Armor welcomes your input

[Armor Bags]

Armor bags is happy to be a new part of Scubaboard.

Please feel free to ask any question about Armor bags or bag construction in general. Most of our bags have features that divers have told us they want. I can also field repair and warranty questions.

Airlines can destroy anything (even on the first trip, no kidding!) and even Armor sometimes has factory defects, BUT we stand behind our product. When you call our number the phone will be answered by someone named Carmichael. This is OUR family business, this is all we do, and bags are not an accessory or after-thought for us.

Please note that you can find descriptions of Armor bags, including video clips explaining the bags on our web site Armor Products, LLC - makers of gear bags, dive gear bags and accessories for scuba diving, water sports and other activities as well as soft luggage.. Also on that web site you can find a chart, "Bags by size" that has all the bag weights, volume and other information.

The most asked question I get at trade shows now is what the bag weighs. With a 50lb (or 70lb international) weight limit the weight of the empty bag is important. Our 2 larger rolling bags weigh 10 and 11lbs respectively. In my opinion, any bag with wheels and extendable handle, weighing less than 10lbs, is not using the most rugged wheels. We have sacrificed a lb or so to use the best wheels we can find, and they have proven to be very durable wheels.

Armor's rolling luggage all meet current (62") airline size regulations.

The future of air travel probably means reductions in size, number and weight of bags. I am recommending that dive travelers use the largest carry-on they can get away with and carry on all the heavier and more valuable items (regs, computers, cameras) and pack bulky, lighter weight items (fins, wet suit, clothing( in one large pc of checked luggage. If your gear doesn't fit in that combination your only other option will be to pay extra or forward your bags to your destination by courier (a couple links are listed on our web site).

Our #94 Island Hopper (double backpack) is perfect for this packing method. The roller will fit in most airline overheads. If you get on a smaller airplane ("Island Hopper") and have to gate-check your roller, the weight doesn't normally count against you, and you aways have the smaller of the 2 backpacks with you. The smaller backpack is large enough for a reg set, prescription mask, passport, etc., and will never be taken away from you.

One recommendation: All bags go face-down on the conveyor belt these days; a big factor in torn zippers and straps. Purchase our "Protective bags" if you buy or have a #89 or #93. The are huge in terms of preventing airline damage to your bag.

Again, happy to be aboard and I'm always available to help.

Dave & Jackie Carmichael
Owner
Armor

 

[SCUBAJENNIFER]

I have a XL Armor Duffle bag that is my all time favorite bag...I wish my akona gear bag held up nearly as well. Do you still have the large roller bag with the fin pockets?? I can't remember the name of it, but I didn't see it on the website.

 

[mike_s]

How about an affordable simple Regulator bag with a zippered pocket to store your regulator/computer manual in? One that is "not too big" so that you can put in inside a standard airline luggag roller carry on and not take up too much space with the other stuff you're carrying.

I've got one by Armor, but you don't appear to make the one I've got anymore.

#19 Deluxe Regulator Bag is similar, but HUGE compared to the one I'm talking about, and most places want $49 to $59 bucks for it.


Your #9DF Dive Flag Regulator Bag is smaller, but has that annoying dive flag on it that says "steal me" and the rear flat storage pocket is not zippered, so any manual inserted will likely fall out.

reference Armor Products Regulator Bags

 

[Armor Bags]

Yes, the 9DF does have the dive/flag look. I suppose we assumed that a reg bag would be kept on your person, like a briefcase while flying or inside a larger bag when not flying. Some like to show they are a diver as long as the bag is kep with them. Still, if there is a demand for a black reg bag I'd be happy to meet the demand.

How about an affordable simple Regulator bag with a zippered pocket to store your regulator/computer manual in? One that is "not too big" so that you can put in inside a standard airline luggag roller carry on and not take up too much space with the other stuff you're carrying.

I've got one by Armor, but you don't appear to make the one I've got anymore.

#19 Deluxe Regulator Bag is similar, but HUGE compared to the one I'm talking about, and most places want $49 to $59 bucks for it.


Your #9DF Dive Flag Regulator Bag is smaller, but has that annoying dive flag on it that says "steal me" and the rear flat storage pocket is not zippered, so any manual inserted will likely fall out.

reference Armor Products Regulator Bags

 

[kidsdream]

While there are a lot of manufacturers of travel bags, I have to say my personal warranty experience with Armor needs to be detailed.

Last summer, during a return trip from the Keys, US Air found fit to apparently "drag" my large Armor equipment bag across the Tarmac. As Burlington International Airport in Vermont has a unique public parking lot with valets, I did not handle my dive bag upon my return. So the bag stay stuffed in the back of my Tahoe till morning. That's when I noticed my the entire side of my bag was gone - ground off. Even half of the plastic handle was worn away.

While this certainly was not a manufacturing defect. The folks at Armor made it right and replaced the bag - I even got to talk to the owner after sending him an email. I can't promise they will take care of all abuse in this manner. But they have this customer for life.

 

[Armor Bags]

I have a XL Armor Duffle bag that is my all time favorite bag...I wish my akona gear bag held up nearly as well. Do you still have the large roller bag with the fin pockets?? I can't remember the name of it, but I didn't see it on the website.

Armor's current large roller bag is the #89 Traveller. The fin's now go in sleeves/pockets that are inside the bag. This construction style eliminated two large outside zippers that can be damaged. It was also a move to bring the center of gravity in over the wheels and make the bag more stable. This bag has proven to be the most durable and reliable large rolling bag we've made to date (we keep improving after 12 years of learning).

 

[Armor Bags]

Jeff
Thanks for the kind words.
Since we are just starting this thread let me use the opportunity to make the following comments about bag problems: First, without regard to warranty, Armor will always try to repair your bag (even non Armor bags at times) and do it at no charge if we have the parts and if you send the bag to us. Second, it is fair to say that 60% of the returns we see have nothing to do with "manufacturers defects" and more to do with carrier or consumer abuse (please try your carrier first), or just plain wear and tear. Third, we're not perfect and neither are the people that make the bags, but we try. Finally, if you acknowledge all of the above, and are nice when you contact us, you'll find things go a lot smoother.

Dave

While there are a lot of manufacturers of travel bags, I have to say my personal warranty experience with Armor needs to be detailed.

Last summer, during a return trip from the Keys, US Air found fit to apparently "drag" my large Armor equipment bag across the Tarmac. As Burlington International Airport in Vermont has a unique public parking lot with valets, I did not handle my dive bag upon my return. So the bag stay stuffed in the back of my Tahoe till morning. That's when I noticed my the entire side of my bag was gone - ground off. Even half of the plastic handle was worn away.

While this certainly was not a manufacturing defect. The folks at Armor made it right and replaced the bag - I even got to talk to the owner after sending him an email. I can't promise they will take care of all abuse in this manner. But they have this customer for life.

 

[ScottZeagle]

Welcome to Scuba Board, Dave and Jackie!!!!

Scott - owner of more Armor bags than I can count...

 

[scubapro50]

If I may make a suggestion ... your #93 bag looks good but could be better it you could completely seperate into two pieces ..... the ridge bottom section should be mated to the top bag and allow the diver to divide the unit into two seperate pieces after he arrives at his destination. This way he can leave the bottom portion in his room and use the top portion as his carry on dive bag for the boat. The handle and wheels would stay with the lower section and move the backpack feature to the bottom of the top section. This would seem to make more sense letting the diver breakdown the unit into two pieces when needed.

 

[Armor Bags]

If I may make a suggestion ... your #93 bag looks good but could be better it you could completely seperate into two pieces ..... the ridge bottom section should be mated to the top bag and allow the diver to divide the unit into two seperate pieces after he arrives at his destination. This way he can leave the bottom portion in his room and use the top portion as his carry on dive bag for the boat. The handle and wheels would stay with the lower section and move the backpack feature to the bottom of the top section. This would seem to make more sense letting the diver breakdown the unit into two pieces when needed.

This is a good suggestion. However the changes would take it into a different league and price range because of the complexities of doing it right. The bag would actually become 2 different bags just put together for the ride. The MSRP on this bag, if we did it right, would be $250-$299. The #93 was designed to provide a good travel bag at a $150 price point. Home to hotel; it was not designed to be used with wet gear or taken to the dive site; we recommend a mesh boat bag for that part of the journey.

Nevertheless, it's a good concept for a bag. First, I would use buckles to hold the 2 pieces together; zippers would be a problem waiting to happen, and the top bag, when separated, would have an exposed zipper chain vulnerable to damage. Second, the top of the lower part and the bottom of the upper bag would need to be made with "exterior" grade material. Finally, given that people don't even want a mesh boat bag that doesn't have wheels anymore, there are a significant number of people that wouldn't buy it because the top bag wouldn't have wheels; and with a full load of gear many people wouldn't or couldn't backpack it.

Still I like the concept and it might be a bag for a future production.

Dave