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The 7 best diving bags 2024?

by Erik

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With over 258 offers on the online platform Amazon.de alone, it’s hard to keep track. We have put together the TOP 7 of the best and most popular dive bags.

No more bad purchases:

The most important information is summarized in our Checklist. If you use all this information, you will find the right model in no time at all. In the following guide, we also provide valuable background information on buying a diving bag.

Contents:

  1. Top picks: The best diving bags 2024 reviewed.
  2. Checklist: These features are important.
  3. Bestsellers: The most popular diving bags at a glance.
  4. Guide: How to make the right decision.
  5. FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers about diving bags.

The best diving bags 2024 reviewed

How do we rate? Our experts thoroughly research and evaluate each recommendation. We take into account the most important product features, adherence to quality standards, prices, customer reviews, our own experiences, and much more. Learn more about our process.

1. best diving backpack

Spacious
Cressi DRYGARA, dry bag backpack, 60 L*

    This diving backpack is characterized by good workmanship, which guarantees that no water penetrates the inside of the backpack. The shoulder straps are ergonomically shaped and allow the rucksack to be carried comfortably.

    What we like:

    • Ergonomic shoulder straps
    • Good quality
    • Sealed seams
    What we don’t like:

    • Very flat front pocket

    Why we like it: The 60 L capacity of the backpack is ideal for stowing all the equipment you need for a dive. Two straps on each side made it possible to carry two spearguns.

    Recommended for: This tank bag is ideal for water sports enthusiasts who want to transport their equipment safely and dry.

    2. best diving case

    With castors
    Samsonite-Paradiver light 121,5 l*

      Thanks to the padded back and ergonomic chest and shoulder straps, this diving case from Samsonite can be carried comfortably on your back. It has a bottle holder and an integrated address plate.

      What we like:

      • Sustainable materials
      • Carrying handle on the top
      • Multiple compartments
      • Detachable shoulder strap
      What we don’t like:

      • Not stable
      • Price

      Why we like it: As a trolley with wheels, this diving backpack is very easy to transport. The bag has a large main compartment with packing straps, two front pockets, ergonomic backpack straps and an extendable telescopic handle.

      Recommended for: This model is suitable for anyone who doesn’t want to choose between a wheeled suitcase and a backpack.

      3. best duffel bag

      Waterproof
      Cressi Gorilla Pro Bag*

        The diving bag has comfortable carrying handles for transportation. Waterproof zippers ensure dry storage of the accessories.

        What we like:

        • Spacious
        • Adjustable carrying straps
        • Padded carrying handles
        What we don’t like:

        • Poor quality of zippers

        Why we like it: This Gorilla Pro bag is durable and hard-wearing. It has a generous volume that offers enough space for long diving fins, masks, snorkels and other diving equipment.

        Recommended for: This duffle bag is suitable for transporting the complete equipment of two divers.

        4. best diving bag with wheels

        Robust zippers
        Cressi Piper Trolley Bag*

          This diving bag is a lightweight model with a high-quality finish. The 2 wheels make it easy and convenient to transport the bag.

          What we like:

          • High quality
          • Low dead weight
          • Smooth-running castors
          • Tilt stable
          What we don’t like:

          • Price

          Why we like it: This Cressi Piper trolley bag has an impressive design and offers a robust construction made from a fabric with a waterproof coating. It also has reinforced edges that give the bag additional stability.

          Recommended for: Due to its size, this diving bag is also suitable as hand luggage for most airlines.

          5. best ventilated dive bag

          Very spacious
          Mares Cruise Mesh*

            This Mares Cruise bag is made from a robust, sturdy fabric. Thanks to the mesh material, moisture and sand can escape from the bag, preventing the accumulation of moisture or unpleasant odors.

            What we like:

            • Low dead weight
            • High breathability
            • Practical carrying handles
            What we don’t like:

            • Very long version

            Why we like it: When not in use, the bag can be folded up and takes up very little space in your luggage. The air-permeable material makes them particularly lightweight, while the size offers enough storage space for a lot of equipment.

            Recommended for: This bag is ideal for transporting diving equipment and other accessories.

            6. best dive bag with compression straps

            Weatherproof
            UNPLUG Ultimate Adventure Bag -1680D backpack, duffel bag, dry bag, waterproof travel bag*

              This waterproof backpack has a capacity of 155 liters. The ergonomically shaped straps can be individually adjusted and increase wearing comfort.

              What we like:

              • Reinforced load points
              • Welded seams
              • Detachable shoulder straps
              What we don’t like:

              • Only 1 outer pocket
              • Narrow shoulder straps

              Why we like it: This diving backpack is made of Oxford fabric and is extremely robust. The welded seams guarantee that the contents of the rucksack stay dry.

              Recommended for: This backpack is ideal for various applications, including carrying diving equipment or use as an emergency backpack.

              7. best diving bag with outstanding quality

              Tear resistant
              Cressi Unisex-Adult Piovra Fins Backpack XL *

                This backpack has a generous capacity and offers space for long fins. The robust design protects the contents of the bag from scratches and other damage.

                What we like:

                • Adjustable straps
                • Robust materials
                • Spacious
                • Multiple compartments
                • Robust zippers
                What we don’t like:

                • Narrow shoulder straps

                Why we like it: This backpack has perfect dimensions that allow you to store all your gear perfectly. It offers enough space for large fins, wetsuits, diving masks, towels and everything else you need. Overall, it is very well thought out and offers maximum comfort when transporting diving equipment.

                Recommended for: This backpack has been specially designed for divers and is perfect for carrying diving equipment.

                Diving bag Checklist: These features are important in the test

                • Size: Will you only be taking a snorkel with you, or will you be diving with a device and lots of accessories? The size of a diving bag is one of the most important aspects to consider before buying. To avoid choosing a model that is too bulky or too small, the volume of the equipment and the bag should be reviewed in advance.
                • Type of bag: There are three different types of diving bags: diving backpacks, roll bags and duffel bags.
                • Ventilation: The equipment is wet after the dive. To ensure that it can still be transported well, many bags have systems to bring air into the interior and allow water to drain away.
                • Material: A diving bag has to be able to withstand a lot. Whether sea air, rough rocks or sand, the equipment inside should not be damaged. Good diving bags are also padded to protect the equipment being transported.

                Did you know? The most popular diving compasses 2024.

                Bestsellers: The most popular diving bags

                What do others buy? In our bestseller list, we present the TOP 11 most purchased offers. The selection is updated daily.

                (**Last update 2024-09-16)

                Buy a diving bag:
                How to make the right decision


                Before buying a diving bag, you should decide what you want from it. The following criteria will help you choose the right product:

                Size: How much equipment must be transported in the diving bag?

                The size of the dive bag depends primarily on the amount of equipment to be stowed. A minimalist snorkeler will need less equipment than an enthusiastic scuba diver. The volume of the bag should be chosen accordingly.

                The size of the diving bag must also take into account how it is to be moved. Whether it has to be taken to an inaccessible beach or just to the lake in front of the house makes a huge difference.

                As a rule of thumb, warm water diver’s bags should have a capacity of around 60 to 80 liters. If you are diving in colder waters, the capacity of the bag should not be less than 100 liters.

                Good to know: As a test, it is advisable to distribute the entire diving equipment over several standardized plastic bags from the DIY store to determine the required volume.

                If you want to dive outdoors, you should make sure that your diving bag is long enough to stow flippers for open water. If the length of the flippers is 98 cm, for example, the bag should be slightly longer.

                Layout: How should the equipment be organized in the diving bag?

                Diving can be practiced in many different ways. A correspondingly large amount of equipment is available to the individual. But how can the extensive equipment be transported without everything having to be reorganized at the dive site?

                Compartments and slide-in units?

                Many diving bags have a large number of compartments and slots to accommodate all the pieces of equipment. This means that everything is already sorted in the bag and can be taken out directly when needed.

                Many manufacturers also equip their diving bags with waterproof compartments. This means that items of equipment or the smartphone can be kept dry even if there is wet equipment in the bag.

                Compression strap?

                Some models are also equipped with compression straps that can be used to fix individual items of diving equipment in a specific place in the bag. This prevents the equipment from getting mixed up during transportation and protects sensitive instruments from being damaged by loose, heavy objects.

                Regulator bags?

                Pockets for the regulator are another special feature. These small bags are specially padded and designed to store this sensitive device. Many of these regulator bags can be detached from the diving bag using a zipper. This also makes it possible to transport the regulator separately.

                Type of diving bag: Which model suits me?

                Diving bag types

                Does the equipment have to be brought along a winding path to a secluded bay or just across the road to the harbor? Should the bag be carried over the shoulder, or is the equipment so heavy that it has to be pulled on wheels?

                Depending on how these questions are answered, different types of diving bags should be chosen. There are basically three different types of bags:

                1 Diving backpacks

                Diving backpacks are a simple way of taking your equipment with you quickly and easily. Visually, the bags, which are also called backpacks, hardly differ from normal rucksacks.

                However, they usually have integrated mesh fabric to ensure sufficient air circulation when transporting wet equipment. In addition, diving backpacks are made from significantly more resistant materials than conventional models.

                A backpack for diving is light and handy. BeyondSurfing therefore recommends this option if only equipment for one diver needs to be transported, or if the dive site can only be reached via rough terrain.

                Good to know: When traveling, small to medium bag sizes are particularly suitable. For flights in particular, BeyondSurfing recommends using a diving backpack and paying attention to the specifications of the respective airline.

                Whether MY Red Sea Explorer or Emperor Serenity, if you want to bring your own diving fins on your next diving safari, it’s a good idea to travel with a diving backpack.

                2 rolling bags/diving cases

                This type of diving bag is characterized by the fact that it is particularly large and spacious. It often has many individual inside pockets and separate compartments. This means that all the equipment can be stored neatly organized.

                Roll-up bags are also particularly resilient. The fact that the scooters are pulled along the ground means that even very heavy equipment can be easily transported to the diving site.

                Some bags of this type also have straps to carry them on your back. These models are known as wheeled backpacks. They are the ideal choice if the sport is often practiced with light equipment and only occasionally heavy equipment needs to be transported.

                3 duffel bags

                Many diving bags are designed as a single, cone-shaped transport bag and are known as duffel bags. There are usually two straps attached to these so that the bag can either be carried over one shoulder or, if it is heavy, over both shoulders.

                Thanks to its special shape, a duffel bag offers very large storage space. This means that even bulky items of equipment can be easily transported.

                If you want to carry more equipment than fits in a rucksack and want to dive in hard-to-reach places, a duffel bag will make it easy to transport your accessories.

                In addition, many models are designed to carry two sets of diving equipment. A duffel bag is therefore a good choice for diving partners who are traveling together.

                Ventilation: How to transport wet accessories in the diving bag?

                Every diver will have experienced this: after the dive, the equipment is wet and has to dry before it can be stowed away again. The solution here is adequate ventilation:

                Mesh fabric

                Mesh is incorporated into most dive bags and allows a high level of air circulation in the bag, allowing the diving equipment to dry. This also makes it possible to transport wet equipment. BeyondSurfing recommends making sure that the mesh surfaces are large enough to ensure that the equipment dries thoroughly.

                If the surfaces are rather small, the equipment should be allowed to dry slightly before packing so that there is sufficient air circulation in the product.

                Drainage eyelets

                These are drainage holes in the pocket into which a permeable plug is inserted. This allows water to flow out of the bag if the equipment is particularly wet. However, particularly small parts are prevented from falling out.

                The contents of the bag should not be too wet, especially for longer journeys in vehicles. This means that there is not enough air for a functioning exchange, which can result in unpleasant odors or mold growth.

                Good to know: Some diving bags also have a mechanism to keep water outside the bag. A so-called storm flap is attached under the zipper of the product. This prevents water from seeping in through the teeth of the closure.

                Material: Which materials are suitable for diving bags?

                Diving bags often come into contact with water and rough or grainy surfaces such as sand and rock. To protect the equipment inside, they must be made of the right materials.

                A frequently used material for good bags is sealed PVC. It is characterized by its high resistance and is waterproof. 420D and 450D ripstop nylon are also well suited for a robust exterior.

                To allow the necessary air circulation inside the bag when wet equipment is being transported, most products have a mesh fabric incorporated. This is permeable to air, but tight enough to prevent small objects from falling out of the bag.

                It is particularly important to ensure that the bag is sufficiently padded to protect the diving equipment being transported. A good material for such padding is 150D polyester.

                FAQ: Frequently asked questions and answers

                What is the best diving bag?

                The best diving bag always meets the individual needs of the person carrying it. Depending on the weight and scope of the equipment, a bag should be selected that meets the requirements of its use in terms of type, size and layout. Ventilation and the material used should also be checked before making a purchase.

                It is important to make sure that the bag is easy to carry, even when it is loaded. It should also be adapted to the environment of the dive site. If you first have to climb a rock to get to the water, a bulky wheeled bag is rather unsuitable.

                What alternatives are there to a diving bag?

                As an alternative to the diving bag, any other bag that is large enough and can hold the weight of the accessories can be used to carry the diving equipment.

                However, it should be noted that a diving bag is designed to provide special protection for the equipment. As diving equipment is often very expensive, you should think carefully about whether to forego this advantage.

                Especially if the dive site is by the sea or a lake, BeyondSurfing recommends using a diving bag that can withstand these outdoor conditions.

                What does a good diving bag cost?

                Good lightweight diving bags are available from as little as 30 $. However, if you want to buy a particularly large version with lots of compartments, you can expect to pay up to 200 $.

                Where can I buy diving bags?

                Diving bags are available from online retailers such as Amazon.de. However, some models are also available from specialist sports retailers such as Empty.

                How is a diving bag cared for?

                In order for the diving bag to provide good service over a long period of time, it must be properly cared for. After each use, the wet equipment should be removed and the bag rinsed with clear water to remove salt and sand. Before storing the bag, it should be thoroughly dried.

                Which well-known diving bag brands and manufacturers are there?

                Well-known and popular suppliers of diving bags include:

                • Mares
                • Scubapro
                • Mero

                Is there a test from Consumer Reports or Öko Test on diving bags?

                There are no diving bags test results or test winners from Consumer Reports or Öko Test. Our guide explains what to look out for when buying a diving bag. Our recommendations present 7 products that have received great recognition from customers.

                Editor's note: The opinions expressed here are those of the author alone. The content has not been endorsed, reviewed, approved, or in any way financially supported by any advertiser. We only include products we believe to be useful. How we work

                *Price includes VAT, plus shipping. Customer reviews, prices, delivery times and costs may change in the meantime. By linking to selected online shops and partners, we may receive a small affiliate commission. There are no additional costs for you.

                Erik

                Expert for canoeing and winter sports
                Erik loves the water and has already been on a few canoe trips. When he's not sitting at a computer screen studying, he enjoys being out in nature, especially in the forest or on the river. In winter, Erik likes to swap his canoe for a snowboard.

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