Traveling with your dive gear can be a challenging task, fortunately there are some really good bags to carry your dive gear. A proper gear bag must be durable, have plenty of space and have a decent set of wheels, straps or both. If it is not easy to carry or wheel, it can make traveling difficult when trying to get from the terminal to the gate to the parking lot to the hotel or to the boat.
Nylon Mesh
Found on less expense bags and is prone to tearing, but is very lightweight.
Butyl Rubber Coated Mesh
A method used to strengthen the lower quality nylon mesh extend the life of the bag. Most of the mesh bags we carry are made from this material.
Cordura Denier Nylon, 1200 & 1600 Count
The higher the thread count, the tougher the material. These nylons fall in the ballistic class of denier nylon, they're tough and will last years. Armor, XS Scuba, ScubaMax, Stahlac and our custom label all make bags with this material. Many use Butyl Rubber Coatings - use to reinforce high wear areas like the bottoms and sides of bags.
Mesh bags are fairly necessary to carry your gear to the boat or beach, because they let the water drain and lets the gear breathe.
Getting on a boat requires both hands, and, if you plan on lots of boat diving, consider a backpack style mesh bag because it leaves your hands free. A duffel bag will work great for beach and lake diving, or when carrying your gear far isn’t a problem. Some mesh bags offer durable rubberized bottoms, which help prevent tearing and even dry pouches in them to keep your personal stuff dry. If you are moving two persons equipment or you need to walk a bit to arrvire at the boat, the wheeled duffel or wheeled backpack is the way to go, with beach (asand) wheels bulit right into the base of the bag.
Largest class of travel bags, these will pack the most and suited for air, plane or bus travel. Many manufacturers make them, most have wheels, a collapsable handle for pulling, fin pockets, interior dividers, backpack straps (preferrably padded) and several handles to grab it and handle it by.
Decide what type of diving you are doing, divers always need at least a mesh bag, if you are goint to travel by car or plane, consider a large cargo style. Look for one that is tough, has a variety of ways to carry it. Not all airports are wheel friendly, so plan on one that has backpack straps built in.
No Logos or Dive Flag Emblems - Look for one that has no logo on it or screams "Scuba Gear Inside! Steal me!" The more ordinary the bag the better.
When choosing a bag decide on how much gear you typically carry, and make sure that your BCD and fins fit.
Typical your fins are the longest piece of your gear, then make sure your BCD and the balance of your equipment will fit.
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