Scuba Gear Guides

Buying vs Renting

Deciding whether to rent or own your scuba gear is one of the first real crossroads for new divers. This guide breaks down the pros and cons of each path, helping you weigh cost, comfort, convenience, and how often you actually dive. Whether you’re gearing up for frequent local dives or just planning a couple tropical trips a year, we’ll help you figure out what makes sense for your dive life.

Should You Own Tanks?

Owning scuba tanks isn’t for everyone — but if you dive locally and often, it might be a smart move. This guide breaks down the cost comparisons, convenience factors, and key considerations like tank type, maintenance, and long-term value to help you decide whether to invest or keep renting.

Buying New vs Used

Should you buy your dive gear new or used? It depends on the item. This guide walks through which pieces of gear are safe to buy secondhand, what to inspect before purchase, and when it’s worth spending more for peace of mind and long-term reliability.

Mask Buying Guide

A great dive mask isn’t about style or price — it’s about fit, visibility, and comfort. This guide walks you through how to test for a proper seal, compare lens types (including prescription options), and avoid common buying mistakes so you can choose a mask that actually makes your dives better.

Diving with Glasses: Prescription Masks, Contacts, and Options

If you wear glasses, you don’t have to settle for blurry dives. Learn how to choose between prescription masks, contacts, and stick-on readers to see clearly and dive safely.

Fin Buying Guide

The right scuba fins can make a huge difference in your power, control, and comfort underwater. This guide compares paddle vs. split fins, explains open-heel vs. full-foot designs, and helps you match fin stiffness, buoyancy, and strap type to your diving style and conditions.

How to Choose the Right Dive Computer

Choosing a dive computer can feel overwhelming. There are so many models, features, and price points that it’s easy to get lost. The truth is, the best dive computer is the one that matches your style of diving, your future goals, and your personal preferences — not necessarily the one with the most bells and whistles.

Regulator Buying Guide

Your regulator is your most critical piece of life support gear — reliability matters more than brand hype. This guide breaks down first and second stage differences, key features like environmental sealing and hose routing, and why serviceability should factor heavily into your buying decision.

BCD Buying Guide

Your BCD shapes how you move, trim, and feel underwater — so choosing the right one matters. This guide compares jacket-style, backplate & wing, and hybrid BCDs, helping you weigh comfort, customization, and dive goals to pick the best option for your current and future diving.

Wetsuit Buying Guide

Your wetsuit is your primary defense against cold — and a bad fit can ruin even a warm-water dive. This guide covers how to choose the right thickness, find a proper fit (even if you’re not a standard size), and avoid common mistakes that lead to discomfort, heat loss, and poor buoyancy control.

Dive Shoes / Boots Buying Guide

Not all neoprene footwear is created equal — and choosing the wrong one can wreck your dive. This guide clears up the difference between scuba boots and dive shoes, explains which you actually need based on your fins and environment, and offers some unconventional (but proven) alternatives like neoprene socks and Converse.

Dive Sock Buying Guide

Blisters, cold toes, and wetsuit struggles are all avoidable with the right socks. This guide explains the difference between neoprene socks (for warmth and padding) and Lycra dive socks (for easy suit entry and chafe prevention), so you can pick the right option for your dive conditions.

Reels vs Spools

Wondering whether you need a reel or a spool? For recreational divers, the answer is almost always a spool. This guide explains the differences, use cases, and material options—so you don’t waste money (or deal with tangles) on gear you don’t actually need.

Goodman Handles: Hard vs Soft

Not all Goodman handles are built the same. I’ve owned both hard and soft styles, and for recreational diving, I stick with a soft handle every time. This guide explains the pros and cons of each, why cheap soft handles are a bad idea, and what I personally use to keep my light secure and comfortable on every dive.

Surface Marker Buoy Buying Guide

A dSMB (delayed surface marker buoy) is one of the most important safety tools you can carry. This guide explains the difference between SMBs and dSMBs, how to choose the right size and inflation method, and walks you through exactly how to deploy one from depth without tangling your line, losing control, or endangering other divers.

Dive Light Buying Guide

A quality dive light does more than illuminate—it improves safety, communication, and your entire dive experience. This guide breaks down primary vs. backup lights, what features matter most (like beam type and battery life), and why most recreational divers are better off with a well-chosen handheld over a bulky canister setup.

Gear Bag Buying Guide

Mesh bags are popular—but far from ideal. This guide compares real-world options like crates for local dives, dry bags for day trips, and roller suitcases for travel, helping you choose a gear bag that protects your equipment, keeps things organized, and actually makes your dive day easier.