Best Scuba Gear for Traveling

Hauling equipment can be a chore, but these 13 travel-friendly pieces can lighten the load.

ScubaLab, Scuba Diving Magazine’s equipment testing team, tests gear head-to-head in order to provide divers with the most detailed, reliable information about the comparative performance of dive gear and accessories. Objective performance data is obtained by putting gear through a range of lab tests using sophisticated equipment and testing facilities such as breathing simulators, hyperbaric chambers and integrating spheres. Our team of divers then evaluates how the gear performs in real-world, in-water testing. Divers score gear on several performance categories, and record their observations about each piece of gear. 

AQUA LUNG MIKRON

The Mikron is one of the smallest and lightest regulators we’ve ever tested. This makes it a great choice for divers who want to shed a few pounds from their dive bag but aren’t comfortable leaving their own life-support equipment at home. It’s travel friendly size doesn’t sacrifice quality performance. When we tested the Mikron on an ANSTI breathing simulator it earned excellent scores for breatheability at recreational depths and very good scores beyond them. The first stage manages to squeeze in two high-pressure and four low-pressure ports in an easy-to-manage configuration. Underwater, the minimal weight of the pneumatically balanced second stage is barely perceptible. The reg comes standard with a flexible braided hose and Aqua Lung’s specially designed Comfo-Bite mouthpiece, which further reduces jaw fatigue. ScubaLab test divers found the reg to be a dry, easy breather in all orientations—including face up and face down—and found its breathing-adjustment knob very effective. In short, this reg is travel-ready, but also quite capable and comfortable.

MARES MAGELLAN

The Magellan features a lot of clever design elements that make it an incredibly compact, lightweight travel BC. Chief among them is the soft, foldable back plate, which allows for easy packing. The barely-there harness is unrestricting, yet secure, and testers scored it very good for comfort in its ScubaLab test. The curved shoulder straps are very ergonomic, and the padding in the back plate and waistband, and where the shoulder straps cross the collarbone, is positioned just where it’s needed. To minimize unnecessary bulk, stowage is limited to two small D-rings on the chest and a roll-up cargo pocket. Though light on extras, the Magellan doubles down on the essentials and provides serious performance where it counts. During our objective test, we measured the back-inflation BC’s buoyant lift at an impressive 49 pounds. In the water, divers praised its solid support and scored it very good for attitude and stability. The pinch-to-release integrated weight pockets are secure and easy to operate. Unlike many stripped-down travel BCs, the Magellan features multiple pull dumps for easy buoyancy control.

CRESSI SCORPION

This back-inflation BC weighs just over 5 pounds in size medium. Its travel-friendly design keeps things lean, but retains many features divers have come to expect. It has two zippered cargo pockets for stowage and four aluminum D-rings with hose clips for attaching accessories. The air cell is compressed by bungees that help control volume and ensure quick deflation. Three pull dumps assist in controlling buoyancy. The Scorpion uses vertically mounted integrated weight pockets that ditch in a flash. They are located near the back, which makes them unobtrusive and helps keep your weight centered. This type of bottom-loading weight system can be difficult to load without leverage, but simple web loops attached to the Scorpion’s pocket openings are an elegant, effective solution for fighting against the pull of gravity. The lightweight harness features a soft, foldable back plate for easy packing. An adjustable sternum strap and just the right amount of padding on the back pad, shoulder straps and waist make for a comfortable cushioned ride without becoming bulky.

PINNACLE TEMPO XT

In ScubaLab’s 5 mm wetsuit test, the Pinnacle Tempo XT was the rare suit that test divers could change into on cool, windy days when they and the suit were wet, and still get warmer throughout the dive. The secret to this suit’s warmth is its soft merino wool lining, which is as comfortable as it is insulating and the excellent seals. The rear zipper features a nearly 3-inch-wide overlap of thick, smooth-skin-lined neoprene that prevents water entry along the spine. Rolled smooth-skin O-rings at the wrists and smooth-skin gussets inside the 8-inch ankle zippers are equally effective. Heavy, abrasion-resistant knee and shoulder pads offer solid protection.

Reinforcements at internal seam junctions ensure durability against regular wear and tear. The Tempo XT is made with elastic neoprene that allows for a good range of motion, but the process of donning and doffing is slowed by the lining. The pajama-like comfort and warmth are well worth the effort of tugging the suit into place, but we’d suggest Lycra socks to help it slide on easier if you’re doing multiple dives a day.

HENDERSON AQUA LOCK QUIK DRY

No matter how warm the water is, no one likes sliding back into a damp wetsuit between dives. Henderson’s new hydrophobic Quik Dry lining means you’ll never have to don a soggy suit again. The stuff sheds water like crazy, and was dry to the touch within minutes after our ScubaLab test dives. Starting each dive with a dry core will keep you warmer and more comfortable during long days of repetitive diving. (This quick-drying quality is also handy when you’re trying to avoid repacking a wet suit for the trip home.) The suit has plenty of stretch and provides a good range of motion. During testing, divers were impressed by the suit’s seemingly tailor-made fit and rated it excellent for fit and comfort. The suit is available in a wide selection of sizes, including gender-specific cuts, and with specific sizing for shorter and taller divers. Testers found zipper-less Aqua Lock double wrist and ankle seals very effective for minimizing water entry. A special waterproof liquid tape barrier protects the outer seams from water intrusion and normal wear and tear. The soft, hydrophobic lining is also available in boots, hoods and gloves.

SCUBAPRO GO

The Go was specifically designed to fit easily into a standard carry-on bag. These compact kickers run just over 20 inches long in size medium and weigh only 11⁄2 pounds apiece. Constructed completely of durable monoprene, this fin is built to withstand years of heavy use. This hybrid fin is designed to fit like a full-foot fin, but uses an open-heel-style bungee strap for an impressive combination that ScubaLab testers found both comfortable and convenient. The user-replaceable bungee features a generous finger loop and makes for effortless donning and doffing. The short blade is very maneuverable and set at a steep 25-degree angle to the foot pocket, with deep side rails and ridges that help it churn water like a larger fin. Testers scored it very good for performance in all styles of kicking. For cooler waters, the Go Sport offers the same powerful, efficient performance in a travel-friendly package for boot-clad divers.

TUSA HYFLEX SWITCH

The HyFlex Switch’s medium is just over 231⁄2 inches long. Fitting the fin’s solid performance and outstanding comfort in your carry-on luggage is as simple as removing the two hex bolts that connect the blade to the foot pocket to create a travel-ready package less than 16 inches long. The responsive polyurethane blade is set at a 20-degree angle and features a series of ripples along the bottom designed to reduce drag. The result is a stable, nearly effortless flutter kick that earned high marks for power versus stress during the ScubaLab fin test. Ease of kicking is aided by the fin’s supportive, comfortable foot pocket. The new HyFlex Switch Pro offers the same design with a blade that is 20 percent stiffer than the original, which testers found superior for the frog kick. Test divers praised the fin’s bungee strap for its large, easy-to-grab finger loop and ergonomic heel pad. The bungee also features five adjustment positions that can be changed without tools.  

This premium bag is split into two zippered compartments—one is waterproof and the other is ventilated. That means you can leave wet scuba gear in the waterproof side without soaking items in the vented section. Or alternatively, you can put dry items in the waterproof section and air out damp items in the vented compartment while on the go. The bag is large, but exterior compression straps help to cinch down the load and the front panel is flexible and flattens down for storage. The front panel offers quick access to the ventilated compartment and a zippered accessory pocket. A hidden strap makes it easy to attach a smaller carry-on bag for transport to and from the airport. The bright-blue interior helps you see the contents, and the bag has a spot to stow the included anti-slip changing mat. The bag’s high-quality telescoping handle, wheels and ergonomic, well-placed grips make it easy to wheel, lift or carry with a full load.

SUBMERSIBLE SYSTEMS SPARE AIR

It’s never a bad idea to have a redundant gas supply, but hauling a pony bottle around isn’t always practical. That’s where Spare Air comes in. It’s available in two compact sizes that hold volumes of 3 and 6 cubic feet of air. Those correspond to roughly 57 and 114 surface breaths during an out-of-air emergency, allowing you to select the model with enough gas to complete a direct ascent to the surface based on your depth and dive conditions. The low-profile design easily attaches to most BCs with the included holster and safety leash (we often thread ours upside down on our tank band to keep it out of the way but easily accessible). Spare Air is airline friendly—simply purge the system of remaining gas and unscrew the attached on-demand regulator before packing. At your destination, you can reassemble the Spare Air and fill it off a conventional scuba cylinder using the included fill adapter. Nitrox-compatible options are available.

SHEARWATER TERIC

The Teric combines everything ScubaLab testers love about Shearwater’s computers - namely their user-friendly operation, advanced functionality and super readable screens - and distills them into an elegant watch-size computer. The four-button operation is very intuitive and made even more so by helpful on-screen prompts. The crisp, clear display uses a clean data presentation that makes it easy to see important info at a glance. The display is highly customizable with a choice of large or standard layout, several location options for data placement and 15 colors options for values, titles, units and menus. The computer features wireless air-integration for up to two transmitters and uses configurable audible and vibrating alarms. Testers gave the Teric the top score for ergonomics, intuitive operation and quality of display. Advanced features include enriched gases like nitrox and trimix, and CCR and freediving modes.

GARMIN DESCENT MK1

The Garmin Descent is a top-notch dive computer. The 1.2-inch screen is easy to read and presents important data clearly. ScubaLab test divers were impressed by its audible and vibrating alarms. It's nitrox and trimix capable up to 100 percent oxygen and pro- vides support for closed-circuit rebreather diving. While diving, tapping on the face of the computer toggles between dive screens and the three-axis compass. The GPS works on the surface, and the Descent marks where you begin and end each dive. The log can store up to 200 dives and a rechargeable battery lasts up to 40 hours in dive mode. It also has useful bonus features like GPS navigation with full-color on-screen mapping. The Descent also has a heart-rate monitor and tracks everything from running and swimming to playing golf and skydiving. The watch even connects with your smartphone to display texts, emails, and other notifications. 

IST SPORTS T-60 APOLLO

Perfectly suited for use as a primary or secondary light, this dive torch’s lightweight aluminum construction and compact dimensions make it easy to travel with. The rotating magnetic ring switch is ergonomic and allows for easy one-handed operation, with a flick of the thumb clicking it through its modes - high, medium, low, and SOS flash. The Apollo has a max output of 1,200 lumens and can run on high for up to two hours. You can power the light with either two standard CR123A batteries or a single rechargeable 18650 lithium-ion battery. Max burn time on lower power is around 10 hours. The Apollo comes with an attachable light diffuser that screws into threads on the front of the torch. The diffuser was designed with underwater photography and video in mind, but it can also be used in conjunction with the light’s SOS flash to provide an omni-directional distress beacon on the surface. With its compact size, it’s easy to throw into your BC pocket even on daylight dives for peace of mind while diving in the open ocean.

SEALIFE SEA DRAGON MINI 900

This compact dive light is constructed from anodized aluminum and features a rubberized polycarbonate grip. Its compact size slips easily into a BC pocket, but can also be attached to a D-ring using the included lanyard. During its ScubaLab test, divers scored the light’s narrow beam very good for brightness, color and penetration. At 14 degrees, the spotlight-like beam is well-suited for use as a primary or secondary light source. However, it can also be outfitted with an optional YS mount adapter for use as a focus light for underwater imaging. The light fits nicely in the hand, and a single push button offers easy control for on-off and swapping modes, which include full, half and quarter power levels, a one-second strobe and an SOS flash. A color-coded light around the switch indicates remaining battery life, which is about 96 minutes on high when using the included rechargeable 18650 lithium battery (battery and USB charger included in the set). It can also be powered by two single-use CR123 batteries on high for about an hour.

CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING A DIVE LIGHT 

Think Safety

Your primary light should have a strobe function or SOS flash. These can dramatically increase a light’s run time in an emergency.

Think Small

It’s a good idea to bring a light on every open water dive, even those that take place during the day. Look for one that is comfortable to hold and can easily stow in your BC pocket when not in use.

Think Green

Lights that use rechargeable batteries don’t require you to haul loads of disposable batteries across the world. It’s better for the environment and lightens your luggage.

DIVE TRAVEL FAQ

Q: Can I rent gear at my destination?

A: Masks and wetsuits require a good fit to ensure comfort and proper function, so it’s generally a good idea to take your own. Other pieces of equipment can be more forgiving when it comes to fit, but may function differently than your personal kit. Renting gear can make dive travel easier, but be prepared for the inconvenience of learning to operate a new computer, adjusting to the trim of an unfamiliar BC, or otherwise adapting to new equipment, and rental costs adding to your trip tab.