Today I’m going to show you everything I found after testing the new Upper Park Rebel bag. This bag seems like it could be the last one you’ll ever need to buy. Or is it?
In this article, I’ll break down the pros and cons I found while testing along with everything you could possibly need to know if you’re thinking about buying this bag.
Also, huge thanks to Upper Park for sending us this bag to review!
Upper Park Rebel: First impressions
Upper Park isn’t as well known as some of the other disc golf bag brands out there…so I wasn’t really sure what to expect from this bag.
However, I was pleasantly surprised
The first thing I noticed is that this bag is super light – weighing in at around 2 pounds without discs. The weight and size of the Rebel is phenomenal considering how much storage it offers, but more on that later…
It didn’t take me long to realize that the folks at Upper Park knew what they were doing when they designed this bag. The compartments and pockets are just the right size. They’ve managed to eliminate all those little design flaws that show up in most disc golf bags.
Overall, I was really impressed with this bag as soon as I pulled it out of the box.
Disc and Storage Capacity
The Upper Park Rebel can hold 36 discs maxed out. However, that’s with every pocket stuffed to the max. Based on my testing, I would say 30 discs is a more realistic expectation if you don’t want it to be bursting at the seams.
The main compartment fits 20 discs quite comfortably assuming you have a mix of drivers and midrange discs. Maybe a bit more or less depending on your disc lineup.
There are 2 putter pockets above the main bag that fit 3 discs each – 4 if you really stuff them in there. They are also easily accessible when the main compartment is full, unlike some of the other bags I’ve reviewed.
My favorite feature though is the HUGE side pockets. They each easily fit 4 discs or really anything else you want to carry. I used one side pocket to carry my drone and it fit with room to spare.
Besides the two high-side pockets, there are also two water bottle pockets that each fit my huge 40oz water bottle. That’s something many disc golf bags can’t do.
Build Quality
Overall, the build quality of this bag is tremendous. It surpasses pretty much any other bag I’ve seen or reviewed.
The material is soft and yet very durable. Obviously, only time will tell how long it will last, but it feels like the material I’ve seen on high-end hiking packs.
As mentioned, the Upper Park Rebel is made of recycled materials, but you would never know that from it’s premium feel.
The zippers worked flawlessly for me during testing. They appear well-made and function smoothly and without any snags or sticking.
Overall, I am very impressed by the build quality and feel. I didn’t see any frays or loose ends which are all too common on a lot of cheaper disc golf bags I’ve seen.
Accessories
The Upper Park Rebel comes with a rain fly which is a nice touch. I didn’t get a chance to try it in a downpour, but it fit the bag great and is well designed.
The fly packs up small enough to store in one of the side pockets or tucked to one side of the main compartment.
The Rebel also comes with some dividers for organizing the main disc compartment.
Not only are these super useful, but most disc golf bag companies will charge extra for dividers…if they even offer them at all.
Upper Park vs. GRIPeq
Let’s take a minute to compare the Upper Park Rebel to the very popular GRIPeq BX3. This is GRIPeq’s most popular bag and comes in a similar size and price range.
Don’t get me wrong, both are high quality, solid bags…But I have to say, I like the Rebel just a bit more. They both have very similar features, but the Rebel has a few aspects that give it a slight edge.
For instance:
The side pockets are bigger and more usable than the pockets on the Grip bag. Upper Park managed to fit more storage space in there without making the bag bulkier.
Also, the front putter pockets are WAY easier to access on the Upper Park Rebel than on the GRIP BX3. You can access them with the main compartment full, which you can’t do with the BX3.
Finally, the Upper Park Rebel comes with both a rainfly and disc dividers, both accessories that you’d have to pay extra from GRIPeq.
The GRIPeq BX3 does have a few advantages over the Upper Park Rebel, however. First of all, the BX3 has more color options available than the Rebel and currently is $10 cheaper. It also has a Velcro strip to add patches unlike the Upper Park Rebel.
For me, the extra storage space and included accessories give the Rebel the edge, but you’ll have to make the decision about what is most important to you since these bags are so similar.
My Honest Opinion
As you can probably tell, I really like the Upper Park Rebel.
What I like best is that it is lightweight but still has a ton of storage. It looks and feels premium, but is slightly less expensive than some of the other high-end bags – like GRIPeq or Pound.
But be warned, at an MSRP of $219.99, it’s not cheap! Like any other premium disc golf bag, the Upper Park Rebel is an investment and you’re going to have to decide if it’s worth it to you to spend $200+ on a long-term disc golf bag.
Keep in mind it comes with a lifetime warranty and is made of top-notch materials. I really do feel that you’re getting what you pay for with this bag; if you can afford it, go for it!
If you want to know the best disc golf bag for every budget, check out our complete guide here!
Good review. Upper Park has been around for a bit and their stuff has always seemed pretty great. I believe Michael Johansen uses them too.