Packs, harnesses, belts, rubber bands. So many different kinds of items for the same purpose, but which is best to choose?
Short answer? Your choice. Long answer? Read on;
After 3 and a half years of playing pump, I have the ill advised delusion of experience with all the different types of stock class packs out there, and thought I'd pass on my experience to the old and new alike, be it a newbie looking for his first pack, or an old timer looking for something else.
Read on through this guide so you can make a better informed opinion on what you should spend your cash on, based on my opinion.
First, let me explain a word for you. Capless. What this means is the section that holds the tubes has an enclosed space so you can put the tubes in without caps, and the paint will be secure. This allowed you to pull out the tube and not have to worry about taking a cap off or losing the cap altogether.
Another thing I want to state; The most important thing about making your pack last longer is this;
Don't leave tubes or 12g in the loops, especially on a hot day. Reason is, this will wear out the elastic which drastically reduces the life of your pack.
Wrist harness
The very first tube carrying device I owned was a Ronin wrist harness. Basic construction of fabric with velcro that wraps around your wrist (or small tank), with 5 loops to hold tubes/12g.
Pros;
Cheap ($6)
Good quality. In the 3 years I've owned it, it's still in perfect shape.
Holds enough 12g/tubes to last a couple of games (depending on how you play)
Cons;
Doesn't hold a boatload
Can slip around a bit on your wrist if you have skinny wrist (like me)
Can take some getting used to having to take things off of your other arm.
A second wrist harness is made by PBMafia. They are custom made harnesses built to great quality. You can order either capless style or capped style.
Pros;
Very well made
Great customer service
Made how you want
Cons;
Price ($15) But worth it.
Another wrist harness is the kind of shotgun shell holder you can by from WalMart or any other outdoor store. The loops are just the right size for tubes and 12g, and they are fairly cheap, at $1-$4. Fits around the wrist, but some are lengthwise (proximal to distal) on the arm.
Suspender style
The next harness style is the suspender style. Works as it sounds, you have 2 straps over your shoulders connected to a belt that goes around your waste (or belly... tubby). In most variations, the tubes and 12g can be held on both the suspenders and belt in any combination you choose.
The most common one (and the one I used) is the Ronin suspender harness.
Cost is about $20
Pros;
Holds a fair amount of 12g and paint for those days where you're too lazy to head back to the car.
Adjustable for big people and small people alike.
Cons;
Putting tubes on the front part of the belt can be disastrous during any rough belly sliding. Can also be uncomfortable at times.
The other kind of suspender harness is made by Doc Nickel. I have not had any experience with this type, but have heard only good. Is capless.
Thigh harnesses
This particular pack is again made by PBMafia. Hold 4 12g and 10 tubes. Fits well on the thigh, and is adjustable.
Pros;
Hold decent amount of paint and a few 12g
Again, PBMafia quality
Cons;
Makes you think twice about sliding on the leg the pack is on
Price ($22) but again, worth it.
Belt style harness
Quite possibly the most used style of harness is the belt style. It puts the tubes to your back like a normal semi-players harness, out of the way of flying paint and flying bodies. The styles they come in are varied as well, from the normal capped style, to capless.
The first one I'll mention is any cheapo shotgun shell belt from Walmart or an outdoors store. Cheap, and does the job, just not pretty and not made for the sport.
The first one is the Ronin Elite Stock Class Harness. Has 40 loops that are dual stacked, along with a couple of different places for squeegees.
Pros;
Holds a crap load of paint and 12g... enough to last a month of play.
Fits well on the back
Has a lower back cushion
Cons;
Price ($25-35)
Velcro grabs at grass and dirt.
The next pack is the Ronin Flipped Out capless pack.
This is a modular pack with 2 wrist harnesses that can detach, an inner, capless belt with 18 loops, and an outer belt for another 14 loops. This offers a wide variety of play styles for whichever way you feel like playing at that day.
Pros;
Modular- 2 belts and 2 wrist harnesses
Holds a lot of paint
Cons;
Some people complain of the stitching.
Expensive (at $35), but keep in mind you're basically getting 2 belts and 2 wrist harnesses.
Ronin also made the Flipped Out "Too" pack, which is the Flipped Out pack with the 12g loops ABOVE the tube loops, as shown in this picture.
No longer modular, but still good quality.
And finally on the belt pack style is the PBMafia Joyride pack. This, along with the wrist harness, are the 2 styles I use primarily now.
The Joyride pack is a capless pack, with most styles having a few loops for 12g on the side. I say most, because mine doesn't. Fits well on the back with 15 loops.
Pros;
Again, PBMafia quality
Great feeling on the back, don't even notice it.
Purrrty colors.
Cons;
Again, expensive but worth the money.
End
So here we are at the end. I didn't touch every pack, so don't go screaming "THAT'S NOT ALL". I touched primarily the main ones.
I've owned every style of pack shown above, and I have different views on each one, and different times I'd like to use each one.
So, what pack should you get?
Whichever ones you want! If you aren't the only pump at the field, check with the other guys to see if you can give theirs a shot.
If you have any questions, feel free to hit me up.
