A Note On Plastics

By Robin Kaye

disc plastics are confusing

A note on plastics:

Plastics can be confusing. “Cosmic”, “Ekka”, what are you on about!?! 

This is quick guide to disc golf plastics, and the options in the Local range. 

  • “Basic” plastic. 
    • ie: RPM Strata, Innova DX
    • This is usually polyethylene plastic.
    • It is a softer plastic, so it will:
      • be easier to grip
      • “break in” or “beat in” more quickly. 
      • this means the softer plastic changes shape as it wears and hits things (which it will!), and its flight path will change more quickly over time. It may become understable*. This can be to your advantage - see the note below…

NOTE: “Cheaper” and “basic” does not necessarily mean “worse”. We love the Strata Kahu, because compared to its “Premium” Cosmic or Atomic versions, the Strata version beats in quicker and gets more turn*, hence more airtime and more distance!

  • “Premium” plastic. 
    • Ie: RPM Cosmic/Atomic, Fouth Circle Ekka/Iron
    • This is usually a polypropylene/TPE/TPU blend.
    • It is the most popular plastic, and most widely used. 
    • It is more expensive. 
    • It is more flexible but also harder, so it is:
      • A bit less grippy to hold
      • More durable 
      • Will break in more slowly, so will maintain its original flight path for longer. 
  • “Putting” plastic. 
    • Ie: RPM "Magma", Fourth Circle "AU"
    • Additives to the plastic make these discs rubbery, this acts to:
      • maximise your grip for the putting stroke
      • theoretically “grab” the chains better too
    • Because they are softer they tend to “break in” quickly, and generally don’t work well for long distance throwing. 

 

In the Local Range:


RPM 

  • Cosmic - translucent premium plastic
  • Atomic - opaque premium plastic
  • Magma (soft/medium/hard) - rubbery “putting” plastic
  • Strata - basic plastic

See https://www.rpmdiscs.com/plastic-type/ for their descriptions. 

 

Fourth Circle

  • Iron - translucent premium plastic
  • Ekka - opaque premium plastics
  • AU - white grippy "putting" plastic 

 

*Keep an eye out for our upcoming article explaining understable vs overtable, turn, fade, and other terminology you will keep coming across.