Have you ever weighed your empty wheeled gear bag?  You may be shocked to find that a third of your allowable weight is just in your luggage.  While some have opted for plain duffle bags, I refuse to give up my wheeled luggage.  A better way to do it is to look at the new lighter bags available.  You might even consider some of the new lighter equipment to go inside, but that's another subject for another day.  While I typically tip the scales at close to the 50lb. maximum, I start out ahead of the game with a wheeled bag that weighs only 8lbs.  All of my dive gear, a week of clothes, plus some spare gear all fit in under 50lbs. 

 

Add to that my trusty Balaanza digital scale, and I know wherever I am, I'll be one step ahead of the airline rules.  But watch out, these new lightweight bags are so nice, you'll soon be using them on all your trips, not just for diving!

 

And look below.  You just might find something to help get you outfitted for your next trip.