Bags and Boxes

A dive bag has to survive being dragged across car parks, thrown onto boats and packed away wet. We stock duffels, backpacks, mesh bags, dry bags and hard cases from Apeks, DynamicNord, Fourth Element, Halcyon, Mares, Waterproof and others, along with padded regulator bags and smaller pouches. Which one suits you comes down to how far you carry your kit and whether it has to go on a plane.

Mesh dive duffle bag packed with kit on a boat deck

Expert advice
Talk to divers who use the kit we sell.
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Regulators, cylinders, drysuits, BCDs and computer batteries.
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Posted across the UK. Ask about lead times on special orders.

A good dive bag does more than carry your kit. It protects your equipment, keeps everything organised, and makes getting to and from dive sites far easier. With so many styles available, the right bag makes a real difference to how a dive day goes.

At Dive Rutland we stock and use dive bags from brands including Apeks, DynamicNord, Fourth Element, Halcyon, Mares, Northern Diver and Waterproof, chosen for durability, practical design and suitability for real-world diving. Below is a guide to the main types and how to decide which is right for you.

Duffel dive bags

Duffel bags are a popular choice for divers who want maximum space and flexibility. They usually have a large main compartment able to hold bulky items such as wetsuits, BCDs, fins and regulators, and many include internal pockets or end compartments to keep smaller items organised. Their simple, robust design suits divers who want a straightforward bag that can take a full kit without complication.

Best for: divers carrying a lot of equipment who want a spacious, no-nonsense solution.

Roller and wheeled bags

Wheeled bags are designed with travel in mind, which makes them useful for trips involving airports, ferries, or long walks across a car park. Wheels and a retractable handle let you move heavy kit with less effort, and most offer multiple compartments so wet and dry gear can be kept apart.

Best for: divers travelling with heavy or bulky kit.

Dive backpacks

Backpacks suit divers who need mobility and hands-free transport, particularly for shore dives, quarries, or more remote entry points. They usually have padded shoulder straps and supportive back panels for comfort over longer distances, and come in sizes from compact day packs up to full-kit designs.

Best for: shore divers, instructors, and anyone who values ease of movement.

Mesh bags

Mesh bags are lightweight and breathable and are made for wet gear. The open construction lets water drain and air circulate, so equipment dries more quickly and is less likely to develop odours. They suit fins, masks, wetsuits and snorkelling kit, and fold away easily when they are not in use.

Best for: boat diving, pool sessions, or moving wet kit after a dive.

Dry bags

Dry bags are made to keep their contents dry, which is invaluable on boats and in wet environments. Waterproof materials and roll-top seals protect clothing, electronics and personal items from water, and sizes run from small accessory bags up to large duffel-style dry bags.

Best for: boat diving, RIBs, kayaking, and keeping valuables away from water.

Boxes and hard cases

Hard cases and storage boxes protect the things a soft bag will not, such as computers, torches, and anything with a lens or a delicate first stage. They also stack and store more sensibly between trips. Padded regulator bags sit between the two, giving a regulator set real protection without the bulk of a rigid case.

Best for: fragile or expensive items, and anything you would rather not find damaged at the dive site.

How to choose the right dive bag

When selecting a dive bag, think about how much equipment you need to carry, whether you travel often or dive locally, how far you have to carry your kit, and whether you need ventilation for wet gear or waterproof protection for dry gear.

There is no single best dive bag, only the one that suits your diving and where you do it. If you are not sure which option fits your kit or your travel plans, speak to the team at Dive Rutland. We use the bags we sell and are always happy to help you choose.

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Frequently asked questions

They solve different problems. A mesh bag drains and lets air through, so wet kit is not sitting in its own water on the way home, and sand falls out rather than staying in. A solid bag protects what is inside and keeps it dry, which matters for anything you would rather not have soaked. A lot of divers end up with both and use the mesh bag for the wet half of the kit.

That is between you and the airline, and the limits differ from one to another and sometimes by route. Check your airline's current size and weight allowance before you book, and check the manufacturer specification for the packed dimensions of the bag you are looking at. Dive kit is heavy, so the weight limit usually runs out before the size limit does.

Mostly by not leaving wet kit packed. Rinse gear after diving, get it out of the bag as soon as you are home, and let both the kit and the bag dry properly before they go away. A mesh bag helps because it drains and breathes, but nothing saves a bag that spends the week in a car boot with a damp wetsuit inside it.

It depends what your full set actually is: a drysuit and undersuit take up far more room than a wetsuit, and whether you carry your own cylinder changes the answer again. Check the stated capacity in the manufacturer specification for any bag you are considering. If you are unsure, bring your kit in and we will pack it into a few options so you can see what fits before you buy.