DIY Disc Golf Backpack

[steve a]

This is a write up showing how to build your own disc golf backpack using an internal frame hiking backpack made by Swiss Gear. I will walk you through how to build and assemble the frame and the pros and cons that I have found through personal usage. I have sold a couple of these to some local guys as well and will include the feedback I have received from them as well. If you are wanting one of these packs but do not care to make it yourself I have bought some surplus packs I am willing to build and sell.

The Backpack:

The first thing you will need is a Swiss Gear internal frame backpack. These are no longer in production from what I have seen but can still be found online if you look hard enough. They come in blue, green, orange and red. The bag has a large bottom pocket that will house the main disc compartment. It also includes a large top compartment with a zippered divider and is set up to accept a hydration bladder(Camelback). The top compartment will carry a soft sided cooler or extra discs and larger gear. On each side of the top compartment is a side pocket. These are great for smaller gear items you may need to carry on the course.

The shoulder straps are completley adjustable to get the custom fit you need to stay comfortable and the back panel is padded for comfort and allows airflow as well. This bag can get heavy when fully loaded and it is still comfortable. The hiking backpack comes with an adjustable waist belt. I cut this belt off as it is clumsy and hard seems to get in the way. Scissors will remove it easily. There is also a sternum strap that seems to help keep the shoulder straps properly located on your shoulders. I really like the sternum strap but it can be removed easily too.

There are compression straps on the side of the pack with quick release snap buckles. I use mine to carry my camptime stool or to strap jackets to in the fall and spring. This keeps room available inside the pack.

The bag has two mesh drink holders. One on each side of the pack. I can grab my drinks from the holders with the bag on.

 

[steve a]

The Frame:
I built the frame out of PVC pipe. It is inserted into the pack by unzipping the top-bottom divider and sliding it down into the bottom section. It is held into place by zipping the divider back up. It will hold 15-16 discs depending on how many are drivers and mids. I carry 4 mids, 6 fairways and six distance drivers in mine. You must keep it mostly full (13-14 discs)to keep the discs from falling out or keep them in the top compartment. I take out 1-3 discs at a time and have never had a spill-out but any less discs and you will need to be careful. It is easy to get the discs in and out of the bag by sliding them in and out of thier respective slots and the fabric tension will hold them in place and secure.

Building the frame:

You will need the following
2 - 7" long 1/2" pvc pipes
4 - 6.5" long 3/4" pvc pipes
4 - 4" long 3/4" pvc pipes
4 - 3/4 to 3/4 to 1/2 threaded pvc corner pieces
4 - 1/2 threaded to 1/2 slip connecter
4 - 3/4 90 degree elbows

The first step is to assemble the corners. Just thread the 1/2 adapter into the threaded socket of the corner piece and tighten firmly. You will want to sand or file down any rough edges that may wear out the fabric.

Then just assemble all the remaining pieces till they look like the picture. I use a hammer to tap the pieces together. You can glue them into place or just leave them tapped together. The frame is so strong I can stand on the top tubes of the frame without it being glued together and I weigh 200 pounds (not recomended to try at home). After the frame is built just slip it into the pack and zip it up and you are all set.

Folding the pockets:

To make the putter pocket I just fold over the front side organizer pocket and tuck it in. This makes a great place to put two or three putters. I also tuck the bottom pocket in over the frame and under the discs. This keeps it from flapping around and off the ground. If you need to store the bag and discs for travel it is easy enough to pull out and zip up the pockets.

Pros:
Carries 16-19 discs plus tons of extra room for a cooler or other gear
Two mesh drink holders
Comfortable enough for long tournament days
Set up for a hydration bladder (not included)
Very adjustable for any size person
Easy to keep organized
Stands up on its own even on slight inclines
High quality construction and a ten year manufacturers limited warranty (may be voided by modifying)
Easy to take on and off each time you have to throw
Nice padded top handle for carrying it with
Compression straps for extra capacity

Cons:
Bottom compartment needs to be close to full (13-14 discs) or they can fall out
The bigger the bag the more you will carry if you are not careful
Can get top heavy and tipsy when carrying a cooler or heavy gear in top and can tip over on hills
Zipper pulls can come loose ( I replaced mine with a keychain and a 1/2" washer to pull on which can be seen in the first pic on the right side)

Bags for sale:
I have a couple of these bags for sale if you are to lazy to build your own or can't find them. They are $80 plus shipping and come in Blue, Orange, Red, and Green. Please PM me if you are interested. Thanks, Steve

 

[bcr123psu]

Nice write-up. Looks pretty versatile.

 

[agent_peebody]

i like it. very MacGuyver-esque.

 

[AJ_86]

i like it. very MacGuyver-esque.

Naw... if it was that good, it'd throw the disc for you.

But still neat.

 

[Kwick]

how much would i cost someone to build themselves?

 

[steve a]

It depends on how much you can get the bag for. The bags sell for $50-$60 if you can find them and the pvc is cheap at the local big box.

 

[psudgc17]

Impressive, man! Always like seeing write-ups like this on forums.

 

[DiscChucker]

Sweet setup Steve. Well done on re-purposing those Swiss packs. I love Swiss packs. I have a different model Swiss pack that I use for carrying my laptop. They're very comfortable. I would imagine your modded packs are probably quite comfy on the course. How long have you been using yours out on the course?

 

[steve a]

I have been using mine since this spring and I love it. It is real comfortable even during long days. It has held up very well for the amount of abuse I put it through.

 

[AJ_86]

It depends on how much you can get the bag for. The bags sell for $50-$60 if you can find them and the pvc is cheap at the local big box.

I don't mean to crap on this, man... it is a great project and turned out well... but for 60 bucks, I can get a bag that holds the same amount or more. With less work.

Plus, this bag is discontinued. Would be better if they were still readily available for sale.

 

[bcr123psu]

I don't mean to crap on this, man... it is a great project and turned out well... but for 60 bucks, I can get a bag that holds the same amount or more. With less work.

Plus, this bag is discontinued. Would be better if they were still readily available for sale.

:thmbdown: Nice reply

 

[steve a]

I don't mean to crap on this, man... it is a great project and turned out well... but for 60 bucks, I can get a bag that holds the same amount or more. With less work.

Plus, this bag is discontinued. Would be better if they were still readily available for sale.

Which bag are you talking about for $60? It sucks that they are discontinued but I had no problem picking up a bunch of them. Not trying to crap on your post but I just found a way to make a sweet setup and thought I would help out others too. All the backpack setups for DG start at $100 plus shipping and this one can be had for less and I believe it offers more.

 

[AJ_86]

Which bag are you talking about for $60? It sucks that they are discontinued but I had no problem picking up a bunch of them. Not trying to crap on your post but I just found a way to make a sweet setup and thought I would help out others too. All the backpack setups for DG start at $100 plus shipping and this one can be had for less and I believe it offers more.

Fade Gear Tourney is 40 bucks at Everything Disc Golf. DGA Gel Strapz are the same.

http://www.everythingdiscgolf.com/Bags-p-1-c-254.html

$91.96 total. Shipping included.

 

[phayes]

Well, I think it's cool. Anything DIY is A-OK in my book. Screw the capitalist pigs!

 

[AJ_86]

Oh, no doubt it's cool... I just don't think it has a lot of wide appeal.

If there's a pack out there with similar features and is nice and easy to obtain, I think it would be a much better idea.

 

[bcr123psu]

Fade Gear Tourney is 40 bucks at Everything Disc Golf. DGA Gel Strapz are the same.

http://www.everythingdiscgolf.com/Bags-p-1-c-254.html

$91.96 total. Shipping included.

Yeah, because a tourney back and straps are the same thing as a backpack.

 

[Kwick]

Goof: "I can get the same thing for 60 bucks"

Non-goof:Where?

Goof: "online for 90"

Non-goof: Oh, that's not 60

Goof: "I know, but the numbers a close"

non-goof: Just like a tourney bag and a backpack, do you know how much backpacks go for?

Goof: "60 bucks?"

 

[AJ_86]

Goof: "I can get the same thing for 60 bucks"

Non-goof:Where?

Goof: "online for 90"

Non-goof: Oh, that's not 60

Goof: "I know, but the numbers a close"

non-goof: Just like a tourney bag and a backpack, do you know how much backpacks go for?

Goof: "60 bucks?"

I never said I could get the same thing. I said I can get a bag that holds the same amount for the same price. And I can.

 

[Overpar]

Awesome job. Love to see peeps breaking out their tools and making some awesome DIY projects.