Quad Straps-Yes or No

[Midnightbiker]

I keep going back and forth on getting Quad Straps for my bag. I would like some arguments on getting them or not. I carry an Innova Competition bag.

[discinator]

Just go to the army surplus and get these:http://www.armynavymilitarysurplus.com/index.cfm?action=cat.prodInfo&productID=1554&categoryID=1019

You can find them for about 5 bucks. They are the same as quad straps and if you don't like them you are only out 5 bucks instead of 40.

[gusc2375]

I feel Quad shocks are a must

[borndasaur]

Just got some 2 weeks ago. They're great even if you sling your bag over one shoulder. Much better on long paths too.

[thenamesben]

Support the sport, buy from DG suppliers!

But yes, I HIGHLY recommend getting Phenix Quads, they will save your back. I was carrying my DISCarrier, pretty much fully loaded with the shoulder strap for about a week. After being fatigued after a mere 18 holes, I upgraded to the Quads and never looked back. Super adjustable, super comfy, super freaking awesome. Worth every penny.

[djext1]

yes *thumbsup*

[valkyriefb11]

Just go to the army surplus and get these:http://www.armynavymilitarysurplus.com/index.cfm?action=cat.prodInfo&productID=1554&categoryID=1019

You can find them for about 5 bucks. They are the same as quad straps and if you don't like them you are only out 5 bucks instead of 40.

I second that. I love my straps and the military ones I got are great (and cheap)
Personally I like using the quad straps since it better distributes the weight on my back especially when I've got the bag loaded up for a day at the course.

[Jungle Tim]

Quads are far better than a normal strap.

Ergonomically waaaaaaay better for you and your back.
At this point it should be case closed.

Quads give you all that normal straps do plus one more shoulder point.
Quads also give you the potential to carry a greater amount of weight for the same exhaustion time period.

It really doesnt matter if you use 2 belts / pheonix shocks / military apparel / old rope, the benefit of even weight distribution across your back is what you should be after.

[Adam Schneider]

I think whether you need the fancy straps depends on how you play. I don't do tournaments, and I don't play with large groups where there's a lot of standing around; it's just throw-'n'-go. If that's your style, straps will just slow you down because you've got to "dismount" for every shot. (I always know I'm gonna have to ask to play through when I see quad straps in front of me.)

[swarren1977]

My buddy just got a pair of the “Phenix QuadShocks .8”. The .8 has all of the same great features and functions of the QuadShock, just built a little smaller. They were designed for smaller people in mind, but I’m hearing that some of the bigger guys even prefer the new .8’s. I have the standard, single strap, Innova bag and my biggest complaint is that I always feel a little off balance with just the one strap. Not to mention if you lean over to pick up a disc the bag slides off your shoulder. Anyway, I tried my buddies Quads on for size and I must say I was impressed, very comfortable. There is a big difference in having the load evenly distributed across your back. They were also quick to get on and quick to get off. Another positive aspect of the Quads is that you can be wearing them and stop to bend-over and pick up a disc, and the bag stays square in the center of your back. The only downside is my wife is making me wait till Christmas to get appear.

[ZMan44]

I switched to Quads about 2 years ago and the diference is immense. If you carry less than 10 discs, just get a small bag and the shoulder strap is fine. Anything more than that, I would opt for the QS. Sometimes we play 3 or more rounds/courses in a day. I can't imagine what my shoulder would feel like after that many holes and carrying the bag of 18 discs on a single shoulder. If you have a larger amount of discs that you carry and you play multiple rounds at a single time, QS are almost a must.

[RustyP]

An emphatic "YES" on getting some quads...

Before I got mine 3yrs ago, I was using 2 regular shoulder straps that I criss-crossed over each other like backpack straps. I padded them both with dish towels and sealed it all up with camo duct tape. Looked pretty interesting, but wasn't anywhere near as comfortable as the quads ;) My make-shift straps distributed the weight better than a single-shoulder strap, but the stretchy/shock-absorbing material on the quads can't be beat.

After 3yrs of almost daily use, they're still in great shape. Some of the raised rubber lettering on the back rubbed off, but otherwise they're in the same condition as the day I got them. Great investment!

[discflinger]

The stretch is key, but they will lose their stretch after about 5 years and much use. I try and pick up the bag by the cross section to try and minimize stretch in pick up.

[DiscChainBasket18]

Switching to quad straps will negate the "carrying a purse" look

[DiscChainBasket18]

An emphatic "YES" on getting some quads...

Before I got mine 3yrs ago, I was using 2 regular shoulder straps that I criss-crossed over each other like backpack straps. I padded them both with dish towels and sealed it all up with camo duct tape. Looked pretty interesting, but wasn't anywhere near as comfortable as the quads ;) My make-shift straps distributed the weight better than a single-shoulder strap, but the stretchy/shock-absorbing material on the quads can't be beat.

After 3yrs of almost daily use, they're still in great shape. Some of the raised rubber lettering on the back rubbed off, but otherwise they're in the same condition as the day I got them. Great investment!
Is your name "MacGuyver"?
1) Someone who can regularly cobble together solutions to problems using only the tools available at hand.
2) The ability to use a Dorito, some duct tape, and a paper clip to create a time machine.

[tomjulio]

Switching to quad straps will negate the "carrying a purse" look

I don't know, but I wonder if I am not the only one thinking quads look a bit on the "douche" side.

I keep equating where disc golfing is at with early snowboarding. Unfortunately many disc golfers fall into the "skier" look and mentality category.

[tomjulio]

Is your name "MacGuyver"?

2) The ability to use a Dorito, some duct tape, and a paper clip to create a time machine.


Obviously you haven't watched ENOUGH MacGuyver.

That is his formula for creating the elaborate "Shensu Device"....which in essence is just a paper clip duct taped to a Dorrito. Not much use, but cool none the less.

[john campbell]

I always want to support DG companies, but I was having a hard time paying more for my straps than my bag (Fade Gear Tourney). My wife found ball golf backpack straps on ebay 2 for $12 including shipping, for real. They are padded, durable, high-quality, ultra-comfy straps, just missing a name tag. I guess I could write Discraft or Fade Gear on them to make them more valuable. Anyone looking for a brand new Fade Gear prototype strap? Navy Blue, $39.99, includes shipping (just kidding, Tom McN).

[kinfolkfan]

i love the qs.
cheap would be nice though.
have fun all.

[zud00]

What is the difference between phoenix and innova's straps?

[john campbell]

phoenix quad shocks have elastomers (elastic parts of the strap) that work as shock absorbers, from what I understand. Innova is just a backpack strap, nylon straps and padding, just like backpack straps found on ball golf bags.

[cydisc]

I don't know, but I wonder if I am not the only one thinking quads look a bit on the "douche" side.


I think you're the only one.

I only carry 10 discs or fewer so I have a small bag with a single strap for everyday play. However, when I play the ranch courses in TX, I'm usually carrying about 4-6 bottles of delicious Shiner Bock with me, so that's where the Quads come in handy.

[ERicJ]

I've used the stock single shoulder strap on my DISCarrier bag... and the QuadShocks... and honestly I don't care either way. Maybe it was the many of my younger years spent carrying a newspaper bag on my shoulder that built up endurance. I've got 23 discs and two water bottles in my bag and really I don't care which straps I use.

I'd bought the QuadShocks for my girlfriend, and then found out about the 0.8's so I got those for her and took the original QuadShocks for myself. If that hadn't happened I'd still be using the single strap.

The QuadShocks are harder to get on/off than the single strap and make it tougher to reach the pockets/pouches when it's on your back. I like to sling my bag on then pull out the scorecard to write the score while I'm walking to the next hole. I keep the scorecard in the mini pocket and that's an awkward reach to grab it. To some extent the water bottles are harder to pull out from the QuadShock position. All these things are minor inconveniences that weigh against the comfort gained on longer walks, which is also minor in my own experience. Many times I'll end up just using one strap of the QuadShocks over a single shoulder for short walks.

ERic

[DeafDiscGolfer]

I did bought Innova's back strap 2.0 version and less than 4 months later, the plastic bracket broke. Got new replacement strap for it. I wouldn't use Innova's strap on big, large, or heavy bags again.

I went back to the usual single strap set ups, its much faster to get it on and off on the go. But I wonder is there a better single strap out there? I have seen photographer carried a nice camera bag with nice comfortable-looking strap as well...umm...:rolleyes:

[ParkerJ152]

I say go for the QuadShocks. They are very comfortable (once they break in/soften up) and they do distribute the weight of you bag, which really makes a difference if you play longer or multiple rounds. They are a little more expensive than other straps, but you get what you pay for. The Backsavers are another option, but I'm not 100% sure they have fixed the production problems.

If you do decide on the Quads,and you don't want to spend $39.95 I just put my used pair up for sale for $25, they are in great condition.

Jason

[thenamesben]

What is the difference between phoenix and innova's straps?

Innova's straps have a history of being complete pieces of **** and breaking very quickly. They supposedly fixed this issue, but who knows.

[garublador]

Innova's straps have a history of being complete pieces of **** and breaking very quickly. They supposedly fixed this issue, but who knows.They've said that so many times people have stopped believing them.

The QuadShocks are harder to get on/off than the single strap and make it tougher to reach the pockets/pouches when it's on your back. That's one of the reasons I went with a backpack bag. The bag itself acs as a frame for the straps so it's really easy to pick up and put on and it's taller so I don't have to bend down as far to pick it up.

After having a dual strap system, I don't think I could go back to a single. If I were to buy an aftermarket strap set it would be the QuadShocks.

[DiscChainBasket18]

With my old Revo bag & single strap I always had a back ache develop during the round. And the wight on one side tweaked it further. I was looking at quad straps but I had already paid $80.00 for my bag & didn't want to spend another $39. Our courses are like a hike anyway so I bought a Ogio backpack on eBay for $16. It has quad straps built in. I sold my Revo bag & have not been dissapointed so far. The backpack is a little more effort than a single strap but you develop a routine for taking it on & off & it's no big deal now.http://i282.photobucket.com/albums/kk270/jdubent08/misc%20DG/ogiopack01.jpg

[Lewis]

I was about to say, "what's wrong with carrying your discs in a plain old backpack," but you beat me to it. But that leads me to a question: is there an ergonomic reason to carry a made-for-dg bag and made-for-dg straps, instead of my Eddie Bauer backpack that's still in good condition 12 years after I bought it, and has plenty of room for a dozen discs? So far that backpack has been all the excuse I've needed for not spending $ on a made-for-dg shoulder bag.

[john campbell]

I carried a medium-sized camera bag for the first 3-4 months. It worked great and held about 10 discs, but my shoulder started getting sore (we usually play at least 2 rounds on both Sat. and Sun.)
I bought a tourney bag for 2 reasons: the extra room, drink pockets, etc. AND for backpack straps. The straps totally relieved the strain on my shoulder, distributed the weight more evenly, and even though I carry a few more discs, a bulky Nikon, water (and sometimes beer) now, I don't feel the weight. It is actually less noticable than before. I don't use Quadshocks, just a generic, $6 (ball) golf padded backpack strap. Check out Fade Gear bags. I bought mine, a tourney bag, for $36 + shipping. Great bag, great quality, great price.