If a player is to engage in a humid outdoor session playing paintball then they have more to worry about than possible paint getting on their jerseys. Their sweat, their team-mates' sweat, any rain that may fall, plus wet ground, all mean that their clothing may become clinging, chafing and soggy long after the match has finished. If this same player has an afternoon booking with friends and then gets to go home on his or her motorbike, in the warm evening, in the same soaked shirt and trousers, then that final stage of the day could be very awkward if he or she has not taken the spare set of clothing with them. To keep the player's personal items and paintballing equipment wet and damp does little good. So, a spare set of clothing has to be packed for the player's change, for their drying and for their separation from the rest of their clothing.

The first change of clothes starts with the journey home

Don't look for anything fashionable for your change of clothes. Comfortable clothes for changing that you can put on while still dirty would be ideal. Look for loose, lightweight clothing that doesn't cling to your skin. A clean T-shirt, underwear, shorts or light weight pants and dry socks will make up a useful spare set of clothes.

Socks – you can never have too many of them! It is wise to pack an additional pair of socks in a sealed bag to change into at a later time, this will prevent them becoming damp and uncomfortable to wear with your playing footwear. When traveling on by motorbike, in a shared vehicle or public transport the addition of a clean top and dry socks may be more useful than bringing an entire spare set of clothes.

Also consider where you will be straight after the game. On a casual 'session' with friends you may be off to meet them in a bar or restaurant later. In this case ensure your change of clothes will not look too gaudy. For a home-made-U vidéride after a humid field session a casual, loose-fitting sports clothes type affair is ideal.

Choose fabrics that tolerate heat and handling

Think about how the fabrics you choose are going to hold up to the humid weather paintball makes. At first glance, items such as light weight T-shirts, warm hats and socks may seem to be a good choice. However, consider how they will feel when they have been in your bag for some time. Try to opt for items that are breathable and will dry quickly. Don't choose items that will be a hassle to put on and take off when your hands are dirty and full of dust. Closed footwear is also essential, in case you have to walk across any muddy or uneven terrain on your way back to your vehicle.

Changes of clothing needn't be identical to your playing kit. A simple change of clothes for traveling to and from your session will suffice. Remember closed footwear is always best when traveling over uneven or very muddy ground on your way back to your vehicle after your session.

Likewise, consider the temperature of the clothing when packing. A damp shirt may feel OK to wear during the day but become very uncomfortable when sat in a cold air-conditioned vehicle afterwards. Even a thin overshirt or insulating layer will be sufficient for this type of situation and pack up very small. Take note that these items can be easily removed if it becomes too warm though.

Pack wet and dry items as separate loads

The worst thing to do is to put all your spare clothing in the same open bag as your playing clothes. In this scenario the player would change at the field in the afternoon, fold up their jerkin and socks and throw them all in a big pile in their vehicle. By the time they arrive home hours later the spare clothes will smell of damp and probably of paint and mud too.

To store the dirty clothes pack them into a second bag, even a cheap one will do, as long as it closes up securely and is large enough to allow for the garments to be unpacked without being squished. It is also worth remembering that you will also need to bring a towel or two to dry your hands and to soak up excess moisture from your clothes and person.

A small towel is very useful, for drying hands before changing clothes, for cleaning things like your phone, watch etc., and for dampening clothing before putting it in a bag. Try and get a dark colored towel so that any paint etc. on it won't show so much. Keep your electronics, etc. in a separate, protected pocket to avoid getting them dirty.

Make changing part of the field routine

Making changing clothes part of your exit strategy is a simple task. Before the final games of the day head out and make sure that the dry bag, towel and spare outfit are all easily located. Then simply head to the field's exit point and clean as much paint from your hands and equipment as possible before putting on your fresh clothes. Remove wet outer layers first, and then dry any skin that may come into contact with clothing before changing into new clothes.

Removal of the wet outer layers first will allow for the greatest surface area to be dried, and then the player can change into the fresh clothes. It doesn't have to be a complete change but even changing the shirt, socks and underwear will make a huge difference to how comfortable the player feels for the remainder of the journey home.

Also make sure all your clothes are dry and not even wet before packing them in your bag. Also, it's best to put the clean change of clothes inside your main gear bag, rather than having them laying on a seat or on the floor next to the field. In case of a sudden downpour of rain for example, this will help protect your clothes from getting splashed.

Do not let clothing care become gear damage

Furthermore, wet clothes can damage other airsoft / paintball gear. For example, clothing that has been packed in a bag with a mask bag, gloves or fabric equipment case can transfer moisture to these items. Therefore, it is sensible to pack clothes separately from airsoft / paintball gear, especially items with foam, padding, elastic or similar parts that are difficult to get dry.

Finally, at home unpack your gear as quickly as you unpacked your clothes, then hang your clothes to dry (preferally to air) and clean any garments of paint. Make sure to allow clothes to fully dry before storing for next game. Check socks, waistband seams and cuffs for dirt and even tears that may have occurred without you noticing while changing out.

After that check the spare outfit for your next paintball event for any smell of musty odour, any sign of wear and tear and any loss of shape. Then pack the outfit after it has been washed and dried and check the weather forecast for your paintball event as well as checking with the paintball field operator for any special gear required for clothing, shoes and changing facilities for your paintball event.

A spare change of clothes is a simple piece of outdoor paintball kit. But to get the most from your humid session or several hours outdoors, it's best to prepare the change of clothes in the same way you would prepare for the session itself: separate wet clothes from dry ones, select breathable clothing, and change at home. A spare change of clothes, a towel, two bags, that's all you need.