Which Dive Bag Should You Buy?Which dive bag?There are all kinds of dive bags. There are mesh dive bags and dive bags that look like backpacks. There are duffle dive bags and dive luggage. These bags range in price from several dollars to several hundred dollars and each bag is best suited to a specific purpose. With so many different dive bags, one has to wonder which bags are necessary and which ones are extraneous. Here are some common dive bag types to help you decide which bag is the best for you. Which Dive Bag? - Mesh Dive BagsMesh dive bags generally cost no more than $10 or so dollars.These bags are usually long so they can hold basic gear like your mask, snorkel and fins. Unfortunately these bags can’t carry much more than that. Mesh bags can’t handle heavy loads. If you try to load your mesh bag with a buoyancy compensator, regulator set or weights; the bag is likely to rip under the strain. Which Dive Bag? - Duffle Dive BagsDuffle dive bags are usually a combination of mesh and a durable fabric.They’re also more expensive than mesh bags hence the durability. While the least expensive of these bags can only hold your mask, snorkel and fins; more expensive duffle dive bags are capable of holding heavier equipment as well. Which Dive Bag? - Backpack Style Dive BagsThese dive bags are my favorite.The best of the backpack style dive bags are a combination of high durability fabric and mesh for drainage. Many also have separate compartments for your mask and fins. These dive bags can handle an incredible amount of weight. I used to put the following in mine: a buoyancy compensator laden with weight, a regulator set, a save-a-dive kit, mask, snorkel, fins and extra weight in case a student forgot theirs. My bag easily exceeded 50 lbs (23kg) and it handled the weight like a champ. Which Dive Bag? - Dive LuggageDive luggage is the most expensive of the dive bag family.Occasionally a new diver will try to bring one of these behemoths onto a dive boat. Big mistake. Dive luggage isn’t designed to be used in the field. While these things can cost hundreds of dollars, they have no drainage and they’re rarely waterproof. What good is a dive bag that you can’t get wet, you ask? The word “luggage” should tip you off here. Dive luggage is for storing your dive gear when you take it on a plane. Dive luggage is designed to keep your gear stored properly for the 24 to 48 hours that you need to travel to your diving destination. While dive luggage is superior to normal luggage for transporting your equipment, I’d avoid buying luggage that has a dive flag on it or otherwise suggests that the bag contains dive gear. There’s no reason to alert potential thieves that the contents of your bag are valuable. You have plenty of options when it comes to buying a dive bag. The best bag for you will depend on your budget as well as the amount of equipment you need to bring on your dive. Have you got a dive bag?
Which Dive Bag do you have? How long have you had your dive bag? Return to Underwater Diving Equipment Home Page.
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