What do you carry your gear in?

[NINman]

I have been looking for a bag to transport all my gear. What do you use? I am looking for manafactures/type/etc. I did order the Akona Roller Bag (http://www.akona.com/Pages/AKB142.html) but I am afraid it is going to be too big. Anyone have any experiance with this bag?

[jetblast00]

I got some mesh OMS bag for by basic gear, don't have any pictures though...
The thing that I really like about it is that it is a big square bag, but still has shoulder straps so you can wear it like a backpack.
I fit all my rec gear in it easy, fins, BC, wetsuit or dryrysuit, and my knapsack with my change of clothes...:)
Then I just throw it on my back and I can still carry a tank or two!

[Lost Yooper]

I use a hockey bag. Cost me a whopping $35, and it's really tough. Lot's of pockets for stuff, and it holds a ton (literally :) )

Mike

[jbd]

I carry mine in a Rubbermaid tub. That way when I get out of the water I put the stuff in put it in the car and leave--no water worries in the vehicle. When I get home simply flood the tub with water and start removing gear and rinsing it off. Hang it on the porch to dry.

The daughter has the gear bag which holds all of her stuff except the tank. The bag has the shoulder straps. The name on the bag is something like Wenoka. I'm not sure what the wet gear issues will be with it.

[Stone]

NINman,

What kind of diving do you usually do? Do you travel?

I "boat dive" a lot, so I use a semi-meshed Akona to get my gear from the car to the boat and back (short carry on a shoulder strap). Once your gear is set up on the boat, the bag can get stowed anywhere. The mesh or hocky bags can "mush" into places where a hard case can't fit. I routinely fit 6 AL80s and 2 mesh bags into my trunk (midsize car).

The Rubbermaid tub (or rectangular plastic bin) is great for shore dives, but gets in everyone's way when used on boats that don't have adequate under-the-seat storage. I leave a tub on the back seat of my car, but it doesn't go on the boat.

When I travel, I can fit the mesh bag and its contents into a large, hardsided, wheeled Samsonite (which does not scream "Expensive Dive Gear Inside).

[TRUETEXAN]

I have the Akona roller bag and I love it, I even use it as a suite case on non diving trips.

[DivingGal]

I use tubs to transport whenever I can 'cause it does keep the car dry.

For charters where I don't know the storage conditions, I'll use a mesh bag.

Where I know the charter storage conditions or when I'm travelling I use a large kit bag (similar to a hockey bag). Although it does have a single shoulder strap - I never use it, I use the large handles as dual shoulder straps and hoist the bag like a backpack.

[JamesK]

Like the others, I use Rubbermaid tubs. In one tub I can fit everything I need minus the tanks. They work great. Plus they are a great place to put all of your stickers! :D

For boat diving, I use an AquaLung mesh bag. It is big enough to fit all of the required equipment minus my BC and tanks.

[ericfine50]

Rubbermade tubs for caving. For Boat dives. I have 2 milk creats that are great because you can wash all your gear in the box and let it drain.


Eric

[WetDane]

Some of the hardware stores also have larger tool boxes with wheels that make is easy to move your gear to a boat or other places.

Other than that I use an Audi A6 Avant - kit up right out of the back.

Big T

[GP]

I just use a big ol' mesh bag with a shoulder strap. The rubbermaid tubs sound like a good idea too though.

[scubanole]

I use the rubbermaid container. It is also big enough to hold everthing minus tanks. It has wheels at one end for easy moving. When going on a boat I have a mesh bag with shoulder straps.

[large_diver]

Rubbermaid tub when diving out of the car. Mine came with a detachable lid. I am able to fit the tub and the lid on the floor side by side in the trunk of my car. Gear goes into the tub. I have a trident tank holder (foam cylnders with rope in between) -- this fits into the lid of the tub. 2 tanks fit into this perfectly. With the tub and lid side by side, there is also no room for things to slide around while driving.....and all the water from tanks/gear is caught in the tub or the lid.

Simple hockey-sized duffle (Oceanic) for local boat dives. I still bring the tub and simply throw the duffle into the tub for the trip home.

Wheeled luggage for trips

[waterdogs]

Good post, because I'm looking at what I use and I still don't have enough room.

What does everyone use when they travel?? Also when you travel for 2?

We have:

Akona Mesh Duffle/Backpack
Armor Roller

But we still can't fit everything we have in them. Does each couple take their own "gear bag"? Or do you take one "Giant Gear Bag" for both.

When we pack for our honeymoon in a couple of months it looks as though we are taking more gear and gear bags than actual clothes for our trip.

Well, not a bad idea to skip on most of the clothes it is our honeymoon, but 2-3 bags will be dive gear.

Disgruntled Dive Packer

waterdogs

[tholt576]

Originally posted by large_diver
Rubbermaid tub when diving out of the car. Mine came with a detachable lid. I am able to fit the tub and the lid on the floor side by side in the trunk of my car. Gear goes into the tub. I have a trident tank holder (foam cylnders with rope in between) -- this fits into the lid of the tub. 2 tanks fit into this perfectly. With the tub and lid side by side, there is also no room for things to slide around while driving.....and all the water from tanks/gear is caught in the tub or the lid.

Simple hockey-sized duffle (Oceanic) for local boat dives. I still bring the tub and simply throw the duffle into the tub for the trip home.

Wheeled luggage for trips

I love my rubbermaid tub. It can also be used as a rinse tank when you're done diving for the day. I also have some rolling duffle bags I got from Sam's Club for $40 each for boat dives.

[MikeS]

Going to Aruba in a few weeks and I needed something to put gear in to check as luggage on the flight. I looked at the Akona Roller Bag, looked great, but the cute frog logo said to me “steal me I am expensive scuba gear!” I went with a more generic version from REI http://www.rei.com/cgibin/ncommerce3/ProductDisplayprrfnbr=411463&prmenbr=8000&cgrfnbr=4501712

The biggest concern was finding something large enough for the fins to fit in. I recycled some packing foam from work for padding in the small removable pack to storing my regs, computer, etc. It all stays together till I get to the airport check-in where I can remove the small pack to carry on. REI while not the cheapest only sells high quality so I expect it will last forever.

Mike

[nannerb82]

I use a North Face Basecamp duffle bag XL. 10,050 cubic inches with plenty of room to spare with all of my gear in it. Plus it is waterproof so I don't get my car all wet. Tough and durable with a lifetime warranty. Just rinse it out and let it dry when you are done.