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

- Hollis ST22 Wing

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 )

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 )

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 )

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 )

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 )

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 )

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 )

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 )

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 )

Chuck Taylor - High Tops

An unconventional but surprisingly effective option for warm-water quarry diving. Chuck Taylors fit standard fins, perform well on gravel, and hold up to repeated use, but sand ingress and lack of insulation limit their versatility.

Read Full Gear Review ( 6.2 / 10 )

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 )

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

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 )

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 )

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 )

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 )

Trilobite - Cutting Tool

Halcyon - 6ft Closed End dSMB

Halcyon - 6ft Closed End dSMB (skinny)

Halcyon - Defender Spools

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 )

- Emergency Whistle

- Reef Hook

xDeep - Bolt Snaps

Premium build quality, glove-friendly usability, and consistent performance across all environments. After over 100 dives using all sizes in both recreational and technical roles, they’ve replaced every other snap in my kit. The slightly larger gate gap and easier-to-grip trigger make them worth the modest price difference, especially in cold water or when wearing thick gloves. They’ve proven completely reliable with zero corrosion or spring failure. If you want one bolt snap to trust across your entire rig, this is it.

Read Full Gear Review ( 9.7 / 10 )

- WetSox Originals

Stahlsac - 34" Steel (Wheeled)

This is a large-capacity, wheeled dive travel bag designed to carry a full kit with durability and ease. It features a dry-zip main compartment, external compression straps, and a tough build that holds up to airport and travel aabuse. Long enough to fit full sized fins like the Mares Quattro without bending, it’s a solid upgrade over basic duffels and a strong choice for divers who travel heavy.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.1 / 10 )

- Small Dry Bag

Stahlsac - Steel Duffel

I use this as my go-to dive travel companion for carrying exposure gear, wet swimwear, and day-use items. It is sealed like a drybag using high-quality zippers, so the main compartment keeps contents dry even on wet boats or docks. I primarily carry it as a backpack, but it works well in all modes. I do not use the internal dry pocket often, but it is there if needed. After heavy use across flights, resorts, and boat dives, it is showing some corner wear but has not failed. I would buy it again without hesitation. It outperforms dry bags, laptop packs, and small suitcases in every way that matters.

Read Full Gear Review ( 9 / 10 )

- Stream2Sea Sting Relief

- Stream2Sea Sunscreen

Divevolk - SeaTouch 4 Max+ w/ Filter Kit

Rainleaf - Microfiber Towel

Highland - Deluxe Wet Notes

A dependable, pocket-sized underwater notebook that have earned a permanent place in my dive kit. I’ve used them for mapping, communication, and training dives across a wide range of conditions without a single issue. The Cordura cover, waterproof pages, and internal bungee loop keep everything secure and usable, even in cold or overhead environments. I swapped the pencil for a graphite one, but otherwise left it stock. The clear internal sleeve adds optional versatility. For divers who write underwater regularly, this is one of the best-value options available.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.8 / 10 )

Mako - Full Body Rash Guard

A reliable, full-coverage rash guard for warm-water divers who need sun and sting protection without added thermal bulk. Fit is true to size, comfort is excellent, and the suit holds up well after repeated tropical use. The only real flaw is the unvented hood, which traps air and causes a cone-head effect underwater. This was easily fixed with a simple DIY vent hole. For the price, the Mako suit delivers solid value and fills a very specific niche in a tropical diver’s kit.

Score: 8.0 / 10

- O'Neill Rashguard (Top/Bottom)

Divevolk - SeaTouch 4 Max+

A high-value underwater phone housing that delivers impressive performance for casual and travel divers. With full touchscreen control, support for any camera app, and compatibility with accessories like filters, lights, and macro lenses, it offers a modular and intuitive solution without locking you into a proprietary system. After testing it extensively in Fiji, I now trust it enough to use with my daily phone and have made it my go-to rig for warm-water diving. The only real limitation is its lack of strobe support, but for most recreational photo and video needs, it excels.

Read Full Gear Review ( 8.9 / 10 )