Updated September 1, 2024
Moving your dive gear around from home to a vehicle to the plane to a hotel to the boat, etc., can be a major concern. A full set of gear is heavy, not to mention expensive, and you want to make sure it is safe and protected as much as needed, while still being as easily portable as possible. The right choice of luggage and bags is important in achieving this.
There are heaps of scuba diving gear bags available today to choose from potentially making the selection process complicated. To help you with that a number of the best are described below. Some factors to consider when purchasing a dive bag are outlined. After that, top models are introduced with key features, photos, videos, and a table to allow a direct comparison.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
How to Choose the Best Scuba Diving Bags
The first thing to look for is a size large enough to hold your equipment that is durable and well-constructed. It should have a design that helps you organize and protect your gear and handle the effects of saltwater. A secondary bag for fins, mask, and snorkel, or a padded bag for your regulator would be useful.
Basic Features
- Well-designed using heavy-duty fabric and reinforced stitching
- Sturdy corrosion-proof handles, zippers, snaps, clips, and other fasteners
- Reinforcing straps that go around the bag for extra strength in transport
Your main bag will be backpack style, roller style, or a duffel bag. In addition, these other bags may be useful:
- Mesh bags in duffel or backpack styles from small to large
- A padded regulator bag to protect the regulator and gauges and provide separation during travel
- Dry bags are available in a range of sizes for things you don’t want to get wet like personal items or a towel
Optional Features
- Wheels to save your strength and allow easy rolling
- Backpack straps
- Pockets, both internal and external to separate items
- Drain holes or mesh to allow excess water to escape
Best Scuba Diving Bags
Features
carry-on roller bag convenient for air travel- 6.39 pounds (2.9 kg)
- 7.5″ x 14.4″ x 21.8″, 1.73 cubic feet
- scratch-resistant denier nylon
- 2 stage telescoping handle, 2 exterior compression straps with quick-release buckles, side pockets, several zippers, back ID pocket, heavy-duty wheel housing
- Price: $$$
- Rating: 4.3
- roller backpack
- beauty case with internal mirror standard
- retractable handle, large sturdy wheels
- front pockets, padded shoulder straps, adjustable external compression straps, and integrated side fin pockets with a water drainage system
- substantial capacity – 128 liters of volume
- 11 pounds (5 kg)
- Price: $$$$$
- Rating: 4.7
Mares Cruise Mesh Backpack Deluxe
Features
- padded, adjustable backpack straps
- two rubber handles allow for additional carriage as a duffel bag
- not entirely mesh, so when carrying wet gear, you have a barrier to keep you dry
- lateral zipper
- drawstring top
- PVC mesh net
- nylon and polyester materials
- separate padded zipped pocket on the front
- 29” x 17” x 16”
- 3 pounds (1.36 kg)
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.8
Features
- can rinse gear in the bag
- durable, quick-drying
- easily foldable, compact to store
- large size, long fins fit
- wrap-around carry handles
- 600 Denier, PVC
- 37.5” x 14.25” x 14.5”
- 2 pounds (.91 kg)
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.4
Features
- durable, heavy roller bag with retractable towing handle and reinforced wheels in recessed housings
- U-shape top zipper gives full access to contents
- 3 zip pockets with coil zippers and SCUBAPRO pullers
- 9.9 pounds (4.5 kg), 86 liter capacity
- durable, abrasion-resistant, 420 denier nylon, 150 denier polyester liner with polyester piping, polyester thread
- tough nylon net fabric with YKK salt water-resistant zippers for mesh bags
- 22” x 26” x 16”
- Price: $$$$$
- Rating: 4.2
Athletico Mesh Dive Duffel Bag
Features
- durable 100% 600D polyester
- open-weave, quick-dry lightweight mesh
- heavy-duty webbing straps
- double shoulder straps, full-length easy-glide, zipper opening
- velcro-lock strap handles
- zippered interior side pocket
- 37” x 15” X 15″
- 1.34 pounds (.61 kg)
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.4
Aqua Lung Explorer II Duffel Pack Dive Bag
Features
- semi-rigid body collapsable to 13″ x 9″ x 24″
- 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg)
- durable 1680D polyester and mesh construction
- adjustable shoulder straps double as duffel handles
- corrosion-resistant zippers and easy-grip zipper pulls, zippers accommodate locks
- mesh drying pocket, fin straps on the back of the bag hold any size fin
- protective internal padding to protect gear, protective V-diamond base, and six corner guards
- two exterior pockets, small pocket for sunglasses
- Price: $$
- Rating: 4.6
semi-rigid body collapsable to 13″ x 9″ x 24″
Features
- nylon carry handle
- two adjustable padded shoulder straps
- padded protective mask & snorkel bag w/zipper key pocket
- zippered water bottle pouch
- exterior accessory pocket
- bungee system
- #10 YKK non-corrosive zipper on the main compartment. #5 YKK non-corrosive zipper on the front pocket
- 600 denier nylon
- fits fin lengths up to 29”
- 29″ x 10.5″ x 5.5″
- 3 pounds (1.36 kg)
- Price: $
- Rating: 4.5
Scuba Diving Gear Bag Comparison Table
| Dive Bag | Style | Weight | Price | Rating |
| Cressi Piper | Carry-on Roller | 6.39 lbs | $$$ | 4.3 |
| Mares Cruise Backpack Pro | Rolling Suitcase | 11 lbs | $$$$$ | 4.7 |
| Mares Cruise Mesh Backpack Deluxe | Mesh Backpack | 3 lbs | $ | 4.8 |
| Mares Cruise Mesh Duffel Bag | Mesh Duffel Bag | 2 lbs | $ | 4.4 |
| ScubaPro Caravan | Rolling Suitcase | 9.9 lbs | $$$$$ | 4.2 |
| Athletico Mesh Dive Duffel Bag | Mesh Duffel Bag | 1.34 lbs | $ | 4.4 |
| Aqua Lung Explorer Mesh Duffel Bag | Duffel Pack Bag | 3.5 lbs | $$ | 4.6 |
| Promate Backpack Style Bag | Backpack | 3 lbs | $ | 4.5 |
Feedback and Comments
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