Scuba Diving—It’s In the Bag!
Whether you’re scuba diving in an exotic location or diving your favorite local site, every diver needs a good gear bag—or two. Choosing the right bags means knowing all the options available and how they’ll best align with your needs. Gear bags, specialty bags, or travel bags—Jupiter Dive Center’s knowledgeable crew can help you find exactly the bag you need, and some tips on how to make your next adventure your best yet!
First up, the bags.
Gear Bags
The new Sport Mesh ‘N Roll 100 by Scubapro is a heavy-duty coated mesh duffel bag on wheels that can also be worn as a backpack by using the double-duffel straps.
The mesh allows wet gear to drain and the wheels make transporting gear easy. Top internal and side external zippered pockets help keep track of your smaller items. Empty, the bag weighs only 5.256 pounds.
Want something smaller?
Consider Scubapro’s new Sport Mesh 95. At a bit over a pound and a half, this bag offers enough cargo space for a full set of gear in a duffel-style bag with an extra inside pocket to keep smaller belongings from getting lost.
This bag is ideal for liveaboard use, or to carry gear from a hotel to the dive boat. Plus you’ll score some style points for the bags combination of mesh and denim blue color fabric.
Traveling light?
Scubapro Sport Mesh 95 is your answer. This bag is the perfect carryall for snorkeling gear or tropical dive gear.
This cylindrical shaped mesh and denim blue colored fabric is the lightest bag yet at 1.44 pounds, but still manages to be large enough to hold a lot of cargo.
The roll-top opening allows for easy access and a secure closure—and a side zipper allows access to your gear even if the top is still closed.
We get it. Sometimes you just want to grab your snorkel gear and beach necessities. The Sport Bag 10 is your answer.
This backpack is designed to be long enough for fins and thin enough you’ll barely know it’s on your back. A small zippered back pocket is great for your smaller stuff.
Alone is a bit more than a pound—making it a great option to pack to have on hand for those surprise adventures.
Specialty Bags
Scubapro recently introduced their new Definition line of bags designed for an adventurer’s everyday use.
The Definition Pack 24 is a two-tone gray fabric backpack with contrasting blue stitched bar tack reinforcements for added strength.
It features a roll top closure with an internal padded pocket to protect your tablet or laptop an extra zipped pocket on the front, and yet another handy wallet/passport pocket in the back.
A webbing sleeve makes it easy to slide onto your roller suitcase and only adds 1.54 pounds (plus your gear) to your weight limit.
Many divers opt to travel with only their regulator, computer, and masks, then rent the rest of their gear at their destination. The Definition Regulator 10 bag is a premium choice.
An adjustable and removable shoulder strap makes it a breeze to carry.
The U-shaped open ensures easy access to the two-tone gray fabric back, and an extra front zip pocket and inside mesh pocket add to your storage options.
Sadly, there are times you just can’t escape having to tote your own weights. Fortunately, there’s a bag for that: the Definition Weight Bag 7.
Weight bags need to be sturdy, heavy-duty bags to survive the wear and tear that comes with carrying ballast weights.
Two-tone gray fabric with blue stitched bar tack reinforcements and double webbing straps that encircles the entire bag for added strength gets the job done.
The padded handle is a bonus.
Dive gear is meant to get wet, but that doesn’t mean your personal items have to.
Scubapro’s Dry Bag 5 is made from a super-light fabric that keeps your valuables safe and dry.
It’s volume is 1.3 gallons, but at only 0.11 pounds each, you’ll want to pack a couple!
Travel Bags
Sometimes only a bag capable of traveling the globe will do. That’s the Sport Bag 105.
With wheels and a telescoping handle, this bag makes it easy to carry all the gear you need while navigating crowded airports in style.
The large main compartment features a generous U-shaped opening, compression straps keep your gear from shifting, duffle straps plus top and bottom handles make it easy to lift and stow, and extra pockets on the top and sides of the denim blue bag make this a winner.
And speaking of traveling…
Tips for Traveling with Dive Gear
It’s no secret divers have a lot of gear, but knowing what to pack on a dive trip is essential. First off, check the weight requirements for your baggage—including your carry-on. Multi-leg trips may have one requirement for the larger carriers and another for smaller carriers or vessels. Having a luggage scale at home can save you major headaches at the airport.
Decide what’s essential. Some of the gear you are accustomed to diving with may not be necessary or allowed at your destination. This includes gloves and dive knives. If you are truly limited in your choices, think about what’s easy to rent and what isn’t—and if it is even possible to rent gear.
Divers are travelers and many items of your gear may already be travel-friendly. The Scubapro Hydros buoyancy compensator device (BCD) is one such piece. At its leanest, it’s an innovative, lightweight, and quick-drying harness that is fully adjustable and adaptable to your travel needs.
Fins used to be notoriously difficult to pack, but Scubapro’s Supernova fin has a two-piece design that makes packing a cinch—without sacrificing quality or performance.
And if you need some suggestions regarding where to travel, check out our travel calendar. Upcoming trips include the Socorro Islands in November, and Little Cayman in June, 2025.