16 Best Scuba & Dive Bags Reviewed in 2022

Questions & Answers:

1. What is a dive bag?

If you are planning on going scuba diving, snorkeling or surfing, chances are you have already considered how you will carry your water sports equipment. A dive bag, therefore, is an optimal solution for your bulky and heavy gear – it serves as a sturdy container that helps you store your stuff, protect it from the potential damages and transport it from one place to another.

This dive bag is capable of fitting all professional equipment except for underwater photography, scuba tank, and weight gear. There are several designs to choose from, including a duffel bag, roller bag, and a backpack so that your outdoor water activity is as enjoyable and trouble-free as possible.

2. What to pack in a dive bag?

Depending on the type of water sport you will be undertaking, the choice of equipment will differ. That being said, the basic gear set of a typical scuba diver includes a buoyancy compensator (BCD), a regulator, a diving mask, fins, and a few other accessories. Dive hoods and dive gloves are complementary tools that help with gripping, while an underwater flashlight and a dive knife enhance a long aquatic journey by helping you get through many tangled fishing lines in low light conditions.

Some other underwater accessories include a dive watch, a dive computer, a dive reel and weight systems that can be quite handy. You can freely pack them in your dive bag and expect them to boost your diving experience in a matter of minutes of immersion.

3. How to pack a dive bag?

Since you have already invested (or are planning on investing) a lot of resources in securing high-quality scuba diving gear, its correct organization in a dive bag is crucial for the long-lastingness of your equipment. For this reason, you should pack heavier appliances first, and leave enough room for the smaller items to go on top.

Place your wetsuit jacket along with the ankle weight at the bottom of the bag, and do the same thing with your fins. These tend to be the heaviest items that give a great level of protection for the units that go on top of them. You can pack the stuffed in the protective box mask in between the layers or in a separate pocket of the bag. The BCD should go on top of the already packed equipment since this is the gear divers tend to reach for first.

Small-scale items like gloves, dive computer and dive knife can be distributed among the pockets of the bag and the top of the load. They will sit perfectly well above the dive boots and the hefty tank without being squished.

4. What features should I look out for when buying a dive bag?

When choosing what dive bag to opt for, there are a few essential features to look out for before making the final decision. Some of them have a bigger priority than others depending on the type of water sport you are planning on taking part in, which means that you have to carefully investigate the characteristics that matter the most to your particular case.

The design of the dive bag is perhaps the first thing that every diver takes into consideration when researching the bags. While duffel bags are the most convenient for on-land travel to the diving destination, roller bags and backpacks are the better choices for destinations that require airplane travel. If having your hands free is a big priority to you, consider searching for a dive backpack as opposed to the trolley or a duffel bag.

The waterproofing factor is another indispensable factor that has to be taken into account by diving enthusiasts. Surprisingly, not every dive bag is waterproof or even water-resistant, which could be a huge deal-breaker for those of you who are well aware that your bag will come in contact with water more often than not.

The interior of the diving bag matters a lot too – at the end of the day, you definitely don’t want to come back to the hotel only to find out that all of your equipment is stuck and squished together like a big mess. The availability of pockets and multiple compartments makes it easy to keep track of where you put your stuff and prevent it from being ruined.

The toughness of your dive bag is not off the table either – rather, it might even be the most critical feature of all. Since your bag will be exposed to saltwater and humid weather for prolonged periods of time, its level of sturdiness can either foster the wholeness of your gear or cause damages. Look out for tough materials that won’t easily tear apart and that have additional padding or a few layers of fabric in case you are air traveling.

5. What size should my dive bag be?

Should you choose a large dive bag over a small dive bag or vice versa? It all comes down to the type of traveling you will be doing and the number of tools you will be bringing with you. While large bags that consist of duffel bags and rolling bags can fit a lot of stuff and are great for short distances, smaller bags that consist of carry-on backpacks and regulator bags are better for long-distance travel.

As mentioned in previous questions, backpacks are the best for providing you with the most freedom of movement, which is particularly helpful when running to your gate at the airport or when having two more bags to carry. Duffel bags can double as roller bags and are suitable for the on-ground transportation and a big load of diving gear. They are not perfect for rolling on uneven surfaces, however, which also has to be taken into consideration.

If you already have a scuba & dive bags or you just bought one, leave a comment in the comment section below and share your experience with it.