Your first paintball game: what to wear, tips and how it works

Published on 12 June 2026 by the Tag Brussels team

Paintball player aiming her marker during her first game on a wooded field near Brussels

First paintball game this weekend and only one question on your mind: "what do I wear, and am I going to get destroyed?" Breathe: here is everything our instructors tell beginners before every session on our 4 forest fields in Bierges, near Brussels.

What to wear for paintball?

Good news first: we provide the overalls, which protect your clothes from the paintballs (biodegradable, the paint washes out). Three things remain up to you:

Closed shoes with support: trainers or walking boots. THE non-negotiable point: you will run in a forest, on real terrain with roots and slopes.
Flexible clothes under the overalls: joggers or leggings rather than tight jeans, to dodge freely.
Weather-appropriate layers: a thermal layer in winter, light clothes in summer: the overalls already keep you warm.

How does a session unfold for a beginner?

Welcome and gear: overalls, full-face mask, marker and your paintballs (300 in BASIC, 500 in PRO).
Safety briefing: the rules, the distances, the surrender gesture, the end-of-round signal.
Getting to grips with the marker: a few test shots to understand aiming: paintballs fly a curved path, aim slightly above your target at distance.
Rounds follow on: 15-20 minutes per scenario (elimination, capture the flag, attack/defence), with breaks and team rotations for 2 hours.

Does it hurt?

Question number one, honest answer: a paintball impact stings, like a snapped rubber band, especially at close range. The overalls dampen a lot, the mask fully protects the face, and our instructors enforce safety distances. Most beginners completely forget the apprehension after the first round: adrenaline takes over. And if it is a real blocker for someone in the group, our Archery Tag offers the same thrills with zero pain: the comparison is here.

Our instructors' 6 tactical tips

Move. The beginner frozen behind cover is the easiest target on the field.
Stay low. A crouched silhouette is twice as hard to hit, especially in undergrowth.
Save your paintballs. Random bursts empty your stock in 10 minutes: aim, shoot 2-3 balls at a time.
Communicate. Call out spotted opponents, coordinate: the team that talks nearly always wins.
Use the forest. Trees, ditches, ferns: on our fields, the natural scenery is your best ally.
Keep the mask on. Always, even eliminated, even between rounds: the golden rule of any serious field.

What budget for a first time?

With us: €35 for BASIC (2 hrs, 300 paintballs) or €45 for PRO (500 paintballs): gear, overalls, instructors and insurance included, from 10 players. For a first time, BASIC is plenty. Details on the prices page.

Ready for your baptism of fire?

4 forest fields, professional instructors, 20 minutes from Brussels. Online booking, instant confirmation.

Book my first game

Frequently asked questions from beginners

Can you play paintball with glasses?

Yes: the full-face mask fits over most prescription glasses. Anti-fog spray is available at the welcome desk if needed.

Do you need to be sporty to play paintball?

No: the pace adapts to the group, and defensive roles require more cunning than cardio. Our instructors balance teams so beginners and regulars have fun together.

What happens when you run out of paintballs?

You can reload between rounds (extra paintballs are available on site) or play out the round dodging: surviving without ammunition is the best tactical training.

Can you come with fewer than 10 players?

Sessions run from 10 players to guarantee real team games. At 8 or 9, you can book by paying the equivalent of 10 spots: the field is then privatised for your group.