The gaming and tournament circuit has made an impact on airsoft guns, just as it has for paintball and regular bb guns. Creating the right atmosphere is imperative to the positive airsoft gaming experience that any player wants to have. With this in mind, your shopping list will basically make itself with just a bit of help to get you into the right frame of mind.



First things first, you’ll need to choose your gun style to create your ultimate player. Sniper rifles are a prime choice, as the actions of such a skilled rifleman are often imitated in the airsoft hobby. Pistols definitely have their following, while traditional rifle and shotgun users also have a crystal-clear home in the airsoft gun industry, as this hobby uses products and accessories that are the closest possible to the real thing.

Safety glasses, goggles, or a full-face airsoft mask are the most important of accessories. The airsoft bb travels at approximately 300 feet per second and will hurt if you’re struck by one (yes, I know this from personal experience), so you really should keep your eyes protected from the possibility of temporary or even permanent blindness. If you engage in tactical airsoft (against other human opponents), the odds of a bb flying past your face is significantly higher than if you’re shooting parallel to a fellow airsoft enthusiast at a target 40 feet in front of you.

Tactical vests are a “must-have" for any airsoft devotee who can’t remember which pocket they put their co2 cartridges, bb’s and loaders into while out in the field, or just anyone who likes to have lots of places to keep their smaller-sized airsoft paraphernalia within an arm’s reach at all times. Hidden inner-pockets are quite common on the sleeveless jacket style, while the harness-type of vest boasts a lighter, less bulky version that has plenty of room for your ammo, water bottle and snack. Please note that even though the sleeveless jacket style will help to protect you from accidental (or intentional) bb bruises, the harness version offers hardly any protection. In this case, a combat vest might be a wise investment to wear out onto the battlefield.

If you’re really a fanatic about airsoft, there are a few more interesting items that just might be of interest. For the airsoft snipers, a Ghillie suit is “the" type of camouflage worn most often in real world combat. Two caveats to keep in mind regarding this type of gear: one is that the suit itself is relatively heavy and warm and the second is that most airsoft “soldiers" won’t be shocked to see a 6’ tall running bush, so don’t think that you and your new-found tactical ensemble are really fooling anyone.