Review: The Discology Icon

This post is sponsored by Discology.

Women love purses and handbags.

Be they the latest and greatest in carts, backpacks or old-school, over-the-shoulder satchels, disc golfers are just as obsessed with the stuff that helps ‘em get their gear from point-A to point-B.

As a writer, disc golf companies send me gear to review on the reg – no complaints on my end. Most of the time, I’m at least somewhat familiar with the company or item that comes my way.

This time around?

Not so much …

Today, I’m talking Discology.

And more specifically, the latest bag in their ever-expanding lineup – the Icon. If you’re one of those disc golfers who thinks “household” is the only way to go with your bags, keep reading …

You might learn something.

The look of the Discology Icon

I’m a sucker for sex appeal …

I’ll admit it: Discology does the Icon dope.

It’s a good-looking bag.

At the time of the writing of this review, the Icon is available in two colors: sapphire blue and crimson red. The colors are great, but it’s the actual design superimposed upon the bag that has me all sorts of nostalgic. Remember hitting up your local roller-skating rink way back when?

Tell me THIS doesn’t make you think of THAT …

Yes, I could dock ‘em points for not offering the Icon in something a bit more “dad hat” right from the get-go, but I’m sure the all-black, all-brown and all-dark blue options are coming.

Also, I can’t talk about looks without mentioning the massive, front-and-center patch canvas the Icon offers its owners. All bags come with a Discology patch, so you won’t need to pay extra for it. But if you’ve already got a patch collection of your own, you’ll have real estate to show it off.

The shape of the Icon is somewhat reminiscent of the Dynamic Discs Paratrooper. In my opinion, it’s not the most attractive shape on the planet, but that’s not the point – it’s built for storage. And, as you’ll soon see in the next section, it goes above and beyond in that department.

The Icon is cool where it can be.

No complaints on my end.

The efficiency of the Discology Icon

It’s worth mentioning again …

Storage.

To that end, this is a BIG disc golf bag:

• It’s 19 inches tall.
• It’s 9 inches deep.
• It’s 20 inches wide.

On the Icon’s own product page, Discology outright mentions it went for an “open-bag” concept during the design stage. Good news: They nailed it – the sheer size makes seeing stuff a cinch.

Next, for precise bag specifications, click here.

Truth be told, I (usually) find those details boring …

Somebody else already wrote it all down – just read it.

In the ways of efficacy, here’s what you DO need to know, though …

There are two storage pockets – they’re freaking giant. In my mind, a “storage pocket” is a larger-than-normal pocket meant for storing bulky, mega-annoying junk: hoodies, rainflies, waterproof jackets, etc. For a weekend-long event, you need all of this jazz, but still …

They suck to store.

The Icon makes it easy.

There are also two pouch pockets – they’re not as big. Again, as I see it, a “pouch pocket” is better-equipped for storing accessories: snacks, wallets, scorecards, hand towels, smartphones, permanent markers, etc. One pouch pocket has a removable divider, should you want to toss it. The other offers an elastic, collapsible sleeve for a water bottle – it fits my Nalgene perfectly.

Each pouch pocket is capable of carrying an additional four to five discs, assuming the four the putter pouches offer and 18 the main compartment allows for aren’t enough – that’s 30 discs. That’s a LOT of gear, but the Icon’s construction is backed with rock-solid plastic pieces …

It can handle it.

* Note: The lower putter pouch isn’t a flat-bottom pouch, so it’s better for a pair of drivers.

Oh! And two more things worth mentioning …

The Icon’s zippers are waterproof.

The Icon’s material is water-resistant.

It’s all gravy.

The Discology Icon: You need to know this …

Bag specs are cool and all, but the reviews you want to read come from people who’ve actually used the products you’re potentially interested in, right? I gave the Discology Icon a solid two weeks of every-round use before putting digital pen to paper. And while I’m far from a bag expert, there were a few things that stood out to me as noteworthy about the Icon …

Chickity-check ‘em out:

• The feet. I’ve not got a foot fetish or anything, but whenever I pick up a bag, I take a good, hard gander at the feet on the underside. Most are flimsy and microscopic. Even my beloved Upper Park Shift has uber-small feet on it. The Icon, on the other hand? It comes with Shaq-sized hooves, making for a sturdy, solid stance on all terrain types.

• The stool holder. There’s actually a sleeve for a foldable stool. Like, that’s its sole purpose. It’d work for an umbrella or disc retriever, too. I’m sure other bags have this, but to date, I haven’t noticed. This feature is listed on the Icon’s product page, but I must’ve missed it. No velcro straps or hoping D-rings get the job done – very cool.

• The price point is nice. And I mean it – it really is. The Discology Icon will appeal to serious disc golfers who are interested in the Squatch Lore ($190), GRIPeq AX5 ($230) or Pound Octothorpe ($400) disc golf bags, but are at least somewhat responsible with their capital. The Icon is fairly similar in design and plenty durable – and it’s $140.

• The rainfly is included. That’s right – you don’t have to pay extra for one. Shocking stuff, right? Even better, you don’t need an advanced engineering degree to put it on.

• The pillowy straps and back. As a guy who’s no stranger to back pain after 18 holes of disc golf, this is probably my favorite of the Icon’s benefits: It’s super easy on the back. Which is good, because again – it’s a gargantuan disc golf bag. The backpack straps are soft. The back of the bag is, as well. She’s one comfortable ride – take her for a spin.

• The bag is backed by a one-year warranty. This seems customary with disc golf bags, but I saw a bunch of questions on Reddit about this, so I figured I’d better address it. Yes, the Discology Icon comes with a one-year warranty. I know these guys; they’re not con artists. If you have any issues at all, shoot ‘em an email, and they’ll take care of you.

So, am I still using this thing?

If I were a big-bag guy, yes …

No doubt about it: I’d be rocking the Icon.

As it is, however, be it a result of the tiring, mountainous courses in my area or my minimalistic approach to disc golf, I’m not currently using it as my everyday backpack – it’s a lot of bag.

Granted, I’m not going to sell it or give it to anybody. It’s great for travel and water-heavy courses where losing discs is just part of the experience. And, of course, if you simply like to have everything with you when attacking a new track, the Icon will more than get the job done.

Also, every single Pro Tour peep carries a TON of plastic …

Care to do the same?

You’ll be in good company.

On the FPO side, Hailey King, Deann Carey and Emily Beach all sport the Icon. And as far as the MPO field is concerned, A.J. Carey, Robert Burridge and Chandler Kramer do the same.

You can’t go wrong with the Discology Icon.

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:

• Disc golf: How to know if you’ve got a ‘dirty flick’
• Disc golf: The best (practice) putting advice I’ve ever received
• The best (and most underrated) feature of the Upper Park Shift

Real quick, if you happen to buy something through a link in this article, there’s a chance we’ll get a small share of the sale. It’s how we keep the lights on. To learn more, click here.