Best Snorkel Gear Bags

OUR TOP PICK

Summary

It’s not particularly surprising that a product from one of the world’s leading aquatics brands has made it into the list of top five snorkel gear bags, and this one is hugely popular. Part of that popularity is down to its very reasonable price, but also because of its durability and convenient alternative uses as a beach or laundry bag.

As mesh bags go, the design couldn’t be much simpler. It’s tall enough to take a medium size fin (up to 27 inches), made of 100% polyester both in the exterior mesh and lining, and the string straps have a one-foot shoulder drop.

The exterior pocket is just large enough for the more compact essentials such as pair of glasses, smartphone and keys. Some reviewers have managed to fit goggles in there. 

Previous purchasers have been stunned by how much gear this simple bag can fit. Probably four basketballs, some reckon, while others use a slightly more helpful visual guide of two sets of snorkeling gear, reef shoes, towels, and cases for the masks.

The shoulder strings’ limited drop depth ensure that the bag does not continually pummel the backs of your thighs as you walk, which will be a relief to anyone who has to trek up to a mile from the vacation residence to the beach every day.

While you walk home, the ventilation will start to dry your kit out, and a decent amount of the sand or grit will be gently rubbed away from the outside surfaces by the texture of the mesh.

This is one of the more basic bags for snorkel gear, but its low impact on the wallet make it a great choice for someone who is renting kit by the day or week rather than investing in a longer-term hobby.

Pros

• Exceptionally lightweight
• Durable
• Inexpensive and multipurpose
• Five bright colors (other than black) make it stand out
• Spacious

Cons

• The bag’s drawstring of all eternity has been uniformly described as unnecessarily long
• There is no interior dry bag section to protect clothes from getting soggy or gritty
• You won’t be able to close the drawstring completely around the tops of the tallest (30”) fins

EDITORS CHOICE

Summary

The Mares Cruise Elite was designed specifically with snorkelers in mind. This bag is the most expensive of the five options, but it features several functions beyond that provided by the Speedo.

For example, the interior dry bag will protect your clothing change and other vital goods from sogginess while leaving plenty of room in the mesh for your snorkeling gear and perhaps your partner’s, too. It’s tall enough to take the largest 30” flippers. It also features excellent ventilation both throughout the height of the bag and beneath it, too. 

The two adjustable shoulder straps make it a comfortable backpack, which is just as well because the interior is incredibly spacious. Reviewers have gleefully reported being able to fit in towels, clothes, a 7mm wetsuit, booties, and two sets of snorkeling kits.

When empty, the entire bag can be washed out, dried quickly, and folded inside its own external pocket. The pocket itself is generous enough in size to take a dual or single lens mask in its protective case, which is ideal if you’ve invested in a polarized coating or prescription lenses.

Pros

• It’s roomy enough for two sets of kit
• The mesh is tough and durable
• There is generous space for dry and electronic items
• It can take tall fins
• It weighs almost nothing when empty and packs away neatly

Cons

• The price reflects an investment for serious hobby snorkelers
• Because the internal capacity is so generous, there is a danger that it is easily overloaded

BEST VALUE

Summary

Skog Å Kust claim to place top priority on customer service. If their polite, enthusiastic participation in the question and answer section is anything to go by, they definitely walk the talk.

This 2-in-1 cinch bag is unique because the waterproof inner dry section, made of 70-denier nylon and featuring welded seams, almost fills the mesh. Cleaning it is no hassle at all—it can be machine washed on the gentlest cycle. The super-bright colours and reflective logo and trim make this bag stand out against the almost default black of many competitors’ designs.

The reinforced drawstring top of the mesh bag will tug neatly around the tops of the largest fins and will take two sets along with twin snorkels and masks in protective cases, even when the internal dry bag has been filled. 

Skog Å Kust recommend filling the internal dry bag first (clothes and soft items at the bottom) and then loading up the mesh. As a bonus feature, because the two bags separate entirely, you can share carrying kit-carrying duty with a friend or partner.

Pros

• Strong and durable
• Very lightweight—ten ounces (for both bags together) when empty
• Folds down neatly
• Made of vegan-friendly material
• Spacious
• Ideal for clothing comfort and post-snorkel convenience

Cons

• The strap is rather narrow given the weight that this bag is designed to take

RUNNER UP

Summary

The Promate bag is a compact and tidy solution to transporting your snorkeling gear from A to B, and could double up neatly as carry-on luggage for a flight. Designed to be worn as a backpack, the adjustable shoulders are padded, making it one of the more comfortable designs to wear.

The bag is made from 600-denier nylon/PVC and reviewers confirm that it can take a lot of punishment. The external, separate compartments include a water bottle pouch, two side pockets, and a lower front padded pocket for masks. Unlike the other bags on offer in this article, Promate’s design features mesh panels rather than a mesh exterior construction.

This makes the storage of your precious items more discreet, which is half the battle of protecting yourself from the threat of opportunistic theft. The bag is rated well for ventilation, despite the lesser prevalence of mesh in the overall design, and there is a drain hole at the base of the main compartment to aid drying.

It is not one of the larger bags. It’s slender even at the widest point and takes a maximum fin length of 27”. However, it does have quite Tardis-like qualities on the inside and the inclusion of an external elastic cradle for towels saves more room still.

Pros

• There is structural separation for wet and dry items
• The padded shoulder straps make it a strong traveling or trekking choice
• The several compartments make organization of personal effects easier for couples or families
• Great as a travel bag as well as a means of carrying your snorkeling gear

Cons

• The pocket intended for masks is not robust enough to protect the lens without the mask’s protective case, and yet too small to accommodate many case designs
• While there is separation of wet and dry items internally, the compartment fabric isn’t actually waterproof.

RUNNER UP

Summary

As bags go, the Kraken is a beast, just like its namesake. The mesh cylinder bag can take up to 35lb of snorkeling luggage. Those of you who don’t relish the prospect of handles digging everlasting grooves into your fingers will be pleased to hear that it also comes with a shoulder strap.

Though huge, it’s incredibly lightweight and folds down to the size of a giant frisbee. It comes in two sizes. The mere ‘large’ Kraken is 30” long and 13” wide in diameter.

The XL version adds another half foot to the length and 3” to the width. The capacity inside the large mesh bag can accommodate three people’s kit, mask cases included.

There is a robust external side pocket and a discreet internal pocket for your personal items. Having put all your precious items to one side for absolute safety, you can rinse your snorkeling kit while it’s zipped up inside the bag, and allow it to dry on the way back to your car, coach or apartment. 

A word of caution: thanks to the very cool branding and the outstanding carrying capacity of either Kraken model, you might find yourself volunteered to be the group pack horse.

Pros

• The mesh is exceptionally durable and tear-resistant
• It becomes compact while folded into itself
• It’s an inexpensive option for the carrying capacity
• Excellent ventilation across the entire surface area of the bag
• Comfortably takes even the largest fins with ease
• Adjustable shoulder strap

Cons

• The shoulder strap hook is not said to be as robust as it should be for the weight it can carry
• No inbuilt dry bag