GROUNDTRUTH

UNDA 25L ROLL-TOP BACKPACK

MSRP $375 CONTACT groundtruth.global

SPECS 25 L | 2 lb. 11 oz. | 20 x 12.5 x 6.5 in.

Externally, this fully submersible dry backpack already has a lot to love: a waterproof TruZip external pocket, bungee storage panel, shoulder strap D-ring, accessible grab handle, and not one but two mesh bottle pockets. What makes this pack really stand out is its removable tote insert, which nests perfectly inside the main bag, providing structure, padding and organization—it can also be used as a stand-alone bag. The 20-liter tote features a large, magnetically latched laptop sleeve, a zippered pocket, two mesh pouches, external carry-handles, a D-ring (for stand-alone use), and two more bottle holders. The tote’s white interior lining makes it easy to find items quickly. A wide profile helps the bag(s) stand upright and provides good access to the interior. It has plenty of capacity for dayboat diving and air travel. The padded, adjustable backpack harness is comfortable to carry and includes a luggage handle sleeve for carting the bag on top of a suitcase. Testers were impressed by the bag’s overall build quality and material and exceptional versatility. The Unda 25L is our Testers Choice for backpacks.

Interior compartments provide uses well beyond your average dry bag.

Related Reading: Best 11 Dive Roller Bags of 2025 Reviewed

AQUALUNG

EXPLORER 45L

MSRP $119 CONTACT us.aqualung.com

SPECS 45 L | 2 lb. 6 oz. | 21.5 x 10.5 x 9 in.

This backpack/duffel hybrid’s nonremovable padded backpack straps feature a sliding sternum strap with a very wide range of adjustment, and can be fastened together to create a duffel-style handle—smaller divers may also be able to utilize this grip to carry the bag over a shoulder. Grab handles on each side are large enough to slip over the handle of a roller bag. Testers were impressed with the bag’s sturdy stitching, webbing and a water-resistant fabric. They especially liked the weather-resistant zippers and their durable zipper pulls. The rectangular interior is easy to pack. “A bit small for a duffel and a bit large for a backpack,” one tester noted. The opening flap is padded and has a large interior mesh zipper pocket. There are no small compartments and no compression straps—pack items appropriately to ensure a safe, seamless transition from horizontal to vertical carry. The exterior includes two roomy zippered pockets on either end. The top pocket remains accessible during vertical carry. A flat water-resistant pocket keeps smaller items accessible but secure against a wearer’s back. Web loops along the side provide attachment points to clip on various accessories.

Chameleon bag! Changes to fit your carry style.

CRESSI

MALPELO

MSRP $159.95 CONTACT cressiusa.com

SPECS 40 L | 2 lb. 11 oz. | 19.5 x 12.5 x 7 in.

The Malpelo is a backpack/duffel hybrid. Testers appreciated the ample plush padding used throughout the bag and its heavy coated exterior fabrics. The bag’s main compartment looks like what you’d expect in a piece of luggage—wide, deep and rectangular with an elastic compression strap. This makes it especially useful for travelers who prefer to keep a spare set of clothing in their carry-on. The only issue is that the zipper stops short about 3 inches from the bottom of the bag, so it won’t open fully. This can make it hard to effectively pack the bottom of the bag and hampers access to the large interior mesh zipper pocket. The front compartment is much easier to access. It features an administration panel with a small zipper pocket and key clip. Two wide padded sleeves securely hold laptops, book and documents. The bag’s sleek, compact footprint makes it easy to lift via its top and side handles. Plump AirNet padding on the back and a stowable harness make for an extremely comfortable carry. The exterior of the bag includes thoughtful features such as a trolley handle sleeve, an ID holder, a small bottle holder and an accessible water-resistant pocket.

Practical compartments for electronics, clothes and documents.

CRESSI

VENOM

MSRP $169.95 CONTACT cressiusa.com

SPECS 30 L | 3 lb. 1 oz. | 16 x 11 x 10 in.

This bag’s watertight roll-top compartment isn’t necessarily meant to keep its contents dry—although it does an excellent job at that—but to keep wet gear contained post-dive. It’s sized for wetsuits and smaller items, making it more practical for freediving and snorkeling excursions. Dry items can be stored in the small and large water-resistant pockets welded to the front of the bag. Testers liked the pockets’ capacity, smooth-pulling zips and bright-yellow lining. The pockets sit higher than the main compartment, which can make the whole thing tip forward if there isn’t suitable ballast in the main section. Two plastic D-rings are situated below the pockets, which can be used to clip on additional gear and to hang the bag upside down to dry. Testers appreciated the small mesh bottle holder on the side of the bag. The protective flap adds a step when accessing the interior but also includes a bungee panel for securing towels and similar items.

Confident in its ability to keep my items dry and safe.

OSPREY

SOJOURN PORTER 45

MSRP $195 CONTACT tusa.com

SPECS 45 L | 3 lb. 9 oz. | 22 x 14 x 6.5 in.

With a wealth of space and a plethora of pockets, this rugged, heavy-duty pack can carry a week’s worth of clothes and personal items, with room for much more. Thick padded compression panels provide protection and security for sensitive equipment like regulators and cameras. The main compartment and front-facing administration pocket both feature full vertical openings that grant full access to the interior and effortless packing. The exterior stowage includes an elastic side pouch that can securely hold a water bottle or jacket and a hidden, but awkward, laptop pocket. With so many pockets and compartments, the real trick is remembering where you put everything. The ergonomic harness features a hip belt and a thick ventilated back pad. The large bag may be impractical for a dayboat but would be beneficial to anyone trying to carry on a large amount of gear or for expeditions that require lots of foot travel.

Easily accessible space for large items, with plenty of pockets.

OSPREY

TRANSPORTER DUFFEL 30

MSRP $140 CONTACT tusa.com

SPECS 30 L | 1 lb. 15. oz. | 18 x 14 x 7 in.

Lightweight but durable, this bag’s water-resistant fabric makes it suitable for airplane cabins and open-air decks alike (note that the zippers themselves aren’t waterproof). Its compact dimensions can hold a fair amount of clothes and gear, but the bag maintains an extremely small, discreet size. It can also fold up into an included travel pouch for easy transport inside checked baggage for deployment at your destination. The bag includes four cushy grips and a stowable (and removable) backpack harness. We recommend stowing the straps during packing, as they can get in the way. The interior has a pair of adjustable compression straps and a zippered mesh pocket. The bag’s minimal structure, lack of padding and ergonomic carry hardware allow for a “hardly there” feel under light loads. However, users will need to pack with care to protect sensitive gear and prevent bulkier items from resting awkwardly against their back.

Compact, stowable and reasonably water-resistant.

SCUBAPRO

DEFINITION PACK 24

MSRP $99 CONTACT scubapro.com

SPECS 24 L | 1 lb. 7 oz. | 19 x 12 x 5.5 in.

One of the smaller bags in our test, the Definition Pack has a sleek and streamlined profile. Yet, it still managed a comfortable fit for all our carry-on essentials plus a laptop. Its durable, lightweight construction and ergonomic backpack strap with waist belt make it especially easy to carry during a long day of traveling. It includes a top carry handle and trolley sleeve. The main compartment features a roll-top closure. Inside is a padded sleeve to stow electronics and documents. It is large enough to fit a 17-inch laptop and won’t take up space when empty. The vertically opening pocket on the front is roomy, and testers felt it was just the right size for stowing a light jacket for a plane ride or a change of clothes during diving. A horizontal-opening pocket beneath the shoulder straps is sized for passports, wallets and other small, flat items you may want to keep handy but secure. The bag isn’t technically a dry bag, but testers felt confident in its ability to protect contents from an errant spray or sudden drizzle. Perfectly sized for air-travel and dayboat accessories, the Definition Pack 24 is our Best Buy for backpacks.

Pockets suitable for docs and accessories. Capacity just right for a dayboat.

WATERSHED

ANIMAS

MSRP $219 to 307.75 CONTACT drybags.com

SPECS 40 L | 2 lb. 8 oz. | 23 x 20 x 6 in.

Outfitted with a ZipDry closure, high-quality coated fabric and RF welded seams, this bag provides reliable waterproof protection under any conditions. The Zip-Dry isn’t a traditional zipper—it pushes together like a Ziploc bag, so it doesn’t need to be rolled to ensure an effective seal. The tough, waterproof polyurethane-coated 820-denier nylon fabric has an extra Kryptothane Plus coating for enhanced grip and strength. The bag held our test load, with room for much more. It can even hold a 3 mm dive kit—minus BC—quite comfortably. Testers felt it could have benefited from an exterior pocket. Even under a full load, the removable shoulder harness and waist belt comfortably distribute the weight. However, testers felt the shoulder pads were broad and stiff and the sternum strap a bit too short. The bag’s durable, waterproof construction is dive-boat ready, although it may seem a bit strange as a carry-on. However, it also seems like a good option for when travel may involve trekking off road or through wet conditions.

A simple, reliable concept superbly executed.

AKONA

AZUL

MSRP $58 CONTACT akona.com

SPECS 65 L | 1 lb. 9 oz. | 27.5 x 15.5 x 10 in.

This bag’s large, rectangular profile fits perfectly beneath a dive boat bench. It holds an incredible amount of gear—we easily stowed a 5 mm kit with room to spare. The trunk-like shape and full vertical opening make packing very easy and provide quick access to gear. There are no pockets. Padded backpack straps include a cushioned sternum strap and elastic webbing for comfort and support, while the flat design keeps weight evenly distributed during transit. Testers loved the large, accessible side handle and would have liked to see similar grips on each side. Made of 600D polyester with a PVC lining and sturdy coated mesh panels, the bag provides ample ventilation without compromising strength and easily packs in luggage. The sturdy mesh panels provide plenty of airflow, won’t snag on gear, and are comfortable to the touch. This lightweight, durable dive locker was a favorite of testers. The Azul is our Best Buy for mesh boat bags.

Hands down the easiest to pack.

ARMOR

29” NAUTICAL MESH DUFFEL

MSRP $105.90 CONTACT shoparmorbags.com

SPECS 145 L | 2 lb. 7 oz. | 14 x 28 x 13.5 in.

This huge duffel easily accommodated a 5 mm kit and still had room for a small dry bag, and it has a roomy exterior zipper pocket. It’s constructed of heavy-duty, slightly abrasive 2000-denier mesh for excellent drainage and durability. The cylindrical design has a flattened bottom, which allows the bag to stand upright. The zipper is narrow and can be hung up on the stiff mesh. It doesn’t provide the best access for BCs, but the bag’s overall size makes this point moot for most other items. It can be awkward to carry when packed full. Dual web carry handles are simple but sturdy. The shoulder strap must be purchased separately. Testers were impressed by this bag’s suitability for dayboat use and felt it would survive a trip as a checked bag. It is our Testers Choice for mesh bags.

Bulletproof bag with excellent capacity.

GILI GEAR

MESH BACKPACK

MSRP $115 CONTACT giligear.com

SPECS 60 L | 1 lb. 7 oz. | 24.5 x 14.5 x 10 in.

Crafted of colorful repurposed vinyl mesh, this bag is eye-catching and ventilated. The marine-grade mesh is sandproof and mildew resistant. Testers liked that it was soft to the touch and flexible yet still has enough structure to stand open for easy packing. A large, vertical U-shaped opening provides full access to the interior. The bag tapers near the top, so long fins will need to be placed toward the center. We were able to shove in a full 5 mm kit, but it was a tight fit with a BC. There are no pockets. Testers liked the backpack straps overall but felt they were a little too close together and would pinch their shoulders under heavy loads. A water-resistant panel runs along the back, with a drainage hole at the bottom. This thoughtful design keeps damp gear off the wearer during transit. Testers liked the webbing grip at the top of the bag but felt more grips were needed. Solid construction and heavy-duty materials made this bag a standout for testers.

Great mesh and minimal failure points.

SCUBAPRO

SPORT MESH 65

MSRP $78 CONTACT scubapro.com

SPECS 65 L | 1 lb. 7 oz. | 27 x 13.5 x 13.5 in.

This mesh backpack’s lightweight construction and reduced capacity are meant for toting light loads during tropical snorkel and dive getaways. It features a roll-top closure, which unfortunately doesn’t allow it to make the most of its internal compartment, as the buckles can’t effectively be secured if fin tips are too close to the top. Most average-size scuba fins will likely prevent the bag from closing, which testers felt was a major oversight. “Limited capacity and usefulness,” one tester said. The rest of the bag, however, feels well thought out. Soft uncoated mesh panels provide ventilation without adding weight. The rubberized bottom includes a large drainage hole. In addition to the main opening, a secondary zipper along the side of the bag provides easy access to gear at the bottom. Testers really liked the hidden front zipper pocket, which is both roomy and accessible. The bag’s compact dimensions and padded harness make for easy transport along the beach, but testers were unsure what exactly they’d want to transport in it.

Lightweight mesh pack with a nice pocket.

Related Reading: ScubaLab First Look: TUSA Hyflex Fin System

SCUBAPRO

SPORT MESH 95

MSRP $90 CONTACT scubapro.com

SPECS 95 L | 1 lb. 10 oz. | 13 x 26 x 13 in.

This duffel is streamlined and compact. Soft uncoated mesh panels on the sides provide ventilation and are reinforced with webbing. The bottom 6000-denier polyester panel includes drain holes with fine mesh to help keep sand out. The bag can fit a full 5 mm kit but is better suited to tropical gear loads due to its compact size and lightweight construction. Plus, it can be difficult to pack bulky items through the undersize opening. Testers liked the interior zipper pocket for stowing loose items during transit and hiding valuables while diving. The bag’s overall dimensions and weight make it easy to carry via the included shoulder strap and dual duffel grip, but there aren’t any side grips or handles. When empty, the bag is very easy to pack within a checked bag. This makes it an attractive option for travelers who want to pack light but still plan on transporting their gear in a dedicated bag at their destination. Overall, the Sport Mesh 95 offers a traditional design with lightweight construction and a reduced profile.

Compact and streamlined.