Thor,
If you want, you can go the "cheap route" and get a ruller duffle bag from Walmart, etc.
However, they aren't made to hold the weight of wet scuba gear. They don't have
re-enforced zippers, re-enforced corners, heavier fabric, etc. Saltwater also doesn't
do them much good at all. I went this route and it worked fine, for a while.
I bought a $40 roller duffle from Wally-mart and made about 4 airline trips with
it. Well, the 4th trip, it just fell apart.
So instead of buying a $100-$150 bag at first, I did the cheap route and then
after that bag fell apart, I THEN paid the $$$ for a better bag. I just just
lucky that with my cheap bag it didn't rip open while I wasn't there, like
on the airport tarmac or the luggage cart.
Other suggestions for a good quality bag:
* get one with rollers
* get one with heavy duty zippers.
* If a duffle type, get one with compression type straps to tighten the load down.
* get one with re-enforced corners
* DON'T get one with a bunch of dive flags on it. It just says STEAL ME
I like them that have one big huge center compartment. This means I can
lock it with one TSA lock. Maybe a fin pocket also is nice though.
I don't like the ones that have the 'regulator' pocket on the front of it.
What were they thinking? as soon as some airline employee throws another
bag on it, it would crush what ever is in that pocket, such as a regulator.
(of course most people carry-on their regulator sets in airline travel).
Having one with the "extendable pull handle" makes it much easier to pull
or push in an airport, especially when you are trying to pull clothing luggage
also.
Since you said you didn't want to spend $150 on a roller bag, might
I suggest this
Tusa one which is $75 for a roller.
http://www.divesports.com/mall/tusa_bag_rd2.asp
I've got a
GatorMax roller duffle bag. I think it was slightly larger
than the one above when I looked at them, but it was $125-$140.
But they are hard to find in stock anywhere now days.
But I've been really happy with that bag. Delta Airlines hasn't
been able to tear it up (yet).
Hope that all helps. -Mike