No need to give out any details, but out of curiosity what kind of price is he running on custom bags? I know it must depend on the size/intricacy, but in general?
I emailed him a long while ago about doing a custom bag, but then I converted my first DIY bag. Then got the Lat Pro bag.
I'd love to design a bag from the ground up.
Well, I won't get into prices specifically because it's not my place. If you just want one of the bag models he already has, you get to pick two colors and that's right around the same price as a Grip/Mahal. Anything you want done to it starts adding. Although not as much as you might think. You wouldn't skyrocket a bag up to $500 just because you want some things added on.
The thing is, I've built a dozen or so DIY bags. Every one has been fun. But I haven't kept a single one except my mini-sling that's only used for carrying less than 10 discs. I've also had a Grip, a Contender, a Dual Pack, and have had trial runs with almost every other backpack out there. They're all good bags. Don't get me wrong. But I never utilized them to the exact potential they were designed for. They just didn't fit my needs all the way. And I think a lot of disc golfers feel the same way.
I eventually got tired of paying top dollar for using 80% of a backpack. I don't ever use two drink holders. I don't carry a lot of extra stuff. I don't carry a stool. These are all features that I'm sure work great for some people but not others. So that's why I started making DIY bags. Honestly, why pay $200 for 80% of a bag that I use when I can build a backpack that's 70% of a solid backpack for $70? Because as much as I love making DIY bags, I have no illusions that they are at the same level as the backpacks made specifically for disc golf.
And finally I said screw it. I started thinking about exactly what I want. And I started talking to David at No Excuses about it. He was pretty excited about making the bag. It's not a huge departure from what he offers now. Just a new way of making it that orients things to a different set of needs. He decided to name the new model the Game Changer after he and I started talking about my 8-Bit Disc Golf foray.
It's not going to be a big deal. There won't be a big pre-order push or hundreds going out the door. It's a small operation and they build as they get orders. There's a wait, there's design time, and there's a lot of communication back and forth. So it's not for everyone. Most people will see the backpack that's closest to what they want and click "BUY." And that's fine. But once my backpack is finished and he works the design out, he said anyone who likes the way my bag is set up can order the Game Changer and he'll build it for them.
I'm pretty excited about it. I'm looking forward to owning a backpack that's uniquely mine and being able to brag about it. Even if it costs a touch more. I've saved enough money buying and selling DIY bags that I decided I earned it, lol.