Quad Straps

[Midnightbiker]

My new Champion Bag is getting heavy and I am considering investing in Quad Straps. What are the pros and cons, and what is a good brand to get. Innova is the cheapest, but I have heard bad things about them. Anyone have any experience with them.

[mobster]

Everyone that I play with has Phenix. I've heard and seen the horrors of Innova's ripping stitches and fabrics. I believe that Innova stopped making theirs for now.

[Midnightbiker]

Everyone that I play with has Phenix. I've heard and seen the horrors of Innova's ripping stitches and fabrics. I believe that Innova stopped making theirs for now.

I am really leaning towards the Phenix

[edge3281]

I don't have them but I saw this post just today on another forum site so I thought I would share it here. He was talking about his Phenix Quad Shocks. There wasn't much else in the thread.

absolutely excellent straps. super comfortable- not difficult to get on or off in my opinion.

they were definitely worth it. doesn't even feel like i am carrying a bag.

[kvanorsdel]

get phenix straps and you cant go wrong, best investment I made for disc golf

[ERicJ]

Phenix currently has three models of QuadShocks: Standard, Lockdown, and 0.8.
http://www.phenixdiscsports.com/quadshocks.html

I'd been using the traditional shoulder strap on my Discarrier bag without any complaints. I'd previously bought a set of Standard QuadShocks for my girlfriend which I replaced with the 0.8 model when I found out about them. So I tried the Standard QuadShocks for myself on my Denver trip where I figured it might be useful to have both hands free for climbing the mountain at Beaver Ranch (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=2488).

I'd previously been reluctant to try them out of worry that the it'd be more of a hassle to sling on both straps over and over and over. Think about how many times you take your bag on and off in a round... 50, maybe 60 times?

The QuadShocks turned out to be easier to get on and off than I expected, but still more hassle than a single shoulder strap. I've found that to facilitate easy of getting on and off I need to have one shoulder loop (the second one I put on) larger than is the standard comfort wearing position. So if I want a good fit then I have to adjust the strap length after I put it on. But then it makes it harder to get back on and off, so more adjusting. Luckily the "quick adjust" straps are pretty easy to use.

I don't have any other major complaints about the QuadShocks, just a few minor ones. They're bulkier than the traditional, single shoulder strap so you will more often find them in the way of retrieving discs from your bag. Also, after a hole I would typically put on my bag then grab my scorecard and mark the score and then put the card & pencil in back in the mini pocket. With the QuadShocks that's really hard to do in that order because the pocket is completely behind my back. So I end up slinging the QuadShocks over one shoulder, doing the score thing, then putting on the second shoulder... if the walk is long enough. Probably half the time they just end up on one shoulder anyway.

If you play a lot of courses where there's significant walking between holes then I can see how the QuadShocks might be beneficial. But in the end, I have a hard time saying these are a huge improvement over the traditional shoulder strap for me. I think I would be reluctant to spend the $35-40 on them again, but at the same time I haven't taken them off my bag since I got back from the Denver trip either, so that must say something good about them as well.

My $0.02,
ERic

[Midnightbiker]

Thanks for the input ERic. I almost bought a DISCarrier, but I figured that is just more bag than I need. I upgraded from a Deluxe bag to the Champion Bag, mainly because I wanted a little more room, and I really wanted two drink holders. I also really like the convenience of the pen holder and the mini pocket. That keeps my mini out of my back pocket and makes it a lot easier to get to.

I have only played 3 rounds with my new bag so far, so I guess I need to give it a little more trial time before I invest in the Quads. Also, it is nice to be able to access things in your bag while you have it on your shoulder. I didn't think about the fact that it might be a pain to reach back for a drink while I am walking with the bag on my back. Thanks again for the input. Gives me some things to think about.

[ERicJ]

The drink holders on the side of the bag are still pretty easy to access with the QuadShocks. That's not that big a deal. The pencil and mini pocket (where I keep my scorecard) are dead center on the back and tough to reach.

The Discarrier bag doesn't hold significantly more discs than the Champion bag (which I upgraded from), but it does have a ton more pocket space. I love the extra pocket space! :)

ERic

[djext1]

I too was skeptical about the quad shocks as was ERic for the same reasons he cited. However, a buddy of mine bought me some when he got his and I have to say they were the best thing I've gotten for disc golf in a loooong time! Yeah, they make getting right into your bag a pain because you have to take the whole thing off basically, but you can also carry it like a suitcase if you are only going a short distance and setting it back down.

I have a lot of big hills, and long holes in a few of the parks I play at regularly. At a couple of them I would often be a bit worn out by the time I would get to the last few holes, and if it was hot I was dragging butt up and down the hills. After the straps, I don't really get tired at all. I don't sigh when I pick up my bag from the heat and exhaustion. So like was said, if you do a lot of walking, or if you throw more than 1 round at a given time, it's worth it to me. I'm less tired from lugging my bag and hiking around and able to put more into my game. Not that carrying a bag and walking wipes me out, but if you take one thing out of the equation, it's amazing how much more energy you are left with for throwing.

[atl scott]

I have had Phenix for about 2 years with no complaints. One of the best things I've ever purchased. One seam is beginning to fray a bit but with the amount I play and the abuse I give the bag I'm impressed and I'm sure I'll buy again one day.