Sun Mountain H2NO Superlite Stand Bag
Modern golf bags are great, but even with modern materials, you may find that it doesn’t take much moisture for the contents of your bag to get pretty wet. That can happen even without any rain! Now imagine if you ARE playing in some significant rain and are just getting drenched. Sun Mountain decided that this was a problem in 2007 and set out to do something about it. Their waterproof line of golf bags, known as H2NO, was born. 2020’s Sun Mountain H2NO Superlite stand bag is their latest mid-size, lightweight, 4-way top, waterproof option that’s easy to carry and keeps its contents dry.
The Looks
Year in and year out, I think the Sun Mountain H2NO bags are easily some of the sharpest looking bags in their lineup. I feel like they’re always the perfect blend of loud and flashy, but also all business. The branding stands out quite a bit with a big H2NO logo across the whole side of the bag. Admittedly, the black and the cadet-nickel colorways tone that loudness down a bit, however, the blue and the white models both make a bit bolder statement. Personally, I think the blue and white bags both look really sharp, but something about the grey/silver-ish cadet nickel was calling my name!
One thing worth noting is that the bags look a little more shiny/metallic in Sun Mountain’s pictures on their site. This is more due to the waterproof materials used for the bag. Your bag won’t be super shiny in hand as seen in our photos.
Real quick, I just want to say that I LOVE how the H2NO bags look this season. If we’re being honest and to the point, I think the cadet-nickel pictured in this review is pure fire. (…and I don’t say things “are fire.”) I just love it.
Design & Features
The Sun Mountain H2NO Superlite is definitely “carry friendly” coming in at just under five pounds. There are four pockets on the bag all with waterproof zippers to keep water from leaking in and soaking the contents. Those four pockets include a full-length apparel pocket, ball pocket, a small accessory pocket above that, and a spacious accessory pocket on the side. Missing is a velour-lined valuables pocket, but that’s not a deal breaker for me. I keep that kind of stuff in my valuables pouch which I store inside the apparel pocket anyway. Also included is an “open” hydration sleeve that runs alongside the two accessory pockets on the spine of the bag. This sleeve fits a wide range of bottles and will keep any moisture from collecting in the pocket while keeping access to your beverage convenient.
Sun Mountain uses a minimal, yet comfortable and effective strap system on the H2NO Superlite. The X-Strap System is a basic dual-strap system with just enough padding to stay comfortable on your shoulders without too much bulk. There are also two thumb loops you can use to take a little pressure off your shoulders while you walk. The small features like a velcro glove holder, a marker/pen holder, and tee holders all right by the spine handle are a nice, practical finishing touch.
As with all Sun Mountain bags, the stand is sturdy and reliable. Maybe an undervalued highlight, but the legs are all the same color as the bag. I think it’s a cool added touch that looks slick. Using a push cart? The easy-to-use velcro leg locks will keep the legs securely in place.
Obviously being waterproof is a key design element, but we’ll cover that more in the next section.
On-Course Performance
Unsurprisingly, the Sun Mountain H2NO Superlite holds up well and is a great tool of the trade. As mentioned earlier, it’s very easy and comfortable to carry. I will admit, storage is a bit reduced, but this bag is designed to be a functional carrier in wet conditions. You don’t want to be going in and out of your bag a lot, and most walkers want to keep it light. I was able to easily manage a full set of clubs, my four sets of rain gloves, enough balls and tees, and a few other essentials. Should you want more space, take a look at the H2NO Cart or 14-way stand bag. None of them will disappoint!
Speaking of the bag’s “waterproofness,” this is my third H2NO bag over the past decade. Like my previous ones, the 2019/2020 H2NO Superlite keeps water out very well. I even did the yard hose and kiddie pool tests on it, and nothing in the pockets got wet. Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t leave the bag submerged for extended periods of time, but it can more than handle wet conditions on the course. Or a fall into the pond with a relatively quick recovery… This is key when you think about everything in your bag that you want to keep dry. Your cell phone, expensive range finder, GPS watch (or regular watch), key fob, and expensive leather scorecard cover from Pine Valley will be perfectly safe! Additionally, the bag’s materials won’t absorb water so your bag won’t become heavier due to being waterlogged.
Final Thoughts – Sun Mountain H2NO Superlite Stand Bag
In short, I friggin’ love this bag! Admittedly, I am somewhat of a Sun Mountain fanboy after all these years of depending on their bags, but there’s a reason for it. Sun Mountain makes exceptional bags and stands behind their products. The H2NO Superlite delivers on all of those expectations I’ve developed over the past decade. It’s comfortable to carry over 18 holes, the stand deploys with ease, and all the while keeping everything inside bone dry. In my opinion, the H2NO Superlite is a great all-purpose bag for the serious walker and will be reliable in any condition you throw at it.
