Padded Weight Belts

[Sphyrna Lewini]

Hello

Does anyone have any recomendations for a padded weight belt to use on my travels? Or any to avoid as they fall apart after 2 dives!

Any suggestions much appreciated.

[nigelH]

Originally Posted by Sphyrna Lewini

Does anyone have any recomendations for a padded weight belt to use on my travels? Or any to avoid as they fall apart after 2 dives!

Padded? I have a pocketed belt which is probably what you mean.

Make sure you get the right length (I have a 4 pocket waist and the 6 pocket one won't even start to close.

I had a Beaver one but lost it after about four years (handing off on a RIB error) and bought a Scubapro which is still going strong another five years down the line.

[Scuby]

I currently have an Oceanic 5 pocket belt. Comes in different sizes though. Seems well made, all the bits that hold the weight are actually heavily-sewn webbing and doesn't show any signs that it might fall apart.

I used to have a Ralf-Tech one with zipped pockets, but the zip kind of died (it still works, just have to be careful).

David

[intothebigblue]

Sphyrna Lewini - Hammerhead, right?


Um, by 'padded', I guess you're looking for comfortable? Your best bet is a shotbelt but it has drawbacks. If you dive the same kit and in the same salinity (seawater or fresh) then they're great. The problem comes when you change something as you have to mess about with a funnel and scales. Some have velcro straps on the outside to attach normal lead blocks to compensate.

Pocketed weightbelts are a lot easier and by virtue are, to an extent, padded. I would guess there are some available that have padding as a feature.

[CatB]

I have a pocketed weightbelt and use bags of shot in that, it is infinitely more comfortable than using blocks in my view and you can just add or remove bags when you need to change weight. However, if you are travelling abroad I guess you will just take the belt and use whatever weights they have at the dive centre in which case I can see why you are after padding, I'm afraid I don't know of any though (I'd get some shot weight bags for home too ).

[tom]

the scubapro ones (3, 4 or 5 pocket) are pretty sturdy and comfortable to wear.

[ardhill]

Another possibility for comfort is to use a harness.

I just got one of the Bowstone ones, very nice and a lot more comfortable than 30lb of lead on a belt. You can also change the weight as required and adjust the position of the weight around your body somewhat.

Instead of putting in lead blocks or bags of shot (which you can do with the bowstone harness) I got lead sheet (roofing lead) and cutom made big slightly rounded pieces that fit nicely into the harness pockets so it all sits well on me.
.

[purple vonny]

another vote for the scubapro pocket belt. I have a 3 pocket one for wetsuit and a 4 pocket one for fitting over my weeble-like drysuit. Very comfy and robust.

[Sphyrna Lewini]

Thanks everyone. I'm going to have a look at the Scubapro one, it seems to have nice large pockets to put my shotbags in when I get my drysuit (later in year hopefully!!!!) so will have use home and away!

Cheers!

[royplumber]

Originally Posted by ardhill

just got one of the Bowstone ones, very nice and a lot more comfortable than 30lb of lead on a belt. .

i have just got the shot belt type there is a write up in this months bsac magazine. /this is a very comftable belt but a nighmare getting the right amount of shot lead correct