Gear that won't die

[Cunha]

I got a pull through squeegee in an II sports "random mystery bag" purchase in San Jose like 20 years ago.

I was totally disappointed with my prize and gave it to my brother. But then I was at the field and I used it and its just the one pull through squeegee that makes my barrels come out perfectly mint and clean with only one pull through, so its my favorite squeegee and I have kept it with me ever since.

but I don't try to abuse it, I like it and make sure I don't destroy it. I've had other pull throughs and still have some but most don't compare, functionally.

[Surf2Live]

I haven’t had my current pull thru that long but mine has been going strong since 2008. It’s the kind that connects tip to tail and wears like a necklace to make it easy to grab during a game. It’s the only squeegee I’ve ever had that consistently cleans any barrel to bone dry in a single pull.

[Sottyman]

Phantoms. Granted I've never owned any single one for more than 4-5 years, but I don't recall EVER having to replace a part except some of the clear acrylic breeches way back in the day. Once I wised up and went back to the black delrin (or whatever it is) as God intended, all's been well. I also don't think I've ever changed a single oring on any I've owned out of necessity.

[gabe]

In order of how indestructable:

Dye Rotor. What a beast. Mine was the absolute first generation and purchased as soon as they were released. Swap batteries once a year and it's been trucking since 2009 no problems.
Phantom. Just air it up and it shoots perfect every time
Dye pants/jersey/pads. Dye had quality locked down in 2009. Still rocking the same dyecam outfit from then and it still is holding up great.

[E-NinjA!]

I finally had my first problem with a rotor last month. I wasnt even using it! Loaned it to a player(friend of friend in our group) and he was claiming a jam every 5-6 balls. My tray retention arms are SUPER loose, even with the screws tight but when I dropped my SFT off at my tech's house it ran through 2 hopper fulls in that same rotor at 15 bps with ease. Absolutely indestructible.

[MrBarraclough]

First generation Spectra mask I got around 1998. The main face portion is date stamped June 1996, but I think the original ears (which I recently replaced) were stamped in 1998. Used it for a couple of years, then it patiently sat in my gear bag for 20 years until I came back to paintball in 2020. My Automag did the same. Got it brand new in November 1995. It was, and still is, the best birthday present ever.

I have to also give credit to my solid black Rothco BDU pants, which I've had since I was a teenager and still play in to this day.

[spikeball]

Surprised nobody has brought up the Vlocity hopper. I've had mine since they came out in 2007. The shell has micro fractures in it, and I've replaced the lid a couple times, but it just keeps going on and on and on.
Runner up would be my Extreme Rage 3+2 pack. The elastic has held up well and the velcro still grabs. I did cut the main pod holders a little. They're kind of tight.

[Marbo40k]

I still wear my JT Proteus mask that I got in 2004.
replaced the strap and foam a couple times, and changed lenses about once a year but it just keeps working.

[kevin qmto]

The 2010 JT FX Concept pants were a huge investment for 18 year old me, but I still have them today and they're still in great shape after over a decade of use!

[Shaftski]

Kapp sockhat bought back in 99. JT team jerseys from same era are still going strong, only cold water and NEVER machine dry.

Every piece of Redz gear I ever bought around 20 years ago. Not a single pulled stitch or rip in knee pads, tank cover, two packs, or belt. That stuff will out live me.

[Siress]

My gear bag. It's a large, open duffle bag with wheels and 6 pockets on the outside. I've overloaded it, forced the zippers closed, dragged it through many miles of dirt, gravel, and janky surfaces of all kinds for the better part of 20 years. I found it on the bottom shelf in the Wal-Mart sporting goods section for $20 when I was far too broke to splurge on a bag - pretty sure I'd been using shopping bags to carry my gear prior to this.

I never want it to die. It's been with me throughy entire paintball journey. It's my Samwise Gamgee.

[russc]

Renegade jerseys. I've got a couple that are absolutely ancient.

[Sottyman]

I fully regret getting rid of mine a decade ago. Is there anything available with a similar fabric/build quality?

[MattV]

I have a phantom that my brother bought in 2005. He sold it after a couple of years, then I bought it. Sold it back to my bro, he sold it again, I bought it again, sold it back to him and got kt back just recently. I don't think it's too remarkable for a phantom to last forever, but it just doesn't seem to want to leave the family.

My JT spectra I got in 2003. I need to change the strap as the elastic is gone and won't tighten anymore, and I put a flex bottom on out of personal preference, but the thing is bulletproof and I still haven't tried on a mask that I like better.

[homerj]

A couple of egg 3’s. Broken lids, battery doors, etc. I’ve fashioned some homemade speed feeds & use vacuum cleaner belts to hold the battery doors closed. One of them i actually completely coated in either plastidip or flex seal because it had so many cracks on the body. I don’t know why i can’t let them die. Maybe because when they officially die a piece of my paintball history will die with them. I’ve had those things forever it seems.

[Jonnydread]

Also shout out to SP smart valves, I have two that have been with me for decades and have never leaked or faltered

[Blackmagic71]

I’ve got an original Dye Rotor that probably has a 100 cases of paint and dozens of big scenario games (Not to mention tons of regular open play) under its belt and still runs just fine and sees regular use.

[XEMON]

I also need to mention my old dye jersey ...
I bought it as a "worn out" from a tournament player about 15 years ago ...

the rubber strip are half gone, but the fabric still hold up ...