Scuba Gear Bags

Gear Bag

Whether you’re driving to your local dive site or getting on a plane headed for the tropics, a sturdy gear bag will help you organize, protect and carry your scubadiving equipment. Your main bag needs to be big and tough enough to hold all your gear and stand up to the abuse of salt water. You’ll probably want secondary bags, such as a lightweight mesh bag, for your mask, fins and snorkel, or a padded bag for your regulator.

Standard Scuba Gear Bag Features

• Sturdy design made from heavy-duty fabric with reinforced stitching to withstand pointy, heavy dive gear and to survive being wet, sometimes for days.
• Strong and corrosion-proof fasteners and hardware, like zippers, snaps, clips and handles that can endure the stress of dive equipment and the dive environment.
• Weight-supporting straps that are heavily reinforced, or pass all the way around the bag so they won’t tear under load.

Optional and Desirable Features

• Wheels that allow you to roll down the dock to the boat or glide through the airport.
• Backpack straps that let you haul it on your back, leaving your hands free to carry other items.
• Pockets, both internal and external, for special items like fins; even pockets that detach so you can carry items separately when desired.
• Drain holes or mesh areas to let out excess water.

Scuba Gear Bag Styles

In addition to your main big bag, which will either be a backpack style, roller style or duffel bag, you may want these other bags:

• Mesh bags – small, medium or large, both duffel and backpack styles.
• Padded regulator bag – not only protects your regulator and gauges while in your big bag, but allows you to carry your regulator separately while traveling.
• Dry bags – small, medium or large for all the other things you bring and want to keep dry – towel, log book, wallet, etc.

Take Care of Your Scuba Gear Bag

The key to getting the most out of your gear bag is to pack well. Pack the items you need last on the bottom and what you need first on the top. For air travel, make sure breakable items, like your mask, are well padded (wetsuits make good padding). Empty and rinse your dive bag after each use, and allow it to thoroughly dry before storing.