Why a specialized luggage bag? What makes it so special?

[ijdod]

To me a specialised bag (which typically are not Scuba related at all) is large and weighs next to nothing. Typical flights to the Red Sea have a 20 kg luggage allowance, so the less of that 20 kg is bag, the better . Currentlty I use a North Face Duffel XL.

 

[ScubaSteve1962]

I use a Samsonite roller duffle bag. All my gear fits in it.

 

[DivemasterDennis]

My favorite "plane transport container" is a Samsonite hard case that weighs very little, from which I removed all the interior straps and stuff. I have a huge Akona gear bag for packing stuff off to the local dive sites for training, or van trips to less local sites. Bags should be selected for their light weight and ability to protect our precious scuba gear.
DivemasterDennis

 

[mike_s]

I have seen for sale luggage bags for scuba divers (like for air travel). I wonder why. Regular bags nowadays are just as lite and spacious. Most will be ok to handle anything wet. Seems like regular luggage will do well.

Why do people even buy these scuba travel luggage bags?

Not all bags are created equal.

that goes for bags made by dive companies also.



I used to have a cheap walmart roller bag. It wasn't re-enforced in the right areas, and after getting wet with dive gear, the light weight zipper started to give out. Then the fabric "gave out" (tore when I picked it up on the airline carousel, scattering my dive gear).

I decided then to buy a better bag instead of letting airline employees pick and choose what they wanted of my scattered dive gear.

You don't have to buy a dive-gear brand. but do buy a good one, so the above doesn't happen.


as mentioned above, using big name brands just invites thieves. Stay away from brands with big ScubaPro or Aqualung or other big name dive logos.

Also, weight is a BIG consideration when you're limited to 50 pounds per bag. My LDS had some nice dive bags, but they weighed 13-15 pounds empty. that cut too much into the 50 pound limit.

 

[TSandM]

We buy wheeled duffle bags from Costco. They cost about $35. They don't last terribly long (a couple of years) but they're cheap to replace. The only reason I could think of for using a specialized bag would be that it MIGHT be constructed with tolerating heavier loads in mind.

 

[Slmason.72]

I use Dive Caddy. It's a specialized backpack that fits ALL of my gear (warm water). I can carry it on the plane with me and don't have to worry about luggage handlers. I check a small bag with my clothes, toiletries, shears and dive knife.

---------- Post Merged at 12:54 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 12:53 PM ----------

Oh, and chicks dig it...

 

[dvankirk]

I use Dive Caddy. It's a specialized backpack that fits ALL of my gear (warm water). I can carry it on the plane with me and don't have to worry about luggage handlers. I check a small bag with my clothes, toiletries, shears and dive knife.

---------- Post Merged at 12:54 PM ---------- Previous Post was at 12:53 PM ----------

Oh, and chicks dig it...

+1 on the dive caddy for a warm water setup.

 

[koozemani]

We buy wheeled duffle bags from Costco. They cost about $35. They don't last terribly long (a couple of years) but they're cheap to replace. The only reason I could think of for using a specialized bag would be that it MIGHT be constructed with tolerating heavier loads in mind.

We Bought a couple of these on TSandMs recommendation and are very pleased. At $40 a pop, you can't go wrong. I'll be ecstatic if they last a couple of years. They also have a wet compartment for the trip home.

I also use a dive caddy as a carryon.

 

[Bratface]

The fabric on dive bags is designed to hold up to wet gear, also as mentioned before, the zippers are sturdier. Any bag will do as long as it is sturdy and won't fall apart. You can always apply ScotchGuard or other water repellant spray to the interior.

 

[nrengle]

I actually have an Aqualung 1550 bag. And not for traveling with my dive gear. I travel 300 days of the year for work. And the warranty is the reason I bought this and the price (on sale at the LDS). They cover all damage, even airline inflicted, for life. Generally you don't get that with any of the bag companies (read Samsonites warranty card sometime), unless you pay for the top end luggage. And well since I got the bag for 165 bucks, I'm happy. Otherwise I'd have to pay about 4 to 500 for a bag with this kind of warranty. It's held up so far to a European tour, and holding up well to this US tour right now. I was replacing suitcases about once a year or even more, so finally ponied up the cash for a better bag, and got burned on the warranty (TravelPro brand). Also it makes it easier to spot my bag when traveling with a party of 100 people or so when in the hotel lobby getting on the bus, or at the airport for a fly date.