For both beginner and advanced divers, a dive bag is an essential piece of equipment. When you’ve invested both time and money into your configuration of dive gear, being able to keep it in tip-top condition is crucial. Your good dive bag offers a reliable solution, promising organised and durable storage for your kit.
However, there are many different types and features available and finding the perfect dive bag can be tricky. Whether you’re heading to a local dive site or planning an international adventure, you need a dive bag tailored to your intended use and the equipment you plan to store in it. This guide will walk you through all of the different types of dive bags you could choose alongside some tailored recommendations from the Aquanauts team, ensuring that you can pick the right trusty companion for your next adventure.
Mesh Dive Bag
Wet gear is one of the trickiest things you will have to manage when storing your dive kit. If you’re out for the day and spending time both in and out of the water, it’s essential that you have somewhere to put your wet clothing and equipment without it harbouring moisture and coming into contact with belongings you need to keep dry. A mesh dive bag is a perfect solution in these circumstances as the lightweight and breathable mesh material allows water to drain, preventing mould or mildew build-up on your wet gear. You can choose from a range of styles and sizes including classic duffel shapes for larger loads of clothing or drawstring bags for equipment and accessories.
Suitable for: Storing wet kit on short dives or boat trips.
Aquanauts recommends: Weighing just 0.5kg, the Beaver Mesh Fold-Up Bag is perfect for fuss-free travel. We also love the Cressi Roatan Mesh Bag which you can carry in a range of ways to suit you!
Dry Bag
As a diver, you’ll also find yourself in situations where it’s critical that you keep certain belongings like your phone and keys completely dry. In these circumstances, a dry bag is essential. Dry bags are usually fastened with a roll-down top and buckle closure and are completely watertight, giving you peace of mind when on a boat or there is a chance your bag might come into contact with water. You can typically choose from a huge range of different dry bag sizes, giving you the option to choose one that will fit inside your larger bag or travel light with just the limited storage you need.
Suitable for: Keeping valuables dry.
Aquanauts recommends: The Cressi Dry Bag for foolproof protection in a classic style and a range of different sizes and colours.
Roller Dive Bag
If you’re jetting off on a scuba diving holiday or travelling on public transport with your dive gear, a roller dive bag is exactly what you need. Typically large in size, these travel-friendly, roller dive bags with wheels are perfect for moving around airport terminals or train stations without the worry that you’ll be struggling with a heavy bag. Most will also feature a range of external pockets and compartments, allowing you to effortlessly separate valuable items and reach for important travel documents on the go.
Suitable for: International travel.
Aquanauts recommends: The Scubapro Sport Bag 105 for plenty of storage space for your longer trips.
Dive Rucksack
When it comes to travel and transporting dive gear, some divers prefer being able to go hands-free and carry their equipment on their back with a dive rucksack or backpack dive bag. This type of dive bag is ideal if you need to grab onto rails when boarding boats or handle other equipment or devices on the move. A dive rucksack might also be the right kind of dive bag for you if you frequently dive from the shore and have to transport your gear over uneven or remote terrain.
Suitable for: Shore diving, boat diving, or any scenario in which it is beneficial to have complete use of your hands.
Aquanauts recommends: The hybrid rucksack and roller design of the Scubapro Definition Duo 118 Dive Bag delivers completely convenient carrying between locations. The Scubapro Sport Mesh 65 Dive Bag is also a fantastic option if you want to chuck your wet gear on your back.
Duffel Dive Bag
The most common type of dive bag you will see is a duffel bag - though many of these will also demonstrate some degree of crossover with the other types whether that’s with a dry compartment or mesh area. Duffel dive bags are designed to offer fuss-free storage and a large capacity for all of your gear, ensuring that you can carry everything from wetsuit to BCD without there being an issue. Size and features will vary, but most will have some variety of external pockets and a carry strap.
Suitable for: Carrying a complete dive kit.
Aquanauts recommends: You can’t go wrong with the Typhoon Osea Dry Duffel, which combines the waterproof benefits of a dry bag with the versatile storage of the duffel design.
Regulator Bag
In addition to a dive bag to store your main kit, investing in a separate bag to protect your more delicate equipment is incredibly worthwhile. In particular, we advise that you get a specially designed regulator bag so that you have peace of mind when it comes to the condition of one of the most crucial pieces of dive gear. A good regulator bag will be padded to prevent damage from impact during transport or if the bag is dropped. You can carry your regulator bag separately or fit it inside a larger duffel or backpack when you’re on the move.
Suitable for: Protecting your regulator from wear, tear, and damage.
Aquanauts recommends: The Scubapro Definition Reg 10 Regulator Bag for stylish, secure and premium regulator storage.
We hope that this guide has helped you understand the different types of dive bags and identify which is right for you. However, if you need a little more assistance or have any questions about the dive bags available, don’t hesitate to get in touch with the expert team at Aquanauts. We are more than happy to talk you through the features of the dive bags we have in stock and help you select the right one for you.