Immersive MilSim airsoft offers quite a different style of playing than your regular airsoft skirmishes. It’s well worth experiencing if you haven’t made your way to an event yet!

And if there is a MilSim event on your horizon, you’ll need all the right kit to get you started. We cover some of the basics.

What is MilSim Airsoft?

MilSim stands for Military Simulation. MilSim airsoft events are most concerned with realism, creating an immersive game that maps out precise scenarios or specific objectives.

This might be in the form of re-enactments that recreate past events, like real historical battles. Or, the element of ‘simulation’ may come from the precise, realistic objectives that require players to be incredibly tactical.

MilSim events will often call for a lot of preparation – both when it comes to getting kitted out in the right gear and understanding the tactics and playing style the scenario demands.

An airsoft player with backpack and gun

Your MilSim Loadout Vs Regular Skirmish Kit

The main difference between a MilSim loadout and the general gear you’ll use for more casual skirmishes is that it's far more specific. Your role in the game/event will dictate the style of clothing, camo and protective gear you wear, along with the tactical equipment you bring, right down to the type of airsoft gun you’ll use.

For most weekend skirmishes, you’re free to turn up in what you want (provided you’ve got the basic safety equipment), but there are a few more rules at MilSim events. This is why you need to be prepared ahead of time.

Which airsoft role should you choose?

What Should You Bring to a MilSim Event?

Exactly what you should bring really depends on the scenario or the event and the side you’re playing on. Any equipment you bring should match up with what you’d realistically expect your faction to use.

It’ll also depend on how long the event is planned to be. Are you staying overnight? Will you need camping gear along with all your airsoft essentials?

That being said, there are a couple of basics you should have on hand, whatever the event:

  • - Plenty of spare BBs, mags and batteries
  • - Enough drinking water
  • - Food rations, utensils and snacks for the duration of the event
  • - Protective airsoft equipment
  • - Relevant tactical clothing
  • - Boots with good ankle support
  • - Waterproof layer
  • - Sights/scopes
  • - Communication devices
  • - Holsters/backpacks/ tactical vests
  • - Primary weapon that’s appropriate for your role and faction
  • - Secondary and backup weapons
  • - First aid kit
  • - Camping gear and spare clothes, if necessary

There’s a careful balance between having what you need when you need it and remaining combat-ready without having to lug around more than is necessary.

Build your perfect airsoft loadout

MilSim Clothing

Think about what you’re going to wear to the event well in advance. The element of ‘simulation’ is key, so get kit that’s in line with what your faction would realistically wear. We stock a great range of camouflage gear to suit various military forces.

Within your uniform requirements, invest in something durable – it needs to hold up against a range of conditions. You should also think about comfort and weather appropriateness. Check the forecasts before the event and bring along thermal layers and waterproof layers in anticipation of the UK’s unruly weather.

If it’s a very long event, you may want to bring along spare clothing – or get comfortable with the fact that you’ll be wearing the same thing for a while!

Protective MilSim Equipment

No matter which force or faction you’re simulating, you’ll need reliable protective gear. At the very least, this will include airsoft goggles or glasses to protect your eyes. As you’ll be recreating the loadout of forces under real fire, there’ll probably be plenty of heavy-duty protective replica kit on your list anyway. A basic checklist of airsoft protective gear might include:

  • - Goggles/ glasses with changeable lenses
  • - Face masks
  • - Airsoft helmets or hats
  • - Knee/elbow pads
  • - Gloves
  • - Body armour/ airsoft assault vests
  • - Durable, full-coverage clothing

Because of the heightened sense of realism, MilSim events are more intense than your casual weekend games, so it definitely pays to be as prepared as you can. Talk to other members of your team or players in the wider airsoft community about what to expect from the specific event you’re planning to attend. Failing that, the basics covered here should help get you started!

Head over to our extensive range of airsoft clothing, with options suitable for a range of MilSim scenarios.