Why is it so hard to find a good fin bag?

[coadavid]

Hey All,

I've been searching around for a few days to try and find a bag for my longblade fins (plus mask/snorkel and small parts). I know Cressi-Sub makes one and Riffe makes one, and it appears that Akona (a good brand) doesn't make them.

What bag(s) do you own and are you happy with them?

Also, is there a brand of gear bag strong enough to carry an 18-pound weight belt as well?

Thanks!
- Dave

[salibandy]

I don't own any bag, but I've heard some good and bad things about Martin Stepanek's bag. That's another option for you.

[azapa]

there are whole threads on Martin's bag, use the search thingy, but I have it and love it. Flap length blades don't fit but falcons, cressi 3000, omer runners etc are perfect.

[Crazys13]

While I cant comment on martins bag, I do have have the cressi apnea team bag. It holds EVERYTHING and the quality is very good. The nylon is thick and the zippers are massive. I can fit all my gear in there and extras, the thing is massive. The only thing is I wouldnt try and put fins in it that are bigger than 30 inches or so. I usually dont keep my fins in there anyway, its kinda tight and dont want them to contort and take another shape, but thats fine. I will put the fins in there when i travel (reason I really bought it). But it does swallow 2 wetsuits, mask, fins, snorkel, 2 belts, 2 knives, bathing suits, 3 towels and a change of cloths, with room to spare. Good luck with your purchase!

[Mr. X]

I use Ikea's big blue bags to hold my wetsuit loosely in the car. I leave my fins loose or put them in my big Lidl's rod bag (excellent value for 9 pounds sterling) if there is room. I use one of the small black Tesco's re-usable shopping bags for my weight belt, perfect size, fairly tough but not quite tough enough for the job. This works quite well for me but then I saw NZ forum member Ron's video:

• http://www.ronsseacorner.co.nz/video...dive%20bag.wmv
• RON'S SEA CORNER Bags Beuchat

...& so now I want one, & have added a Beuchat Antilles bag to my birthday/Christmas list! [Note there is also a more expensive waterproof version of the Antilles with a different design].

Rob Allen also produce some interesting looking bags. I actually turned down a chance to see some once but I am sure they are tough & well made -- that seems to be something of a RA/SA hallmark.

• Rob Allen spearguns, railguns and other spearfishing and freediving accessories. - New website
• Rob Allen Dive - older pdf catalog (bigger pictures)

The Rob Allen Spartan Dive Bag (DBSP), Deluxe Dive Bag (DBDL) or Tanker Dive Bag (DBTK) might fit the bill:

"Rob Allen Transit Bags
Rob Allen transit solutions are innovative
products to protect your investment.
Engineered to endure from
hygienic, abrasion and salt resistant
industrial grade PVC, Rob Allen transit
bags feature ultra durable dual locking
YKK zips designed.

Spartan Dive Bag (DBSP)
The perfect partner to the Spartan gun
bag, Spartan dive bags keep your dive
gear ultra secure via twin locking heavy
duty YKK zips.
Deluxe Dive Bag (DBDL)
Ultra roomy, the Deluxe is long enough
to fit freedive fins internally as well as
all other dive gear.

Tanker Dive Bag (DBTK)
Tanker dive bags are designed to fit
everything and more into one bag. Ultra
spacious and rugged, the Tanker features
a side pocket designed to accommodate
fins safely, mesh fabric to aid drying,
ultra heavy duty classic monogrammed
fabric, twin heavy duty YKK zips and
adjustable straps to compress gear."

[ulysses]

There are many freediving equipment bags of famous brands that cost a quite a bit but turn out to be defective or ill-conceived over time (Cressi Apnea Team & Gorilla, Omer Tekno Bag, Seatec Giove, Spetton Competition just to name a few).

One freediving equipment bag is different: RALF TECH APNEA EVOLUTION
=> Ralf Tech Apnea Evolution by Ralf Tech - eDirectory.co.uk secure online shop

Superb quality, robust construction, separate extra-padded find compartment, 10 years warranty, something you will hand-over to the next generation when you retire from this sport

Cheers, ulysses

[Mr. X]

By the way, do you get problems with the zips salting up? The zips on the (inexpensive but good) Lidl's rod bag, which I use for my spear guns, have become completely caked in salt & unusuable - despite periodic cleaning & soaking.

[yugyug]

Originally Posted by coadavid

Hey All,

Also, is there a brand of gear bag strong enough to carry an 18-pound weight belt as well?

- Dave

I used to tie my weightbelt (with weights on) around my Freedivers gun bag, because that was a nice way without putting 'tearing' pressure on the bag, but I reckon that for any length of time carrying weights you and your back are better off wearing the weightbelt like you would in the water, down low on your hips.

[andymoreno]

I got the Omer Fin Bag, very simple but perfect size... could do with a shoulder-strap though...

Omer Fin Bag

Cheers,
/A

[okane]

Dont waste money in expensive bags who doesnt work.

Go to an army surpluss shop, one of those army items, and buy a duffle bag, they are long and looks like a sack, they sell all types of them, black, military green, and no zipers just a simple design of holes and hook.

They sell the navy version wich is made of plastic material who keeps the water inside or outside.

Just a military large sack, thats the best design.

[island_sands]

i have the Rob Allen bag, held all my gear and clothes (20kg) and travelled with me to Tonga. Strong, didnt tear, didnt the trick.

[billieball]

I've got the Martin Stepanek bag, have had it for a year, and it has held up really well. The zippers don't get gunked up, there are nets on the bottom that let water drain out, and they travel well on airplanes as carry-on bags (fitting perfectly in any overhead bin). I think my bag has gotten a bit stinky a couple of times...but a quick dunk in Murazyme and water...voila! Good as new!
BTW--I put my fins, wetsuit, masks, gloves, yada yada in it when traveling. Weights, I put in a checked bag.