[Golf] Recycled tires! A vertical cart tote bag for both city and course use

A tire tube turned into a bag!? That alone is surprising enough, but now it seems they even changed the shape so it could ride in a golf cart. SEAL’s new “Vertical Cart Tote Bag” is a two-way bag combining recycled tire tube material and high-density nylon. The new model, designed to be especially easy to use on the golf course, is a clever and well-thought-out piece.

Design change: what was the goal?

SEAL’s “Cart Tote Bag” is known for its horizontal design. However, among buyers, many reportedly took it to golf courses. So the new model has been changed to a vertical shape to match the basket at the back of a golf cart. Its dimensions are 220 mm wide, 250 mm high, and 120 mm deep. With this, even tall drink bottles can be stored upright.

What’s more, it’s designed to fit neatly in a golf cart basket vertically. Rather than adapting the bag to golf, they changed the shape of the bag to suit how golfers use it.

Stores the three essential items all at once

During a round of golf, you tend to have surprisingly many small items. Things you’ll want to keep close at hand, such as a smartphone, drinks, a rangefinder, and tees—these “three essential items” (?) keep piling up. So this bag has a few thoughtful storage features. Inside, it’s equipped with a bottle holder and an open pocket, and there are pockets on both outer sides as well. There’s also a pocket with a button on the back.

The front has a loop belt, so you can attach a key holder or small accessories. It seems convenient to be able to quickly take out what you need while staying on the golf cart. During a round, you won’t have to open the bag and fumble around wondering, “Where did I put that...?”

Tire tubes reborn by Japanese craftsmen

SEAL is well known for making bags from recycled used tire tubes. Of course, this vertical tote also uses tire tube material. The distinctive texture unique to tire tubes is a step apart from ordinary nylon bags. What’s more, the material itself is resistant to water and dirt, and its combination with highly water-repellent, high-density nylon seems well suited to golf courses where the weather can change quickly.

Tire tubes that have finished their original role are being reborn as such stylish bags by craftsmen in Japan. Retaining a slight trace of their former life as tire tubes, they now serve as fashionable bags. The word “upcycling” suddenly feels a little more familiar.

When you get off the golf cart, sling it over your shoulder and head into town

Though it was reborn for golf use, this bag also fits naturally into city life. It comes with a removable shoulder strap, so it can be used in two ways: carried by hand or worn over the shoulder. At the golf course, put it in the cart basket; on the way back, sling it over your shoulder for shopping. It’s also handy for keeping both hands free when going out by bicycle. Weighing about 750 g, it’s not too large, yet still offers solid storage pockets. Its simple look should make it easy to match not only golf wear, but also everyday casual outfits.

You may have bought it for golf, but before you know it, you might find yourself using it in town more often. Who knew a used tire tube could be turned into something with so many uses? As a user, this is a great example of SEAL’s philosophy of “giving new value to things that would otherwise be discarded.”

Product name / SEAL Vertical Cart Tote Bag
Price / 22,000 yen
Size / W220 × H250 × D120 mm
Weight / approx. 750 g
Material / recycled used tire tube, high-density nylon
Specifications / zippered main compartment, bottle holder, open pocket, side pockets, rear button pocket, front loop belt, detachable shoulder strap, and more
Country of origin / Japan

● Mondo Design