Scuba diving and traveling light don’t necessarily mix. Where a week’s vacation used to require only a few T-shirts and shorts or sundresses, swimwear and some sunblock, once you invest in your own gear, packing becomes another story. And with airlines decreasing the weight, size and amount of luggage travelers can bring for check-in and carry-on without paying more, the traveling diver often ends up handing over extra fees for the excess baggage. If you want to save some money – and of course you do – there are a number of ways you can shave a few pounds off your equipment load.
Trim your gear
First and foremost, bring only what you need. Among divers, there’s a natural tendency to think that it’s better to have something and not need it rather than vice versa, and while there’s a lot to be said for being well-prepared, there is such a thing as being over-prepared, especially if you’re trying to stay under your baggage allotment. So take a long, hard look at your gear and determine what you’ll actually need. And leave the rest at home.
Exposure protection
Bringing the right exposure protection for the climate will not only help you stay comfortable during your dive, but it can also mean a difference of several pounds. If you usually bring a 5mm wetsuit, you’ll be surprised how much lighter a 3mm is. And for tropical waters, it will definitely suffice. For drysuit climates, a thin membrane suit with a lightweight set of warm undergarments will weigh much less, and provide as much, or more, insulation than a thick, compressed neoprene drysuit.
BCD
BCDs can be quite heavy, so picking a light model is another way to lighten the load. A number of manufacturers produce travel BCDs, which are extremely light (and often foldable for easy packing), but simply choosing a lighter model of a standard BCD can still make a difference. Do note that a very light BCD will often have a slightly shorter lifespan than the more heavy-duty ones.
Fins
We don’t often consider the weight of our fins, but we should. Fin weight can vary several pounds between a pair of technical, natural-rubber fins and a pair of light plastic fins. If you’re mostly snorkeling and will only be doing a few dives, heel-capped fins are fine, but for more extensive diving you’ll want to go with an open-heel version, which will be heavier and require a bootie. So picking the lightest possible option is important. If you want the propulsion of a tech fin, without the weight, the Hollis F2 is a popular choice.
Regulators
Although regulators are some of the heaviest pieces of equipment in a diver’s bag, this is one place where it’s hard to really shave off a lot of pounds. Some models are lighter than others, though, so it’s worth looking into if you travel a lot for diving. If you’re looking for something very light, skip the traditional metal regs and go for all-carbon models. A word of warning, though, these carry a hefty price tag.
The bag
Your choice of dive bag can actually account for quite a bit of savings in luggage weight. Traditional, trolley-style dive suitcases are quite heavy, with their rigid frames, heavy roller system and collapsible handles. Choose a lightweight duffle instead, and you can save as much as 15 or even 20 pounds (comparing the heaviest trolley options with the lightest duffle bags) without making any compromises in what you stuff inside it.
A little foresight when purchasing new gear can go a long way to avoiding any additional costs for excess baggage — so you can spend your money on diving instead. Have any tips for shaving weight off your travel kit? Let us know!
