Review: The Upper Park Shift

Six weeks back, I wrote about Upper Park bags being “criminally underrated.”

That was my opinion then – it’s my opinion now, as well.

I mentioned this in the article, but the first backpack-style disc golf bag I ever owned was the Upper Park Shift. I used it three or four times a week for a good five years. At that point, it was so beaten, it was (clearly) time for something new. So, I nabbed a GRIPeq CS2 Series bag. It was one of those hot-pink ones that turned out to be more red than pink, as you’ll likely recall …

It’s a fine bag.

Anyway, after catching wind of my first piece on their inventory, Upper Park sent me the newest version of the Shift. At the time it arrived on my doorstep, it’d been well over a year since I’d used one. So, for the sake of this blog’s well-being, I loaded up my discs, rocked it for a good 30-plus days and took some notes with the intention of busting out a nice review of it …

THIS is that review.

Have at it:

The look of the Upper Park Shift

This is a distinct bag, for sure …

But in a good way.

With twin, one-year-old boys, I don’t compete in weekend-long tournaments as often as I’d like. But back before parenthood, at league nights and tournament rounds, people asked me all the time about my bag. Upper Park bags are random enough to avoid the “trendy” label, while well-known enough to sidestep a hipster-friendly reputation – this is my comfort zone.

The Shift is more of a traditional-looking backpack. No, I haven’t tried out every disc golf bag on the market – far from it, in fact. But from the ones I’ve held, tried on or borrowed from a buddy, the vast majority of them feel like rigid boxes strapped to the back – this ISN’T the Shift.

In addition to looking like an actual backpack, the way the Shift holds gear is unusual, too. For starters, as opposed to one large compartment and a “putter pouch,” all discs are held in pockets and slots. By so doing, discs are fanned out in a neat and tidy display. I’m OCD – this is great.

* Note #1: Given the layout of your discs, it’s SUPER easy to know if you’ve left one behind.

Also, the 40-ounce water bottle holder is centrally located at the front of the bag – not along the side. Again, aesthetically, it’s a different look, but it’s one that works. Should you purchase the Shift, an Upper Park patch is included. The front-side of the water bottle holder is covered in a velcro-friendly material. Toss the patch there. Or, if you’ve got your own, there’s your canvas.

Currently, the Shift only comes in two colors: graphite and ocean blue. If you’re hoping for a bright, multi-colored “unicorn” experience, this won’t be it. The Shift is a working man’s bag.

Upper Park DOES offer, however, a Ledgestone Edition of the Shift. If the “Fruity Pebbles” vibe is something you’re after, this will be right up your alley. I’m in possession of one. Next week, before the start of the 2022 Ledgestone Insurance Open, I’ll absolutely do a write-up on it.

The skinny of this thing?

The Shift is a unique, professional-looking bag.

The efficiency of the Upper Park Shift

I’m not going to bother with a regurgitated, copy-and-paste list of the features the Shift has to offer. If you’re looking for something like that, click here – the website has all of that jazz.

DO check it out, though …

The efficiency of the Shift is what makes it great.

Beyond “marketing speak,” here’s what actually matters:

• Most companies don’t do this, but the Shift comes with a rainfly.
• This is the LIGHTEST competition bag on the market – great on backs.
• Four sleeves and three envelopes comfortably hold 16 easy-to-access discs.
• If you frequent “hike-heavy” courses, this thing has click-and-lock straps for days.
• The water bottle holder can handle up to 40 ounces – your Nalgene will fit just fine.

* Note #2: The Shift easily holds 16 discs. Pictured, though, I have 15 – that’s just my bag.

* Note #3: The stretchy sleeves along the sides can hold three each, if you need more space.

* Note #4: Maxed out, though I wouldn’t recommend it, you could get 20 discs in the Shift.

There’s some other stuff worth mentioning, too …

For example, the base of the bag is waterproof – you don’t see that every day. Also, this isn’t a giant backpack. There’s no wasted space in this thing, with the main storage compartment found directly underneath the three, vertically stacked disc envelopes in the middle of the bag. It’s big enough for some towels, snacks, chalk bags, etc. You could likely ball up a rain jacket, as well.

Here’s my FAVORITE thing about the Shift, though …

Waist-stash pockets – there are two of ‘em.

I’m sure these pockets exist on some other bag, but if they do, I’m not aware of it. I put my phone in there. The Sharpie goes in there, too. Scorecards. I’m also a serial cough drop-eater, so I always have a fresh stash of Halls nearby to numb the throat. These pockets wrap all the way around the waist for ease of access. How nobody’s thought of this before is beyond me …

Kudos to U.P.

The Upper Park Shift: You need to know this …

I’ve talked up the Shift plenty …

The bag’s mother-freaking awesome.

That said, it would be remiss of me to take this thing sky-high, only for somebody to spend their hard-earned cash on it and be disappointed – I don’t want that. So before you send a chunk of your next paycheck to Upper Park, let me set some honest, real-life expectations for you …

First, the Shift is a minimalist’s bag.

If I had to use a word to describe the storage capacity of the Shift, it’d be “enough.” If you like to load up for the course like you’re crossing the Great Plains with a handcart, the Shift isn’t going to get it done for you. It’s not a Pound. Or a Squatch. It’s not a GRIPeq AX5 Series, either …

It’s a Shift.

Next, the bag’s plenty stable, but it’s not a straight-up box. I like that about the bag. If you plan to throw discs en route to summiting Mount Everest, unless you lay it flat on its back, it might tip over. I live in Utah. I play plenty in the mountains. I don’t have much of an issue, but hey …

Maybe you will.

Furthermore, the bag’s durable, but it’s not built for war. My brother-in-law has one of those custom-made Octothorpes – the thing feels bulletproof. I’m hard on everything I touch. I take care of nothing. And still, the Shift lasted me a solid five years. But at the end of those five years, it was apparent I needed something new. I bought something else. I’m now back with the Shift.

* Note #5: Upper Park does offer a lifetime warranty, but it doesn’t cover “wear and tear.”

Last but not least, you have to install the base of the bag …

It was harder to do than I thought it’d be – not a big deal, but worth mentioning.

* Note #6: Click here for instructions on how to install the base – it takes five minutes.

So, am I still using this thing?

No doubt.

And to be honest, I’m a bit butt-hurt about the whole thing. That CS2 I landed? Some of my best online bartering made it a reality – I traded plastic for a new one, believe it or not. I was entirely expecting it to be my bag for the long haul. The Shift is just better, though – plain and simple.

Managing a blog, I’m sure I’ll test out more bags in the coming months …

Speaking My Truth: It’ll take a lot for me to kick this thing to the curb.

The Final Green Splatter Grade: A

Have anything to add? Take to Twitter to let us know – we’ll actually (for real) get back to you.

Editor’s Suggestions:

• Chandler Kramer: The forehand man with a plan
• Disc golf: How to get a buddy hooked on the sport
• Jeff Spring: Do trans disc golfers have an FPO advantage?

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