Equipment Bag

[kcfan102]

I ran a search looking for a discussion on equipment bags and surprisingly didn't find one. If you guys discussed this previous, I'm sorry.

I have been using an equipment bag made by Easton from some time. It isn't umpire or even catcher specific. It's just a bag with a really big compartment. Everythign fits... sorta, but I see how convenient the Diamonds, Pro 9, Force 3s, and Wilsons are and I'm intrigued. They have wheels, compartments for shoes, shirts, hats, all the armor... sounds sweet.

Which one to get.

I have all Wilson gear so my first instinct is to go with Wilson. But I hear so many great things about the Diamond bag. I can get the Wilson for $110 shipped, compared to the Diamond which is $170 shipped?

Anessa over at Ump-Attire said that the material of the Diamond is stronger than Wilson's, but they havn't had many returns of the Wilsons.

Does anybody have experiance with the Wilson? Is the Diamond worth the extra $ ?

[Umpire in Chief]

I have the Diamond. I chose it over the Wilson because of the thickness of the material, and the zippers. Now I understand Wilson has fixed the problem with their zippers, but the Diamond look and feel heavy duty fitting in with the rest of the bag. I've been really pleased, and cannot imagine why somebody would return this bag. My only complaint about the Diamond bag is that it will not stand upright w/o shoes in the shoe compartment.

[kcfan102]

The Diamond is undisputedly the more durable bag.

However, the Wilson can be found retailing for under $100

I need all the money I can save and treat my gear well. Plus, if anyone has seen me roll or fold clothes, they'd know I would lean away from the Diamond. Therefore, Wilson it is for me

Be weary though, some places do not carry the new version. For example, CAT SPorts has it listed for 99.95 and has the old model pictured, but sells the new model. However, my calls to them "cannot be completed. This is a recording" and they seemingly refuse to respond to my e-mails. Perhaps they have tanked?

I've found it at the same price from batterschoice.com however I've yet to confirm if this is the new or old model.

If anyone has any information on a place carrying the new Wilson bag and selling it for less than $100, let me know ASAP please. If I don't hear back from CAT by April 1, my order goes to batterschoice.com

Those are the numbers I've been looking at too. You and I are in the same boat. I'm saving for fall turition so money is a big factor. This is what Anessa said from Ump-Attire: she is the best!

They are very similar at first glance and both are great bags made by reputable companies.

The main two differences you will notice are:

#1) The Diamond bag is constructed of Heavy Duty 840 D Weight Polyester,

while the Wilson is constructed of Durable 600 D Weight Polyester.

#2) The inside flap of the Diamond bag has 7 separate compartments for your accessories, while the Wilson has only one small zippered pouch.

Otherwise, they are very comparable. We sell more of the Diamond, but rarely have any returns on the Wilson’s we do sell.

Whats the difference between the old and the newer version, ump_24?

[kcfan102]

Gotcha. On Wilson's website it says that the other compartment,opposite of the shoes is lined with fleece to protect the shock fx helmet. That's pretty neat I suppose, I don't know if you have a Shock or not. Otherwise I could see it being used for another shoe pouch.

I'm with ya, I think I'm gonna side with Wilson cause of the price tag. Now just waiting on my check from Uncle Sam.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Wilson's looks and has always looked the best. And if you take good care of it, I suppose it'll last a number of years.

But the Diamond I have has as much as it can hold stuffed into it, gets punished 12 months a year, and its durability is unsurpassed. I absolutely stuff everything related to umpiring into this bag and carry it in and out of the house and office, including up and down stairs, and the handles, wheels and zippers are all holding up beautifully. (The zippers, which are/were a problem on both Wilson's and Jim Evans,' are as heavy duty and flawless as on any bag I've ever had.)

It's like anything, I suppose. If I had bought either the Jim Evans or the Wilson, I would have already had to replace it. But by buying the Diamond in the first place, I have a bag that appears nowhere near close to failing in any way. So I've saved at least $99 (or $140 if I had chosen the Jim Evans) so far by choosing the Diamond. I'll let you know what year it finally fails in some way.

[kcfan102]

Wilson's looks and has always looked the best. And if you take good care of it, I suppose it'll last a number of years.

But the Diamond I have has as much as it can hold stuffed into it, gets punished 12 months a year, and its durability is unsurpassed. I absolutely stuff everything related to umpiring into this bag and carry it in and out of the house and office, including up and down stairs, and the handles, wheels and zippers are all holding up beautifully. (The zippers, which are/were a problem on both Wilson's and Jim Evans,' are as heavy duty and flawless as on any bag I've ever had.)

It's like anything, I suppose. If I had bought either the Jim Evans or the Wilson, I would have already had to replace it. But by buying the Diamond in the first place, I have a bag that appears nowhere near close to failing in any way. So I've saved at least $99 (or $140 if I had chosen the Jim Evans) so far by choosing the Diamond. I'll let you know what year it finally fails in some way.

See, I don't think I take care of my equipment any better or worse than most guys on this board, but my gear stays in my mobile umpiring vehuicle for 80% of the year. I've thought of designing dressers and full body mirrors in there

But seriously, My gear stays in my car for way more than half of the year. For those instances where I do work at a place that has a changing room, I'd like to pack up and go there.

But the zippers.... hmm I'll have look into that a little more.

[kcfan102]

How far away are you from ordering the bag?

[midmoump]

In mid-July I wrote a review of the Diamond Deluxe Pro Umpire Equipment Gear Bag for Midwest Ump. Recently I discovered that Anaconda Sports is selling the 36" WHL-DLX-UMP-BAG for $99.95. That is a really low price for this terrific bag!

[jnazz]

I purchased the Force3 (Jim Evans) bag last off season and used it throughout this season. I find it perfect for me, since I prefer to carry my shirts, pants and jackets in an apparel bag. A few guys I work with have the Diamond bag and they like it (all of them carry their apparel in the bag).

[zm1283]

I absolutely love the Diamond bag. Got it this year and it's worth every penny. Only problem is that I traded cars and my new one has a small trunk. I have to take my gear out of the bottom compartment to get the bag in the trunk.

[slo8140]

That is a great price on the Diamond bag. I am a user of the newer force 3 evans bag and love it. It does not hold my uniforms, but I hang them in garment bags in my car anyway.

I use the garment bags that Honig's sells. Great price and they serve the purpose. I actually have three separate ones. I put Jackets and long sleeve shirts in one. Pants and popular color shirts in another and the third holds the lesser worn shirt colors. The system has worked great for me.

[JaxRolo]

I absolutely love the Diamond bag. Got it this year and it's worth every penny. Only problem is that I traded cars and my new one has a small trunk. I have to take my gear out of the bottom compartment to get the bag in the trunk.

What car do you drive? I was wondering if it would fit in my Miata.

[BrianC14]

That is a great price on the Diamond bag. I am a user of the newer force 3 evans bag and love it. It does not hold my uniforms, but I hang them in garment bags in my car anyway.

I use the garment bags that Honig's sells. Great price and they serve the purpose. I actually have three separate ones. I put Jackets and long sleeve shirts in one. Pants and popular color shirts in another and the third holds the lesser worn shirt colors. The system has worked great for me.

The Force3 doesn't have a uniform compartment? I didn't realize that.... it's predessor (the "Jim Evans Academy bag") made a big selling point of having the shirt and pants folding accessory for the bottom compartment. That was one of the reasons I bought it....though the price (50% off) was a big factor, too.

[boyinr]

What car do you drive? I was wondering if it would fit in my Miata.

Having owned a Miata (until my wife "killed" it) I doubt that anything 15"x15"x36" would fit in there. I mostly used mine to carry beer and beach towels.

Edited August 25, 2010 by boyinr

[rth54]

Diamond has a 30x16x15 version with telescopic handle that is perfect for compact car trunks. Also it is the perfect size for checking on airplanes. I drive a mazda 3 5 door ...and it works perfectly. You may have to develop a more efficient packing method, but it will certainly work. I love mine.

[semper_fi_72]

Diamond has a 30x16x15 version with telescopic handle that is perfect for compact car trunks. Also it is the perfect size for checking on airplanes. I drive a mazda 3 5 door ...and it works perfectly. You may have to develop a more efficient packing method, but it will certainly work. I love mine.

Cant get mt bag into the trunk of my Mustang.,lol

[Umpire in Chief]

Cant get mt bag into the trunk of my Mustang.,lol

It would help if you took some of the bodies out.

[jnazz]

The Force3 doesn't have a uniform compartment? I didn't realize that.... it's predessor (the "Jim Evans Academy bag") made a big selling point of having the shirt and pants folding accessory for the bottom compartment. That was one of the reasons I bought it....though the price (50% off) was a big factor, too.

They still come with the folding accessory. I'd just rather use a larger "hang up" style apparel bag (I assume slo8140 does the same with the Honig's apparel bags).

[zm1283]

What car do you drive? I was wondering if it would fit in my Miata.

Mustang GT

Cant get mt bag into the trunk of my Mustang.,lol

Nope. I have to take the gear out and put it on the right side of the trunk. Then I fold down the driver side rear seat and slide the bag in on that side. It's a real PITA.

[slo8140]

They still come with the folding accessory. I'd just rather use a larger "hang up" style apparel bag (I assume slo8140 does the same with the Honig's apparel bags).

Yeah...technically the bottom compartment is for uniforms, but I just put all my accesories down there. I have a couple of ditty bags, a couple of cap keeps, extra belts, cup, mask harness, etc...

Then I hang the unis. The bag does have room to put all that stuff else where, but I like the ease of access the way I use it.

[Kevin Finnerty]

I also do it the Slo way. I like my uniforms always looking ship shape.

And the bottom compartment fits a pair of plate shoes, two masks, shins and a chest protector damned near perfectly. It's possible to put the uniforms in the bottom, but it was designed for the protective gear. Wilson has a picture of theirs getting filled differently. but the gear in the bottom was the design according to Diamond and Pro 9, two of the leaders.

[Umpire in Chief]

I use the 30" Diamond bag.

I have my equipment in the bottom CP, triple Knee shins, 3-4 cups, and my mask.

In the top I took out one of the removable dividers so I only have 2 sections. I have nearly all my uniforms. 3-4 pairs of pants, 6-7 Shirts, 6-7 undershirts, a couple of jocks, 2 compression shorts and 5-6 pairs of socks. Plus all my accessories in the pockets in the flaps. I find it works perfectly.

The only thing I do different is I do not store my shoes in the shoe compartment. I have found that your shoes will not air out in there. There is just not enough air circulation, the 2 grommet holes it has is just not enough.

BTW I do not put any wet equipment in my bag. I let it air out in the trunk then put it away when dry.

[mazzamouth]

I have had the Wilson bag now for almost 3 yrs.. Just recently I got a rip in the top pocket, but the rest is holding up fine.. I would stay in my trunk all season, being pulled out to the games. I keep everything in there, all my clothes are on the bottom folded up nicely, all of my gear is on the top.. shoes and everything. it is a nice bag and works well.

[Thunderheads]

Guys, serious question, ...not being a smart-a$$ but ....

How can you keep your clothes folded in your equip bag and they stay 'pressed' looking? Wouldn't it be better to keep in a garment type bag?

;)

[Umpire in Chief]

I just fold them nicely and keep them flat. Before the equipment bag I used a garmet bag. I have never had any issue with wrinkled uniforms.