DearDiveBuddy.com

With lightweight scuba equipment for sure you have to make some compromises on what you normally prefer. You might consider it though, to avoid having to pay a lot extra for luggage overweight on top of your plane ticket. Besides that, you travel more comfortable. Let's go through the different pieces of equipment to see where and how we can reduce weight.

#Tank and weights. For sure they make up the biggest weight, but you definitely don’t take them on the plane. Most diving centers offer this included in the price of the organized dives. If you go diving on your own, you rent it. You can consider also renting the other equipment, just taking a mask and snorkel. There can be a big difference though in the quality of the rental equipment between one diving center and another. Inform yourself in advance. Most divers prefer their own stuff.

#Mask and snorkel. If you don’t go snorkeling, you can even leave the snorkel home, though you should know that it is recommended equipment. There are also soft foldable snorkels that even fit in the pocket of the jacket. Take a low-volume mask that fits in the foot pocket of your fins. It protects the mask without having to bring a box, and you won’t loose it on the boat. Replace the silicon strap with a neoprene Velcro adjustable strap.

#Fins. Use full foot fins without booties if you go mostly boat diving in warm water. If you need foot protection, take neoprene socks but still with full foot fins, of course now a few sizes bigger. Carbon fins are an option, but most of them are the long type that free divers use. If you can’t do without your open heel fins, don’t use the metal spring straps that we normally prefer, but the normal ones. Just don’t pull them too tight.

#Regulator. Plastic rules, although small light weighted metal second stages do exist. The first stage is always metal. Inform what valve system they use where you go diving, DIN or yoke. It avoids having to bring an adapter. The pressure gauge can be plastic. Use the modern Miflex braided hoses. They are half the weight of the normal type and more flexible.

#BCD. Take the simplest jacket you can get, not with the integrated weight system. The back plate has to be small. Again, plastic D-rings and buckles instead of metal. Take also the buckle of the weight belt in plastic.

#Suit. This depends on the water temperature. Below 20°C, consider a lightweight tri-laminate dry-suit. Take under-protection that you can also use as “normal” clothing. Consider that you can use a full wet-suit about 2 mm thinner if you use a sleeveless 3 mm vest with hood under it.

#Bag. For sure no hard case, but the trolley type is nice.