Looking for checked dive luggage recommendations. Have looked through the online reviews of the last several years, but I’m concerned with potential oversize luggage fees of the ‘best’ dive luggage that measure more than the 62 inches allowed by most airlines.  (My Oceanic wheeled dive bag served well for many years, has been lovingly patched and repaired but desperately needs to be replaced.)

Hey!

 

I’d suggest not going for “dive” luggage and choosing non-descript bags that draw less attention. 
 

I’ve been using Eagle Creek wheeled bags for decades. For my latest,  I bought a Cargo Hauler XT 120 litre about 2 years ago which has done several dive trips,  It will take the standard airline 23kgs with ease and is really easy to pull. The bag is as lightweight as I’ve found but also tough.

 

I’ve had an Eagle Creek wheel disintegrate on one occasion and EC replaced the wheel with minimal fuss. 

On 9/1/2024 at 2:43 AM, DiverDawn said:

Looking for checked dive luggage recommendations. Have looked through the online reviews of the last several years, but I’m concerned with potential oversize luggage fees of the ‘best’ dive luggage that measure more than the 62 inches allowed by most airlines.  (My Oceanic wheeled dive bag served well for many years, has been lovingly patched and repaired but desperately needs to be replaced.)

Hi,

For my last trip, I was looking for a bag that was large enough, had wheels, and was as light as possible. In the end, I bought the Mares Cruise Roller, enough space for one full diving equipment (BCD + fins + regulator + wetsuit + clothes + other stuff) and in only 3kg.

Is also foldable when empty.

It was the lighter I could find big enough for my needs.

It has the disadvantage that once it is full it is not very stable when upright, but not big deal.

It's proven to be very helpful for me.

For check-in, I personally prefer a regular lightweight hard case. For carry-on I use a Pelican light, which some don’t like because it can draw attention. I have never experienced that during som 25+ years traveling with dive and photo gear—then I have never dived in Mexico 😬 I just like that it can be tossed around and give protection. Otherwise I’d chose a normal carry-on size legal lightweight hard case. Nowadays it’s weight setting limits rather than size if you want to be within the regulations. 23-25 kgs for checked and 7-8 for carry-on are easily exceeded with just essentials. So getting lightweight, travel-friendly gear a must. And don’t forget ”personal item”. I got a Patagonia fannypack (my 23 y/o daughter keeps a distance when I wear it) which can fit some arm segments and a lens and other smaller details, taking some load off my carry-on.

Edited October 28Oct 28 by Christian K
sp.

I personally use 2x Rimowa Classic checkin M and one Classic cabin.

Cabin bag has camera body, all batteries, lenses, laptop, one change of clothes, medications and travel essentials, weight about 15kg+

Checkin 1 has housing, strobes, wet lenses, extensions, ports, arms, clamps, chargers. Basically everything else camera related. 20kg+

Checkin 2 has dive equipment and clothes 20kg+

I would just take any lightweight hard shell, Samsonite makes good ones. Im just a sucker for Rimowa and collect them also.

In my opinion 4 wheels are must, lot less strain on your arms hauling them around, specially the carryon.

Edited October 28Oct 28 by Sokrates

3 hours ago, Sokrates said:

I personally use 2x Rimowa Classic checkin M and one Classic cabin.

Cabin bag has camera body, all batteries, lenses, laptop, one change of clothes, medications and travel essentials, weight about 15kg+

Checkin 1 has housing, strobes, wet lenses, extensions, ports, arms, clamps, chargers. Basically everything else camera related. 20kg+

Checkin 2 has dive equipment and clothes 20kg+

I would just take any lightweight hard shell, Samsonite makes good ones. Im just a sucker for Rimowa and collect them also.

In my opinion 4 wheels are must, lot less strain on your arms hauling them around, specially the carryon.

And you travel business or first class, I presume? Or pay heavy extra $$$ for overweight luggage. Four wheels definitely!

Edited October 28Oct 28 by Christian K

One thing I would caution is that salt water and some luggage zips don't mix. I used a carry on size samsonite case for my camera ona few trips and used it to carry onto the boats where despite precautions got some salt water on the zippers, they started seizing up constantly after that even after cleaning exercising and zipper wax. The pulls corroded on them. My dive gear specific bag was loaded up with wet dive gear quite a few times and the zip is still good on that. You won't always be able to dry your gear before packing it away.

14 hours ago, Christian K said:

And you travel business or first class, I presume? Or pay heavy extra $$$ for overweight luggage. Four wheels definitely!

Most people neglect airline frequent flyer programs completely. By doing some research you will be able to easily take extra luggage(or extra kg's) for free, even on the lower levels.

And then places like Indonesia you just pay a reasonable(normally) price per kg. Nothing like ripoff 150e per bag in Europe.

But yes, i usually upgrade to business on intercontinentals.

Edited Wednesday at 10:06 AM5 days by Sokrates

2 hours ago, Sokrates said:

Most people neglect airline frequent flyer programs completely. By doing some research you will be able to easily take extra luggage(or extra kg's) for free, even on the lower levels.

And then places like Indonesia you just pay a reasonable(normally) price per kg. Nothing like ripoff 150e per bag in Europe.

But yes, i usually upgrade to business on intercontinentals.

Money tends to solve a lot of things, excess luggage being one of them :)

Edited Wednesday at 02:55 PM5 days by Christian K