Get to Know: Women in Paintball
The Paintball Ladies in Action
Paintball is, generally speaking, a male-dominated sport. No one would argue that. That said, there are a lot of women that play the game, and historically very little specific information, marketing, or exposure that's actually out there for a major subset of players out there. Hopefully, that can change, and this might shed a little light on women's experiences in the game and where the industry might have room to improve.
I spoke with several women to try and get their perspective on getting into the sport, gear that might be useful for their needs, and areas that the paintball industry might be able to improve a bit. I am hoping that these ladies' experiences and perspectives might be helpful to new players, give you a few players to try to get to know, and maybe useful to people in the industry in realizing that there's an entire market out there that you might want to emphasize your efforts in.
I spoke with several women to try and get their perspective on getting into the sport, gear that might be useful for their needs, and areas that the paintball industry might be able to improve a bit. I am hoping that these ladies' experiences and perspectives might be helpful to new players, give you a few players to try to get to know, and maybe useful to people in the industry in realizing that there's an entire market out there that you might want to emphasize your efforts in.
Brianne Remy in Action
Meet and Greet
First things first, here are some of the voices that you're going to hear below. Hopefully, if you're female and reading this, you might see a bit of yourself reflected in one of these fine ladies. If you work in paintball, here are some of your customers. If you're just curious, here are some awesome people.
Zoey Tankersley - "I’ve been playing off and on for around 10 years but I’ve grown up in the sport and industry with my dad’s fields and tournament teams. I currently play scenario and some recball, but hoping to get into tournament soon!"
Sharon Hollars - "I’ve been playing about 5 years. Play nearly all rec, but have played scenario a couple times. Have never even considered tourney. I’m way too old and slow for that! We would play more scenario but have a very tiny, ancient chihuahua that we can’t leave with anyone, she literally would probably stress out and die and I couldn’t do that to her or them!"
Michelle Kiekow - "I started playing a little over a year ago in September of 2019. In that short time I've experienced and learned a lot. Diving head first into rec play, tournaments, and scenario games.
Paintball has been my outlet physically and mentally. It's often a respite from being a full-time working mom of three. I can also express my nerdy maker side by tinkering and customizing markers. I can truly be my authentic self within the paintball community.
Hailing from the 414, my home field is The Siege Paintball (siegepb.com). A registered PBLi player with my teams, With Intent (paintball.gameblipsreviews.com) and WWMD, we recently played at Windy City ICPL. It was a blast!"
Brianne Remy- "I’ve only been playing paintball for about three years, but it feels like it’s been a life time, in a good way. I started out in scenario and then moved over to speedball. Going from scenario games and speedball tournaments, paintball came into my life while I’m college and when I didn’t even realize how much I needed it. My teams (Paintball Ladies and Apex Predators) have helped me grow into a confident person and the whole paintball community has taught me what being a part of a sports family is truly like."
First things first, here are some of the voices that you're going to hear below. Hopefully, if you're female and reading this, you might see a bit of yourself reflected in one of these fine ladies. If you work in paintball, here are some of your customers. If you're just curious, here are some awesome people.
Zoey Tankersley - "I’ve been playing off and on for around 10 years but I’ve grown up in the sport and industry with my dad’s fields and tournament teams. I currently play scenario and some recball, but hoping to get into tournament soon!"
Sharon Hollars - "I’ve been playing about 5 years. Play nearly all rec, but have played scenario a couple times. Have never even considered tourney. I’m way too old and slow for that! We would play more scenario but have a very tiny, ancient chihuahua that we can’t leave with anyone, she literally would probably stress out and die and I couldn’t do that to her or them!"
Michelle Kiekow - "I started playing a little over a year ago in September of 2019. In that short time I've experienced and learned a lot. Diving head first into rec play, tournaments, and scenario games.
Paintball has been my outlet physically and mentally. It's often a respite from being a full-time working mom of three. I can also express my nerdy maker side by tinkering and customizing markers. I can truly be my authentic self within the paintball community.
Hailing from the 414, my home field is The Siege Paintball (siegepb.com). A registered PBLi player with my teams, With Intent (paintball.gameblipsreviews.com) and WWMD, we recently played at Windy City ICPL. It was a blast!"
Brianne Remy- "I’ve only been playing paintball for about three years, but it feels like it’s been a life time, in a good way. I started out in scenario and then moved over to speedball. Going from scenario games and speedball tournaments, paintball came into my life while I’m college and when I didn’t even realize how much I needed it. My teams (Paintball Ladies and Apex Predators) have helped me grow into a confident person and the whole paintball community has taught me what being a part of a sports family is truly like."
Michelle with her player's badge
What advice do you wish you were given the first time that you played paintball? When someone says that they are going for the first time, or a parent says that they are bringing their daughter to play for the first time, what would you want that parent to know? What would you want the little girl to know?
ZT - Don’t be worried on what everyone else says. It’s not as scary as people make it sound and the pain doesn’t last for long! Just go out there and have fun! Wear a light longsleeve shirt and some jeans and you should be fine.
SH - Make sure the parent (and child) knows it will likely leave some bruises. Encourage them to try 50 cal first.
MK - I was fortunate to be brought into the game by an old school player returning to the game. He
gave me tons of advice. First and foremost, it's about having fun. Second, safety is a very
serious matter, listen to your refs. Dress for the occasion (lots of loose layers - don’t play in
leggings ladies) and prepare to get dirty (getting dirty is fun). Think of it as a high-speed game of
tag with paint. Don’t get into your head about it being painful, it’s really not. Again, have fun…
no one is judging you.
BR - I get really excited when new players, especially girls, play paintball for the first time. I was in their shoes at one point, so I always try my best to make sure they have the best first experience possible. I have met so many amazing men and women in paintball, if I am able to help someone with the knowledge I have learned over my few years of experience, I’d more than happily share it. When I first began, the only things I wish I knew were about were how much it can truly be to play consistently and the true awesomeness of the paintball community. Now that I have a small amount of experience that I'm able to share with others, I do it at every chance I get.
Similar question---what would you want the woman who is going for the first time with her spouse or her friends to know? What would you actually like the spouse/friend themselves to know to make sure that the woman has an awesome time.
ZT - Don’t be afraid to look silly or hide for longer behind a bunker. Do what you feel comfortable with and go from there. We all started with a first time somewhere!
SH - It’s a blast but can sting. Wear loose layers to minimize impact.
MK - It’s about having fun. You’ll probably be harder on yourself, but know that
everyone sucks in the beginning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and approach others. Don’t
be intimidated by milsim looking players or players that are geared up. Regulars players and
staff are eager to grow the sport and always willing to give playing advice (and tell stories - lol).
It’s a social team sport, so communicate with them on and off the field. Friends/spouses… be
supportive and encouraging and don’t forget words of affirmation.
BR: Even though paintball is predominantly a male sport, there is plenty of room for women to play! Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. More often than not, people are going to be willing to help you learn and respect that you are asking for help. BE SUPPORTIVE AND GIVE IT A TRY. The worst thing that can happen is not liking it, but at least you gave it a shot. There’s no harm in trying!
ZT - Don’t be worried on what everyone else says. It’s not as scary as people make it sound and the pain doesn’t last for long! Just go out there and have fun! Wear a light longsleeve shirt and some jeans and you should be fine.
SH - Make sure the parent (and child) knows it will likely leave some bruises. Encourage them to try 50 cal first.
MK - I was fortunate to be brought into the game by an old school player returning to the game. He
gave me tons of advice. First and foremost, it's about having fun. Second, safety is a very
serious matter, listen to your refs. Dress for the occasion (lots of loose layers - don’t play in
leggings ladies) and prepare to get dirty (getting dirty is fun). Think of it as a high-speed game of
tag with paint. Don’t get into your head about it being painful, it’s really not. Again, have fun…
no one is judging you.
BR - I get really excited when new players, especially girls, play paintball for the first time. I was in their shoes at one point, so I always try my best to make sure they have the best first experience possible. I have met so many amazing men and women in paintball, if I am able to help someone with the knowledge I have learned over my few years of experience, I’d more than happily share it. When I first began, the only things I wish I knew were about were how much it can truly be to play consistently and the true awesomeness of the paintball community. Now that I have a small amount of experience that I'm able to share with others, I do it at every chance I get.
Similar question---what would you want the woman who is going for the first time with her spouse or her friends to know? What would you actually like the spouse/friend themselves to know to make sure that the woman has an awesome time.
ZT - Don’t be afraid to look silly or hide for longer behind a bunker. Do what you feel comfortable with and go from there. We all started with a first time somewhere!
SH - It’s a blast but can sting. Wear loose layers to minimize impact.
MK - It’s about having fun. You’ll probably be harder on yourself, but know that
everyone sucks in the beginning. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and approach others. Don’t
be intimidated by milsim looking players or players that are geared up. Regulars players and
staff are eager to grow the sport and always willing to give playing advice (and tell stories - lol).
It’s a social team sport, so communicate with them on and off the field. Friends/spouses… be
supportive and encouraging and don’t forget words of affirmation.
BR: Even though paintball is predominantly a male sport, there is plenty of room for women to play! Also, don't be afraid to ask questions. More often than not, people are going to be willing to help you learn and respect that you are asking for help. BE SUPPORTIVE AND GIVE IT A TRY. The worst thing that can happen is not liking it, but at least you gave it a shot. There’s no harm in trying!
Michelle in Action
When getting your first set up, what advice would you give? What masks fit best on smaller frames? What gear might you avoid? What would you recommend, especially for women that prefer lighter or smaller set ups?
ZT - Go somewhere you can try it all out. You can listen to the specifications of a gun and equipment all day long from others, but until you get it in your hands you won’t know what feels good for you. For a mask I started with a Proflex and still love them. They are great masks and come in so many different colors for customization! For a gun I would recommend an Emek or a Mini as both are fairly lightweight and good for a women’s hand. Both are great for beginners and easy to learn as well as maintainability.
SH - Vio Contour fits me well and is my favorite mask.
Avoid Gen X Global simply because they can’t seem to make anything that lasts. I’ve had their zippers break before they even made it to the field.
I run a pod harness much different than typical because a vertical pod orientation just doesn’t work well for my body. I find molle only belts and use plastic strips that allow me to then put molle pod holders on horizontally - a triple worn on my left side. The horizontal 4 + 1’s are too wide! They wrap clear around me and are in my way even when I drop them down to my hips.
I like my GTek 160R (my only electric). Light, easy to use, easy to maintain, come in some nice colors. You can get an A-5 super cheap but they’re a pain to maintain and heavy, so not my first recommendation. Got a nicer marker in less than a year.
Don’t get cheap pants to start. Not worth the bother! HK Freelines work well for me.
MK - It’s totally not necessary to spend gobs of money on markers and gear. Most everything I own is
used from auction sites, FB BST, and MCB BST. Don’t think you need a fancy space gun. I’ve
had an affinity for older markers that have character. My first new purchase was just prior to this
year’s Windy City ICPL tournament - an EMEK 100. It performs great with a non-stock barrel
and I’ve made it my own with a custom body that I 3D printed. And the price point is great. I
have a Ninja 68/4500 Lite tank which isn’t too big or heavy. There’s a bunch of gear reviews on
YouTube, as well from retailers like LoneWolf and ANS. I have two masks that switch from, an
old school JT Flex and Dye i4. The JT Flex is super comfortable and has great visibility. The i4
is a smaller fit… my 8 year old daughter has worn it without problem. I would definitely look for
something that isn’t going to fog up (that’s the worst)!
BR - It is hard to find gear that fits women, specifically since most is fit towards men or unisex. I started out with Dye and loved it. But once I got into playing, I loved how JT pants fit me and my team sponsor Maxt Sportswear makes amazing joggers. I wear them on and off the field.
In terms of masks, I like Vforce Grillz and my Virtue Vios. They are comfortable and cost effective, but if you are willing to spend more, there are definitely expensive masks that may be more comfortable.
My first paintball gun was an Axe Pro and I still am rocking my HK Gravity pod pack. A great marker and for beginners. It's never failed me, unless the battery died. I now have a CS1 and 170r, and love them both. The prices aren’t cheap, but worth the investment.
It’s hard for me to point out gear I wouldn't suggest because sizes and comfort differ for everyone. The only major difference would probably be price and style. One of the hardest things to find that I thought fit me nicely were my arm pads. Not until last year did I figure out that I loved the Virtue Arm Pads. I had multiple others that I never loved. I am tall and have longer arms, but the Virtue ones I own fit me perfectly and can take a beating on the field. They also happen to be washer safe, but I wouldn't suggest drying paintball pants or arm pads in a dryer machine---hang dry them only.
ZT - Go somewhere you can try it all out. You can listen to the specifications of a gun and equipment all day long from others, but until you get it in your hands you won’t know what feels good for you. For a mask I started with a Proflex and still love them. They are great masks and come in so many different colors for customization! For a gun I would recommend an Emek or a Mini as both are fairly lightweight and good for a women’s hand. Both are great for beginners and easy to learn as well as maintainability.
SH - Vio Contour fits me well and is my favorite mask.
Avoid Gen X Global simply because they can’t seem to make anything that lasts. I’ve had their zippers break before they even made it to the field.
I run a pod harness much different than typical because a vertical pod orientation just doesn’t work well for my body. I find molle only belts and use plastic strips that allow me to then put molle pod holders on horizontally - a triple worn on my left side. The horizontal 4 + 1’s are too wide! They wrap clear around me and are in my way even when I drop them down to my hips.
I like my GTek 160R (my only electric). Light, easy to use, easy to maintain, come in some nice colors. You can get an A-5 super cheap but they’re a pain to maintain and heavy, so not my first recommendation. Got a nicer marker in less than a year.
Don’t get cheap pants to start. Not worth the bother! HK Freelines work well for me.
MK - It’s totally not necessary to spend gobs of money on markers and gear. Most everything I own is
used from auction sites, FB BST, and MCB BST. Don’t think you need a fancy space gun. I’ve
had an affinity for older markers that have character. My first new purchase was just prior to this
year’s Windy City ICPL tournament - an EMEK 100. It performs great with a non-stock barrel
and I’ve made it my own with a custom body that I 3D printed. And the price point is great. I
have a Ninja 68/4500 Lite tank which isn’t too big or heavy. There’s a bunch of gear reviews on
YouTube, as well from retailers like LoneWolf and ANS. I have two masks that switch from, an
old school JT Flex and Dye i4. The JT Flex is super comfortable and has great visibility. The i4
is a smaller fit… my 8 year old daughter has worn it without problem. I would definitely look for
something that isn’t going to fog up (that’s the worst)!
BR - It is hard to find gear that fits women, specifically since most is fit towards men or unisex. I started out with Dye and loved it. But once I got into playing, I loved how JT pants fit me and my team sponsor Maxt Sportswear makes amazing joggers. I wear them on and off the field.
In terms of masks, I like Vforce Grillz and my Virtue Vios. They are comfortable and cost effective, but if you are willing to spend more, there are definitely expensive masks that may be more comfortable.
My first paintball gun was an Axe Pro and I still am rocking my HK Gravity pod pack. A great marker and for beginners. It's never failed me, unless the battery died. I now have a CS1 and 170r, and love them both. The prices aren’t cheap, but worth the investment.
It’s hard for me to point out gear I wouldn't suggest because sizes and comfort differ for everyone. The only major difference would probably be price and style. One of the hardest things to find that I thought fit me nicely were my arm pads. Not until last year did I figure out that I loved the Virtue Arm Pads. I had multiple others that I never loved. I am tall and have longer arms, but the Virtue ones I own fit me perfectly and can take a beating on the field. They also happen to be washer safe, but I wouldn't suggest drying paintball pants or arm pads in a dryer machine---hang dry them only.
Sharon with her headgear
What companies have made soft goods/equipment cut the best for women? Have you found any jerseys that fit better or are there any companies that you prefer? Any pants that are cut to fit better? Any specialized protective equipment like sports bras? Boots or cleats that work well?
ZT - As far as paintball equipment goes, I wear mostly UNDR jerseys to play in. I find the sizing pretty accurate and I almost always size up for comfort anyways. I prefer a baggy jersey with any old padded sports bra. For bottoms I currently wear the Planet Eclipse Program pants with some kind of spandex short underneath for easy changing out of. It gets so hot in them so I always recommend bringing leggings or something to wear after. The PE pants are stretchy in the butt/thigh area and are not super baggy in the crotch like most paintball pants I’ve tried. Unfortunately, no one makes a true women’s pant. I typically play with sneakers for recball but I pick up my cleats super cheap at Marshall’s or TJMAXX. They have a ton of cheap name brand cleats to try on! I prefer men’s football cleats for the ankle support.
SH - Jerseys don’t matter that much since you should wear them fairly loose anyway. Just the usual things to look for - lots of breathable mesh, some stretch to the fabric, etc. Pants as noted above but there are plenty others. Same as jerseys - plenty of stretchable mesh plus look for padding in the knees so you don’t have to wear knee pads unless you’re really going for some serious knee slides. Make sure at least one zip pocket. Make sure there is significant adjustment in the waist. Don’t expect them to be flattering!
Sports bra, for sure!
Soccer or softball type shoes, no metal cleats.
MK - When I was first looking for soft Gear, I was surprised that there was nothing for female players.
I looked for male equivalent sizing. My first purchase was actually a used slightly padded Dye
jersey from shopgoodwill.com. I went with a medium and it fits well. It was a game changer. I felt
more protected from hits and the environment. I also got used Dye pants. They are heavy and
male-sized, but came to appreciate them for their durability and confidence they gave me in
sliding and crawling. They were a bit loose, but I usually use a pod pack to keep them up. I also
wear leggings underneath for an extra layer and the ability to take off the pb pants without
having to worry about where to change. I recently bought some used PB joggers and they are
more fitting and much lighter, but don't offer the same outdoor weather protection (especially if
it's wet conditions). I don't feel like it's necessary to break the bank and buy new. There is such
a huge presence on BST groups for used equipment.
Social Paintball does carry a padded sports bra that I finally purchased at their vendor booth
when I was at Michigan Monster Game at Hell's Survivors. I would recommend that since it offers
padding for the chesticles and sides of the chest. This made it possible to lose a couple layers. I
don't have cleats, but bought trail shoes that have been comfortable and offer plenty of gription
(which is extremely important). PB Shin guards and knee pads have been a norm for me now,
only because I bruise easily from crawling around and attempting to slide. I did find it difficult to
find simple gloves that fit to protect from hand shots… I have some mechanix gloves that fit.
BR - I’m kind of biased because I am blessed to have amazing sponsors who support my team, but I would 110% recommend Maxt Sports Wear for Jerseys and Joggers. Mine fit fantastic and they last. The items can be beaten up in games and withstand the craziness. When I began playing, I liked how Dye jerseys fit. In terms of pants and gear, it definitely depends on preference and style. I also recommend the Social Paintball Sports Bras. If I hadn't lost mine, I'd still have it (lol). It fits my broad shoulders and holds me together. Getting shot in the boobs hurts and can eventually lead to complications if its constant hits. The Social Sports Bra really helps protect them and it can be worn for other sports as well. Other sports bras I found helpful and wear were ones from the store Pink, it’s a sister store to Victoria's Secret.
ZT - As far as paintball equipment goes, I wear mostly UNDR jerseys to play in. I find the sizing pretty accurate and I almost always size up for comfort anyways. I prefer a baggy jersey with any old padded sports bra. For bottoms I currently wear the Planet Eclipse Program pants with some kind of spandex short underneath for easy changing out of. It gets so hot in them so I always recommend bringing leggings or something to wear after. The PE pants are stretchy in the butt/thigh area and are not super baggy in the crotch like most paintball pants I’ve tried. Unfortunately, no one makes a true women’s pant. I typically play with sneakers for recball but I pick up my cleats super cheap at Marshall’s or TJMAXX. They have a ton of cheap name brand cleats to try on! I prefer men’s football cleats for the ankle support.
SH - Jerseys don’t matter that much since you should wear them fairly loose anyway. Just the usual things to look for - lots of breathable mesh, some stretch to the fabric, etc. Pants as noted above but there are plenty others. Same as jerseys - plenty of stretchable mesh plus look for padding in the knees so you don’t have to wear knee pads unless you’re really going for some serious knee slides. Make sure at least one zip pocket. Make sure there is significant adjustment in the waist. Don’t expect them to be flattering!
Sports bra, for sure!
Soccer or softball type shoes, no metal cleats.
MK - When I was first looking for soft Gear, I was surprised that there was nothing for female players.
I looked for male equivalent sizing. My first purchase was actually a used slightly padded Dye
jersey from shopgoodwill.com. I went with a medium and it fits well. It was a game changer. I felt
more protected from hits and the environment. I also got used Dye pants. They are heavy and
male-sized, but came to appreciate them for their durability and confidence they gave me in
sliding and crawling. They were a bit loose, but I usually use a pod pack to keep them up. I also
wear leggings underneath for an extra layer and the ability to take off the pb pants without
having to worry about where to change. I recently bought some used PB joggers and they are
more fitting and much lighter, but don't offer the same outdoor weather protection (especially if
it's wet conditions). I don't feel like it's necessary to break the bank and buy new. There is such
a huge presence on BST groups for used equipment.
Social Paintball does carry a padded sports bra that I finally purchased at their vendor booth
when I was at Michigan Monster Game at Hell's Survivors. I would recommend that since it offers
padding for the chesticles and sides of the chest. This made it possible to lose a couple layers. I
don't have cleats, but bought trail shoes that have been comfortable and offer plenty of gription
(which is extremely important). PB Shin guards and knee pads have been a norm for me now,
only because I bruise easily from crawling around and attempting to slide. I did find it difficult to
find simple gloves that fit to protect from hand shots… I have some mechanix gloves that fit.
BR - I’m kind of biased because I am blessed to have amazing sponsors who support my team, but I would 110% recommend Maxt Sports Wear for Jerseys and Joggers. Mine fit fantastic and they last. The items can be beaten up in games and withstand the craziness. When I began playing, I liked how Dye jerseys fit. In terms of pants and gear, it definitely depends on preference and style. I also recommend the Social Paintball Sports Bras. If I hadn't lost mine, I'd still have it (lol). It fits my broad shoulders and holds me together. Getting shot in the boobs hurts and can eventually lead to complications if its constant hits. The Social Sports Bra really helps protect them and it can be worn for other sports as well. Other sports bras I found helpful and wear were ones from the store Pink, it’s a sister store to Victoria's Secret.
Now that's some high quality H2O
What hurdles or challenges have you run into, if any, that you wish the guys that you played with knew? Or that paintball companies actually knew?
ZT - I find at events that most male players don’t care that you’re a girl. We are all there to play paintball and have fun. As always there will be players that are just downright vulgar or rude but I tend to have a smart mouth and they leave me alone.
SH - It would really be nice to have pants actually made to fit women! We tend to have more junk in the trunk and we need more waist adjustment.
It would also be really nice to have a horizontal pod pack that I don’t have to assemble myself. Apparently the kind I use is discontinued so I bought 3 the last time I bought some.
As far as the guys I play with, I don’t play with assholes if I can help it. I’ve never had anybody treat me badly because I was female. If anything they try to be gentle. Until I tear them up, lol! Then they pretty much treat me as equal.
If we have “captains” pick teams (I only play rec) and they don’t know me, I sometimes get picked late on the first game. Later in the day I usually get picked fairly early, lol! After the young whippersnappers that are fast and good (and on actual teams) but way before the rentals.
I have gotten just a little “you’re just a girl” type crap from on-line forum jerks but not much. That shit isn’t even worth my time.
MK - Thankfully I haven’t encountered any machismo attitudes. Interestingly, I don’t want to be
treated any differently because I’m a girl. Don’t go easy on me. I want to be successful (or not)
based on my skills.
I’ve come to accept finding the male equivalent sizing for soft gear. Especially after knowing
loose fit clothing is better for performance on many levels.
BR - Just being a woman in paintball is a challenge in itself. Unfortunately, there are sexist comments made sometimes and I think that is occasionally what discourages new comers. Some guys are aware and some aren't.
It would be really cool if a paintball company came out with a line just for women, to help show support for the girls in paintball and to potentially encourage new players. It’s nice to see paintball is becoming more inclusive for men and women, and in terms of popularity, but there is still a ways to go. Although my teammates and I run into some people who are not the nicest, I love being an ambassador for paintball. I have taken friends and family to play with me. I’ve recommended it to tons of people and I always like to hit the field with friends. I try my best to take the negative comments and gestures and turn them into a learning experience for myself and to help others with.
What gear do you wish paintball manufacturers would focus more on in the women’s market? Do you feel like they do a good job of catering to or marketing to the female crowd? If you don’t think so, where do they fall down?
ZT - We need pants the most I feel. Most pants have a very baggy crotch and not a lot of stretch room in the butt or thighs. As of now I can’t recall any companies promoting to women or specific gear for us. Only thing I can think of that comes close is last year Planet Eclipse did a sugar skull themed gear bag with bright colors. It was super cute and I know a lot of the girl players bought it! Social Paintball also makes a padded sports bra with fun designs. I ’m not saying make everything pink and sparkly, but being able to get gear in other colors besides grey and black would be awesome.
SH - I’ve never seen a single thing in paintball actually marketed specifically to women. After extensive searching I found “women’s paintball pants” but they are the same part number as the men’s pants. Nice try, but that’s not really how it works.
MK - Protective gear for the females. How it is that there is only one sports bra out there? And protection for the bottom half looks like a dude’s underwear? And It may seem silly, but cool decorative accessories with a feminine flare would be nice. I’m not a girly girl, but I still like beautiful dorky things.
BR - I definitely think the one item companies could focus on is pants for specifically women. Jerseys can be altered and pants can too but I feel like with women having different waist shapes causing for the fit needing to be different. I have been lucky to find gear that fits my body shape, but not every girl may be as lucky. If companies were to cater to women slightly, I think it would be a fantastic idea.
ZT - I find at events that most male players don’t care that you’re a girl. We are all there to play paintball and have fun. As always there will be players that are just downright vulgar or rude but I tend to have a smart mouth and they leave me alone.
SH - It would really be nice to have pants actually made to fit women! We tend to have more junk in the trunk and we need more waist adjustment.
It would also be really nice to have a horizontal pod pack that I don’t have to assemble myself. Apparently the kind I use is discontinued so I bought 3 the last time I bought some.
As far as the guys I play with, I don’t play with assholes if I can help it. I’ve never had anybody treat me badly because I was female. If anything they try to be gentle. Until I tear them up, lol! Then they pretty much treat me as equal.
If we have “captains” pick teams (I only play rec) and they don’t know me, I sometimes get picked late on the first game. Later in the day I usually get picked fairly early, lol! After the young whippersnappers that are fast and good (and on actual teams) but way before the rentals.
I have gotten just a little “you’re just a girl” type crap from on-line forum jerks but not much. That shit isn’t even worth my time.
MK - Thankfully I haven’t encountered any machismo attitudes. Interestingly, I don’t want to be
treated any differently because I’m a girl. Don’t go easy on me. I want to be successful (or not)
based on my skills.
I’ve come to accept finding the male equivalent sizing for soft gear. Especially after knowing
loose fit clothing is better for performance on many levels.
BR - Just being a woman in paintball is a challenge in itself. Unfortunately, there are sexist comments made sometimes and I think that is occasionally what discourages new comers. Some guys are aware and some aren't.
It would be really cool if a paintball company came out with a line just for women, to help show support for the girls in paintball and to potentially encourage new players. It’s nice to see paintball is becoming more inclusive for men and women, and in terms of popularity, but there is still a ways to go. Although my teammates and I run into some people who are not the nicest, I love being an ambassador for paintball. I have taken friends and family to play with me. I’ve recommended it to tons of people and I always like to hit the field with friends. I try my best to take the negative comments and gestures and turn them into a learning experience for myself and to help others with.
What gear do you wish paintball manufacturers would focus more on in the women’s market? Do you feel like they do a good job of catering to or marketing to the female crowd? If you don’t think so, where do they fall down?
ZT - We need pants the most I feel. Most pants have a very baggy crotch and not a lot of stretch room in the butt or thighs. As of now I can’t recall any companies promoting to women or specific gear for us. Only thing I can think of that comes close is last year Planet Eclipse did a sugar skull themed gear bag with bright colors. It was super cute and I know a lot of the girl players bought it! Social Paintball also makes a padded sports bra with fun designs. I ’m not saying make everything pink and sparkly, but being able to get gear in other colors besides grey and black would be awesome.
SH - I’ve never seen a single thing in paintball actually marketed specifically to women. After extensive searching I found “women’s paintball pants” but they are the same part number as the men’s pants. Nice try, but that’s not really how it works.
MK - Protective gear for the females. How it is that there is only one sports bra out there? And protection for the bottom half looks like a dude’s underwear? And It may seem silly, but cool decorative accessories with a feminine flare would be nice. I’m not a girly girl, but I still like beautiful dorky things.
BR - I definitely think the one item companies could focus on is pants for specifically women. Jerseys can be altered and pants can too but I feel like with women having different waist shapes causing for the fit needing to be different. I have been lucky to find gear that fits my body shape, but not every girl may be as lucky. If companies were to cater to women slightly, I think it would be a fantastic idea.
Zoey in Action!
Obviously, most people know Bea Youngs' name and know about Destiny. Bea's a legend, and absolutely great. But there is another entire generation of women who have played after her that don’t seem to have gotten the same levels of attention. Are there any specific female players or teams that you think should be getting promoted or promoted more heavily? Do you think paintball companies do enough to promote the women in the sport? Do you think that there are areas that they could do this better?
ZT - I love Bea! I feel I am a bit biased on this question as most of my feed is female Destiny players. Outside of Bea’s promotion of the ladies on the Destiny teams I don’t feel that any female teams truly get promoted. I could be wrong but I’m not seeing it like the male teams do. Locally we have a great team named “The Paintball Ladies”. They play most of the local events and do travel a lot for practices and games. We also have a really great girl named Hailey Leyva locally. She has guested on lots of teams and is just a powerhouse on the field. A lot of fun to watch!
SH - I’m nearly completely out of touch with the pro scene. I do watch videos and know a few names of players, but that’s not really my thing. That being said, I’ve never seen any promotion whatsoever for any female pros or teams. I’ve accidentally run across some searching for paintball vids.
MK - The women of USA Paintball and Destiny are rockstars. And yes, Bea does a great job of
promoting the sport to and for females. I know of Rozy McCurely because she’s from Milwaukee
and got her start at The Siege Paintball (my home field). A male ally gave me some history of
female ballers, like Bea, Keeley Watson, and the Femme Fatales. As an older player seeing the
existing female players and knowing they come from all walks and seasons of life is
empowering. While I don’t think females in paintball should be treated any differently or
necessarily play on an all female squad, it would help to feature them in some promotional
sports videos (just like the guys). Let’s hear and see their stories. Some of them do a great job
of promoting themselves on Instagram.
BR - I love Bea! She has been a great person to me and some of my friends. Although, it's hard for me to comment on every single female player that I know who deserves to be recognized. I definitely think since companies do promotional videos with male players, why not females too? The US women's team would be cool, the Paintball Ladies team should definitely be highlighted, and other women who do a lot for the sport. Companies could definitely do better. Working with people and talking about feedback may help target other audiences such as women or younger players. Showcasing what women can do definitely can help boost the confidence of players and the morale for women in paintball.
What do you think fields could do better for women playing? Have you seen any fields that have done a great job in catering to women that play?
ZT - I’m always super appreciative when fields have a decent bathroom or designated female port-a-potty. It seems small but I promise we notice.
SH - Have real bathrooms and not just port-a-pots. I’ve played at most of the local fields around DFW, TX, and never seen anybody do anything specifically aimed towards women. But there’s usually only 1-2 women out there besides me on any given day, and most often none besides me depending on the field. On rare occasion I’ve seen 3-4 women on the field at once. Usually in private groups with boyfriends/hubbies.
MK - Female facilities please. Most fields have port-a-johns, which is fine if they're fairly clean.
However they are in no way ideal for changing. Our home field, The Siege Paintball in Big Bend,
WI, has a great facility with REAL bathrooms. I tell them all the time how great that is! They're
staff is also very welcoming and supportive (to everyone). They have also made it a marketing
point to encourage females to play.
BR - I like to see fields making players feel welcomed and equal, but something I've seen only a few times is women's days or discounts on weekends for women to go out and play. Until there are more women in the sport, I definitely would like to see something like that at a ton more fields. Even once a month or something along those lines to help encourage newcomers.
Editor's note: Guys are fans of indoor plumbing and real bathrooms too. Everybody poops. There's a book about it and everything.
ZT - I love Bea! I feel I am a bit biased on this question as most of my feed is female Destiny players. Outside of Bea’s promotion of the ladies on the Destiny teams I don’t feel that any female teams truly get promoted. I could be wrong but I’m not seeing it like the male teams do. Locally we have a great team named “The Paintball Ladies”. They play most of the local events and do travel a lot for practices and games. We also have a really great girl named Hailey Leyva locally. She has guested on lots of teams and is just a powerhouse on the field. A lot of fun to watch!
SH - I’m nearly completely out of touch with the pro scene. I do watch videos and know a few names of players, but that’s not really my thing. That being said, I’ve never seen any promotion whatsoever for any female pros or teams. I’ve accidentally run across some searching for paintball vids.
MK - The women of USA Paintball and Destiny are rockstars. And yes, Bea does a great job of
promoting the sport to and for females. I know of Rozy McCurely because she’s from Milwaukee
and got her start at The Siege Paintball (my home field). A male ally gave me some history of
female ballers, like Bea, Keeley Watson, and the Femme Fatales. As an older player seeing the
existing female players and knowing they come from all walks and seasons of life is
empowering. While I don’t think females in paintball should be treated any differently or
necessarily play on an all female squad, it would help to feature them in some promotional
sports videos (just like the guys). Let’s hear and see their stories. Some of them do a great job
of promoting themselves on Instagram.
BR - I love Bea! She has been a great person to me and some of my friends. Although, it's hard for me to comment on every single female player that I know who deserves to be recognized. I definitely think since companies do promotional videos with male players, why not females too? The US women's team would be cool, the Paintball Ladies team should definitely be highlighted, and other women who do a lot for the sport. Companies could definitely do better. Working with people and talking about feedback may help target other audiences such as women or younger players. Showcasing what women can do definitely can help boost the confidence of players and the morale for women in paintball.
What do you think fields could do better for women playing? Have you seen any fields that have done a great job in catering to women that play?
ZT - I’m always super appreciative when fields have a decent bathroom or designated female port-a-potty. It seems small but I promise we notice.
SH - Have real bathrooms and not just port-a-pots. I’ve played at most of the local fields around DFW, TX, and never seen anybody do anything specifically aimed towards women. But there’s usually only 1-2 women out there besides me on any given day, and most often none besides me depending on the field. On rare occasion I’ve seen 3-4 women on the field at once. Usually in private groups with boyfriends/hubbies.
MK - Female facilities please. Most fields have port-a-johns, which is fine if they're fairly clean.
However they are in no way ideal for changing. Our home field, The Siege Paintball in Big Bend,
WI, has a great facility with REAL bathrooms. I tell them all the time how great that is! They're
staff is also very welcoming and supportive (to everyone). They have also made it a marketing
point to encourage females to play.
BR - I like to see fields making players feel welcomed and equal, but something I've seen only a few times is women's days or discounts on weekends for women to go out and play. Until there are more women in the sport, I definitely would like to see something like that at a ton more fields. Even once a month or something along those lines to help encourage newcomers.
Editor's note: Guys are fans of indoor plumbing and real bathrooms too. Everybody poops. There's a book about it and everything.
Brianna with Destiny Midwest
What advice would you have for girls or women that feel uncomfortable or hesitant in playing a sport with a much heavier male population? Or when a specific person is giving them a hard time? (Editor's Note: Guys---if you feel the need to make some sort of sexist comment to women in a forum or in-person and you think it might be borderline or worse---just don't. Took all of one comment when I was asking for women's opinion's here for that to show up. It's not hard. Don't be a dick, You're not being clever or funny. You're just being an ass, and no one is impressed.)
ZT - Try not to be intimidated. Most of the guys are nice and willing to share what they know! For the guys, don’t be a dick. If you notice a buddy saying things about her body or being rude, set him straight. It’s already difficult to be taken seriously in a male dominated sport. We don’t need it to made any harder.
SH - I think for women, it’s more concern about the pain factor. I work with a lot of women and can’t ever convince them to come out and play. Even though they know how much fun I think it is, they’ve seen bruises. I cover more than typical players, primarily to prevent visible bruises at work, but there’s no way to prevent them all from showing. I swear, there’s always a ball that sneaks in just above my elbow pads!
I’ve never been a victim of on field harassment related to being female, but I’m also old enough to be a mother or grandmother figure to most players and I’ve been told I carry myself with a certain level of authority. I expect that prevents it locally. And honestly, if it didn’t, my hubby and my friends would shut that shit down in a heartbeat.
MK - Don't feel intimidated. Females play just as well as males. Sure… you may get some looks from
rentals, but most that have been playing the game know this to be true. I've been fortunate in
not encountering any toxicity or harassment. I think the paintball community is great. Everyone
has been really supportive, regardless of gender. Everyone helps everyone. Not gonna lie, it's
extremely satisfying when dudes realize you can wreck face. So just get out there. Besides,
they won't really know your gender when you're all geared up.
BR - Being a woman in paintball and having the amazing support system I am blessed with is a gift. I was lucky to run into the right people all at the right times. But trust me, I have had my share of awkward encounters and some harassment situations and I 100% know some of my female teammates and friends have too. It sucks because all we want to do is play paintball and prove ourselves as forces to be reckoned with. What I love about being a female in paintball is encouraging other women and younger girls to give the sport a try. Support and help is sometimes all it takes.
Are there any great paintball groups or places that female players can go to learn more or connect with other women that play?
ZT - We actually have a women of paintball group! It’s fairly small but hoping to add more --- the Women of Paintball!
SH - I recently found a women players‘ group but it doesn’t seem to be very active. In fact I need to go look for it as I haven’t gotten a single notice of a new posting there, come to think of it.
I just watch whatever random vids come up in search and I’ve subscribed to a bunch of YouTube pages but none are aimed specifically at women in the sport. At least I haven’t found any yet but I haven’t searched for any, either. Why should I? I don’t expect a woman to play significantly differently than a man, so . . . .
MK - There really aren’t a lot of active female groups. There’s a couple, but that’s about it. Facebook
has Women of Paintball and Paintball Ladies. Again, Destiny does a great job promoting the
sport to and for females.
BR - The Women of Paintball group page on Facebook is one of the most supportive pages I know of and most of the women I play paintball with are a part of it. Women ask questions, support one another, advertise for events and so on. It’s nice to know there are people who understand your point of view and someone to talk with. I also am the only female ref at my field and it is really cool for people to stop me and ask me about my experiences and want to know more. I also like to make sure I talk to newer players women and men to encourage them to play and hopefully let them know they can ask me any questions and help if they need it. People at fields and paintball stores are usually very open to helping new players and answering questions. Any paintball field is a great place to start playing paintball and give it a try.
ZT - Try not to be intimidated. Most of the guys are nice and willing to share what they know! For the guys, don’t be a dick. If you notice a buddy saying things about her body or being rude, set him straight. It’s already difficult to be taken seriously in a male dominated sport. We don’t need it to made any harder.
SH - I think for women, it’s more concern about the pain factor. I work with a lot of women and can’t ever convince them to come out and play. Even though they know how much fun I think it is, they’ve seen bruises. I cover more than typical players, primarily to prevent visible bruises at work, but there’s no way to prevent them all from showing. I swear, there’s always a ball that sneaks in just above my elbow pads!
I’ve never been a victim of on field harassment related to being female, but I’m also old enough to be a mother or grandmother figure to most players and I’ve been told I carry myself with a certain level of authority. I expect that prevents it locally. And honestly, if it didn’t, my hubby and my friends would shut that shit down in a heartbeat.
MK - Don't feel intimidated. Females play just as well as males. Sure… you may get some looks from
rentals, but most that have been playing the game know this to be true. I've been fortunate in
not encountering any toxicity or harassment. I think the paintball community is great. Everyone
has been really supportive, regardless of gender. Everyone helps everyone. Not gonna lie, it's
extremely satisfying when dudes realize you can wreck face. So just get out there. Besides,
they won't really know your gender when you're all geared up.
BR - Being a woman in paintball and having the amazing support system I am blessed with is a gift. I was lucky to run into the right people all at the right times. But trust me, I have had my share of awkward encounters and some harassment situations and I 100% know some of my female teammates and friends have too. It sucks because all we want to do is play paintball and prove ourselves as forces to be reckoned with. What I love about being a female in paintball is encouraging other women and younger girls to give the sport a try. Support and help is sometimes all it takes.
Are there any great paintball groups or places that female players can go to learn more or connect with other women that play?
ZT - We actually have a women of paintball group! It’s fairly small but hoping to add more --- the Women of Paintball!
SH - I recently found a women players‘ group but it doesn’t seem to be very active. In fact I need to go look for it as I haven’t gotten a single notice of a new posting there, come to think of it.
I just watch whatever random vids come up in search and I’ve subscribed to a bunch of YouTube pages but none are aimed specifically at women in the sport. At least I haven’t found any yet but I haven’t searched for any, either. Why should I? I don’t expect a woman to play significantly differently than a man, so . . . .
MK - There really aren’t a lot of active female groups. There’s a couple, but that’s about it. Facebook
has Women of Paintball and Paintball Ladies. Again, Destiny does a great job promoting the
sport to and for females.
BR - The Women of Paintball group page on Facebook is one of the most supportive pages I know of and most of the women I play paintball with are a part of it. Women ask questions, support one another, advertise for events and so on. It’s nice to know there are people who understand your point of view and someone to talk with. I also am the only female ref at my field and it is really cool for people to stop me and ask me about my experiences and want to know more. I also like to make sure I talk to newer players women and men to encourage them to play and hopefully let them know they can ask me any questions and help if they need it. People at fields and paintball stores are usually very open to helping new players and answering questions. Any paintball field is a great place to start playing paintball and give it a try.
Brianne with Aftermath
Is there anything that you feel could be done better for the sport to become more inclusive for women?
ZT - We need visibility. Interview more female players, use female models for clothing, Etc. I deal with a lot of kids at my field and the number one thing I hear from girls is that they didn’t know they could play with the boys.
SH - Convince guys not to be misogynistic jackasses online? Good luck with that!
Make pants and jerseys that are truly made to fit women. Actually promote female players and teams. In other words, all the things that, it sounds like, you’ve already figured out need to happen.
MK - You mentioned male allies and this is so true. I wouldn't be in the sport if not for the
encouragement and support of male allies. While I don't think there should be separate female
events, I do think it would help to promote inclusivity. I see so many moms drop their kids off at
the field or are sitting watching them. We usually ask why they are not playing. One kid saw me
and said “I’ve been trying to get my mom out here, I’m telling her there are some older ladies
out here.” LOL
The Siege hosted an Adventure Camp during the summer and my youngest attended. She
loved it and can’t wait until she’s old enough to play .68 cal.
Also, as more players return to the sport, they should invite us females along… like I was.
BR - A lot of the previous questions kind of touched on this, but definitely hosting events and expanding the inclusivity would go so far for people who may need a friendly push to kick start their interest in paintball. Due to the amazing people I met at local fields and every one of the fields I’ve had the blessing to visit have helped me in some sort of may to become the player I am now. Just showing more support and positivity, if anything, would be a monumental step.
ZT - We need visibility. Interview more female players, use female models for clothing, Etc. I deal with a lot of kids at my field and the number one thing I hear from girls is that they didn’t know they could play with the boys.
SH - Convince guys not to be misogynistic jackasses online? Good luck with that!
Make pants and jerseys that are truly made to fit women. Actually promote female players and teams. In other words, all the things that, it sounds like, you’ve already figured out need to happen.
MK - You mentioned male allies and this is so true. I wouldn't be in the sport if not for the
encouragement and support of male allies. While I don't think there should be separate female
events, I do think it would help to promote inclusivity. I see so many moms drop their kids off at
the field or are sitting watching them. We usually ask why they are not playing. One kid saw me
and said “I’ve been trying to get my mom out here, I’m telling her there are some older ladies
out here.” LOL
The Siege hosted an Adventure Camp during the summer and my youngest attended. She
loved it and can’t wait until she’s old enough to play .68 cal.
Also, as more players return to the sport, they should invite us females along… like I was.
BR - A lot of the previous questions kind of touched on this, but definitely hosting events and expanding the inclusivity would go so far for people who may need a friendly push to kick start their interest in paintball. Due to the amazing people I met at local fields and every one of the fields I’ve had the blessing to visit have helped me in some sort of may to become the player I am now. Just showing more support and positivity, if anything, would be a monumental step.
A little help from a friend at Fulda Gap
Summing it Up
Recapping, there were clearly some things that the ladies all had in common here. The areas that paintball could improve for them are pretty obvious. Pants that are cut for women. Indoor plumbing. Marketing to them. Promoting women.
There were also plenty of good things that were shared experiences. Bea is still having as big of an impact as ever, and has clearly left a massive footprint on the sport. When newer players still absolutely love you and you've been in the game for over 20 years, you've got a legacy that would rival almost anyone that's ever picked up a marker. They had good friends that showed them the ropes. And the women here were happily being treated as just another player to shoot or get hit by on the field. And that's a good thing.
Recapping, there were clearly some things that the ladies all had in common here. The areas that paintball could improve for them are pretty obvious. Pants that are cut for women. Indoor plumbing. Marketing to them. Promoting women.
There were also plenty of good things that were shared experiences. Bea is still having as big of an impact as ever, and has clearly left a massive footprint on the sport. When newer players still absolutely love you and you've been in the game for over 20 years, you've got a legacy that would rival almost anyone that's ever picked up a marker. They had good friends that showed them the ropes. And the women here were happily being treated as just another player to shoot or get hit by on the field. And that's a good thing.