Good, inexpensive luggage?

[Janie88]

At $369 per bag, Stahlsac hardly qualifies as "inexpensive"

No, you are correct, Stahlsac is not inexpensive. But I feel it is worth spending a little extra $$ to have something that will last and also protect my gear, and be easy to maneuver.

I've worked out a method where I pack clothing in a few different ziplock bags or those travel compression or cube bags, so when I get to the dive deck on a liveaboard, I open my Stahlsac, pull out my BC, fins etc. and my clothing stays contained. I didn't do that one year and it was kind of a pain, trying to get my dive gear out without messing up my clothing or having it fall out on the deck etc.

 

[BoundForElsewhere]

Packing cubes. Love them.

 

[Kimela]

Packing cubes. Love them.

I manage to overpack packing cubes. They end up as packing balls!!!!! But I do like being able to grab one and know there are specific types of clothing in each one.

 

[Hoag]

I manage to overpack packing cubes. They end up as packing balls!!!!! But I do like being able to grab one and know there are specific types of clothing in each one.

 

[Bratface]

I have Osprey bags. They have a very good warranty and the 30” bag can fit all of my gear with room to spare. It has lots of pockets and good wheels. I believe the newest ones are even lighter in weight. I apply waterproofing spray to the inside and outside of the bag. Ever since my bag broke on the tarmac years ago spilling everything in it, I gave up on cheap luggage.

 

[Jcp2]

I manage to overpack packing cubes. They end up as packing balls!!!!! But I do like being able to grab one and know there are specific types of clothing in each one.

You can increase density if you use the vacuum packing ones. Amazingly heavy.

 

[Kimela]

You can increase density if you use the vacuum packing ones. Amazingly heavy.

My husband discovered that one. Thought it was a wonderful thing to have everything sucked into those vacuum bags and room leftover. Then he weighed his bag and discovered it was WAY over the limit!!! LOL!

 

[Kimela]

I have Osprey bags. They have a very good warranty and the 30” bag can fit all of my gear with room to spare. It has lots of pockets and good wheels. I believe the newest ones are even lighter in weight. I apply waterproofing spray to the inside and outside of the bag. Ever since my bag broke on the tarmac years ago spilling everything in it, I gave up on cheap luggage.

Waterproofing - that's a great idea! We got caught in a downpour doing the bag drag once and I had water inside my bag. I think it just got in through the zippers. I have a can of that waterproofing spray - I'm going to use it. Thanks!

 

[uncfnp]

Packing cubes. Love them.

I “discovered” these a few weeks ago and used them for the first time on a recent trip to Florida. Loved them enough to order a few other sizes and then of course my husband had to have some.

 

[ontdiver]

Waterproofing - that's a great idea!

I typically place my clothes in a heavy duty black garbage bag. When heading home, and if my BCD, wetsuit etc aren't dry, I'll put them in garbage bags to minimize salt damage to the suitcase. I also take pictures of my suitcase before flights to have proof of condition should it get damaged at some point.