Sun Mountain Mid-Stripe Stand Bag
Sun Mountain has been known for their elite-level of golf bags for decades. If one brand has done it all when it comes to golf bags, it’s certainly Sun Mountain. Premium materials, innovative designs, durability…you name it. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t capable of coming up with new things that they haven’t done before. That’s exactly what the new Sun Mountain Mid-Stripe bag brings to the family. With a use of classic vinyl combined with modern design elements, the Mid-Stripe stand bag captures a functional aesthetic that’s somewhat of a departure for Sun Mountain.
The Looks
There are so many things I love about how the Sun Mountain Mid-Stripe bag looks. I think first and foremost, the Mid-Stripe bag has a perfect blend of modern appeal with a classic/vintage persimmon-era vibe. Obviously the namesake stripe accent in the middle of the bag immediately draws your eye. Per usual, Sun Mountain didn’t miss on any little detail either. The leather accent pieces at the ends of the valuables pocket zipper and leather tee holders on each side are a great touch. Maybe it’s a minor detail, but the circular metal towel ring really does remind of the classic vintage vinyl and the leather bags the Mid-Stripe draws inspiration from. And don’t forget about the small metal plate you can have engraved with your initials!
Also as expected from Sun Mountain, there are NINE colorways to appeal to any taste. Everything ranging from a tasteful all white or black to a bold “Loden Moss-Inferno” to express your personal style. As much as I wanted to go with something a little more bold, I saw my signature black/red/white color palette and the decision was made.
Design & Features
You can always count on Sun Mountain for solid design execution and some great features in their bags. The basic expectations of a sturdy structure and stand, reliable durability, and plenty of storage are there every time no matter the model. The Mid-Stripe delivers on all of those high-standards just as you’d always expect from Sun Mountain. Additionally, there are seven pockets including a full-length apparel pocket with plenty of room, two velour-lined valuables pockets, and a drink sleeve. If I could change one thing, I might like to see the beverage pocket insulated.
But life really is about the little things, right? Sun Mountain implemented numerous features that are small but mighty. There are two pen/pencil/marker slots if you like to keep those readily available on your bag. (Maybe a Sharpie on one side, pencil on the other?) There are also two small metal rings on each side of the bag’s spine handle. These have been really nice for additional “clipping space”. Small things like a club brush, keys, etc. My favorite feature by a mile, however, has been the quick-release strap buttons. This has been really convenient when I’m using a push cart to easily remove some clutter from the bag and make for an easier push-cart experience. It also makes swapping in the single strap (available separately) if you prefer to go that route at times.
Not so much a feature, but certainly worth noting – each Mid-Stripe bag also comes with a box 25 tees! Perfect to slide in the leather tee holders on each side of the bag!
On-Course Performance
Everything about the Sun Mountain Mid-Stripe stand bag is premium and it performs as such. While it’s not the lightest walking bag in the world coming in at 5.6 pounds, it’s still a plenty comfortable carry. Keep in mind most of your “carry weight” comes from loading up your bag’s pockets with too much stuff. Throw in a couple of sleeves of balls, enough tees, a rangefinder, a quarter zip, and a water bottle and it will feel like any other mid-size bag. The E-Z Lite Dual Strap System self adjusts to fit your shoulder width perfectly thus making sure the bag is well balanced. Swinging the bag on and off your shoulders while on the go is nice and smooth. I’d go so far as to say the Mid-Stripe has been the best balanced bag from Sun Mountain that I’ve carried over the past few seasons.
Golfers have been fighting getting clubs in and out of their bags for literally centuries. Companies over the years have implemented different numbers of dividers, different shapes and arrangements, and openings of varying sizes. With so many options, every golfer has their own preference these days. Ultimately, we all want easy access and to be able to easily remove and replace our golf clubs from the bag. With the Sun Mountain Mid-Stripe’s nine-inch top featuring four full-length dividers, this process is nice and smooth. The straight lines of the partitions also force your clubs to rest in the bag a little nicer as well and seem more “manageable”. Of course, the handle at the top…of the top…is also clutch for maneuvering the bag quickly and easily, but the leather wrap around it looks really sweet too. The integrated “handle” beneath ball pocket makes lifting the bag in and out of the trunk a breeze as well.
Final Thoughts – Sun Mountain Mid-Stripe Stand Bag
Sun Mountain makes a ton of really cool golf bags and always has. That’s nothing new, but I don’t know what it is about the new Mid-Stripe stand bag. Something about the whole look and feel is just perfect to me. It’s a premium, durable stand bag that’s much more than just a fancy golf accessory. It’s an excellent tool of the trade that will last you a long time. Frankly, as soon as I pulled it out of the box, I instantly knew it was my new gamer. A few strolls around the links and that status was further solidified.
If the Mid-Stripe style appeals to you, but you prefer a cart bag or more dividers, you’re in luck. Sun Mountain offers the same styling in multiple models to address the needs of a wide range of golfers. Furthermore, you can also get matching headcovers and a matching weekend bag to go with it!. Learn more about those here.
