IN THE BAG
STAHLSAC
STEEL 34
DIMENSIONS 18x34x10 EMPTY WEIGHT 12 lb. 6 oz. MSRP $359.95 CONTACT stahlsac.com
The Steel 34 is split into two zippered compartments, one waterproof and the other vented — so you can leave a soaked 5 mm in the waterproof side overnight (as we did) without wetting what’s in the vented section. Or you can put dry things in the waterproof side and use the vented one to let damp stuff air. “Love the ability to customize the spaces and separations,” one tester wrote. The top section is flexible so the bag flattens for easy storage, but that’s also the root of our one gripe: It allows the bag to flop over if packed carelessly. Bright blue lining helps you see the contents, and the top-notch telescoping handle, wheels and comfortable, well-placed grips make the bag easy to wheel, lift or carry with a full load. Flexible, rugged and packed with convenience, the Stahlsac Steel 34 is our Testers Choice for large roller bags.
BEUCHAT
AIR LIGHT 3
DIMENSIONS 16x34x12 EMPTY WEIGHT 5 lb. 14 oz. MSRP $171.10 CONTACT beuchat-diving.com
This featherweight roller is one of the lightest jumbo bags we’ve ever used — ideal for those pushing baggage weight to the limit. The cavernous internal compartment holds a ton of stuff — way more than the chintzy elastic compression straps can hope to secure. The lack of an internal frame, telescoping handle, and padding keep the bag lightweight, but the trade-off is that the Air Light 3 has trouble standing on its own, and fragile items have little protection from careless baggage handlers. Even without a telescoping handle, it’s easy to pull and lift, thanks to its height and comfortable, plushy handles. The zippers are good but might not hold up without some compression straps to relive them. The single large fin pocket is perfectly capable of carrying large fins but can also be utilized for airing out a damp wetsuit or other bulky items when you’re on the go.
