Today's guide is designed to help you play airsoft in the winter. Be sure to use common sense, dress appropriately, and, of course, hydrate. The most important thing in all this is to stay dry. Do not over-layer to the point where you are sweating; otherwise, you will put yourself in a worse position. We'll discuss each aspect, from the clothes to gear and airsoft guns.
A member of Steel Reapers Airsoft team from out here in Colorado taking aim at FAF Airsoft Field
Base Layer
First, every loadout begins with a base layer of clothing. You will want to wear a T-shirt underneath this all, but you could opt for a thermal layer instead if it is cold where you are. Keep the layers closest to your skin the thinnest but able to protect against moisture.
BDU - Battle Dress Uniform
The next layer will be your BDU layer. It's self-explanatory here unless you want to run a winter-specific BDU top. You may need an insulating layer because standard BDUs might not cut it.
Outer Layer
Your outermost layer will be a softshell or insulated jacket of some sort. This layer will shield you from wind and dry from the moisture you will likely encounter. You will have to experiment with how you layer because you want to avoid moisture in any way possible, both external and internal. If you layer too much, you're going to be sweating underneath all that, and the humidity can lead you to
Optionally, you could throw a white top over everything for snow, which will help you conceal better. They are designed to be baggy to fit over your other layers and are typically very thin, so they should not add heat on top of your other gear. You can find these suits in surplus stores or made for militaries whose countries routinely see snow.
Head Gear
For headgear, you could use a beanie or a balaclava, with wool being your best bet for keeping warm. If you should wear something that covers your face, be mindful that your breath may cause your eyewear to fog.
Hands
For gloves, again, your goal is warmth and keeping dry. Your hands might be handling things and touching snow or wet ground, so you will want to do your best to keep them dry. You could wear special winter gloves or layer your gloves, but keep in mind that bulky gloves reduce your dexterity and also make it difficult to use certain airsoft guns (queue winter trigger guards!)
Winter is a great excuse to perfect your other field craft
Footwear
Your feet are just as important, and the moment you get them wet, you're in for the wrong time. So good, warm socks are essential, but keep them to the point where your feet are soaking from sweat. Keep them dry, be it with the proper footwear or gaiters. Your footwear should be waterproof, too. Be different from the type of person who wears a ventilated hiking boot in snowy conditions. You will regret it!
Web Gear
Moving on to your gear, if you can fit your plate carrier on top of all this stuff, it will give you more power. A airsoft chest rig is infinitely easier if you don't need to run a plate carrier.
After you square away your gear and clothes situation for winter airsoft, the most important thing to do is to test it out. Wear it on a cold day and try some activities, but not to the point where you would risk anything serious. If you can keep a reasonable comfort level for about an hour or two, you'll likely be fine for airsoft.
In summary, when considering what to wear for airsoft in winter, the focus should be on a layered approach that allows for moisture management, insulation, and protection from the elements while maintaining the agility and mobility necessary for gameplay. The guide offers a comprehensive overview that can help players prepare effectively for the challenges of winter airsoft, ensuring an enjoyable and safe experience on the airsoft fields.
These are our quick tips about winter gear and playing airsoft in the cold. Hope this helps!
