travel bag

[weirdfish]

whats a good travel bag to get your gear safely and in one piece to your destination and perhaps one you can lock.

[Woz]

One that doesn't have DIVER or a dive brand written all over it. Light and with wheels. I wouldn't bother locking it as if they want in, they'll just cut it.

[Hamish]

One that doesn't have DIVER or a dive brand written all over it. Light and with wheels. I wouldn't bother locking it as if they want in, they'll just cut it.

Sorry, but I advice always putting a lock on. It may not deter the determined thief but is does the opertunist.

Hamish

[ChristianG]

Sorry, but I advice always putting a lock on. It may not deter the determined thief but is does the opertunist.
There are at least two schools of thought on that one and if you fly through the US a lock is inadvisable anyway you look at it.

Woz is (otherwise or not) absolutely correct, a bag with dive logos plastered all over it simply says "steal me, expensive dive gear inside".

My own, entirely unprepossessing, (black) bag with two way zipper is simply secured by a plastic cable tie, just to stop the zipper working loose and there are spares right on top of the bag to re-secure it if necessary.

[Roz]

If you are after a lightweight travel bag with pedigree, I'm aware that Stahlsac have just launched one. I saw it and lifted it up at Beneath the Sea Dive Show in New Jersey a couple of weeks ago and was seriously impressed. I've been hauling a Stahlsac around the world for awhile now and I know that John Bantin also uses bags by this manufacturer for many reasons;

- they do not have 'diver' or some such on the outside
- they look like an innocent bag and so don't attract attention advertising shiny things inside
- they are robust
- their wheels don't fall off or break
- they keep on working
- the backup / customer support from Stahl is amazing

As an aside Stahlsac translates from German meaning 'steel bag'.

They cost a pretty penny, but I have been through several dive bags and this one has lasted me about five year so far and is in pretty good condition, so for me it's been worth the investment.

Not sure if Typhoon (UK Distributor) has them yet, or when they will be getting them.

Another Travel Bag to watch out for is by Fourth Element. This will be a lightweight bag, no wheels, so you can crush it up and hide it underneath your liveaboard bunk. It weights something silly like 80 grams (this is from memory which isn't as good as it used to be) Again no idea of launch date or prices yet.

Finally I'd advocate cable tying your bags closed after the TAS cut two of my bags that had been padlocked.

HTH.

[The Cherub]

North Face or similar duffel bag with straps that can be used to carry the bag as a rucksack. Wheeled bags are good by they are a bit like Darleks great until they find stairs or kerbs.

I pack the bag using the Wetsuit, Clothes, Fins and BCD as protection for the fragile items, remember that once the bag disappears behind the check in desks it will not be treated with kid gloves. Expect it to be thrown into cargo bins, drop off luggage belts, run over by baggage trucks and left in the pouring rain for 8 hours waiting for your delayed aircraft.

As far as what the bag looks like they know what's in as it has to pass through Security Scanners before it enters the aircraft's cargo hold.

[TrevorB]

not sure where you are but there is a band new Mares wheeley Dive bag in my garage never used

Came as a prize from Dive Magazine would love to see it have a good home for a reasonable price

I am in Leeds (there is always a problem) and I bet it would be a pain to post

[SUNDODGER]

Don't know what all the fuss is about! ;)

Most (I say again, MOST) flights give you 20kg hold and 10kg hand allowance. So, using that as the baseline example.......

Cheap bag, (weigh it before you buy it!) in it go the suit and stabbie, boots, fins, mask etc. Oh and a couple of T shirts - remember, you WILL buy at least one from the dive operator when you are on holiday! Aim for 19kg, this gives you the one kilo spare for your DF booze on the return trip!

Now, in the 'hand' luggage goes, regs and DVs, computers, camera and housing and anything else that is heavy-ish. Oh, and your sandwiches for the flight!! But no booze and most definately no shark stabbers!! Not only is your most expensive stuff NOT in your hold allowance, it is safe and secure with you at all times. Just expect a raised eyebrow when it goes into the X-ray machine! :eek:

And wear a coat with great big pockets. Trust me!!

Simples.

[weirdfish]

what something like the north face base camp duffel? and if so what size out of the 70 or 90ltr do you think would be most suitable for a weeks worth of dive gear and clothes(minimal).

[Andy Mason]

90L.

Or buy a hockey bag.

[ChristianG]

Most flights give you 20kg hold and 10kg hand allowance. So, using that as the baseline example.......

Now, in the 'hand' luggage goes, regs and DVs, computers, camera and housing and anything else that is heavy-ish.
My camera bag, excluding computer (for which there is a slot) but also housing, strobes and ports, weighs around 20kg.

Your method won't work - for me anyway. :eek:

For those of you for whom this method does work, I suggest you stash the camera in the (unlatched) housing; after all, you're unlikely to want it on the plane and that saves space and keeps it about as safe as it can get.

[IainC]

Someone on this forum recommended black MOD deployment bags and supplied a link I can't find just now..

I've got two - no logos, pack-away rucsac straps, ordinary bag straps, solidly made and about £10 army surplus.

[colinkay]

I use a large Samsonite hard shell roller case with US-security approved lock - light but incredibly strong. Regs and computer in the hand luggage, mesh bag in the Samsonite for use at the destination.

I'd never stick my dive kit in any soft bag as sooner or later, the baggage handlers will mangle it. Probably sooner.

[BonoVince]

I also use Samsonite bag whenever I go Scuba Diving. Meanwhile, there are several things that you can do to maintain a lightweight luggage during trip. For example, it is better to give the same souvenir items to your friends, relatives or loved ones to maximize the space in your bag and also avoid those gifts that are made of fragile materials.

Spam removed by moderators

[Zombix]

http://www.divelife.co.uk/scuba-manufacturers/Northern-Diver/1981/Northern-Diver-NDB5-Bag

massive 160 litres capacity, weighes in at a massive 900grams. Also on offer.
Can't go wrong.

Z:D

[ChristianG]

massive 160 litres capacity, weighes in at a massive 900grams.
Can't go wrong.
It also says, writ large: "please steal me, expensive SCUBA gear inside".