The Best Scuba Diving Travel Bag: An Expert’s Guide
For scuba divers, the journey begins long before hitting the water. Packing and transporting bulky, sensitive gear is a crucial part of any dive trip. After getting certified, many divers quickly realize the frustrations of renting equipment – ill-fitting BCDs, questionable regulator maintenance, and fins that just don’t feel right. This often leads to the decision to invest in personal gear. But once you have your own set, the next challenge emerges: finding the Best Scuba Diving Travel Bag to carry it all efficiently and securely, especially for independent travelers navigating various modes of transport.
The ideal scuba diving travel bag needs to balance durability, capacity, weight, and practicality. Based on years of travel experience across continents with a variety of dive gear, certain features stand out as non-negotiable for independent divers.
Key Specifications for Your Dive Travel Bag
Choosing the right bag isn’t just about fitting your gear; it’s about how easily you can move that gear from your front door to the dive boat. Gathering insights from experienced divers highlights several critical features.
Lightweight Design
Below 3.5 kg (around 7.7 lbs) is often cited as the ideal weight for the bag itself. Airline luggage allowances are strict, and the bag shouldn’t consume a significant portion of your limit before you even pack your gear. A luggage scale is invaluable for managing weight on the go.
Robust Wheels
Considering the weight of scuba gear (easily 20-30 kg), wheels are essential. However, they are also a common point of failure. Durable wheels capable of handling heavy loads and rough terrain are crucial. The ability to easily replace wheels would be a significant advantage, as they often fail before the bag’s fabric shows wear.
Separate Compartment for Clothes
Keeping clothes dry and separate from potentially wet dive gear is a must. While packing cubes can help organize, a dedicated dry pocket within the bag provides better separation.
Backpack Functionality
For independent travel involving stairs, unpaved paths, or public transport, being able to carry the bag on your back is indispensable. This feature allows you to navigate tricky situations where rolling isn’t feasible. Road trips might be an exception, but for most travel scenarios, a backpack option is highly recommended. Navigating places like best places to travel with friends in the world often requires versatile luggage.
Saltwater Resistant Zippers
Zippers exposed to saltwater can quickly corrode and seize up, rendering the bag difficult or impossible to open or close. High-quality, saltwater-resistant zippers are vital for longevity. White vinegar can sometimes help unstick crusty zippers, but prevention is better.
Storage for Small Items
Modern travel involves numerous small electronic items like chargers, cables, and adapters. Dedicated mesh pockets for these items keep them organized and accessible. Cushioned compartments for fragile gear like regulators or dive torches are a valuable extra feature.
Appropriate Size (Volume)
The ideal volume depends on the gear and travel style. For travel diving gear that is light and compact, 90 to 120L is generally unnecessary unless traveling with a drysuit. A volume between 60 to 80L hits a sweet spot for most trips. Smaller bags (40-50L) might suffice for warm destinations with minimal clothing needs, but often feel restrictive for longer journeys.
Tough and Durable Material
The bag’s material should be as robust as possible without adding excessive weight. It needs to withstand the rigors of transport and handling. Durability is key for a bag meant to travel thousands of kilometers.
Right Dimensions and Fit
The bag should be manageable when worn as a backpack and narrow enough to maneuver in tight spaces like train aisles. Crucially, it must comply with airline checked-in luggage size restrictions. These vary significantly (e.g., British Airways vs. Air France total dimensions), so always check the specific airline’s policy. For tips on packing for varied climates, consider what to bring when traveling to costa rica.
Water Resistance
While the entire bag doesn’t need to be fully waterproof (though a dry bag design offers this), having a separate waterproof compartment is highly beneficial for packing a wet wetsuit or protecting dry items from moisture.
Other Considerations
Robust and comfortable handles, sturdy zipper pulls, and a discreet design (avoiding bright colors or large logos that scream “expensive gear inside”) contribute to a better travel experience.
Real-World Reviews: Testing Five Dive Bags
Having traveled extensively with five different bags, testing their practicality in various scenarios from backpacking through Central America to road-tripping in Scotland, provides valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t.
Decathlon Tribord 120L
Traveled 28,585 km (approx 17,760 miles) without flights (2010-2014).
Scuba diving bag in Pozzuoli Italy
Decathlon Tribord 120L scuba bag on road
Strengths: Excellent internal organization with separate pockets for full dive gear, clothes, and travel essentials. Ample small mesh pockets were great for accessories. Successfully packed gear for diverse climates (tropical to polar) plus hiking gear alongside dive equipment.
Weaknesses: Wheels broke after significant travel but other parts remained good. Zipper pulls broke quickly. Too tall to carry comfortably as a backpack. Lack of a telescopic handle made rolling tiring. The ‘waterproof’ pocket wasn’t truly waterproof.
| Feature | Specification | Feature | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs) | Storage for small items | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Internal volume | 120 L |
| Case for clothes | Yes | Toughness | High |
| Backpack | Yes | Dimensions | 89 x 43 x 30 cm (35″x17″x12″) |
| Saltwater resistant zip | Yes | Waterproof | No |
Airtex Atlas 46L
Traveled 2,856 km (approx 1,775 miles) without flights (2014-2017).
scuba diving suitcase and backpack – Mango Inn accomodation with Utila Dive Center
Airtex Atlas 46L bag packed with dive gear
Strengths: Discreet design ideal for blending in. Compact size worked for ice diving gear (minus wetsuit) and tropical trips with lighter clothing and wetsuits. Separate compartments for gear and clothes were useful. Good for shorter trips like SE Asia trips, perhaps for a se asia full time travel cost 2024 budget.
Weaknesses: Difficult to pack everything; often required sitting on the bag to close. Internal material showed signs of tearing quickly under stress.
| Feature | Specification | Feature | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 3.1 kg (6.83 lbs) | Storage for small items | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Internal volume | 46 L |
| Case for clothes | Yes | Toughness | Medium |
| Backpack | Yes | Dimensions | 65 x 39 x 18 cm (26″x15″x7″) |
| Saltwater resistant zip | No | Waterproof | No |
Aqualung T8 Roller Duffle Backpack 92L
Traveled 21,295 km (approx 13,232 miles) without flights (2015-2017).
scuba diving bag – island hopping tour in Croatia with ferry
Aqualung T8 Roller Duffle Bag next to boat in Bali
Strengths: Very light for its volume (92L), offering ample space, especially for cold water gear like a drysuit and undersuit. Excellent telescopic handle made rolling comfortable. Backpack system was quick to deploy for stairs or short carries. Traveled well to diverse locations like Iceland and Japan. For sunny destinations, consider the best time to travel to phu quoc.
Weaknesses: No separate pockets for clothes or small items, requiring the use of external organizers like mesh cubes. This meant wet gear could potentially dampen clothes. Backpack comfort could be better for longer carries. Corners started to show wear, needing more protection.
| Feature | Specification | Feature | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 3.95 kg (8.71 lbs) | Storage for small items | No |
| Wheels | Yes | Internal volume | 92 L |
| Case for clothes | No | Toughness | Medium |
| Backpack | Yes | Dimensions | 79 x 33 x 33 cm (31″x14″x13″) |
| Saltwater resistant zip | Yes | Waterproof | No |
Aqualung Defense Dry Duffle 85L
Traveled 4,251 km (approx 2,641 miles) (2014-2016).
scuba diving gear for cold water diving
Aqualung Defense Dry Duffle Bag and gear in Scotland
Strengths: Fully waterproof, from both the inside and outside, making it perfect for wet gear and adverse conditions. Extremely robust material that withstood rough handling. Large internal volume. Useful scuba gear checklist printed under the flap. Excellent for road trips to places with varied conditions, perhaps even fitting gear for dive spots near best places to travel in india in march during warmer months.
Weaknesses: Not practical for backpacking due to the lack of a comfortable carry system. The plastic purge valve for draining water was inconvenient and often disassembled. No wheels means it’s only suitable where you don’t need to roll.
| Feature | Specification | Feature | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 1.25 kg (2.75 lbs) | Storage for small items | No |
| Wheels | No | Internal volume | 85 L |
| Case for clothes | No | Toughness | High |
| Backpack | No | Dimensions | 66 x Ø41 cm (26’xØ16′) |
| Saltwater resistant zip | Yes | Waterproof | Yes |
Aqualung Explorer Carry-On 45L
Used for shorter trips (e.g., Paris-Toulon weekend).
How to pack scuba diving gear in a cabin carry-on luggage
Aqualung Explorer Carry-On packed
Strengths: Designed to fit airline carry-on restrictions (though verification is always needed). Specific side design accommodates longer fins like hot-shots. Successfully fits a weekend’s worth of warm-water gear (wetsuit) plus clothes. Suitable for avoiding checked baggage fees on short trips.
Weaknesses: Only practical for minimal gear in warm water. May require careful packing to meet strict carry-on size/weight limits. No backpack function. Limited use case depending on dive location temperature and gear needed.
| Feature | Specification | Feature | Specification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 3.0 kg (6.75 lbs) | Storage for small items | Yes |
| Wheels | Yes | Internal volume | 45 L |
| Case for clothes | No | Toughness | High |
| Backpack | No | Dimensions | 56 x 35 x 23 cm (22″x14″x9″) |
| Saltwater resistant zip | Yes | Waterproof | No |
The Ongoing Search for the Ideal Dive Bag
Finding the single “best” scuba diving travel bag is an ongoing quest, as the perfect bag depends heavily on the specific type of travel and diving planned. Attending dive shows and visiting outdoor stores reveals options, but often compromises must be made.
Waterproof backpacks, like those offered by Apeks, seem appealing for their durability and dry protection, but the lack of wheels can be a significant drawback when traveling with heavy gear, especially if also carrying a separate backpack for electronics or photography equipment.
Exploring general travel bags from outdoor brands might offer features like robust wheels and comfortable backpack systems, but they often lack saltwater-resistant materials or dedicated dive-specific organization. Models like the Osprey Sojourn 60 R or Eagle Creek Expanse Convertible offer rolling and backpack capabilities but might require sacrificing dive-specific durability or optimal fit.
Update (2020): The search led to adapting to the latest available options. Currently utilizing the Aqualung Explorer II roller bag for main scuba gear and the Aqualung Pro Pack One backpack for more sensitive items like underwater photography equipment. This combination leverages the strengths of a roller for heavy items and a dedicated backpack for fragile electronics.
Conclusion
The quest for the Best Scuba Diving Travel Bag highlights that “best” is relative to your personal needs and travel style. Independent divers need versatility – a bag that rolls easily through airports and stations but can be shouldered over rough ground. Durability, appropriate size, features like separate dry compartments, and saltwater-resistant zippers are crucial. While no single bag reviewed here was absolutely perfect in every regard, understanding their strengths and weaknesses based on real travel experience provides a solid foundation for choosing the right companion for your dive adventures. Carefully consider your typical trip length, climate, gear needs, and transport methods when making your decision.
