BBs fired from airsoft guns can bruise your skin, particularly when playing in close quarters. Wearing the right protective gear means you won’t be leaving a skirmish in too much pain – plus, if you play outside, a little protection from other hazards goes a long way!
Even newer players will likely be familiar with the necessity for airsoft eye protection, but what about the rest of your body? Here we consider the options for protecting the lower half of your body.
How Much Protection Do You Need For Airsoft?
Protection for your eyes is non-negotiable, and mouth protection is highly recommended too, but just how vigilant do you need to be about protecting other areas?
You definitely don’t need to head out in a full suit of armour, but properly covering up can really help lessen the sting of rogue BBs. Protective airsoft gear and clothing tends to fall into two camps: crucial safety equipment and kit for providing extra comfort.
Eye protection, lower face protection and footwear with good ankle support are all absolute essentials – you don’t want to risk playing without this level of protection, and any reputable airsoft site won’t let you.
Beyond this, it’s more about personal preference and being sensible with appropriate clothing. You may go for a fully equipped combat loadout with an airsoft helmet, tactical gloves and assault vest. On the other hand, there’s no rule stopping you from keeping it simple with basic long sleeves and trousers, as long as the safety criteria are met.
To maintain good levels of safety and comfort for the lower body, we generally recommend considering the following.
Airsoft Leg Protection
Airsoft combat trousers are ideal, offering several features that make them well suited to the rigours of gameplay. They are made from durable yet lightweight, breathable fabric, offering comfort and mobility while keeping you safe from BB impact.
Additionally, many combat trousers come with built-in removable kneepads, offering extra padding during active situations. Complete with various front, rear, and side pockets, you get plenty of convenient, on-person storage, ideal for holding spare mags and mid-skirmish snacks.
With loads of camouflage options, you’ll have no trouble disappearing into various landscapes too.
Airsoft Groin Protection
Underwear and trousers are usually enough to protect your groin area pretty well, but if you’re particularly worried, you can always invest in a groin/crotch protector.
Most players tend to find this extra level of protection unnecessary, especially at safe, respectful sites that are consistent about gun power limits.
If you would rather play with groin protection, any generic sports protector will usually do the job.
Airsoft Knee & Shin Protection
If your shins are particularly sensitive to bruising, shin pads (whether specifically billed as airsoft combat shin pads or basic sports gear) can be a great help. A pair that fits right won’t restrict movement and will keep you safe from BB shots and more aggressive play.
Similarly, protective knee pads can be useful when playing airsoft outdoors. They come in very handy if you frequently find yourself kneeling on cold, uncomfortable ground or having to drop to the ground quickly. While combat trousers will offer some level of barrier protection, the hard plastic shell of tactical knee pads will prevent bruising, scrapes and discomfort.
Available in various colours, you can easily pick the pads to match the rest of your loadout, or as mentioned above, get combat trousers with in-built knee pads.
Best Footwear For Airsoft
When it comes to lower body gear, footwear is potentially the most important part to get right. Here, you want something that combines ankle support, grip and comfort.
Shoes or boots need to be comfortable enough that you can easily wear them all day, while also providing good support and grip to ensure you can navigate different terrains with reduced risk of slipping or rolling your ankle.
For outdoor play, we generally recommend lightweight, waterproof boots. Airsoft tactical boots are designed with comfort and stability in mind, ensuring you can run without too much weight or clunkiness, while still being supportive and durable in a range of conditions.
Remember to break in any new boots before a day of airsoft to avoid blisters or chafing. You may also want to pair your boots with thick socks for added comfort, especially with new boots.
For more protective gear and loadout extras, see our full range of airsoft clothing. We stock all the essentials and more to ensure you’re skirmish-ready.
Need a bit of guidance for the other half of your body? See our guide to upper body airsoft protection.