Gear Bags

Huggyd · 05-28-2007, 09:16 PM

I was looking at Gear Bags the other day and I was wondering how popular / useful they were. Do alot of you guys use them, or do you just use a duffle bag that fits every thing? One of my friends is using an old hockey bag that he just throws everything in, seems to work but I don’t know if its all that good for the equipment.

**MgicTwnger** · 05-28-2007, 11:00 PM

You see everything from ones that cost a zillion bucks to big plastic tubs in the back of a pickup. Get what works for you. The important thing is to protect delicate stuff like computers, regs, masks, etc., which can be done by boxing or wrapping them properly in things like wetsuits.
Personally I used a wheeled duffle-type bag with a stiff bottom and pullout handle.

**dalehall** · 05-29-2007, 12:46 AM

I use a "roller backpack" when I go on trips. Everything I have fits in that bag.. But, I have a mesh "boat bag" I use when I actually go out on the boats. The roller is way too big to be on a boat. I actually used my "roller" as my check baggage on a cruise a couple years ago. I only took my mask, fins, snorkel and wetsuit, so I had plenty of room for my clothes in there too. That allowed the wife to actually take all the clothes she wanted for a change.

**MgicTwnger** · 05-29-2007, 01:58 AM

Oh yeah, the mesh boat bag is nice, lets you bring just what you need on the boat and dunk the whole thing to get the salt off.

**glynneco** · 05-29-2007, 04:11 AM

I have a roller duffle that I use for travel. The mesh duffle is what I pack in it to actually use. For local diving I have a rubber maid bin with wheels that I can roll out to my pick up. My little ford ranger is nicknamed "My Dive Bag" I have it outfitted with a cap that has full acces from the sides and the back and the crowning touch a slide out bed so I don't have to actually climb into the back! Love it! By the way did ANYONE actually go diving this weekend?

**MgicTwnger** · 05-29-2007, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glynneco

By the way did ANYONE actually go diving this weekend?

Yep. Saturday I was at Haigh quarry in northern Illinois.

**Scuba Mama** · 05-29-2007, 04:42 PM

I use a gear bag. I have room for all my stuff. I keep my bag packed so if it is my weekend to teach my bag is ready and I don't have to run around looking for everything. Its a roller bag. I also take a mesh bag when I go on trips so I can use it on the boats. I like the fact my roller bad has separate compartments for my fins and a regulator bag. The one thing I made sure of is the bag fit airline regulations, size wise, before I purchased it.

**Kev Martin** · 06-01-2007, 09:53 AM

It is amazing just how much gear we can accrue over the years. It is also interesting to see how much dive equipment has moved forward in design and safety. Even things like our dive bags. I can remember, years ago, divers used to buy the largest sport bag they could find from their local store. Then, suddenly, dive manufacturers started to design and sell dive bags.

I have found myself with a large wheeled dive bag that will hold everything for my holiday trips abroad. For diving around the UK and to places where I may use extra equipment I have two gear 'gulpers' from Oceanic. They are nice and robust and can be thrown into the back of the van.

One of my best items of kit has to be my boat bag. Absolutely invaluable when diving from a small boat or a rigid inflatable. I can keep my fins, mask, snorkel, torch and other small items safe and out of harms way. I know exactly where everything is and no one is falling over items of my gear or dropping anything heavy onto delicate items. A lot of my pals are now buying these heavy duty gear bags that are watertight and are great for keeping valuables in that you don't want to get wet

For a messy slob like myself it means that all of my clothes are dry and my mobile isn't ruined by the end of the day

**MgicTwnger** · 06-01-2007, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kev Martin

It is amazing just how much gear we can accrue over the years. It is also interesting to see how much dive equipment has moved forward in design and safety. Even things like our dive bags.

When I was re-certified after 20+ years away from the sport it was like starting over. For instance:

single stage reg > two stage reg
oval mask > windowed mask
rubber > silicone
best guess > computer
buddy breathing > octo
blow-up vest > BC, BP/wings
gas station compressor > dive shop filtered air, nitrox, trimix
Sea Hunt > Deep Sea Detectives
rowboat > dive boat
broke from buying gear > still broke from buying gear

**Kev Martin** · 06-01-2007, 12:38 PM

Ooooh, Ooooh ........... and don't forget 'J' valve instead of submersible pressure guage!!!!

I can remember when they started to introduce the blow-up vest - they were known as 'horse collars' or Adjustable Buoyant Life Jackets. No one in the UK thought they would 'take off'. Look at what we have now.

I loved Sea Hunt - I think that my becoming interested in diving had more to do with that programme airing in the UK than Jacques Cousteau could take credit for.

I think I still have a twin hosed SNARK sitting somewhere in my garage.

Happy days!!!