dive bag recommendations

[Puffling]

We have the mares bag that weighs about 2 kelo, it’s on wheels.

We normally pack up to it’s limit in dive gear, it carry’s 2 sets nicely. However we struggle coming back as everything weighs more somehow, I’m told it’s due to it being damp / humid.

So I was going to split the dive gear as we can take 2 sets FOC on our airline so why stress ourselves out, trying to pack it into one.

The mares 2 kelo one is perfect, but too big in my opinion, so I was looking for suggestions of lightweight dive bag preferably on wheels, or I suppose that could sit on top of my main wheely case.

 

[Divectionist]

I never really understood why one should go to a dive brand to buy these bags. All I see is bags that give one third of the protection the same money could buy with a hard case, or a soft bag that costs three times as much as an equivalent soft wheelie bag without a dive brand on it. For airplane travel, no way would I check in a soft bag with dive gear that gets squashed between stuff. Hard case is the way. For car travel, I use a generic large (larger than the usual dive wheelie) bag that I can replace 4 times before it costs the same as a dive bag, yet it holds up so far and does not leak holding damp gear for a car ride home.

For a regulator bag, thick padded nylon laptop bags, this time a bit more expensive than these thin reg bags from the dive store, do the job beautifully with ample side pockets to store adapters, tools, spare hoses, etc.

I suggest personally going to one of those luggage warehouse places to pick out something suitable, you'll be surprised what you can find among the larger wheelie bags / hard shell cases. Best to eye it in person.

 

[Charles2]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00AYWMPMK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1

Holds everything, easy to transport

 

[Uno1]

I agree with Charles2. I have the earlier version in the large size. It is very light. The backplate gives the bag the rigidity. My Seawing Novas give additional support and protection to the sides. It packs a lot of gear. In the last year it has been on 3 international trips and one domestic and its still going strong.

 

[Fathom044]

After having the airline recently completely destroy my dive bag and some gear with it, I went with a Pelican Air - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EGDWRWA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The weight is about the same as a soft bag and it is exactly the maximum allowable checked bag (62”) with no overcharges. If you add up the dimensions of the bag above, it exceeds this maximum. It also has a lifetime warranty!

 

[Divectionist]

Yep these are my preferred travel hard cases for dive gear also, the airlines still manage to bust off the little combination locks I put through the clips...

After having the airline recently completely destroy my dive bag and some gear with it, I went with a Pelican Air - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01EGDWRWA/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The weight is about the same as a soft bag and it is exactly the maximum allowable checked bag (62”) with no overcharges. If you add up the dimensions of the bag above, it exceeds this maximum. It also has a lifetime warranty!

 

[Rooster59]

Here's what happens to your bag

 

[Fathom044]

Yep these are my preferred travel hard cases for dive gear also, the airlines still manage to bust off the little combination locks I put through the clips...

Which is why I use HD neon zip ties.

 

[Streydog]

An older thread but thought I would pass along this sale ending today at Samsonite. They have a 30" duffle that is great for transporting dive gear as well as all your clothing, especially if you have long fins. As a disclaimer I do work for Samsonite but wouldn't recommend this bag if I didn't think it was a great deal. https://shop.samsonite.com/luggage/...eled-executive-wheeled-duffel/110384XXXX.html

 

[Diving Dubai]

We have the mares bag that weighs about 2 kelo, it’s on wheels.

We normally pack up to it’s limit in dive gear, it carry’s 2 sets nicely. However we struggle coming back as everything weighs more somehow, I’m told it’s due to it being damp / humid.

So I was going to split the dive gear as we can take 2 sets FOC on our airline so why stress ourselves out, trying to pack it into one.

The mares 2 kelo one is perfect, but too big in my opinion, so I was looking for suggestions of lightweight dive bag preferably on wheels, or I suppose that could sit on top of my main wheely case.

Been there...

I used to have a large Mares bag, totally impractical in the real world.

Chose a solution that is appropriate for you and the traveling you do.

My main destinations are Indonesia, so my solution is this

Small compact bag for dive gear, that is rugged & rugged bag for clothes etc - these go in the hold. A small multi compartment backpack for hand luggage that holds my electronics and everything I'll need on an aircraft + "emergency" overnight stuff. My wife hauls similar

I choose multiple bags purely because its easier to pack them into a taxi rather than a couple of larger bags

I don't care if its branded or not (in 30 years of international travel often more than once a month I've never had a bag stolen or broken into) I need it to withstand the baggage handlers, and be easy to move over when outside an airport. Dragging some bags to a dive shop across rough pavement can be a chore.

My personal choices are from North Face - I've tried lots of options for all my different travel need, and North Face bags hold up the best. My original cargo duffel, now 2 years old has surpassed lots of newer bags I've had. However they're not cheap and depending on usage it can be more cost effective (if not environmentally friendly to buy a cheap bag to last one trip then dispose of it.

The bigger the bag the more tempted you are to pack "just in case items" you'll never use and will help you to encounter the joys of the excess baggage payment counter. Yes, been there too..