My Spare Scuba Gear

Fourth Element - Xerotherm Top/Bottom

A premium base layer for drysuit diving in moderate temperatures. Lightweight, streamlined, and surprisingly warm for its thickness, but the price is hard to ignore.

Fourth Element - Xerotherm Gloves (Light)

- Lycra Socks

Aqualung - Aleutian Gloves (5mm)

Warm but poorly built, the Aqualung Aleutian 5mm gloves handled cold water well but fell short in durability and dexterity. Seams started unraveling after just a few dives, and the bulky fit made gear handling difficult.

Aqualung - Seawave Hood (7/4mm)

I bought the Seawave to pair with my 7mm Bare wetsuit for cold-water diving. With 7/4mm neoprene and a large bib, it aims to keep warmth in and water out, and with careful layering it does.

Bare - Reactive II (7mm)

Was my first wetsuit and served me well for cold quarry dives, though it was sometimes too warm in summer. It fits perfectly and is extremely warm, but I no longer use it often now that I dive in a drysuit. I keep it as a backup, but I wouldn’t pay the premium for the Reactive line again.

Bare - Ultrawarmth Glove (5mm)

A standout wet glove for serious divers who want warmth and dexterity without bulk. These Bare Ultrawarmth gloves fit like a second skin, stay warm in cold water, and hold up to repeated use without fraying or flushing. I’ve used them extensively in both wetsuit and drysuit dives down to the low 50s and was impressed enough to buy a backup pair. They outperform cheaper gloves by a wide margin.

Chuck Taylor - High Tops

I’ve used a pair of classic Chuck Taylor High Tops as dive shoes for over 25 dives, mostly in moderate to warm freshwater quarries. While they aren’t made for diving, they’ve proven to be surprisingly functional with wetsuits. I use them because they look cool, and they’re my go-to footwear for local fun dives when thermal protection or extra grip isn’t needed.

Poseidon - One - "Chuck Taylor"

A high-top, sneaker-style dive shoe best suited for warm water and pool dives. It offers excellent grip, fits in standard fins without issue, and stands out for its unique style. However, the original insole on my pair disintegrated due to poor material choice, requiring replacement. After a simple bungee lace and insole mod, it became a reliable and comfortable part of my warm-water kit. Recommended, but only if the insole flaw has been fixed in the current version.

Sharkskin - Titanium 2 Top & Bottom

The Sharkskin Titanium top and bottom were a major letdown, with exaggerated thermal claims, poor fit, and zero brand support. Making it easily the most regrettable gear purchase I’ve made.

Aqualung - Leg3nd

A reliable, cold-water-capable regulator that served as my primary for 80+ dives. It performed well in all conditions with no issues, but I switched to ScubaPro due to local service availability. It now lives in my backup kit and still earns my trust.

Deep6 - Eddy 'Flippers'

Precision focused and neutrally buoyant. Probably more suited for drysuit than wetsuit, unless you want a stiff fin option.

- Mares i3 Mask

Suunto - Viper - Novo

Apple - Watch Ultra 2 w/ Oceanic+

I already owned the Apple Watch Ultra 2 for everyday use, so I was curious how it would perform with the Oceanic+ app in real-world dives. I tested it in both cold Midwest quarries and warm reef dives in Fiji. I never intended to use it as a primary computer, but I wanted to see how well it handled casual scenarios. The short answer: it’s fine for shallow vacation dives, but nowhere near a substitute for a dedicated dive computer.

Oxycheq - Raider III

A lightweight, low-profile Goodman-style handle that delivers secure control and full finger dexterity. The Oxycheq Raider III has been my preferred mount for slim dive lights like the D720, offering a stable and comfortable fit without the bulk of a rigid handle. It packs easily, holds position underwater, and has never interfered with task work or trim.

Princeton Tech - Large Strobe

SurfEars - Earplugs for Divers

- AL40 (DIN) Pony Bottle

- DryFob

- Freedive Weight Belt and Pockets

- Light Monkey Dive Reel (400ft)

- Rear View Mirror

- Reef Hook

- Reel

- Scissors

- Slate

- XS Scuba 50lb Lift Bag

Generic - 3-1/2 ft dSMB

xDeep - dSMB - Long