TM FlexTech vs. FlexTech Lite

SheriffBooth · July 9, 2018

Has anyone cross-shopped these two stand bags?

I'm coming off a Sun Mountain 3.5LS that has been a great bag, but all of the sudden the stitching is coming apart in a number of places. And since I'm playing almost 100% TM right now I thought I'd give their bags a try.

I walk and carry most of the time, but I also play 1" long clubs with midsize grips. So I'll trade a reasonable amount of bag weight for less club tangle and better balancing.

Please let me know your experiences and why you chose one over the other.

Stuart_G · July 9, 2018

but all of the sudden the stitching is coming apart in a number of places.

Sorry, can't help you with the TM bag question - but curious how long have you been using the SM? Just had the same thing happen on my 4.5 and just into it's 3rd season.

brew4eagle · July 9, 2018

I briefly had a FlexTech and it was ok (never tried the Lite). It was very similar to a Hoofer, with the improvement of slightly less club tangle since only half of the base flexes to activate the legs. However, I've learned over the years that Sun Mountain makes the best bags and I'm back to a 2.5+ at the moment. Was using the 3.5LS (great bag) but decided to go even lighter.

SheriffBooth · July 9, 2018

but all of the sudden the stitching is coming apart in a number of places.

Sorry, can't help you with the TM bag question - but curious how long have you been using the SM? Just had the same thing happen on my 4.5 and just into it's 3rd season.

About 18 months. Got it Christmas 2017. The stitching on an internal pocket came loose, which was not a terribly big deal, but this week the valuables pocket has basically started detaching from the outside of the bag right at the watertight tape so now there's a big hole on the outside of the bag. And of course it's a 1 year warranty. Except for this new issue, it's been the best bag I've ever had.

Stuart_G · July 9, 2018

That seems like a short time for such a failure. Not all companies are completely rigid wrt the warranty period. Never worked with SM CS but couldn't hurt to give them a call.

thedurtydurden · July 9, 2018

I had a FlexTech for a couple weeks and really liked it, but it was just too small. The weather I play in changes all the time and all my stuff was just crammed into the bag. If that's not an issue for you, it'd be a great bag. I just briefly looked at the Lite, and they appear nearly the same size. I'd say the Flextech is on the small side of "midsize" and the Lite just barely smaller.

Been a while since I've looked at a 3.5, but I would say both TM bags are smaller IIRC.

SheriffBooth · July 15, 2018

That seems like a short time for such a failure. Not all companies are completely rigid wrt the warranty period. Never worked with SM CS but couldn't hurt to give them a call.

Sun Mountain offered to repair for $55 including 2-way shipping. I guess this is their standard out of warranty offer. I'm sort of on the fence about whether or not to be irritated.

Stuart_G · July 15, 2018

That seems like a short time for such a failure. Not all companies are completely rigid wrt the warranty period. Never worked with SM CS but couldn't hurt to give them a call.

Sun Mountain offered to repair for $55 including 2-way shipping. I guess this is their standard out of warranty offer. I'm sort of on the fence about whether or not to be irritated.

Interesting. I'm glad you checked. Seems like a reasonable offer to me if it includes the 2-way shipping for something that big. But I can see how the time to get the job done might be annoying. Did they say how long it would take?

It seems a little surprising in that few manufacturers today seem to be set up to do actual repair work anymore. More often you might get an offer for a replacement at a discount.

SheriffBooth · July 16, 2018

I'm just going to patch it up myself with GearAid tape and see how that does.

Liveoz · July 22, 2018

Have both, love the flex tech. The lite was too small and I got club tangle and hate it as well. I am mostly on a pull cart now and wish that the straps were removable.

hlca · November 27, 2018

I'm also annoyed by club tangle in the FT Lite. I use midsize grips and a jumbo putter grip, so it can be a real challenge. I'm going to try a Ping Traverse since I usually push and/or ride.

trying2scratch · November 27, 2018

I have the the FT crossover 14 way. I play midsize and +1" as well. It is the best option I have found. IMO materials are better than SM and on par with ping. Club tangle is almost non existent. Full length dividers, comfy straps and a built in cooler sold me. The crossover is slightly larger (10.5" top) awesome btw and height is taller so all you can't see all the shafts like SM. But overall it plays about the same size and weight of the 3.5. well balanced straps and stand work very well.

Bonus is it fits very well on carts both pwr/push and will stand on its own without stand deployed. After a full year mine shows pretty much no wear(legs are scratched). Solid all around.