Dive Bags

When James Brown sang Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag he meant that he had his own kind of lifestyle.  Travelling to exotic locations or hauling our kit to a local inland site are part of a lifestyle that we divers simply couldn’t do without!  So why compromise quality and spend on the container used to take care of your dive gear when it isn’t being worn by you?   

Dive bag considerations:

• To wheel or not to wheel? Whilst easy to move them around at the airport and on smooth tarmac you might want to consider some backpack handles or a duffel for dirt roads and slatted jetties. Take a look at our roller selection.  These bags are useful for long trips and for compartmentalising your dive gear, like those offered by Tusa, Scubapro and Aqua Lung. Duffels are handy for long weekends and for carrying suits and undergarments. They usually come with a waterproof zip. We like the Mares range here

• Weight? Some dive bags can weigh up to 6 kilos without anything in them. There are more and more lightweight materials appearing on the market now as well as low profile frames. Stahlsac has such a collection. Weight is also an important thing to consider with how far you need to carry your dive bag.

• Durability? How many years of service do you expect out of your gear bag?  It might get thrown around a gravelly quarry, in and out of the boot of your car or in cargo holds the world over. Your dive bag is expected to be a workhorse for your favourite hobby. You might choose a bag, with a reinforced bottom, heavy buckles or welded seams like those from Fourth Element and Apeks.

• Wet or dry? While snorkelling bags are usually made out of a light mesh for the tropics, robust dry bags sometimes have roll tops for boat storage, a separate dry core, drain plugs and a larger volume. Our online store also offers a good selection of freediving bags from Mares

Take a look at our blog 'Choosing the Right Dive Bag' for further details about different bag types and some helpful tips.