Recommendations on large capacity diving equipment bag?

[John D.]

Hi. Scanning Amazon, I see SO many different equipment bags with a wide swath of ratings to hold all of ones diving gear: wet suit, mask, boots, BCD, Fins, Regulators etc, that its hard to decide. I'd sure welcome any recommendations from divers? Thanks in advance.

John
Ohio

 

[Marie13]

Do you need a travel bag or simply one to haul your gear locally?

 

[John D.]

Do you need a travel bag or simply one to haul your gear locally?

I'm sorry I should have specified. I will need one for travel and one to take to the dive location/boat

 

[Marie13]

You'll want a small padded bag for your reg set. One of the mesh backpacks will work for hauling your gear to dive site. For travel, you could simply get a large rolling duffle bag, as it will probably cost you less than a dive specific bag. I like the LL Bean Adventure duffle.

ETA: you might also want to consider a small dry bag for phone, etc.

 

[matrixed82]

For travel I really like the Samsonite 35" Ripstop rolling duffle. It's cheaper than dedicated dive luggage and light for a rolling duffle. I can squeeze in 2 sets of BCDs, fins and wetsuits. There is drill room for a little more but the airlines would charge for overweight luggage.

 

[KevinNM]

I use a LBT load out bag. However when they are not on sale they are silly expensive, and they are not on sale now.

But you should get a small bag for your regs and another for lights, compass and computer. I like the aqualung traveler regulator bags for these.

 

[MAKO Spearguns]

We offer two large capacity bags that work especially well for travel. A large water proof canvas bag for airline travel and a matching mesh bag. the mesh bag is perfect for taking gear to and from the boat, because it drains instantly and rolls up in a small package when empty - a nice option on a crowded dive boat.

Many of our customers purchase both bags. The double bag option also has a big benefit when flying. You can place everything in the mesh bag, turn it upside down in the canvas bag and this makes it quite inconvenient for thieves to quickly go through your gear bag.

Freedive Gear Bag

Ballistic Mesh Dive Bag | MAKO Spearguns

 

[sunshower]

Amazon is cool for some basic research but I'd encourage hitting up your local dive shop too. As for large bags, I just bought Scubapro's Porter bag. It hauled a bunch of stuff to FL and NC just fine, I'm satisfied with it after a couple of trips.

 

[Bubblesong]

The Army surplus/second hand store in Warwick RI has some rolling service person gear built very tough for traveling, with camo pattern of course.
I have used rolling hockey bags and fit 4 sets fin/masks/snorkels, (plus a second smaller rolling hockey bag inside) and assorted other gear to Carribean. Once there, rental bcds etc go in separate bags.

 

[diversteve]

He put it out there so I don't feel bad about commenting that the Mako bag is a good way to get your gear smashed to **** by the baggage handlers/conveyor system over multiple flights. You need something with some protection, at least a hard bottom - maybe wheels?

No need to advertise to every potential thief the contents of the bag either. My buddy has a scuba dive bag - it protects all his gear but we can always see it coming on baggage carts at smaller Caribbean airports - I don't think they could've made the label any bigger if they tried - it just screams expensive dive gear inside.

I have a big tennis bag, it still fits inside the checked bag requirements the outside racquet pocket (square not racket shaped) just takes my xl fins plus all my gear. It's also under 5 lbs, I reliably carry something from my buddy to help him get under the 50# limit - sometimes more on the return if his wetsuit is still damp. We actually carry an electronic luggage scale to ensure we're both under the limit - one excess baggage charge will more than pay for it - a good one is about $30.

The bag itself has wheels, a telescoping handle, is basic blue, double sewn on the handles etc. Also cost me all of $40 - ten years ago. It's gone on every trip I have to a lot of the Caribbean and Hawaii - probably 2 dozen or so. One downside is packed it will not stand on end and will fall backwards hitting the guy behind you in line if you try. I have a clamp that allows me to clamp my carry-on roller to it for transport then I check it curbside or the first place I can.It has one inch long rip in a non-stress location - otherwise it's held up really well.

In the roller I carry loose regs, mask in box, boots, full HD video setup - 1-2 change of clothes, 8" tablet with keyboard, plus travel documents etc. If I have to gate check it, I pull the documents and tablet and let everything else go.