My Dive Gear
Hey team! I get a lot of Qs about my favourite dive gear, so I’ve compiled all my favourite dive / freedive / snorkel bits n bobs into a blog post for you all - as sometimes it’s tricky to get back to you all individually! I’ll be updating this list as I update my gear, and I’ll never share anything that I don’t use or don’t totally love.
Just a small heads up, some of these links give me a small commission (at no extra cost to you!) but is super helpful for me and I’m super appreciative!
Dive Gear:
I purchase most of my dive gear from Mike’s Dive Store and they very kindly gave me a discount code MADSOCEAN which will give you 8% off at checkout!
Scuba Pro BCD - This was my first ever (and only) BCD. It’s comfy, fits me perfectly and lets me float around like a graceful floaty blob underwater. 10/10 recommend.
Scuba Pro Regulator - Again, first and only regulators I've had. Love them.
Scuba Pro Fins - I. LOVE. THESE. Honestly, these are the kind of fins that you put on once and think, why the hell did I ever scuba in any other pair of fins before?! These bad boys put up an absolute fight in a current and make you steer like an underwater boss.
Hollis M1 Mask - always lots of questions about this mask! I’m a huge fan of full frame masks - and this is my all time favourite. Aside from my free diving mask (linked below) I pretty much only wear this mask.
Tusa Dive Bag - This bag I take for those big getaways - it holds absolutely everything, and has the benefit of roller wheels too (which is epic for heavy gear!)
Mesh Bag - An essential for transporting wet gear around / keeping stuff tidy on the boat. I’m also a huge lover of the stuff-can-be-two-things concept, and I actually use this as a weekend getaway bad quite a lot (lol fashun…)
DIVE WATCHES:
Suunto Zoop Novo: Ah, my first ever dive computer. Basic, affordable - and oh myyy this does what it says on the tin! Also famous for it’s battery life (I didn’t need to change mine for almost a decade!) and I still have it clipped to my BCD as a back-up watch to this day.
AquaLung i200 Dive Computer - It’s an epic dive computer and it comes in a gorgeous aqua which I LOVE.
Garmin MK2s - The fanciest watch I’ve ever owned by far and my current dive watch… imagine a dive computer, a fitness tracker and a smart watch had a baby. I’m OBSESSED.
Freedive Gear:
Leader Fins Ice Blades - my first and only pair of free-diving fins. The foot pockets aren’t great (they ripped a few times and were a bit too loose for my feet), but the blades are the bomb. Powerful and so beaut.
Neoprene socks - cheap and cheerful. Not much to say aside from that they do the job!
Weight Belt - Pretty self explanatory and not much to say about this one - keeps the weights on!
Cressi F1 Mask - I get SO many questions about this mask. It’s affordable and looks super sleek underwater.
Cressi Dry Snorkel - my go-to snorkel. I’ve had about three of these over the years.
Wetsuits:
Blu Wild Whale Shark Leggings - an absolute essential for slipping into a wetsuit! A pair of leggings or skins underneath a wetsuit makes it so much easier to pull on that neoprene. Blu Wild is my favourite, but of course, I’m biased… #ownbrand
Blu Wild Shorty Rashguard - when we made these this year… game changer. Shark print. Comfy. Flattering. Made for divers. Recycled fabric. Again, an essential for the boat, beach, SUP or general sun protection. Available on our UK store.
Billabong Long Jane 2mm - lets face it, I’m a warm water diver and I rarely get cold. But just in case, I always have my trusty 2mm long wetsuit in case those chilly upwellings come around. Billabong is my tried and tested - this neoprene is stretchy, super comfy and recycled. And the fit is pretty dreamy too. It’s got a quick release shoulder strap so total perfection for a snappy “on and off” malarky during a surface interval.
Orca TRN Women’s Wetsuit - Orca recently sent me this epic suit to try and I LOVE IT. It’s designed for swimmers so it keeps you warm and provides protection, but it’s lightweight and flexible. It feels expensive and it handles beautifully in the ocean.
Ripcurl Jacket 2mm - I chuck this over my 2mm for a cozier dive (or a surf in the UK seas). Perfection.
Oceaner Spring Suit - what to say about this suit?! The dreamiest (cheekiest) wetsuit cut ever. I’d call it my photoshoot wetsuit. I love it.
Wetsuit hood - since lockdown hit, I’ve actually enjoyed cold water diving in my local British waters. So obviously, I needed to invest in a hood. And despite the fact that hoods always tangle my hair - they keep it toasty warm and I’m a total convert.
Wetsuit gloves - same with these - toasty hands in colder waters! I seem to find that if my hands and head are warm, the rest seems to be too.
For The Boat:
Blu Wild Toasty Robe - coming sooooon. I went surfing in the cold English waters of Cornwall and after shivering on the beach at sunset decided that it was time we thought about making a dry robe. They’re brill for warming up after a surf, dive or general dip… choose sherpa or towelling lined - and stay TOASTY.
Life Straw Bottle - I’ve tried out a lot of “eco-conscious” bottles over the years - and to be honest, when I’m in the field nothing beats Lifestraw. It’s great for being in remote field environments where the water can be a little funky. Also filters away any nasty tastes!
Dry Bag - currently using a Blu Wild prototype… stay tuned!
Whale Shark Micro-Fibre Towel - I love this towel so much (confession - I love it so much I actually bought it originally for a friend and then had to buy another one for myself because I “accidentally” tried it out before I gifted it). Super lightweight, quick-drying and perfect for the boat/beach/insert other ocean adventure. Oh and it’s a real print of a whale shark, shot by one of my favourite photographers, Jess Hadden, on Ningaloo Reef.
SuperGoop Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 - zinc is such an essential for me (bc I burn like a crispy crisp, especially on long hot boat days in the sun!). This stuff is was a GAMECHANGER for me. It’s lightweight, no breakouts and honestly is just the best sunscreen I’ve ever used.