It’s getting to be that time of year again! It’s getting dark at 5:00 and the temperatures are beginning to drop. Before we know it, there will be snow on the ground and we’ll be getting used to the cold. The closer we get to winter time, the more we answer questions about whether or not you can play paintball in the winter.
The short answer is, yes, here at Cousins Paintball we play year round, rain (or snow) or shine. The long answer is, there are many things to be done to prepare yourself and your equipment for winter play. Here are a few things that we do to ensure you have an enjoyable experience.
- Winterized paintballs
When paintballs are in an environment too far below room temperature, they become brittle, causing them to break too easily. This can become a problem if the paintballs break in the hopper and clog up the gun. Fortunately, during the winter months we make sure to carry winterized paintballs. These paintballs are designed to withstand the colder temperatures with no affect to gameplay.
- Compressed air
In the air tanks, some paintball guns use CO2. Being that this is a high pressure gas, movement slows down in the colder temperatures, causing problems with the gun and the release of the paintballs. At Cousins, we used compressed air year-round, meaning that it goes unaffected by the harsh temperatures of the winter.
- Pneumatic (air) guns
As the temperatures drop, electronics slow down. Has anyone ever told you not to start a cold computer, or to make sure you warm up your car before you drive it? That’s because electricity is better conducted in warmer temperatures. Electronic paintball guns may have decreased speed and performance in the winter. Fortunately, all of our rental guns at our facilities are pneumatic (air) guns, meaning they don’t require any electricity. This leaves the guns unaffected in any temperature condition.
Now that we’ve gone over what we can do for you this upcoming (and of course any future) winter, here’s what you can do to prepare yourself when coming out to the fields,
- Bundle up!
It’s important to bundle up especially as we get into below freezing temperatures. Long sleeve heat-conserving clothing, as well as sweatshirts, sweatpants, jackets, etc. are super important. For those that are new to paintball or don’t particularly enjoy the feeling of impact, this is a great way to minimize that sting. Covering up your arms, legs, and torso with thick clothing ensures that you will be comfortable on the field. Just remember not to add too many layers, or you might look like this guy:
- Extremities
It’s even more important to cover up those extremities. Wear a scarf, or hoodie to cover your neck, gloves to cover those fingers, and waterproof boots with thick socks to keep those piggies warm.
To wrap up, yes you can play paintball in the winter, and we find it can actually make the play more fun and exciting. Now you have all the information you need to come out and play this winter season! We’re looking forward to seeing everyone out on the fields 🙂
If you’re looking for additional information, here’s a great place to start: https://www.paintballusa.org/blog/winter-weather-paintballing
If you’re looking for gear or clothing for this season, we have a great selection at https://www.shopcousins.com/
