Question Help me get over my fear of soft sided luggage for air travel

[deeno]

I see others traveling with a soft sided duffel for their dive gear and I wonder if people have had gear damage over the years from using them vs a hard sided suitcase. I would like to cut 5lbs off of my gear weight by switching to a rolling duffel (my current samsonite is getting close to retirement), but I have nightmares of a tower of heavy luggage stacked on top of my dive gear.

Am I over thinking it?

 

[GreggS]

My wife and I have been using soft sided luggage for years and have never had our dive gear damaged. They're normally so tightly packed they're more like a solid case. We put our regs & computers in our carry-ons.

 

[ibj40]

My wife and I have been using soft sided luggage for years and have never had our dive gear damaged. They're normally so tightly packed they're more like a solid case. We put our regs & computers in our carry-ons.

I’d second this, with the addition that our regs are also inside the soft sides, inside padded regulator bags that are then inside our BCDs.

 

[Tracy]

What dive gear are you bringing that would be damaged by stacking other bags on top of it?
I pack in a canvas duffel and haven't ever had any issues. I don't really have anything that could crush outside of smashing it with a hammer.

 

[Darnold9999]

I have had a lens port cracked in a duffle. Thought it was well protected but I suspect a customs inspection shuffled something. I now use a small pelican type case to transport such items. If I need to it goes in the duffle so I can travel with a single bag.

 

[rongoodman]

I had a leak in a doubles wing bladder years ago, I assume from somehow being pinched during transit but have no way of knowing for sure. Other than that, no problem

 

[GreggS]

I’d second this, with the addition that our regs are also inside the soft sides, inside padded regulator bags that are then inside our BCDs.

The reason we put our regs and computer in our carry on is because my reg set disappeared from my checked luggage on my way back from Coz a few years ago. Not gonna let that happen again.

 

[Trilobite]

I see others traveling with a soft sided duffel for their dive gear and I wonder if people have had gear damage over the years from using them vs a hard sided suitcase. I would like to cut 5lbs off of my gear weight by switching to a rolling duffel (my current samsonite is getting close to retirement), but I have nightmares of a tower of heavy luggage stacked on top of my dive gear.

Am I over thinking it?

Just an FYI: there is a middle ground here. Something like an Eagle Creek suitcase should be at least 5 lbs lighter than a large Samsonite, but still has a stiff frame (but flexible sides). Not cheap, but well made.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Wife and I have used duffels for years. Dive gear is tough—even regulators. Just cushion the second stages between some clothes and/or a wetsuit.

 

[deeno]

What dive gear are you bringing that would be damaged by stacking other bags on top of it?

I guess that's what I was hoping to find out here. The pinched wing mentioned is something I would not have thought of, but now wonder about.

But it sounds like I am over thinking it and the gear will be fine.

Thanks everyone for the help here!