No Shoes No Shirt No Service!

So, you’ll be going to the range soon! Deciding what to wear can be a bit tricky if you’re new to it. Some ranges have their own dress code, some don’t. But let’s discuss the broad basics of what you want to wear that’s going to keep you comfortable and safe while shooting.

Closed toe shoes

It might be summer right now but never wear sandals to the range unless you want to burn your toes. Hot casings WILL fall on your feet and if they get caught they WILL burn you. Unless you want the brand of an empty casing… wear sneakers or boots which will not only protect your feet but will also be comfortable. Additionally, think about range of motion and grip. Can you adopt an athletic stance in your footwear? Can you move around without slipping? Both of these are critical for safe and sound shooting technique.

Tops that don’t catch hot brass

Hoodies are comfortable. Low-cut tops are… comfortable, sure. But you’ll burn yourself with brass getting caught in your clothing. It turns out the optimal range attire is the turtle neck. Long sleeves and a tight neck so… no brass may pass. But if you don’t want to look like Steve Jobs at the range, think about long sleeves, a tighter neck-line, and something breathable. This protects you from hot brass, and keeps lead off your skin.

The real reason we advise this isn’t for your comfort. With more time shooting you get used to the hot brass hitting you. However the shock of a hot casing can cause new shooters to lose focus on their safe direction and lead to some potentially very dangerous situations. So keep that hot brass from hitting you!

Long pants

Shorts can be comfortable to move around in but, again, they won’t protect your legs from the hot brass casings or lead. However, what you want to wear is something you can move in. Assuming you’re not just standing at a shooting port, you want to be able to adopt different positions and get a little dirty. Jeans (that aren’t tight) and cargo pants are the easy choice. 

Hats can be useful

Mixed opinions on this one. We never wear hats at the range. Other people swear by it. Maybe our stance will change when we get some sweet, sweet Range Arts swag hats, but for now the theory is that hats deflect brass down so it can’t land on your head or get caught in between the brow and your glasses. That said, it’s never happened to us in tens of thousands of rounds shot. It seems like a weird edge case some guys are pushing. Maybe it’s a conspiracy by “big hat” to sell more hats.

Gloves

Whether you want to wear them or not really depends on your style and comfort. Some prefer shooting barehanded for its dexterity; some prefer extra grip and protection from gloves. We’d recommend trying it and seeing where you stand. Start with cheap gloves and go from there. Gloves get pricey fast.

Eye & Ear protection

When shooting anywhere, quality eye and ear protection is necessary. As always we recommend electronic muffs on the outside with adjustable passive plugs underneath. This effectively prevents ringing ears for the rest of your life! For eyes we always recommend glasses with some kind of ballistic rating - meaning it can take impact without shattering. Shooting specific glasses tend to meet this qualification. On both counts, go with quality and clear specifications. You can’t be too careful. If you’re not comfortable with your protection, stop shooting and go get better protection.

Now with all that said… have fun and keep it stylish at the range folks! 

- Range Arts