Poor Quality On Apeks Tech Shorts

[pigrules]

I am an PADI Scuba Instructor and a Tech Diver from Singapore working in the Philippines. By the following, i would like to express my un-satisfaction with the Apeks Tech Short.

As a Instructor i need to carry slates, SMB and other accessories when i am in the water with students, i was looking for a pocket shorts and had many option with many brands but came across Apeks Tech Short which looks good compared to other brands and it had big pocket which i needed, bought it and use the Apeks Tech Short since August 2015 and have been using it till now, it just looks nice but the quality isn't there.

The fabric of the pocket starts to wear out till it can't handle and broke, a hole is formed.The plastic strip on the opening of the cargo pocket broke into half, the layering into of the cargo pocket is wearing out as well. The tape sewing starts
to fall off after a few month of usage.

My Resort Manager uses a glue on thigh pocket on his wet-suit even with lots of abuse and it been a few years already, still in good condition but with the Apeks Tech Short all the issues happen within a few months of usage.

I have attached photos of the condition of the tech shorts for reference. I am very disappointed with the quality of the product, as a diving professional i would not recommend this to my students/ customers.

Yu Ri
PADI #353192

 

[PMscuba]

Hello Yu, thank you for your review. I bought the same pants last year and so far I have not encountered the same issue. I am no instructor; therefore, I do not dive as much as you do. However, I have some experience in the textile industry and I believe this problem is related to dry salt. If any fabric is not properly washed with fresh water after each dive the salt crystals will damage the fabric which will eventually affect the durability.
Cheers!

Pier

 

[Saboteur]

Good review for long term use of these shorts. I was considering buying a pair for recreational use which I think would be fine where there is time to wash and dry them out periodically.

 

[DevonDiver]

Have heard identical reports on the Apeks shorts from other dive pros..

 

[Jungle Diver]

I hear ya ! I bought 'em 2 months ago and after 1 week the fabric covering the glued seams came off, the pocket pull handles just frayed away and a month later the crotch seam unglued. Looking at mine though, it seems the outer pocket material is different than yours , it's of much better quality. You probably got an ancient pair that's been lying around the store for ages. I'm a cave/cavern guide in the Yucatan and use 'em as a wetsuit with my Lavacore top 'cause the water is too damn hot for a wetsuit and I was really looking forward to owning these expensive shorts... to Apeks defense, they were really nice to send me a new pair (though it's under warranty), hope it lasts longer because them pockets are amazing!

 

[Skulmoski]

So far, mine are good after 80 dives. That is about a dollar a dive to date. At some point equipment wears out. I guess it is up to you to determine if the acceptable cost of ownership is a dollar a dive (80 dives)? 50 cents (160 dives)? 25 cents (320 dives)? and so on.

Sorry that your experience has been different than mine. I am happy with my Apeks shorts. I would buy them again. Perhaps they have a quality assurance and control problem.

Can you return or exchange yours?

GJS

 

[Berry Ke]

You should really address this to the shop were you bought them or otherwise directly to Apeks themselves, from what I've heard they're usually pretty good quality and people overal are pretty much happy with them. Seems to me you've gotten a bad one. I'm sure Apeks would'be happy to send you a new one...

 

[Trailboss123]

I have a new pair and they seem pretty bullet proof to me and look quite different from the OP's pics. The pockets are cavernous and very utilitarian. If I have any complaint, it is that mine are very positively buoyant and require a couple extra pounds of lead to descend and dive.