Editing Redz Comfort Gear (section)

== History ==

=== Founding ===

Redz Comfort Gear was established by Greg Hastings during the 1990s.

According to Hastings' biographical account published by [[Inception Designs]], the idea originated while he was working as a private investigator. He developed a harness combining a conventional back-support belt with paintball ammunition pouches, seeking to improve comfort and stability while carrying additional paintballs.[1]

The resulting product became known as the '''Redz Comfort Pack'''.

United States trademark records identify 31 January 1997 as the first commercial use of the Redz Comfort Pack name. Hastings filed a trademark application on 14 July 1997.[4]

A separate Redz Comfort Gear trademark application was filed by Hastings on 19 July 1999, covering clothing designed for paintball.[5]

=== Early development ===

During the late 1990s, Redz expanded through tournament sponsorship, product demonstrations and direct marketing to competitive players.

The company exhibited at major tournaments, including the 1999 Skyball tournament held at Toronto's SkyDome.[6]

Contemporary reporting by [[WARPIG]] documented Hastings offering equipment sponsorships to successful teams at the event in exchange for promotional photographs and advertising opportunities.[2]

At the 1999 ZAP Amateur Open, Redz sponsored a promotional competition in which specially marked cases of paintballs contained certificates awarding complete Redz equipment packages to winning teams.[7]

These activities helped establish the brand within the American and international tournament paintball markets.

=== Expansion into clothing ===

Redz expanded beyond ammunition harnesses into protective apparel and playing clothing.

At the 2000 [[Paintball World Cup]], the company displayed its '''Invincible''' range, including jerseys and protective gloves.[8]

In May 2002, Redz announced the '''Dimension''' range of matching paintball clothing and accessories.

The collection included jerseys, trousers, gloves and updated Comfort Pack systems, with coordinated colours and designs intended for tournament teams.[3]

The Dimension trousers incorporated reinforced knees, ventilation panels, adjustable cuffs and pockets designed to carry paintball barrel-cleaning equipment.

The company's jerseys included padded elbows, ventilation and sublimated graphics.

=== Ownership changes ===

Greg Hastings subsequently sold his interest in Redz Comfort Gear.

A contemporary technical review published by WARPIG in August 2005 confirmed that Hastings had left the company and was developing equipment under the new '''[[R7 Paintball Gear|R7]]''' brand.[2]

The R7 Modular Pack retained the general concept of a separate supportive waist belt and interchangeable pod-carrying section.

The precise date of Hastings' departure and the identities of the subsequent owners of Redz Comfort Gear have not been independently established.

The original Redz paintball product range was subsequently discontinued. Its final production date has not been confirmed.