Gear bags are completely unnecessary...

[Ready4Launch]

...at least that is the opinion I have so far formed. What really is the purpose to a SCUBA specific piece of luggage?

So far, my travels for SCUBA in the past 2 years I've been certified have seen me go to Jamaica, Florida, and Hawaii via airline travel with my gear. An old suitcase or large-ish sized duffle seems to be fine even when hauling my Scubapro Jet Fins and Zeagle Ranger BC.

Going to MX next month and was thinking about getting a gear bag, but I don't see the point to them really. Maybe I'll just buy a new laundry bag to replace the one I've got for dragging stuff to and from the boat.

Anyone feel like telling me I'm wrong?

 

[northernone]

I agree.

My dive gear isn't 'typical' so a dive bag isn't the best fit either.

I've got 6 of them of various brands and sizes and would never consider traveling with any.

Regards,
Cameron

 

[scubadada]

I've flown with my scuba gear in regular luggage for many years. I see no reason to advertise what's in the bag. On site, I use a mesh backpack if I need to carry my gear back and forth to the boat. Much more comfortable if you have any distance to cover and stows away nicely in your luggage and on the boat.

 

[boulderjohn]

I used to use luggage designed for scuba, but I don't any more--haven't for many years. My concern is not the advertising of what's inside--scuba gear is not what luggage thieves are after. My reasons are that most scuba luggage offers no advantage and it has one (for me) huge disadvantage.

I still have a huge piece of luggage designed for scuba. It is a big empty container with some places on the side to fit fins. What is the advantage of putting fins in those places rather than just putting them in the empty space? If there is no advantage to the fin holders, how is this piece of luggage different from other luggage I might use?

The answer is weight. That sucker is heavy. I carry a lot of gear when I travel for scuba, and I always have to decide what to leave behind because of weight. Every ounce counts. I therefore use the lightest luggage I can buy and still be tough enough to handle the beatings luggage takes.

 

[Schwob]

If a bag w/o wheels weighs much over 3 lbs I look hard as to why I would or should use it. Wheeled bags commonly are between 9 and 11 lbs, a very few wheeled duffel maybe getting close to 7. The choice with wheels seems to be between light, costly, flimsy appearance on the one side or heavy and sturdy on the other. So, unless I have little enough weight to bring to be able to use a wheeled suitcase, it stays home and the duffel bag w/o wheels goes. Sometimes even when weight is not an issue, it goes. Try getting suitcases and carry ons and maybe personal bags for a family of four into a full size rental car. Sure, one could pay more for the rental...
Ditto with ski trips.
But, I admit, wheels are nice. Just most of the time not for me. When using wheels however I do not have the foggiest idea why I should believe a scuba anything branded bag should be better than some non scuba branded bag with features I have reasons to trust will hold up.

 

[_Ralph]

The only "scuba" bags I have are the bags that come with drysuits and a boat bag (splash bag?).

If travelling (flying), everything is in regular cheapo suitcases, and packed accordingly.

_R

 

[ronscuba]

To me a gear bag is the mesh scuba bag used to transfer gear to/from the boat. Agree about no reason for scuba specific luggage for plane travel. For that I use a non-wheeled duffel.

 

[CuzzA]

I agree.

And if you dive locally from a boat, perhaps reconsider using giant duffle bags that can fit a couple humans, but are typically found to be filled a quarter of the way with gear and are always in the way.

My solution:

DIY Scuba Gear Bucket with Beer Holder...

 

[tbone1004]

I don't know of any non "recreational" divers that use them. By that I mean divers and dive professionals not associated with a shop. All of the tech divers that I know use standard luggage or gear bins when they travel

 

[Zef]

I was in the predicament of looking for a light weight luggage to carry gear and clothes for a week+ trip to Hurgada a couple of seasons ago. My goal was to find a bag that was durable enough to last a trip or two, was as light as possible, and would not break the bank. I was able to find and buy a very spacious wheeled duffel bag that was made from medium weight rip-stop fabric, the carry handles wrapped around the bag, and it had an extendable handle to pull it along. The bag weighs only about 4 pounds (if I recall correctly...will reweigh it tonight to confirm) and it cost me under $40. I think the brand was Colorado or something (will confirm that tonight as well). I thought the bag would only last me the trip but it has since supported multiple dive, work, and other leisure trips.

-Z