The short answer: The plastic mostly decides how long a disc lasts. Most brands have a cheap base plastic and one or more premium plastics, which are tougher and last longer. The plastic also gives the disc its grip and its look. It is the shape, also called the mold, that decides how the disc flies, but the plastic can change that a little.
What is the difference between base and premium plastic?
Base plastic is a brand's cheapest plastic. It usually has good grip, but it wears when it hits trees and rocks. Premium plastic is tougher and can take many more hits before it wears. It costs a little more, but it also lasts longer.
Does a disc fly differently in another plastic?
Yes, a little. The most durable premium plastic often makes a disc slightly more stable, so it turns less during the throw. Base plastic does the opposite, and the more worn it gets, the more it turns. A premium disc therefore flies the same way for longer.
MVP, Axiom and Streamline show this directly in their numbers. The Axiom Envy, for example, has a turn of 0 in Neutron and Proton, but -1 in Electron, their base plastic. You can read what the numbers mean in What do the numbers on a disc mean?
Which plastic should you choose?
Both are fine to start with. As a new player you hit more trees and rocks, so premium plastic is a good choice if you want your discs to last. Base plastic is cheaper and fine for learning the game.
The putter is an exception, because many players pick base plastic for it on purpose. It has good grip, even when it is cold or wet, and a putter rarely gets thrown hard into a tree, so it does not wear as quickly. And because it is cheap, it is easy to own several of the same putter for putting practice.
Why does every brand call its plastics something different?
Every brand gives its plastics its own names, and there are several hundred in total. Some are truly unique, but many are very similar to a plastic from another brand. If you like a plastic, you can often find something similar from another brand. Here are some of the most common ones from the brands we carry the most discs from.
| Brand | Base plastic | Premium with grip | Premium, most durable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innova | DX | Star | Champion |
| Discraft | Putter Line (putters only) | ESP | Z Line |
| MVP, Axiom, Streamline | Electron | Neutron | Proton |
| Latitude 64 | Retro | Gold | Opto |
| Discmania | D-Line | S-Line | C-Line |
| Kastaplast | K3 | K1 Soft | K1 |
The table is only a sample. To look up a specific plastic, DG Puttheads has a large overview of plastics from almost every brand: Disc Golf Plastic Comparison.
What do the extra words in a plastic's name mean?
Many plastic names have an extra word that tells you it is a special version of the plastic.
- Softer or firmer: Soft, Medium, Hard and Firm, for example Electron Soft and Electron Firm. Discmania uses Flex 1, 2 and 3, where Flex 1 is the softest.
- Lighter: Blizzard, Air and Lite, for example Blizzard Champion and Z Lite.
- Effects: Glow glows in the dark, Halo gives the rim a different colour from the rest of the disc, and Swirl, Burst and Metal Flake add patterns and sparkle to the plastic. Effects are mostly about looks, but some can change how the disc flies a little.
See for example Glow discs and Halo discs. You can read how to find the plastic in a disc's name in What does a disc's name mean?