Should I pack my own mask & fins?

[didi440]

I travel with my own mask always. First it fits and I love it. Second and perhaps more importantly, it's prescription. I can't find the boat without it. I also always take my own regs and fins. I love my Slingshots and wouldn't want to get caught in a current without them. Everything else, I can make "work". However, if I know that I am going to be around water and want to dive -- I take my whole kit except for weights and tanks. I am most comfortable in my own gear because it fits, has been serviced regularly, and I know the set up well. With rental gear, you take what you get handed and it may or may not work. Taking my own gear is one less stressor.

 

[Dweaver]

I take all of my own gear except weights and tank.
When I ask my non-diving wife if I should take it or not (for ease of not having to pack, keep up with, extra weight in suitcase, etc..) she just gives me a friendly reminder on how much I spent on it.... then I say, oh yeah honey...and start packing it up.

 

[FireInMyBones]

I take my mask, fins, reg, computer, and BP/W.

 

[Scubagolf]

If I needed to travel light, I would take my mask + computer; then add regs, wetsuit, fins and BC, in that order as weight/space permits. Having said that, I have traveled to many dive locations and I always take it all.

 

[dl348]

I take everything except tanks and weights. I don't like renting gear, especially regs, and wetsuits.

 

[ZenDiver.3D]

I personally take fins, mask, booties, bc, and reg. But that's just me.

I Can dive in any gear, but mask and fins are like underwear- while you Can wear someone else's, yours make you happier.......

 

[utediver]

Thanks for the input everyone. I think I'll pack my mask and fins. That is all the equipment I own so I have no choice but to rent the rest.

 

[diver 85]

I'd bring my mask(& snorkel, lol) and maybe leave the fins home---?if room in your baggage is that tight.....

 

[SolarStorm]

I pack my gear first and then pack the "other" stuff. I have only done trips to mexico, so might not be a fair statement. But I can stay a week in mexico with a swimsuit and the stuff I wore on the plane, but I like MY gear. I spent time researching and purchasing, everything from mask to fins, to wetsuits, and now drysuit. Spent good $ on it, just to leave it at home. If the purpose of the trip is diving, or even if I plan on doing some diving, my gear comes first.

 

[Shasta_man]

You can count on the rental gear being crap. Good condition gear will then be the exception. I wouldn't count on an exception and good fitting and quality gear makes the difference between spending your dive screwing around with the gear (and possibly ending it prematurely) and enjoying it.

If you're a diver now, there is no such thing as "extra luggage", just gear you need.