When you think of disc golf bags, odds are high your brain immediately goes to GRIPeq or Pound Disc Golf. There are others out there, but by far, those are the most “household” of the lot. Both are high-quality, disc-toting products. Disc golfers are buying ‘em en masse for a reason …
And it must be a good one: They’re handing over their firstborns to get ‘em – they’ll set you back a mortgage payment or two. The GRIPeq AX5 Series isn’t quite as brutal, with the 26-disc bag costing a crisp $260 – certainly expensive, but doable. If you wish to customize a Pound Octothorpe of your own, you’re looking down the barrel of 500 bones – that’s terrifying.
Squatch Disc Golf’s Legend 2.0 backpack is another one you’ll see out on the course – the bag’s become all the rage recently. It’ll get the job done for you – and well. Don’t kid yourself, though: It’s just a China-made knockoff of the Pound Octothorpe for people who can’t afford one …
Somebody REALLY missed the boat on the copyright of that product design.
Which brings me to something that continues to boggle my mind to this very day …
I have no idea why more people don’t rock Upper Park Disc Golf bags.
Well, that’s not entirely true – I have a general idea. Paul McBeth will be buried with a GRIPeq by his side. As McBeast goes, the rest of the sport follows. Carts are sexy. Also, perhaps by design, Upper Park’s a bit more reserved with their branding – you’re not getting anything Jeremy Koling-esque (think Unicorn barf) from the guys and gals up in New York.
Personally, I can speak to all of this: The first disc golf backpack I ever purchased was The Shift. I don’t know what version it was, but I bought it way back in 2016. I’m sure the bag’s seen some changes since then, but honestly, not many were needed – it lasted me five glorious years of competitive play. I used it. I abused it. These days, I use something else, but I miss it …
Here’s why:
- Reason No. 1 – Upper Park’s bags are affordable, without being cheaply made.
- Reason No. 2 – Upper Park’s bags are different. When you see one, it stands out.
- Reason No. 3 – Upper Park’s bags are durable. They can 100% take what you dish.
- Reason No. 4 – Upper Park’s bags are lightweight. There’s not a lighter bag out there.
- Reason No. 5 – Upper Park’s bags have waist-stash pockets – these are totally amazing.
* Note: The above-reasons aren’t specific to The Shift – they apply to The Rebel, as well.
And this isn’t me blowing smoke up Upper Park’s butt, either …
The team the brand’s built might not (yet) be enough to rival what GRIPeq’s put together, but it’s hardly chopped liver – these golfers know bags: Ella Hansen, Kat Mertsch, Eric Oakley, Andrew Fish, Chandler Fry, Jordan Castro, James Proctor, Aaron Gossage, Andrew Presnell, etc.
The secret’s out – and it DEFINITELY shouldn’t have taken this long …
If you’re wanting a new backpack or gear upgrade, do your due diligence, ask around and see what your buddies are working with, but don’t be surprised at all if you end up at Upper Park.
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I have a Dynamic Discs combat Sniper bag – a blue one – and I like it. I got no clue how it compares weight wise to the bags you’re talking about. Upper Park bags aren’t commonly available in the KC Metro area. I bought mine at the Dynamic Discs Store in Kansas City, KS and I spent around $150 more or less. That is about what they go for on the Dynamic Discs website. I keep my bag full, with discs, water, ( 2 25 oz thermos bottles) a range finder, phone, several towels and handi-wipes, and assorted other gear. It might be a little heavy, but that’s ok – I need the exercise and carrying a little extra weight while I walk is decent exercise for me.
Charlie, thanks for reading – and thanks for the comment!
You’re spot on about something …
If disc golf has one issue, is that it’s not REALLY that much exercise …
It’s better than nothing, but seriously: Let’s stretch ourselves a bit.
If the D.D. bag is working, dude – keep at it!
Upper Park’s bags are VERY light – that’s kind of their biggest selling point.
Also, The Shift is probably the BEST “minimalist” bag on the market, if I may say so myself …
Keep on huckin’, dude – appreciate you!