Modern PB soft goods: your experiencess & opinion

[minimag03]

Would like to hear your experience with recent paintball soft goods. My gear is stuck in 2008, bulky, heavy, padded pants; the knee pad situation is even worse.

The 'modern' idea of lightweight pants is very appealing. But I also want them to be durable enough to last several seasons of very moderate play. They will be used in the woods and occasional speedball. I've searched and found a few options listed below, but I'd love to hear suggestions.


Planet Eclipse's Program and Elite pants are very appealing, please let me know if you have experience with either!

Contract Killer's pants are kinda ugly but I've heard they're great quality and look like a decent value.


PBRack's knee pads appear to be the best deal in the market.

Empire's Contact TT knee pads also look like a decent value


And if you have suggestions on packs, or just know of a good deal, I'd love to hear it. But my NXE packs are still looking good.


Thanks!

[tyronejk]

I have a pair of the original Exalt throwback pants and those have held up well.

I also have a pair of old Empire pants that originally had a lot of padding that I cut out from the inside. They held up ok but eventually tore in one knee. Removing the padding from your pants could be a freebie option.

[iamthelazerviking]

The Hydra Black knee pads live up to the hype, best knee pads ever.
For arms, while I never do any crazy diving or crawling, been using the Exalt Freeflex for a long time.
Kinetic pants are the absolute best ever and worth the price. I won't use anything else.

I've worn all this on every type of terrain you can think of and it has all held up extremely well.

[minimag03]

The knee pads don't want to stay on my legs even when they have adjustable straps. The Hydra's really stay put? The Kinetics pants look so nice, but also a little expensive for my needs.

[Jonnydread]

I have both those knee pads and arm pads and love them both. I have to adjust the hydras every few games but they haven’t sagged on me in game.

[EvilCreature]

Pants are tricky as leg/hip/stomach size really messes with my options. Valken and Empire I have had mixed results; I have some pants that have lasted a few seasons of 15+ speedball practices and events but all have required some level of fixing, usually in the crotch due to the aforementioned hip/leg size issue. If you have legs that fit into normal cut pants there are lots of options. Midwest Clothing makes joggers (the owner is from MN and used to be on my team) and they are well liked. I like that modern pants are lighter and have fewer seems, lowering the possibility of rips.

As for packs, I have a Bunker Kings strapless pack that is 8+ years old and I am looking around for a replacement myself. Probably will stick with Bunker Kings. CRBN makes pretty good stuff but if your waste is more than 38 inches it can get tight.

Pads are really hit or miss. I just look for few seems and a good fit, which varies by company and product line.

Overall, if your gear is all 2008 or so it will be worth it to get some modern stuff, mainly because it is much lighter with generally better airflow.

[minimag03]

I figured buying any soft good from the big companies like Empire or Valken is a gamble. I've also had similar experiences about their products, in general, being hit or miss. That's why Im kinda excited to try PBRacks knee pads. Only $45 from a small company that's known for good quality seems like a steal. Your friend's joggers are very appealing. I'm weary to buy anything labeled as a 'jogger' but his def look well made an reasonably priced for a small company.

Edit: all the styles I want are sold out. I messaged him on FB and inquired about them tho.

[Chuck E Ducky]

I like PE pads unfortunately they discontinued them. my last set lasted from 06-22. Jersey I like the denim stuff OG Renagade or Evil Gerbil. I use Sandana, Handmade or Evil Gerbil for head gear my old go to Sandana is battle worn and I love it. Pants I just use Firehose cargo jeans I replace them every 5 years or so. I like the cargo pockets for dump pouches and holding extra 12g for quick turn over games. cleats I spend good money on Under Armor indoor turf cleats. Lil rubber spikes grip on any surface grass, mud moss covered logs and rocks, greasy indoor turf.

Nothing I have breaths well but it’s durable as hell, broken in comfy, and deads impact of shots really well. I play a lot so I like that I don’t get all lumped up. I love the OG gear for comfort and durability. A lot of the new stuff just isn’t built to last. I hate the hipster skinny jeans look all the electro players are using. I get why they use it but I really don’t play that much xball anymore.

[coyote]

Looks like Evil Gerbil is going out of business.

[$L!mBo]

Eric (evilgerbil) "officially" announced he was taking a break a few months ago.

BUT hes been posting new products for the last few weeks. Headbands, bounce caps, jerseys

I would contact him and ask specifically for what youre looking for

[Chuck E Ducky]

Yeah Eric is taking a break he just had a baby and is taking some time off from EG. As far as I know it’s temporary he’s doing a few drops when he gets time.

[RAZRBAKK]

I f**king LOVE joggers for paintball.

I have the Dyzana V2s and am strongly considering an upgrade to the V3s this year.

The knee quality is excellent, I play in the woods mostly but still like to slide around when I can. 0 rips, some minor scuffs, after 2 seasons of play.

My only real gripe is that the squeegee pockets are trash. They basically eject the Exalt swabs the second your knee bends. I just keep my swab elsewhere now.

I wear Exalt kneepads because I have ginormous calves and generally pretty large legs.

Packs, I dunno. I use a joyride almost exclusively.

[minimag03]

darn, another reasonably priced option for pants...y'all are kiling me! I like the idea of their V3 in a custom color. The squeegee prob would bug me tho. does it hold a cheaper one any better? Like a Redz style?

Ans Exalt would prob be my choice for a lot of gear but their stuff is never one sale. If im buying from big company Id prefer to get it on sale because the quality is usually step down compared to the smaller companies who are building their brand on quality/CS

[RAZRBAKK]

minimag03 The squeegee is definitely annoying, I don't know if it using any other brand would change that. Seems to be a design flaw.

Maybe the V3s and 4s are better, but I can't say for sure.

The bigger point is that the lighter gear, and in particular JOGGERS are AWESOME for paintball.

[ChuckLove]

I only wear my CK PJ pants despite having other options in the closet. They are the perfect in-between pant from a heavy old school paintball style and the modern jogger. They're very durable and relatively inexpensive.

[minimag03]

Awesome to know CK's stuff is still quality. How are the draw-strings on the bottom of each leg holding up? I'd love to find a set that uses velcro, drawstrings on pant cuffs seem to loose their elasticity quicker than I'd like.

[ChuckLove]

minimag03 No issues with the drawstrings after using them almost every weekend in 2023.

[ejacksophoto]

I've had good luck exploring non-paintball brands for gear recently.

FXD work pants and Fjallraven hiking pants have both worked pretty well for paintball. Though I have been tempted to try a pair of "jogger" style lightweight pants such as the CRBN. Wearing a belt does get annoying at times, something with a drawstring would probably be much more comfortable.

Also, nobody mentioned footwear, yet, but I swear by ASICs trail running shoes.

[$L!mBo]

i often recommend:

Volleyball knee pads

Critical Pod packs

Exalt Alpha Elbow/forearm pads (cheapest in their lineup and ive caught many bounces with them)

salomon hiking shoes

Valken V-Tac pants- still available and cheap used. fairly easy to find. Made of ripstop denim mostly, feels nicer than all the polyester everyone else uses.

APX Gear Pants- discontinued, almost the same design as the V-Tacs. The pairs ive seen being sold recently were like $20

(west coast) Giant Tactical Pants- very hard to find, my personal goat

Mountain Biking or Weight Lifting if you like half finger Gloves

My ol lady hems and sews cuffs to my pants. they fit amazing and im able to turn cheap, way too baggy secondhand ebay finds into gear that fits me perfect.

for stock class ill also recommend the joy ride packs. and dump sacks from my buddy, @handmadepaintball
He is also a great source for headbands and jerseys

[EvilCreature]

I have that exact pair of pants in my mend pile with a large rip in the crotch/thigh. I felt they were worth fixing over tossing as they are otherwise nice.

[$L!mBo]

the ATACs pattern is my favorite. all three of the pants i recommended are basically the same design:
cargos with padded knees, stretch crotch, knee and booty, and mesh panels on the back for ventilation.
If its something you dont want to bother with, I would take yours to a laundromat, the nice asian ladies around here are always super friendly and their work is on point

[$L!mBo]

ive gotta share this jersey Handmade Paintball just showed me. He used collar + cuffs from a damaged renegade he found for cheap and threw them on this jersey he made from scratch

[Chuck E Ducky]

That’s a dope pattern!

[$L!mBo]

"diamondback"

[minimag03]

If you guys like Renegade stuff, check out the Midwest Clothing EvilCreature mentioned. They have some headbands made form Renegade material for $35 and Sandana material for $50. Dunno much about the vintage clothing scene but those prices seemed reasonable compared to some I've seen

[$L!mBo]

i sell these Hawaiian Shirts whenever we have the booth setup at events. Slots for your podpack, velcro for patches, tie dyed "camo" colors

[zinger565]

What if I sent you a couple shirts to have altered?

[minimag03]

You won't be at Supergame in MD? And I'd also like to send ya some of my shirts if you'd be down to after them!

[$L!mBo]

ill shoot you guys a message

[zinger565]

The Hydra Black knee pads live up to the hype, best knee pads ever.
For arms, while I never do any crazy diving or crawling, been using the Exalt Freeflex for a long time.
Kinetic pants are the absolute best ever and worth the price. I won't use anything else.

I've worn all this on every type of terrain you can think of and it has all held up extremely well.

We're the same. Love the hydra kneepads, stay in place all day, even when I'm pulling long days with the camera. The compression helps my injured knee from flaring up after events.

The kinetics have handled everything I've thrown at them: turf, grass, sticks, snow, and even a thorny raspberry patch I found myself in. Also, they really stand behind their products.

Exalt freeflexs are solid.

[JeeperCreeper]

I love the Fox knee pads for mountain biking. They are made from that 3do so they are flexible until they recieve an impact, kinda like a non newtonian fluid

[JeepDVLZ45]

+1 for FOX knee pads. I love mine D30 Launch pads (not the Pros)