The overlooked parts of a field kit

Most folks have their basic airsoft field kit; a replica (be it AEG, gas blowback, springer or what have you), their camo clothing and perhaps a chest rig or carrier system. This post is to give you some ideas for an extended field kit that can also be used for hiking, camping and a lot of other applications.

First and foremost, knowledge! Learn as much about being out in the bush as possible, since you can apply it to airsoft, camping, hunting and more. Learn a bit about tracking, finding your way in the wilds and how to be still and listen to the wood around you. Learn a bit about weather prediction, prevailing winds and other outdoor skills. We will come back and cover some of these in later posts.

When it comes to gear, know what it is for and how to use it BEFORE you buy it. Being an informed consumer allows you to choose gear that will work with you, instead of against you. And knowing what you want going in allows you to make good choices and keep your overall load down to a reasonable weight and size.

One of the first things we would suggest in overlooked gear is a compass. Why? Simple, if you should get lost and wander out of the play field, you can easily find your way back into play. They are also damn handy in play. If you have even a rough map of the game field, you can get a pretty decent bearing on where you are and where you should be with a compass and a rough map. Some people say they can just look at the sun and have a run at it. Good luck on a fully overcast day, when the light seems to come evenly from everywhere. There are ways to still find the sun, but a compass is just a heck of a lot quicker.

Your compass doesn't need to be anything special, just a simple pin on hikers compass is more than adequate, and will allow you to find your way for a dollar or two. Just make sure when you take your bearing, you hold it well away from your replica, or the magnetic needle will point right at that large hunk of metal you are carrying.

The second thing is a whistle. This can be used to signal the start or end of a game, or to get help if you should twist an ankle. It could also be used as a communication device, if allowed on your local field ("On three short whistle blasts, every one rush the base!"). If ref's are using whistles, you probably won't be able to use them as communication, but they are still worth having as a safety precaution. They can be had for a few dollars or less and take up very little space in a pouch or tied to a chest rig.

Here is a bonus; you can quite often find hikers whistles with a compass built in! All the stuff we have mentioned in one tiny, inexpensive package.

Next up on overlooked kit would be writing instruments. For making notes on maps, writing down somebody else's phone number or the occasional autograph (hey, we can dream) you need a field pen or two. In the field, fine point permanent markers can be very useful; for labeling gear, making notes, or blacking out scratches on your AEG while you sit at the res point. Mechanical pencils may be easier for taking notes and the like, and their marks are usually water resistant, but they will not write on as many surfaces as a permanent marker will.

These are just a few suggestions, and we will have a follow up post in a while with more items to add to your kit. Until then, keep your batteries charged!

Over and out.