Gear bag recommendations

[NorCalDM]

We use roller bags for traveling easier getting through airports and such but then when we get were we are going switch to a smaller day bag. I like a dry bag to take onto a boat so things like towels or change of clothes don’t get wet and they pack down for easy storage as most day boats have limited space. I will also use a mesh backpack on a small boat to carry gear to and from the boat if I’m not worried about anything getting wet and you can stuff it anywhere. Stahlsac make great rolling gear bags and backpacks.

 

[divinh]

With all the sales, I finally got my own gear and this thread got me researching...

Resecu Waterproof Backpack 50L

https://www.amazon.com/Resecu-100-W...r=1-1&keywords=Resecu+Waterproof+Backpack+50L

Cressi Dry Gara Packpak

https://www.amazon.com/Cressi-DRY-G...13503401&sr=1-1&keywords=cressi+gara+backpack

Cuckoo 50L Outdoor

https://www.amazon.com/Cuckoo-Climb...1513503492&sr=1-1&keywords=cuckoo+50l+outdoor

My requirements are:

1. needs to be at least 22" long to fit fins
2. carry-on size
3. big enough to drop in a small daypack as additional baggage so that I'll just have the dive gear bag as carry-on + camera bag as the personal item
4. ideally waterproof so that if I had to carry wet gear, I'm not dripping everywhere

 

[outofofficebrb]

The base camp duffels from TNF are a viable option and will do well with water either inside or outside if you are on a scooter/moped. One thing to be cautious about are the zippers - corrosion. We don’t use ours with wet dive gear but it may be worth double checking with salt water exposure. I have many of these bags (10-12 between Mr. OOO and I, mostly mediums, a couple small, a couple large, and an XL) and they are extremely durable.

We use a rolling thunder medium for checked baggage which is the same material as the duffels. I’ve used mine for the past 10 years on 2-3 int’l trips a year and it’s still going strong with all the airlines. Our duffels are in pristine condition - we have camp gear, ski gear, etc. in ours and are pretty rough with the duffels. Their tarpaulin material is pretty amazing and has been proven with time.

Disclosure...I used to work for the company but don’t work for them any longer. However, I still swear by their bags. Another option is the Patagonia black hole duffel but I still prefer the base camps over the black hole duffels. They seem and feel more durable. The black holes do seem lighter in weight for the same volume and size if that matters.

 

[EireDiver606]

Thanks. So are dry bags what most people like to use? I only mentioned the moped because I'll be handling the bag a lot.

Do most people use bags with rollers for their every day bag? Or just a sturdy duffel type?

I would with my bag I linked as it is 100% waterproof. Apeks is only roll top

 

[Aloha Joe]

Thanks - I guess I completely underestimated the value of a dry bag! I wasn't sure if having something breathable would help keep things from getting moldy and stinky , but I can appreciate the ability to put my bag down w/o getting everything around it wet. I rented a dry bag for a kayak trip and it was pretty stale inside, but I guess a zippered bag would be much easier to air out.

@outofofficebrb (awesome screen name, btw!) thanks - that TNF bag definitely seemed pretty bomb proof! It seems hard to find things built like that these days... I had the same thought about the zippers and will check. And maybe I can pre-treat them or something.

 

[doctormike]

I used one of these when I was diving in Bermuda and going to the dive shop on a scooter.... worked great!

Bonaire Mesh Backpack

 

[outofofficebrb]

Thanks - I guess I completely underestimated the value of a dry bag! I wasn't sure if having something breathable would help keep things from getting moldy and stinky , but I can appreciate the ability to put my bag down w/o getting everything around it wet. I rented a dry bag for a kayak trip and it was pretty stale inside, but I guess a zippered bag would be much easier to air out.

@outofofficebrb (awesome screen name, btw!) thanks - that TNF bag definitely seemed pretty bomb proof! It seems hard to find things built like that these days... I had the same thought about the zippers and will check. And maybe I can pre-treat them or something.

They also have a warranty on stitching and zippers. Corrosion wouldn’t be included but f zippers break or if the stitching comes apart it would be covered.