Boots

Why Boots?

The first time a lot of people go paintballing they wear trainers or football/astro turf boots. For playing speedball on flat football or tennis court style areas, this is sufficient. Woodsball by definition however is played in woods; the terrain is not mowed or rolled flat. To protect from twisted ankles or sprains and from the rough and tumble of playing in the great outdoors, a decent pair of ankle boots is a good idea. If you're playing in mud, trainers have a nasty habit of being sucked off your feet. Trainers aren't very waterproof on the whole and playing in the wet could ruin expensive shoes.

Recommendation 1: Player on a budget 

German Army Para boots are a sound investment if you're on a budget. You can get these on eBay for as little as £10-15 or from your local surplus store for about £20-£25 if you want to try them on. These boots have soft leather uppers, reinforced toes and ankles and last forever. I have a pair that are 31 years old and have only been re-soled once. These are far superior to standard British Army boots which have nasty hard leather and will leave you with blisters.

'German Para Boot'

Recommendation 2: Serious player, money no object.

Lowa Combat GTX boots are Rolls-Royce combat boots. They are a taller adaption of the German Army Light Mountaineering Boot. They have a Water-repellent 2.6mm cowhide leather upper, Gore-tex lining for outstanding climate-controlled comfort & waterproofing, Vibram Tsavo outsole unit with shock-absorbing midsole and a Climate-control insole.

They're not cheap, and can cost about £130. They are a sound investment for playing in the most challenging conditions. After all, replacing your feet is far more expensive.

Lowa Combat GTX boot