ALMOST 5 STARS! Love the bag.
First off, this bag is amazing. I obsessed so much over finding the right bag that it convinced me to start reviewing gear for YouTube. I had the OG giant Kong and it has seen better days. It was time to upgrade.
The PLUS KNKG is big enough to handle all your needs, well built, and almost perfect. Let me break it down.
Style: 5/5
I got red and it is BEAUTIFUL. This color doesn't get the love it deserves. It is a deep crimson red. Think, the spartan capes from the movie "300". I usually go with black, but my wife and good buddy convinced me and I'm glad I listened. It pops. The pockets are well placed and the materials looks look high quality.
Utility & Layout: 4/5
My purposes are as a strength and performance coach, a firefighter, an MMA/Bjj/boxing fighter and coach. So I have to have my equipment and be able to depend on my gear. This is where the PLUS falls just short for my uses. I like the end bag with interior mesh pockets. Big improvement to the exterior mesh from the OG giant kong. Those got loose and everything fell out. The pockets on the front exterior are also an upgrade. They sit tight and aren't just extra fluff. They are useful.
The cons... the bag sits flimsy. The previous version also had this. As I remove my gear for training or teaching, the bag falls almost flat. It makes organization tough, but I'm being picky. The upper flap just folds open and the sides have no structural integrity. Having a top flap with some mesh and zippers would be a big upgrade. There are no organizational options inside the main compartment, which the CORE does have, but that isn't a deal breaker if you just need the PLUS for it's size. It is simply limited in terms of interior layout. The CORE duffle definitely outshines the PLUS in this regard.
Second, the shoe compartments on the end. This is my single BIGGEST complaint. Any time you use them, you create dead space. The shoe compartments are collapsible, but if you put anything in them it takes up room in the main compartment using up valuable space. If I'm carrying muay thai gear, a Bjj gi, and spare clothes, this ends up taking up space I need. So basically these compartments are relegated to my shower flip flops. Putting my running shoes in it basically gets them smashed and stinky I would prefer the shoe compartment be another large pocket on the end like the CORE has. Keeping the pocket vertical would be better and keep the interior free. Plus, it would serve as a more accessible wet/stink bag for dirty clothing, again without intruding on the main compartment. I unsweetened that the shoe pockets was a big thing that KNKG started back in the old "Kong" days (Kong4lyfe). But it is time to reconsider how they go about it. Anyone that needs 2 shoe bags can probably get by with better planning and one pair or use the main compartment for dedicated training shoes. Anyone that needs a bag as large as the plus, NEEDS the main interior compartment to remain open for business. Otherwise they would just buy a smaller bag.
Durability/Quality: 5/5
Haven't had the bag long enough to say just yet, but the OG giant kong has lasted me about 7 years. This bag shows some clear improvements in quality and materials. So I can predict with some certainty that this bag will be every bit as durable. The feel of the fabrics and materials is tip top. Exactly what you would expect from a $200 gym bag. You definitely get what you pay for here.
Overall an 8.5/10 here. One point loss for the shoe compartment and half a point for the flimsy structure. The star of the show is the style. This red color absolutely knocks it out of the park. The magnets on the pockets to secure them closed is so satisfying. And the front pockets themselves are perfectly sized and placed. The straps are thick and heavy duty reminding me of seat belts and high end industrial webbing. This bag will not disappoint.
Would I buy again? ABSOLUTELY.
Am I being picky? Definitely.
Can this bag go from really good to great/perfect? That depends on your needs. In my mind, anyone who needs a bag this big needs a main compartment that is free and open, or has more formal organizational options for the interior. The collapsible cubes aren't it... but I have a few creative solutions for that :)
-Coach Hank, Hammer & Anvil
