When you hear the word “kit,” it’s ridiculously easy to get lost in the daydreaming that is Google surfing for your “future” kit idea, only to end up with a glorified $800 wish list. Trust me, I know because I was that guy. There’s a common misconception that to get started in airsoft, you need to be decked out with high-end gear. Guess what? That’s far from the truth.
You’re going to discover the sheer simplicity of starting in this exhilarating sport. Believe it or not, a simple hoodie, some baggy pants for ample movement, and face protection are sufficient for your initial forays into airsoft skirmishes.
I’m here to help you understand that airsoft isn’t a ‘pay to win’ game. Skill triumphs over gear, and a hefty price tag on your equipment doesn’t guarantee success on the battlefield. This fact underscores the importance of honing your skills rather than splurging on gear.
Now, let’s focus on fleshing out your basic airsoft kit. In the next section, I’ll guide you through selecting your first airsoft gun, how to make an airsoft kit using the bare minimum, and a few things to consider when building out your kit, all while keeping your budget in check. Please keep in mind this kit is mainly for beginners, so if the idea feels kind of bland, that’s why. If you’re looking for more advanced kits, check out our post on Speedsoft and mil-sim kits.
Building Your First Airsoft Kit
#1 gun
First, let’s address the elephant in the room. It is no secret that owning your own airsoft gun will save you a lot of money by eliminating rental prices from your main expenses. That’s why I’m here to tell you that you’re in luck because we’ve done the guesswork for you by picking one! We believe Cyma’s Sport M4 Carbine will give you the best bang for your buck.
Priced at $101, which is on the lower end in terms of pricing, the Cyma Sport M4 is a lightweight, affordable, and reliable rifle that offers a variety of customization options and fair performance. Shooting between 350 to 370 FPS (feet per second), the Cyma Sport M4 has more than enough firepower for an enjoyable experience. If, down the road, you feel there’s more performance to be desired, the internals are fully upgradeable, leaving you with a well-rounded rifle.
This is just our suggestion, of course. By all means, choose the one that speaks to you the most. If you would like a little more help with such endeavors, check out our list of what we believe are The Best Guns for Beginners to point you in the right direction.
#2 Eye pro
With that out of the way, let’s talk about perhaps the most important part of your kit: eye protection. Assuming you are preparing for your first-ever game of airsoft, I recommend getting full face protection to protect your face and prevent you from taking off your eye protection, as this can be extremely dangerous.
With that in mind, I suggest you go with a standard paintball mask. These can range between $13 to $35, offering full face protection, including goggle-like lenses to protect your eyes. Be aware that you’ll likely deal with some fogging, and aiming down sights may be slightly uncomfortable. Unfortunately, these masks also leave the top of your head exposed, so I suggest you wear something like a beanie or baseball cap for additional protection.
If you plan on going a different route, here are a few things worth considering:
• Avoid any form of mesh eye protection, as BBs can shatter upon impact, causing fragments to potentially get in your eyes.
• Avoid anything super cheap, as it might fail in the middle of a game.
• Get a bump helmet for full head protection.
• Finally, make sure your setup has breathability to help with fogging issues.
Now, let’s get to the nitty-gritty and choose our apparel. When you first start out, don’t worry too much about the heavy tactical gear you see most people wearing. Your initial outfit should prioritize ease of movement because you’ll be doing a lot of that.
#3 Shoes
We’re going to go ten toes down with this, starting with something most players tend to neglect: shoes. When picking out your shoes, I recommend getting a pair of hiking boots for the best experience. While a pair of tennis shoes can do the trick, they may cause you to slip and slide and offer no ankle protection.
When buying or picking out your shoes make sure to use them only for airsoft (unless they’re hiking boots) because no matter the circumstance they will get extremely dirty that goes for your everything in your kit. Use socks of choice, I like to rock hiking socks. They’re comfy and are long enough to stop the inside of my boot from irritating my skin.
#3 Pants
When choosing your pants, you want something baggy and/or thick. Some cargo pants or sweatpants would definitely be viable options, but in this case, I’m going to recommend tactical pants. They’re thick enough to protect your legs and have several pockets, allowing you to carry more gear. Don’t buy real military pants because those can get really expensive. Just get a pair from Amazon—they work just fine.
#4 Upper body
For your upper body, get yourself a normal T-shirt and toss on a sweatshirt. This will reduce the amount of pain you’ll feel upon getting hit. Make sure your sweatshirt has a hand pocket because this is where you will be storing an additional mag. If you want to go the extra mile, you can buy a chest rig for $40 to $50 for a better reloading experience.
That’s it—you are now ready for action! It’s really that simple to get a taste of airsoft. Just for fun, I decided to generate an image of what we would look like if we were to rock this kit using AI.
That actually is scary accurate 0_0
The Advantages of Beginner Kits
I’m going to let you in on a little secret: sometimes, starting simple in airsoft gives you unexpected advantages. When you’re not bogged down by a ton of fancy gear, you can zip around the battlefield with an ease that some heavily equipped players might envy. Lighter gear can often mean enhanced mobility, allowing you to cover ground quickly, duck in and out of cover more efficiently, and generally stay agile during the heat of play.
Now, you might think that showing up with less gear could lead others to underestimate you, and, funny enough, they often do. This can actually play to your advantage, as opponents might not take you seriously at first, giving you the opportunity to surprise them with your competence and innate skills.
Remember, every pro player started as a beginner, and their gear grew alongside their experience. A simple starter setup can be the perfect training ground, teaching you the fundamental aspects of airsoft without distraction. As you become more seasoned, not only does your playing style evolve, but so does your understanding of what you actually need in your kit, allowing you to make smarter upgrades tailored to your personal playstyle.
Evolving Your Airsoft Arsenal: From Rookie to Veteran
Your first kit isn’t your final form; it’s just the starting point. As you rack up games and experience, you’ll start to understand the nuances of your play style and what works best for you. This includes reflecting on what’s been effective and what could be better. It might be time to invest in a higher-quality rifle or add tactical gear and protective elements that enhance performance and safety. Remember, upgrades should be driven by need, not just desire.
Your investments should match your commitment and role in the game. Like any hobby or sport, the more you play, the more you’ll identify the areas where a little investment goes a long way. Your airsoft journey is unique, and so will be the evolution of your arsenal. In my opinion, making informed, strategic choices about upgrades will save you money and frustration. You can always adjust your approach down the road, but starting with a solid foundation is key.
And remember, with each piece of gear you consider, think about mobility, storage, and protection. These elements remain essential, no matter how advanced your kit becomes. Your first attempt doesn’t need to be perfect; it needs to be practical.
So, taking these considerations into account, you’ll see your kit—and your skills—refine over time. The best players aren’t those with the most expensive equipment, but those who have tailored their kit to suit their play style perfectly. I really hope this breakdown helps you confidently stride onto the field, ready to learn, adapt, and ultimately, enjoy every skirmish!