Helping divers make informed decisions about training, gear, skills, and safety at every stage of their journey.

Warm Water Wetsuit Diving - Air Travel

Here’s a look at the scuba gear I currently use when I'm diving in my wetsuit whenever I need to fly to a tropical location that has heavily constrained weight restrictions. I have to adapt a little by taking less spare equipment and non-optimal weight placement.

This page reflects my personal experience and preferences based on my diving style, training, and the conditions I dive in. Gear selection is highly individual, and what works for me may not be ideal for everyone. If you're unsure about equipment choices, I always recommend testing different options in real diving conditions before making a decision.


DGX Aluminum Backplate

- DGX Aluminum Backplate

Belt Weight Pockets

xDeep - Belt Weight Pockets

These are xDeep’s dedicated system for harness-mounted ballast. They come in small (~6 lb) and large (~12 lb) versions and are designed to bolt directly to xDeep backplates. The inner weight pouch slides into a soft sleeve and is locked in place with a webbing buckle that threads through a fabric handle. This design is extremely secure but makes underwater reinsertion difficult and slow. These pockets should be considered semi-ditchable at best. Rigging is clean and modular — but only if you're already using an xDeep backplate.

Read Full Gear Review ( 6.8 / 10 )

Tank Band Weight Pockets

xDeep - Tank Band Weight Pockets

These standard trim pockets are a streamlined solution for adjusting tank position and overall diver balance. Each pouch mounts securely to a standard 2-inch cam band and holds up to 5 pounds of weight, typically soft lead. They are compact, durable, and stay put without sliding or twisting. These are not meant to be ditchable but excel at fine-tuning trim, especially for backplate-and-wing divers. Best used in singles configurations, as this is the only size available for that purpose.

Read Full Gear Review ( 6.8 / 10 )

Hollis ST22 Wing

- Hollis ST22 Wing

MK19 EVO / G260

ScubaPro - MK19 EVO / G260

Cold-water ready and turret-equipped, it delivers proven reliability and performance. I chose it for its serviceability, local support, and trusted track record among Lake Michigan divers and it hasn’t disappointed.

Read Full Gear Review ( 9.1 / 10 )

Long Hose Stick

Halcyon - Long Hose Stick

A simple but flawless piece of kit, it provides perfect long hose retention without a canister light or tucking. It mounts cleanly to a backplate harness and never snags, slips, or fails. This is now my standard for all long hose dives.

Read Full Gear Review ( 9.2 / 10 )

Divesoft - DNA Nitrox/Oxygen Analyzer

- Divesoft - DNA Nitrox/Oxygen Analyzer

Tern TX

Shearwater - Tern TX

A compact, air-integrated dive computer that brings Shearwater reliability to travel and recreational diving. The Tern TX has quickly earned its place in my kit with intuitive controls, crisp display, and dependable performance across pool dives and local quarry work. Ideal for Divemaster shifts, warm water trips, or as a streamlined backup to a Perdix, it delivers serious capability in a small, lightweight package.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.9 / 10 )

Tech Shorts

Halcyon - Tech Shorts

The best wetsuit-compatible storage solution I’ve found. These shorts deliver real drysuit-style pocket performance without compromise, giving me consistency across wetsuit dives that matches my drysuit rig. They’re rugged, drain well, and ride securely without shifting. I use them over everything from 7mm suits to rashguards

Read Full Gear Review ( 9.6 / 10 )

Titanium 2 Hood

Sharkskin - Titanium 2 Hood

The Sharkskin Hood offers a comfortable fit for warm water diving, but a missing crown vent and poor brand support make it a disappointing product I wouldn’t buy again.

Read Full Gear Review ( 6.1 / 10 )

Velocity Ultra (3mm)

Bare - Velocity Ultra (3mm)

My favorite wetsuit thanks to its perfect fit, easy donning, and solid warmth down to the mid 60s °F. The XLT sizing matches my body shape exactly, with no flushing or discomfort. It performs flawlessly for warm-water scuba, and while not the cheapest option, its comfort and reliability make it worth the price. I’d buy it again without hesitation.

Read Full Gear Review ( 9.0 / 10 )

Ultrawarmth Glove (3mm)

Bare - Ultrawarmth Glove (3mm)

A nearly perfect warm-water glove that punches far above its weight in both dexterity and comfort. I’ve used the 3mm Ultrawarmth gloves in pools, quarries, and even open water dives into the high 50s and they’ve delivered excellent warmth and performance without any bulk. Their fit is spot-on, and they’re the reason I later bought the 5mm version for colder dives.

Read Full Gear Review ( 9.6 / 10 )

Venom Frameless Mask

Atomic - Venom Frameless Mask

High-clarity frameless mask with exceptional comfort and prescription lens compatibility. Excellent fit for larger faces. Neoprene strap upgrade and bifocal lenses make it my primary mask, with a second non-Rx version always carried as a backup.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.9 / 10 )

Baby Shampoo

J&J - Baby Shampoo

It is a cheap and common mask defog choice used by many divers, especially in training. It works under perfect conditions but fails if your mask floods or gets dunked. Not environmentally safe and not designed for diving. I no longer use or recommend it.

Read Full Gear Review ( 5.2 / 10 )

Mask Defog

Stream2Sea - Mask Defog

My go-to anti-fog solution for both freshwater and saltwater dives. It outperforms spit and baby shampoo, holds up better if your mask floods or gets dunked, and is the only defog I trust to be safe for aquatic environments. Not cheap, but absolutely worth it.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.3 / 10 )

Kraken Roll Up Snorkel

- Kraken Roll Up Snorkel

Avanti Quattro+ Fins

Mares - Avanti Quattro+ Fins

Comfortable and efficient fins that excel in warm water and travel dives. These were my original Open Water fins and remain my favorite for fun dives where easy flutter kicking and solid propulsion matter more than technical finesse.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.3 / 10 )

D720

OrcaTorch - D720

A reliable, adjustable-beam primary dive light that performs across all environments. The Orcatorch D720 has been with me on every dive for over a year, delivering consistent brightness, flexible beam control, and durable construction. Whether I’m diving cold quarries, guiding students, or traveling for warm water, this light adapts to the conditions and never lets me down.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.4 / 10 )

Raider III

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.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.1 / 10 )

D710

OrcaTorch - D710

A compact, budget-friendly dive light that exceeded expectations across 100 dives. The Orcatorch D710 was my primary for a full year and now serves as a trusted backup on every dive. With solid brightness, dependable performance, and zero failures, it remains a simple but reliable part of my core kit.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.3 / 10 )

Cutting Tool

Trilobite - Cutting Tool

6ft Closed End dSMB

Halcyon - 6ft Closed End dSMB

6ft Closed End dSMB (skinny)

Halcyon - 6ft Closed End dSMB (skinny)

Defender Spools

Halcyon - Defender Spools

SK8

Suunto - SK8

One of the most reliable analog compasses available. It is fast-settling, highly accurate, and easy to read even in low visibility. I’ve used it on every dive for the past two years with a bungee mount and have never had a performance issue. If you want a compass that simply works, without bubbles, drift, or delay, this is it.

Read Full Gear Review ( 9.2 / 10 )

Reef Hook

- Reef Hook

Emergency Whistle

- Emergency Whistle

Bolt Snaps

xDeep - Bolt Snaps

High Tops

Chuck Tyler - High Tops

WetSox Originals

- WetSox Originals

Stahlsac 34" Steel (Wheeled)

- Stahlsac 34" Steel (Wheeled)

Small Dry Bag

- Small Dry Bag

Stream2Sea Sunscreen

- Stream2Sea Sunscreen

Stream2Sea Sting Relief

- Stream2Sea Sting Relief

SeaTouch 4 Max+ w/ Filter Kit

Divevolk - SeaTouch 4 Max+ w/ Filter Kit

Microfiber Towel

Rainleaf - Microfiber Towel

O'Neill Rashguard (Top/Bottom)

- O'Neill Rashguard (Top/Bottom)

Deluxe Wet Notes

Highland - Deluxe Wet Notes

Mako Full Body Rash Guard

- Mako Full Body Rash Guard