Sticks N Stuff: Travel Bag

by Vic Williams

Ogio Monster

Family of Fore: This far-reaching luggage and soft goods company doesn’t call this oversized travel bag “Monster” for nothing. We could fit two small kids and a Labrador retriver in its cavernous confines. But for now we’ll stick with our clubs, a couple pairs of shoes (that get their own expandable pockets on the bag’s exterior), and whatever else we decide to haul on the road for the next FG excursion. There’s ample space for the most bloated Tour bag, but the slimmest stand bag can feel secure, too, thanks to internal cinch straps. Factor in a spacious top quadrant lined with padding to protect your precious clubheads and a “SLED” (Structural Load Equalizing Deck) system that gives the whole deal a more stable and workable feel, and Ogio has a true road warrior on its hands that manages to look attractive in that rugged Mel Gibson way, with a bright color scheme you can pick out from across baggage claim.

Steel Wheels: The Monster’s motion makers aren’t really made out of steel, but they might as well be. They’re oversized and will handle any kind of terrain — concrete, airport carpet, parking lot asphalt, whatever — with no problem. So many bags lack in this department, but Ogio gets it right, and gets our stuff there in one tight piece.

The Verdict: We’ve searched long and hard for a soft travel case that hits on all cylinders, and rivals those bulky coffin-like hard cases for durability. Finally our search is over, at least until someone else takes this market segment seriously. Kudos to Ogio for doing so now.

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