inconvenient to open one in the field since you should be on your guard at every moment.

That’s where a hydration pack comes in. Instead of storing water in a solid bottle, hydration packs carry water in a watertight bag or pouch. They can be worn on your person, and drinking is as simple as moving your head to the side and sucking on the valve.

Hydration packs integrate with plate carriers and vests very well. You can even insert them in tactical backpacks if you choose to carry one. Staying hydrated is essential when playing in a more extended MilSim event.

Without water, you can suffer from heatstroke and overheating after exerting yourself. You can go without food for a while, but water is critical. That’s why some airsoft players carry these into their games.

Tactical Belt

Tactical belts are customizable pieces of equipment that offer enough room for magazine pouches, a pistol holster, and a dump bag for empty magazines. Some even have suspenders to let the shoulders carry some of the weight. Many soldiers wear one to carry extra equipment.

A belt is optional but can be the piece you’re looking for if your vest isn’t enough.

Creating a Good Kit

Now that you know some of the most common equipment airsoft players use, it’s time to build a good kit. The first thing you should consider is comfort. If your equipment is uncomfortable, your performance will deteriorate.

It doesn’t matter how expensive your plate carrier is if it only holds you back. On the other hand, a cheaper model that fits you perfectly will help you fight better. Always consider comfort first before price if you can.

Picking your gear also comes down to versatility. For example, if a piece of kit is customizable, it tends to be better than fixed ones.

Your kit should also offer adequate protection to your vital parts, such as the head, torso, and groin. Thus, it’s best to go with something solid instead of flimsy plastic. Your body will thank you later.

Equipment should be safe for others around you too. Don’t bring something along that can hurt others.

If you struggle to choose your first pieces of equipment, there’s nothing wrong with exploring options. So, always stick to what’s comfortable and safe. The extra details and customization can come later when you accumulate more experience.

Keep Yourself Safe

Airsoft is a strenuous activity. The risk of getting hurt, especially from enemy fire or the environment, is always present. Therefore, bringing along the proper kit can keep you safe and ready for prolonged combat. Comfort is the starting point, and you can always move on to advanced equipment later.