Introduction: Create the Perfect Nerf Uniform!
Whether the occasion is a serious foam dart war, or a casual dart-slinging day, Nerf wars are always a great way to entertain yourself in an otherwise boring situation! Even so, adding the correct equipment can enhance your dart-blasting experience tenfold!
Creating your own uniform can help you step up your imagination, and make your activities more realistic in a perfect mil-sim experience! It helps you learn and understand the rigorous activities that people in the real military go through on tour, and helps you learn how to make the most of what you have, in an efficient and stealthy way.
There is an optimal uniform for every scenario, however with all of the DIY projects in existence the possibilities for customization are endless.
Compiled here are some of the key tips and steps you will need to follow in order to build multiple types of Nerf uniforms for any and all occasions! Feel free to add your own customizations to create your own perfect combat suit!
Step 1: Heavy Uniform
The Heavy Uniform is worn in large scale and challenging foam dart wars. Soldiers in this uniform are able to carry much more equipment on their person. Able to carry a maximum of 20 different foam implements, this uniform makes any Nerf soldier a truly formidable opponent.
Following is a list of the components of the Heavy Uniform:
-Long-Sleeved shirt with the appropriate camouflage for your area. This shirt should have at least two pockets, allowing the wearer to carry information such as pop-up disks, snappers, and codes.
-Nerf N-Strike or N-Strike Elite tactical vest. This vest should be worn over the camouflage shirt. It should house extra darts, magazines, and blasters, as well as other accessories such as mist makers, flashlights, and lazer pointers. It is recommended that two holders be added to the back to carry foam swords.
-Camouflage long cargo pants with same type of camouflage as the shirt. These pants will allow even more supplies to be carried along, as well as protect the wearer from the environment. Extra blasters, foam dart clusters, and darts should be stored in the pockets of these pants.
-Nerf bandolier kit belt. The Nerf N-Strike or N-Strike Elite bandolier kit can easily be modified into a belt to hold up the cargo pants. It should store extra magazines, darts, and have attached holsters (can be homemade to fit foam blaster). There should be at least two small blasters (Hammershots in the pictures) in the side holsters.
-Other important parts of the Heavy Uniform include the following items. A paintball mask, sunglasses, and/or camouflage hat (matches pants and shirt). Black or camouflage gloves (the ones in the pictures have plastic blades at the fingertips), knee-pads, a watch, and black shoes/boots with long (preferably black or camouflage) socks.
-Extra darts, magazines, blasters, and other implements are always useful when it is possible to add them. Feel free to add things to your liking.
Warnings about this uniform:
-This uniform is extremely warm/hot to wear, and is therefore not recommended for those who tire easily.
-This uniform resembles a S.W.A.T. team uniform and safety precautions should be followed.
-This uniform does not guarantee protection from injury.
-Makes noise when moving.
Step 2: Light Uniform
The Light Uniform is worn in situations requiring less gear. This is a more commonly used uniform, as it only requires a few key pieces. It is much lighter to wear than the Heavy Uniform, and allows greater range of motion at the price of less equipment.
Following is a list of the key elements of the Light Uniform:
-Long-Sleeved shirt with the appropriate camouflage for your area. This shirt should have at least two pockets, allowing the wearer to carry information such as pop-up disks, snappers, and codes.
-Camouflage long cargo pants with same type of camouflage as the shirt. At least one small blaster should be stored in the pocket(s) of these pants.
-A primary Nerf blaster. The primary blaster should be relatively large (equivalent to Alpha Trooper CS-12/18 in size and usability).
-Other important parts of the Heavy Uniform include the following items. A paintball mask, sunglasses, and/or camouflage hat (matches pants and shirt). Black or camouflage gloves (the ones in the pictures have plastic blades at the fingertips), knee-pads, a watch, and black shoes/boots with long (preferably black or camouflage) socks.
-Extra darts, magazines, blasters, and other emplements are always useful when it is possible to add them. Feel free to add things to your liking.
Warnings about this uniform:
-This uniform cannot carry as much equipment as the Heavy Uniform.
-This uniform resembles a S.W.A.T. team uniform and safety precautions should be followed.
-This uniform does not guarantee protection from injury.
Step 3: Hot Weather Uniform
The official NK3AE Hot Weather Uniform is designed to keep the wearer cool and comfortable during foam dart wars. It is easier to wear than even the Light Uniform, and is designed for the hot parts of the year and environments such as deserts, hot grasslands, jungles, and many other high-temperature places.
Following are some of the key components of the Warm Weather Uniform:
-Cargo shorts with appropriate camouflage. They should have small blasters and extra foam darts in the pockets.
-Short-sleeved shirt that matches the camouflage on the pants. This should have at least two chest pockets to house a pop-up disk and codes.
-Boots/shoes with long camouflage socks to keep out bugs, ticks, mites, and chiggers.
-Paintball mask, hat, and/or sunglasses to keep sun, heat, and/or glare out of the wearer's eyes and off the head.
-Knee-pads and a watch.
-A primary Nerf* blaster. The primary blaster should be relatively large (equivalent to Alpha Trooper CS-12/18 in size and usability).
-A secondary blaster. It should be close in size to the primary blaster.
-Extra darts, magazines, blasters, and other implements are always useful when it is possible to add them. Feel free to add things to your liking.
Warnings about this uniform:
-This uniform cannot carry as much equipment as other uniforms.
-This uniform does not provide as much protection as other uniforms.
-This uniform does not guarantee protection from injury.
-This uniform does not guarantee survival in extreme hot weather/environments.
Step 4: Basic Components of Any Uniform
It is understandable that many people will not want to/be able to purchase or obtain all of the necessary equipment for every uniform. Thus we have compiled a list of the absolute bare minimum equipment needed for success in the field.
These are the basic components of all good Nerf war uniforms:
-Camouflage Shirt With At Least Two Pockets.
-Camouflage Cargo Pants.
-Close-Toed Shoes
-Eye and Face Protection (goggles, glasses, etc.).
-A Primary Blaster (Equivalent in Size and Performance to Alpha Trooper CS-12/18).
-Extra Blasters
-Extra Darts, Magazines, and Equipment.
-Other Applicable Equipment.
Step 5: Other Applicable Equipment
There are other important aspects to Nerf uniforms that can only be applied under certain circumstances. These things have been listed here, for use and application when and where necessary:
-Radio/Walkie-Talkies with Headset and Microphone.
-Machete which is ONLY USED for cutting a path through thick brush and scrub.
-Survival gear which is ONLY USED when absolutely needed.
-Cell phone for contact with other people and emergencies.
-Food (for long foam dart wars).
-Water to keep hydrated.
-Sunscreen to prevent sunburn and possible ill after-effects.
-Flashlight to see in the dark.
Step 6: Accessories
You can easily add many different things to your Nerf uniform to make it truly unique.
Some examples are as follows:
-Custom pins.
-Patches.
-Custom equipment.
-Colored clothing (camouflage still applies).
-Costume pieces (when applicable, an example is Humans Versus Zombies, where you could dress up as a zombie).
-Military gear such as badges, insignia, BDU equipment, you could switch with a Kevlar vest, and so on.
-Special headgear to set you apart on the field.
Warning: Never carry or wear anything that could make you look potentially dangerous to bystanders. This can result in very unpleasant consequences, such as troubles with the law, injury, or even loss of life.
Step 7: Build Your Uniform!
Now that you have seen the basic components of the uniforms that professionals use in foam dart combat, try building one of these or your own Nerf uniform and see how it performs! We hope you enjoyed this instructional post, keep slinging darts.
Good luck!
-NK3AE Admin and Nerfrocketeer