Gear Opinions

[dubbs16]

combat gear.jpg

I have no idea if that file works, if it doesn't I will post links to what i made.
Hi guys im very new to airsoft and have some friends who play. im looking to buy combat gear (Goggles, Facemask, Vest that carries m4 mags, hydration pouch and gloves would be nice. i really want to have the lightest kit possible and be able to run around. came here to get some veteran opinions. budget of $200 so try to keep it as close to that price as possible. the setup i made was $199 thanks fellas.

[Ricochet]

You'll likely want to get some camo as well, so I'd budget for that. Realistically the Condor Outdoor stuff is well made for its price, you shouldn't be dissapointed. ACM stuff in my opinion is crap (airsoft replica), and all I have seen from it is that it rips, tears, and fades very quickly. "But cheap, but twice" is a common airsoft motto. Read some reviews on that plate carrier online, it is important that it'll fit you, that it's comfortable, and that'll take the beating you'll give it. As for eye protection, no F'ing around. Get yourself proper ballistic lense eyewear, no question. You do not take risks with your eyes. I'd recommend going into a tactical or shooting shop and trying the eyewear on. Unless you're going to wear full-sealed goggles you'll want to ensure the glasses for your face and bone structure so there are no gaps a BB can penetrate. Footwear is one of the most important pieces of gear in airsoft. You'll want a lightweight (no steel-toes) combat, mountain, or jungle style boot with at least a 6' ankle to get you started. I'd also recommend a brimmed hat to keep the sun off of your face and neck, as well as protecting you from BBs slightly.

I don't know if you also have a gun yet, that plus good eyewear is kind if your first purchases. A low-end but reliable airsoft gun is anywhere from $250 - $400 for the gun alone. It'll require batteries, a charger, a constant supply of BBs, fixes, upgrades, and maintenance, also recommended would be a sight and sling. If you fall out there you don't want your gun to go flying and smash all over the ground.

A budget of $200 in airsoft is a decent start but is a little unrealistic. Get age verified to gain access to the classifieds and maybe find deals on used guns and gear. It really depends on what and who your playing with, but saying "my budget is $200 for airsoft" is kind of like saying "I have a Hyundai Elantra and $1,000 to put under the hood for professional racing". Keep saving up a bit and always remember gear breaks, there's always something new, everything has tax and shipping fees to get, and everything has to work properly for you or what's the point?

Also do a lot of reading and searching on here. Many reviews or discussion threads exist on here about gear types, budget, what works and what doesn't. Read all the stickied threads atop each forum so you know forum rules and understand them. You'll get flamed or scorned for asking questions that are already answered, re-posting information, and wasting peoples time.

[Cliffradical]

Please please please be the first new guy ever to follow this advice:

Buy good eyewear ($100- $200)
Then buy good boots ($150- $300)
Wear some gloves ($15 Mechanix or whatever)
Be a nice, respectful, and helpful person, beg and borrow until you know what you like and can make an informed decision on kit/ afford to buy what you like.

If you think that sounds expensive, it's nothing compared to the sinking feeling you'll get when you look back on a few years' purchases and realize how many hundreds or thousands of dollars you literally threw away by purchasing guns and gear that fell apart, didn't work well, or just didn't end up being what was best for you.

Learn from my mistakes. 10+ years of Airsoft and Paintball, $1000+ spent on eyewear alone. When did that stop? When I bought $150 goggles.

[FOX_111]

For 200$, I'd buy a used rig that is more complete that what you linked.

I'd forget about gloves for now. Unless you play in old building or place with dangerous structures... you can be fine without them. (In winter, you need winter gloves)

Like mentionned, don't cheap on eye protection. I'd never buy something from china. I'd go with reputable, legit eyeware safety company. It's not that expensive anyway.

Like mentionned, a good pair of boots and a BDU of your choice (with a hat) is mendatory. Jeans and running shoes will get you injured and killed (plastic death).

You can get sub 150$ hicking boot in subdued colors in most good outdoor stores. They are othen way better than tacticool boots or issued boots.

A good BDU can be had for less than 100$. Check the deals in the classified.

Without your AEG, a complete basic kit should be more around 400$ if you don't have anything suitable already.

[Chromey]

Some Great advice here.

If you buy (Good Enough) gear, You will be buying the same gear multiple times.

Buy the proper gear first, And that way you don't have too worry about it for a few years.
If you cant afford the RIGHT gear now, Save more before you buy, Or you will be spending more $$ then needed.

[lurkingknight]

condor is good enough for a couple years... long enough for you to decide what you want out of it (more, or casual). I still have all my condor gear from when I started... nothing wrong with it.

I don't recommend people go out and drop 1000$ on lbt and tacos or ten speeds when there's so much other stuff to get when starting.

Get MILITARY eyewear. I don't trust ACM stuff farther than I can throw it. Most of those minimum tests (z87.1) are for single impacts well below what the guns can shoot. That's IF the ACM stuff is even certified and not just have a counterfeit testing stamp on it. For the price you're paying for those goggles, military stuff starts at only about 10 bucks or so more on top of that.

Condor stuff while good enough is at the low end of the real steel market... there's a place for it... If going to war and you have the choice between condor or nothing, you're going to pick condor so you at least have SOMETHING. If you can afford more, then you obviously would get something nicer.

For under 200$ though if you're looking at an m4 rig, seriously consider surplus all in 1 rigs. Go see army surplus for more choices.

Anything with molle pouches will be heavier and warmer than a standard chest rig with integrated pouches. You'll be saving a lot more money as well.


Also for the price of those gloves, just go to walmart or canadian tire and buy a pair of mechanix gloves... the brand mechanix.... they're rugged enough to last as long if not longer than those acm gloves. They're the same price if not cheaper.

[FOX_111]

And also, considering chinese copy clothing: they are often sized for small asians. It's better to try on before buying.

I had this issue with my 190$CAN Allwin M81 combat BDU. I had to reorder a larger size.

[Chromey]

Originally Posted by FOX_111

And also, considering chinese copy clothing: they are often sized for small asians. It's better to try on before buying.

I had this issue with my 190$CAN Allwin M81 combat BDU. I had to reorder a larger size.

Good advice. My First BDU was ACM, I needed a 4XL Pants too fit.
Im a 36 Waist. You do the math LOL

Army issue Surplus in Mississauga has most of the goodies you'll need.
ALso Consider the Colour you want.
My Gear is Cadpat And OD green.
The Good cadpat is sometimes Hard too find.

Marpat will be the easiest too find, At least it was for me, But I don't dig wearing American colours as a Canadian .

[Treelinesniper]

I agree with everything said above. Do the research before you buy. I have four kits that equal thousands of dollars sitting in my closet that I found didn't match my play styles. Save the money by reading about gear and borrow as much gear from veteran players that will let you just to try it out. Only thing I would add is face protection. A simple half mesh face mask can save you hundreds in not thousands in dental reconstruction if you get hit in the mouth and teeth. 15$ plus shipping in the end is always worth the $ you can save and pain in a dentist chair. Don't sacrifice your smile for looking cool on the field. A full mesh mask is the best option for new players since getting hit in and behind the ear also sucks.