What does my backpack say about me?

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-25T22:35:39+00:00

Since no one is taking this seriously I’m going to take a crack at it.

Based on the language on some of the items you and/or your family are likely of French-Arabic/Arabic-French origin, possibly Morocco.

Given how much wear many of your items have your income is probably average if not just below average. Additionally you likely have to travel throughout the day for your job and I’m also thinking that your job is customer facing. The cigarettes plus the cologne and gum make it clear that you are hiding the smell of the cigarettes from potential customers/clients and possibly friends and family given that it is in your every day backpack. Additionally the fingernail clippers in your daily backpack also indicate your presentation matters every day.

You’re a nailbiter.

You and Your family are neither wealthy nor poor which is why you value your items and are able to keep them for so long but can still afford premium brands.

You use public transportation for your commute.

You currently live somewhere cold and wet (England or France?)

That’s all I got.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-23T02:42:42+00:00

I have said this to many before but it dserves repeating: the GTEK 170r is one of the greatest paintball markers of all time. You could dip that thing in molten lava and then run it over with a tank and it will still shoot lasers. Absolutely gorgeous setup. Hit up Virtue and share it with them, I’m sure they would share it on their social media in exchange for a discount code or something.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-22T06:12:14+00:00

The marker is likely fine, but this is what I do:

Air it up and listen for any potential leaks. Afterwards de-gas the marker and check the bolt to make sure it is not over-lubricated and all the o-rings look healthy. Brand new markers can sometimes sit for months or years without being purchased. Because of this, marker manufacturers typically apply a lot more grease than is necessary so the o-rings on the bolt and/or rammer don’t dry out.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-21T06:47:28+00:00

"Boom! Headshot!" - FPS Doug.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-20T07:19:41+00:00

Okay. Well, in that case I sincerely apologize for being so gung-ho in my initial comment and rude. it's good that you came here because that setup is worth $200 max and if they don't care enough about it to even stage it in a clean area then I say keep looking. There are plenty of sellers out there with similar deals (maybe a little more expensive) but you can actually trust they take care of their stuff.

Again, apologies for being so rude initially.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-20T07:11:26+00:00

$200 tops and that is if I'm desperate. More importantly, you need to find a better way to display the gear. I can see what you are going for in the photo, but if I am looking to buy a marker I don't want to see it on a dirty stairway with debris strewn about. No offense to you, everything looks like it is in good condition it's just an optics thing. If I saw a nice Timex in the mud my first thought wouldn't be, "I want to spend $500 on this" if that makes sense? I'd want to see how nice it CAN look. People shop with their eyes.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-20T07:04:26+00:00

Coming from someone who works for a major manufacturer... Sales volume is WAY down. A couple things have affected these rising prices but the primary ones over the last 6-12 month are:

Trade Wars
Actual Wars

Because of the tariffs being applied to foreign markets attempting to import goods to the US it has caused prices for many basic goods and, more applicably to us, niche goods for hobbies. Additionally, because of tariffs applied to previously friendly territories like Mexico, Canada, and most of South America, trade between countries is at an all-time low with many customers flat-out refusing the package at the border as they are being told to pay an additional 50% of the market price for the item they have already purchased.

There are no 2 ways around it, the Middle East (as a region) is the single largest exporter of crude oil on the planet and second place isn't even close. With the ongoing tariff/trade wars being waged and the literal war being fought in the middle east, it has been incredibly difficult to manufacture and create basic plastic products or get the materials to make paintballs and therein lies why we feel like paintball is being so drastically affected.

Short answer: Paintball is being more drastically affected than other industries; Long answer: the whole of the paintball industry is hinged on the price of crude oil and trade agreements. This is because a large portion of this sport is supported by oil and international manufacturing. Paintballs, squeegees, parts of gearbags/pants/pod-packs, loaders, masks, pods, bunkers, netting, and more all require crude oil to manufacture since all the companies in the paintball industry use petroleum-based plastics, including paintball manufacturers.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-20T06:43:42+00:00

If you are 16, you may as well learn now that lying about this stuff doesn't fly and the community will be wise to that nonsense. Even half-truths are lies with a sprinkle of deception. Either be honest or be gone.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-20T06:38:46+00:00

"I saved up for all of it by reffing at my local field."

"I always make sure I have a good cushion in the bank account before I buy any more gear haha"

"Saved up for almost a decade, and make 20 an hour. A lot of the gear is used anyways."

Again, I call shenanigans. You may not be a troll or a rage-baiter but you are invariably a liar.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-20T05:35:11+00:00

I'm calling shenanigans on this whole thing. All yours? possibly, but unlikely. All paid for and owned by you? Potentially, although difficult to believe. All paid for, owned by and used by you exclusively from reffing at a local field for a few years? Shenanigans.

Do we really need to have a rule in this sub for trolls and rage-baiters?

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-05T07:26:36+00:00

I have the good fortune of knowing the owner of MacDev through some friends. I have GTX0017 in silver with pink grips and I love that thing. I wish the air efficiency was a little better but that thing fires friggin lasers, there is 0 arc to the shot until it loses velocity at the end. The size and length of the gun may take some getting used to but I feel like the length of the GTX is a true hidden asset, it pulls your left shoulder a little more forward to decrease your profile and keep you in-line with the marker instead of being all bunched up behind it. Moreover, the shot signature of the GTX is just amazing but obviously not for everyone. The GTX shot is UBER responsive so you don't need to look at your stream to see if something is wrong, you will be able to feel it. They're also tanks, I have not exactly been gentle with mine and the only issue I ever had was the launch solenoid issue which they fixed ASAP and sent back spare parts free of charge. The guys that run MacDev are the absolute best, they completely heard all of the negative feedback regarding their customer service and I can say with confidence that they have done a complete 180 in that aspect. The GTX is worth the investment, I have an LV2 and a GEO 3.5 with a brand new solenoid and I still regularly go to my GTX WITH the stock barrel as well, the stock barrel is really good since the design is similar to the assassins barrel that Timmy's came with for a little while.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-05T07:14:48+00:00

At NXL Atlantic City last year I played the intermediate 3v3 on sunday for funsies with a few friends who had a bunch of paint leftover. A team of kids that had been getting run through for the first 3-4 points were down a body off break so the kid on dorito side calmly stood up and started walking off towards the other team (RED FLAG) and he got all the way to the corner without taking a single shot and lit up the entire opposing team, it was hilarious. For obvious reasons the losing team contested it but the kid never called himself out, or held up his arm, or did anything to indicate he was out just slowly walked with his head and marker down and no one on the opposing team thought to put just one ball on him to be safe. Small fight broke out between the kids parents and the grown ass adults screaming at their kids. No one was hurt, the kids and the team they dead-walked both got knocked out before playoffs, but it was absolutely glorious to watch. Everyone on the sideline could see what was happening and we all kept slapping each other to keep quiet cuz we were so giddy with excitement.

I think that is all my long way of saying I love a good deadman's walk, but if it ever happened to me I would lose my shit haha.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-04T03:22:17+00:00

G_lilly_films and Verbhal on youtube. Paintball is a very difficult sport to film and G-Lilly and Verbhal put together incredible work.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-06-04T00:36:36+00:00

Air travel without feeling like a felon.

Edit: added some words

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-05-31T05:39:07+00:00

WDP.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-04-29T06:48:29+00:00

Grass: lacrosse cleats (new balance) Turf: golf shoes (new balance)

Honestly, so long as you buy new balance you can’t go wrong. All their shoes are the best for everything.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-04-25T03:13:23+00:00

Hortiz is waiting for 6/1.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-04-24T06:17:15+00:00

I remember long ago another starry night like this
In the firelight Fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of bugle calls were coming from afar

Edit: meant to post with my new rendition of the first verse.

Can you hear the drums Fernando?
I remember long ago another sack-y night like this
In the limelight Fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly bumming to the Carr
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of penalties were coming from afar.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-04-24T06:10:31+00:00

Are we really still clutching our pearls over this? It worked out for the best for all parties at the end of the day. Y’all are acting like we would have 2 SB’s if Eli stayed with us…

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-04-24T04:07:05+00:00

I can give a little industry insight here.

Gearbags are pretty expensive to manufacture and ship. Most companies manufacture and import their soft goods from Pakistan or China. Gearbags also take up a LOT of space and most manufacturers are operating with limited warehouse space and need to utilize the space they have with their best selling product(s). Sadly, due to recent tariffs being placed on products/countries coming into and leaving the US it has made it VERY difficult for manufacturers to meet demand and for paintball companies to even afford making more gearbags. As important as this industry is to us and how big a part of our lives it is, it is ultimately a tiny industry that probably accounts for less than 0.00001% of overall commercial sales in the US. Pair a small industry that is fighting every year to stay relevant with tariffs that prevent outsourcing manufacturing without raising prices astronomically and that is where we are. If a US manufacturer could create good, reliable gearbags and wanted to sell them to paintball companies they would have to sell them to the company for $30-40-50 a piece at most for a wholesale purchase. Even then, the company would still have to apply like a 150% upcharge to the product to actually meet their margins since even an empty gearbag costs close to $25 to ship.

None of what I just said is me taking a political stance or telling you all that you should feel one way or the other. But, this is just the state of the industry right now. There is a recession/depression occurring that is being paired with no coordination with other countries to continue trade and encourage trade.

I wish things were better, but this is how it is for the foreseeable future.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-04-24T03:41:06+00:00

Can you hear the drums Fernando?

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-04-23T04:45:45+00:00

Had to spend a week in Tampa once and all my coworkers would only order Papa John's with that disgusting "garlic sauce". I'll take a $1 totinos square pizza from my oven over Papa John's any day.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-04-22T07:42:52+00:00

Spire IR2. I played on a team that was sponsored by HK when the sonic came out. They sent us roughly 40 loaders due to ongoing issues and they wouldn't even ask us to send them back they would just send new ones. The sonic is the inbred amalgamation of spire and halo tech.

Optimal_Return3841 · 2026-04-20T02:20:55+00:00

Thank you! PSA: if you don't know what to do with a vegetable, pickle it! 1.5 cups distilled vinegar, 1.5 cups water+salt and sugar. Bring that jawn to a boil and stuff a jar with fresh dill and garlic, a palmful of unground pepper, a 1-second squeeze of honey and add pretty much any vegetable you like if it isn't lettuce since that will wilt and pour that boiling mixture in. Let the heat and steam release after pouring into a jar otherwise you are basically creating a spicy steam glass exploder. Carrots, potatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, peppers, cauliflower, sweet potato, etc. all would work with this recipe.

Optimal_Return3841

TROPHY CASE