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Scuba Diving Equipment Bags – Which One Do You Use?

I really don’t have any luck with my scuba gear bags. I just bought my fourth scuba equipment bag in 12 months – the other three have cracked, ripped or popped at the seams after just a couple of trips each. Suggestions to stop me buying a fifth one welcome.

I’m off on a trip to the Philippines in a couple of days, and found myself having to buy yet another dive bag. Somehow I’ve managed to trash 3 other dive bags in the last 12 months. The previous one, a big Armorex hold-all, I could understand as I did overload it somewhat coming back from Koh Tao, and it arrived in Bangkok having popped at the seams, impressively running almost the full length of the bag. I was lucky the contents weren’t distributed across the carousel. The previous bag before that however, an identical Armorex, felt apart at its base after being dragged over a beach rampway to the Koh Samui ferry. I also managed to rip an Akona mesh bag after a month of use as well. My dive gear bags do get a bit of a bashing, but then, that can’t be helped. They should be able to take it. It’s not like I’m running over it in a car.

Before the two Armorex’s, which were relatively cheap, I had a somewhat expensive Mares TechNomad rollerbag. The name should have been a warning – could you ever introduce yourself with a straight face as a Tech Nomad? – but the build quality of it was truly awful. Seams on the zips popped after just 2 trips to Palau and Davao, and it wasn’t because I’d overloaded it – it was simply shoddily made. Unfortunately through various events I didn’t get to take it back to the supplier to complain, so I swallowed the cost of that one.

Mares Cruise Roller
Mares Cruise Roller

This time round, I’ve decided to give Mares another go with the Mares Cruise Roller. This is a very soft bag with a big gear compartment and then two big separate compartments on top for clothes etc. It also folds away completely like a jacket bag when it’s empty. As I wrap my regulator and mask inside my BCD, my gear is still protected, and I wonder if it being a bit more pliable it will survive the rigours of air travel better. Certainly it’s super lightweight, and even has backpack straps on the back for hefting it over short distances, which means I can avoid destroying the base dragging it over beaches, rocks etc.

I think most dive bags are built for occasional use – maybe 2 or 3 times a year. If, like me, you go diving regularly, they simply can’t take the strain of being heaved around. For sure, I will be taking extra care of this one because it was expensive – 6000 Baht, which is around 110 British Pounds Sterling. But I am not that optimistic that I will still be using it this time next year.

Unfortunately, I don’t have much other choice – Bangkok dive shops do not have the greatest selection of gear in stock. The thought of having to go to Singapore or Hong Kong just to buy a dive bag is a bit daft, but I’m wondering if that might be the only way to resolve it if this Mares bag falls apart too. (I’ll be back down the shop waving my warranty immediately if so). One thing’s for sure – I really want a dive bag that can take the knocks of frequent travel and save me the expense and hassle of having to frequently replace it. If anyone has any suggestions of tried and tested bags they can recommend, I’m all ears.



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My Recent Dive Trips

  • February 2023: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2022: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • December 2022: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2022: Komodo liveaboard, Indonesia
  • June 2022: USAT Liberty shipwreck, Bali, Indonesia
  • April 2022: Stonehenge, Koh Lipe, Thailand
  • March 2022: Manta Rays at Koh Bon, Thailand
  • January 2022: Richelieu Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • March 2021: HTMS Chang and Alahambra Rock liveaboard, Thailand
  • February 2020: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • December 2019: Raja Ampat liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2019: Malapascua, Philippines
  • June 2019: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • April 2019: Tulamben, Bali
  • December 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • December 2018: Anilao, Philippines
  • October 2018: Moalboal, Philippines
  • October 2018: Malapascua, Philippines
  • July 2018: Tulamben, Bali
  • May 2018: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • April 2018: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • May 2017: Apo Island and Dumaguete, Philippines
  • April 2017: Tubbataha Reef, Philippines
  • April 2017: Sogod Bay, Philippines
  • March 2017: Triton Bay, Indonesia
  • March 2017: Raja Ampat, Indonesia
  • September 2016: Tulamben, Bali at Alba Dive Resort
  • August 2016: Cenderawasih Bay on Damai 1
  • April 2016: Sogod Bay at Sogod Bay Scuba Resort
  • February 2016: Raja Ampat and Banda Islands on Damai 1
  • April 2015: Anilao at Crystal Dive Resort

My Less Recent Dive Trips

  • March 2015: Myanmar and Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • May 2013: Similan Islands on Thailand Aggressor
  • April 2013: Tubbataha Reef on Discovery Palawan
  • January 2013: Komodo, Indonesia on MSY Damai
  • August 2012: Cenderawasih Bay, Indonesia
  • April 2012: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • January 2012: Similan Islands liveaboard, Thailand
  • August 2011: Hanifaru, Maldives
  • June 2011: Tubbataha Liveaboard Hans Christian Andersen
  • April 2011: Similan Islands and Southern Thailand liveaboard
  • April 2011: Carpe Vita Liveaboard, Maldives
  • March 2011: Lembeh Strait, Indonesia
  • December 2010: Menjangan, Bali
  • July 2010: Tofo, Mozambique
  • July 2010: Sardine Run, South Africa
  • May 2010: Sangalaki / Derawan, Tambora
  • March 2010: MV Flying Seahorse, Similan Islands
  • March 2010: MV Orion, Southern Maldives
  • January 2010: Big Blue Explorer, Palau
  • November 2009: MSY Damai, Banda Sea Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MSY Damai, Komodo Liveaboard, Indonesia
  • October 2009: MV Orion, Maldives Liveaboard
  • September 2009: MV Scubanet, Koh Losin, Thailand
  • May 2009: MSY Seahorse, Banda Sea liveaboard, Indonesia
  • March 2009: Sachika Liveaboard, Maldives
  • February 2009: Daytrips, Koh Lanta, Thailand
  • January 2009: MV Jazz, Burma (Myanmar) Liveaboard

Back In The Day Bragging Rights Dive Trips

  • November 2008: Borneo Explorer, Visayas Liveaboard
  • September 2008: S/Y Siren, Komodo Liveaboard
  • August 2008: Ocean Rover, Sulawesi Liveaboard
  • August 2008: NAD Lembeh Resort, Indonesia
  • June 2008: Koh Tao
  • March 2008: Maldives, Bandos Island
  • February 2008: MSY Seahorse, Raja Ampat Liveaboard
  • January 2008: MV Jazz, Burma Liveaboard
  • October 2007: Bali Dive Safari
  • September 2007: Davao, Philippines
  • July 2007: Great White Sharks, Rodney Fox Liveaboard
  • June 2007: Big Blue, Palau Liveaboard
  • May 2007: Whale Sharks at Exmouth, Australia
  • April 2007: Borneo Explorer, Tubbataha Reef Liveaboard
  • December 2006: Komodo Dancer, Komodo Liveaboard

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