The perfect walker's bag, why is it so hard to get it right?

[Frankensteins Monster]

There are a lot of good bags for walkers, but none is perfect. The Sun Mountain's 2021 H2NO LiteSpeed is close, but not quite, but I'm really glad they god rid of the horrendously large H2NO graphics. I think the perfect walker's bag is a bag that has the club opening layout and size of the 2020 Sun Mountain H2NO Superlite Stand Bag, 100% waterproof, a lined valuables pocket, a full length rain gear/hood pocket, an accessory/junk pocket, a ball pocket that has some sort of separator, or two, in it to separate tees, ball markers, balls (not awful netting/mesh, see Titleist Stadry), and a water bottle pocket, under 4lbs, and the color offerings of the Titleist Players 4 Stadry. Almost a frankenbag that combines the said two bags.

[AdmiralPicard]

I’d love a 2020 L8 with double strap, and 1/2 the weight. Or a Hoofer CEL with better colorways.

I like the 2.5+ except for the top. It looks so boxy to me. 
None of my local shops have any Moonlites to look at. I’d order a Jones, but as with the Moonlite, what do I do when it rains?

The perfect golf bag does not exist, except those on the shoulder of a caddie. I’m just getting too old to be lugging a staff bag and push cart to every round when I just want to grab a quick 4-5 holes with my son after school.

I’m a fan of 4-way tops, enough pockets but not too many, and a second strap (I think).

 

Interested in anyone’s suggestions for that perfect bag. Good thread Mr. Monster. 

[iputts_28]

My vote is for the Titleist Players 4 bag.  I agree with AdmrialPicard that finding a perfect walking bag is probably a stretch and "perfect" is probably a personal decision, but I've had a lot of walking bags over the years (Hoofers/Hoofer Lites/L8, Sun Mountains, original Stitch stand bag, moonlights), and by far my favorite is the Titleist (never thought I'd be saying that in regards to a Titleist bag).  IMO it has it all - it's big enough, sturdy, light, enough pockets, straps are great, stand is solid, and looks classy.  I feel like Titleist took what Ping did with their bags and made it better...

 

Good luck in your search.

[BYK]

Still can't find one better than my 2.5+

Plenty enough room for all 14 clubs

[Minarets]

I think the 2.5+ is closest.  Hate their colors tho. And not a huge fan of the straps.  And mad they got rid of the Velcro for 2021. I think the eco lite may be better now. (Colors are still not my fav) 

[@_the_crook]

one of the most comfortable to carry bags I've ever owned.

circa 1990. great balance, five way top.

side not pictured has a full length garment area with a plush upper pocket.

it's the bag I'd measure against any replacement.

 

 

 

 

 

[yawossel]

Shapland hands down. Most comfortable. Best looking I've found.

[Frankensteins Monster]

13 hours ago, yawossel said:

Shapland hands down. Most comfortable. Best looking I've found.

They look really good, but they're 5lbs.

[Frankensteins Monster]

On 1/16/2021 at 2:14 PM, iputts_28 said:

My vote is for the Titleist Players 4 bag.  I agree with AdmrialPicard that finding a perfect walking bag is probably a stretch and "perfect" is probably a personal decision, but I've had a lot of walking bags over the years (Hoofers/Hoofer Lites/L8, Sun Mountains, original Stitch stand bag, moonlights), and by far my favorite is the Titleist (never thought I'd be saying that in regards to a Titleist bag).  IMO it has it all - it's big enough, sturdy, light, enough pockets, straps are great, stand is solid, and looks classy.  I feel like Titleist took what Ping did with their bags and made it better...

 

Good luck in your search.

The new Players 4 Plus Stadry and Players 4 Staydry looks like they added a proper second pocket above the ball pocket. I'm waiting for them to hit the website to get a better look at the pockets and positining.

 

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vxLFxfsxTITAyYGaBzCf5tB1ZzDbdht_/view

[Abh159]

I'm not sure you were genuinely asking because it seems sort of obvious, but to answer your original question of "why is it so hard to get right?" Because the technology doesn't exist from a materials standpoint to make that happen. Yet.... 

 

You can get a really lightweight bag. There are tons out there. However, you are saying you want a lightweight bag with a ton of extra add ons (large club opening layout, 100% waterproof, a lined valuables pocket, a full length rain gear/hood pocket, an accessory/junk pocket, a ball pocket that has some sort of separator or two in it to separate tees, ball markers, balls, and a water bottle pocket). Each feature you include adds extra weight. 

Edited January 18, 2021 by Abh159

[Frankensteins Monster]

37 minutes ago, Abh159 said:

I'm not sure you were genuinely asking because it seems sort of obvious, but to answer your original question of "why is it so hard to get right?" Because the technology doesn't exist from a materials standpoint to make that happen. Yet.... 

 

You can get a really lightweight bag. There are tons out there. However, you are saying you want a lightweight bag with a ton of extra add ons (large club opening layout, 100% waterproof, a lined valuables pocket, a full length rain gear/hood pocket, an accessory/junk pocket, a ball pocket that has some sort of separator or two in it to separate tees, ball markers, balls, and a water bottle pocket). Each feature you include adds extra weight. 

The Players 4 Stadry may be the closest thing to a perfect bag I'll ever see. I have to see how the pockets layout. They only thing missing to make it perfect could be the roominess of the H2NO Lite (Older model) club opening. It's under 4lbs. The new Players 4 Plus Stadry adds more room for clubs and weighs in at 4.3lbs.

Edited January 18, 2021 by Frankensteins Monster

[Mikee_j]

On 1/17/2021 at 12:11 AM, Minarets said:

I think the 2.5+ is closest.  Hate their colors tho. And not a huge fan of the straps.  And mad they got rid of the Velcro for 2021. I think the eco lite may be better now. (Colors are still not my fav) 

This.

 

Sun mountain 2.5+ is the only true lightweight bag that can fit 14 mid sized gripped clubs with no tangle.

 

But the colours are not great. 

[Minarets]

28 minutes ago, Mikee_j said:

This.

 

Sun mountain 2.5+ is the only true lightweight bag that can fit 14 mid sized gripped clubs with no tangle.

 

But the colours are not great. 

I think i may go Eco Lite because of the straps and velcro

[yawossel]

12 hours ago, Frankensteins Monster said:

They look really good, but they're 5lbs.

Last year I used a hoofer lite (4.5lbs) and can hardly tell the shapland weighs more. The Shapland is actually a more comfortable carry in my opinion as the straps are a much better design.

 

The sunmountain you referenced above is 4.3lbs. Feels like splitting hairs to me.

[Frankensteins Monster]

31 minutes ago, yawossel said:

Last year I used a hoofer lite (4.5lbs) and can hardly tell the shapland weighs more. The Shapland is actually a more comfortable carry in my opinion as the straps are a much better design.

 

The sunmountain you referenced above is 4.3lbs. Feels like splitting hairs to me.

I currently have a sub 4lb bag. Jumping up nearly 1.5lbs is a big jump. 

[Mikee_j]

On 1/18/2021 at 6:07 PM, Minarets said:

I think i may go Eco Lite because of the straps and velcro

for me the new pocket above the ball pocket on the 2021 2.5+ makes it my preferred. Although waiting for black colour to be available in the UK

[brew4eagle]

I've tried a lot of bags.  Hoofer Lite and 2.5+ are the best imo, but waterproof is not a property I care about.  For my needs the Hoofer Lite beats out the 2.5+.

[Mikee_j]

17 hours ago, brew4eagle said:

I've tried a lot of bags.  Hoofer Lite and 2.5+ are the best imo, but waterproof is not a property I care about.  For my needs the Hoofer Lite beats out the 2.5+.

Haven’t tried any of the hoofers. I hear the tangle is bad with 14 clubs and mid sized grips

[brew4eagle]

16 minutes ago, Mikee_j said:

Haven’t tried any of the hoofers. I hear the tangle is bad with 14 clubs and mid sized grips

It's completely fine if you are willing to set the bag vertically for exchanging clubs.  It has less tangle than the 2.5+ when set vertically since it has a slightly bigger overall size (also a win for cart use).  If you want to swap clubs with the stand engaged, then definitely tangle is a problem.  It carries more balanced than the 2.5+ which makes it more comfortable of a walk, so the tradeoff decision has to be made between the two bags.

[VNutz]

I know others feel and have experienced otherwise, but for my liking my Stitch SL1 has been the perfect walker bag. Lightweight, simple and water resistant (originally sold as waterproof) and with a simple dual divider round top opening that keeps everything easily accessible. The only downside IMO is lack of storage, and that's something I've easily adapted to and as a walker would defeat the purpose a bit. I'd love to give the SL2 a try at about a half pound heavier and with the larger side pocket, but after 4 years with my SL1 I have no desire to move on from it yet. Legs still work great, the material cleans up really well, the only issue I had is a pocket liner ripped when I overstuffed it. As one who walks nearly all my rounds I still love it.

[swagee]

On 1/12/2021 at 10:00 AM, Frankensteins Monster said:

There are a lot of good bags for walkers, but none is perfect. The Sun Mountain's 2021 H2NO LiteSpeed is close, but not quite, but I'm really glad they god rid of the horrendously large H2NO graphics. I think the perfect walker's bag is a bag that has the club opening layout and size of the 2020 Sun Mountain H2NO Superlite Stand Bag, 100% waterproof, a lined valuables pocket, a full length rain gear/hood pocket, an accessory/junk pocket, a ball pocket that has some sort of separator, or two, in it to separate tees, ball markers, balls (not awful netting/mesh, see Titleist Stadry), and a water bottle pocket, under 4lbs, and the color offerings of the Titleist Players 4 Stadry. Almost a frankenbag that combines the said two bags.

If u are willing to venture out into the niche golf bags market, u might find a Stitch SL2 be a good fit. 
 

https://stitchgolf.com/collections/sl2-golf-bag/products/sl2-colorblock?variant=31444836188273

 

 

[Frankensteins Monster]

1 hour ago, swagee said:

If u are willing to venture out into the niche golf bags market, u might find a Stitch SL2 be a good fit. 
 

https://stitchgolf.com/collections/sl2-golf-bag/products/sl2-colorblock?variant=31444836188273

 

 

Not waterproof.

[Celebros]

I really like my Cobra Ultralight Sunday Bag.  I don't think it is in-stock at this point with Cobra, but at 3.8 pounds it is a breeze to carry and looks sharp to my eye.

[swagee]

1 hour ago, Frankensteins Monster said:

Not waterproof.

True, not completely waterproof, but it is water resistant. I live in California so water isn’t an issue. 

[Jarlaxle]

On 1/18/2021 at 9:34 AM, Frankensteins Monster said:

The Players 4 Stadry may be the closest thing to a perfect bag I'll ever see. I have to see how the pockets layout. They only thing missing to make it perfect could be the roominess of the H2NO Lite (Older model) club opening. It's under 4lbs. The new Players 4 Plus Stadry adds more room for clubs and weighs in at 4.3lbs.

 

Just ordered a 2021 Players 4 Stadry in this colorway, getting my club logo on the ball pocket. Have seen the 2021 bags (not the Stadry) in person and they are a big improvement over last year IMO. They fixed the range finder pocket (made it bigger) and added the tee pocket so its basically perfect IMO.  Can't wait to get it.

 

[RobotDoctor]

I have a Sun Mountain 3.5 carry bag from sometime in the early 2010s (2012-2014 period) and I have not found anything that is significantly better.  The bag is light with enough pockets to carry what I want.  It is easy to carry and is balanced.  The best part is the bag is still in outstanding condition so there is no need to look for a new bag.

[Frankensteins Monster]

2 hours ago, Jarlaxle said:

 

Just ordered a 2021 Players 4 Stadry in this colorway, getting my club logo on the ball pocket. Have seen the 2021 bags (not the Stadry) in person and they are a big improvement over last year IMO. They fixed the range finder pocket (made it bigger) and added the tee pocket so its basically perfect IMO.  Can't wait to get it.

 

Where did you order it from?

[Minarets]

3 hours ago, Jarlaxle said:

 

Just ordered a 2021 Players 4 Stadry in this colorway, getting my club logo on the ball pocket. Have seen the 2021 bags (not the Stadry) in person and they are a big improvement over last year IMO. They fixed the range finder pocket (made it bigger) and added the tee pocket so its basically perfect IMO.  Can't wait to get it.

 

I’m holding out to see the stay dry 4 and 4 plus before buying a SM eco lite.  I need to see the top size, dividers and straps.  I love it’s waterproof.  

[Circaflex]

On 1/16/2021 at 10:34 AM, AdmiralPicard said:

I’d love a 2020 L8 with double strap, and 1/2 the weight. Or a Hoofer CEL with better colorways.

I like the 2.5+ except for the top. It looks so boxy to me. 
None of my local shops have any Moonlites to look at. I’d order a Jones, but as with the Moonlite, what do I do when it rains?

The perfect golf bag does not exist, except those on the shoulder of a caddie. I’m just getting too old to be lugging a staff bag and push cart to every round when I just want to grab a quick 4-5 holes with my son after school.

I’m a fan of 4-way tops, enough pockets but not too many, and a second strap (I think).

 

Interested in anyone’s suggestions for that perfect bag. Good thread Mr. Monster. 

Is there a way to add a second strap to the L8? I have one and sure wish it did.

[Devin the Dude]

Thoughts on the Vessel VLX?  Looks like it checks all the boxes other than being a bit pricey.  I'm just concerned about the 7x7" opening, I don't know why they had to make it that small.  But the bag is sharp and 4.6lb, not too heavy.

Edited January 21, 2021 by Devin the Dude