weight belts or integrated weights?

[gcbryan]

I wore a weight belt only when i did'nt have my own gear. I don't have a big problem with them, but one day out for a dive I had not noticed on a surface swim out that I had dropped the belt in the shallows. That was enough for me to prefer integrated.

Why? Is it better when they drop out of an integrated BC?

 

[mafiajoe]

I've seen weight pockets fall out of BCs a few times.

I've felt weights landing on my head after falling out from weight pockets

 

[Sue H]

Why? Is it better when they drop out of an integrated BC?

hope mine never do! i think they're clipped in very tight and snug tho, i have a struggle just putting the pouches in my BC (XS oceanic Isla )with weights. i like to hang onto my weights! scary thought tho.

 

[MauiScubaSteve]

I cut the integrated weight pockets off my Balance; I use the trim pockets and my belt. Just a belt with my Spectrum (vest).

You cut the pockets off on a $600+ BCD. Are you crazy?

The SeaQuest Balance has been around for many years. The earlier version's WI pockets were very different than today's Balance WI pockets; not sure the surgery would be so successfull on recent versions.

Purchased in near new condition at the Lahaina Salvation Army, for $20! The now uncovered pretty blue hip belt is so elegant that I feel sorry for stock Balance users

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[highdesert]

No more weight belt = no more lower back pain after a dive

 

[jhayes75]

Purchased in near new condition at the Lahaina Salvation Army, for $20!

http://www.scubaboard.com/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/140049​

Wow, very nice. I never find deals like this

 

[SandyRobinson]

My BP and if needed a weight belt.

 

[Sas]

hope mine never do! i think they're clipped in very tight and snug tho, i have a struggle just putting the pouches in my BC (XS oceanic Isla )with weights. i like to hang onto my weights! scary thought tho.

Yea they can still fall out and do. My weight pockets of my old BC are $70 per pocket to replace too... As I found out after a buddy lost one after taking my BC back to my car but not sticking the pockets in. I can get it cheaper from LP but then there's the enormous shipping cost. I figure a weight belt is cheaper if I lose it And I will never need to buy lead again as my buddy has 150kg of assorted weights that he has found whilst diving (sometimes in weight pockets )

Had about half a dozen buddies lose them in the two years I have been diving. About half were underwater. The other half were because they forgot to clip them into the BC when transporting their gear around (without weight) and they just fell out and got lost.

Anyway I guess my point is you can lose weight pockets just as easily as weight belts so neither has the benefit in that regard. I personally have lost a weight belt underwater once but it was my own fault for fiddling with it.

 

[sambolino44]

I have a steel cylinder (always negative), a steel backplate with added weight plates, and ankle weights. This brings the weight on my belt down to ten to fifteen pounds, depending on my undergarment.

 

[Splitlip]

None of your options works for me. I wear a weight belt, and also trim weights in camband weight pouches.

Here as well.

In fact, often nothing on the belt depending on exposure protection, bottle, plate etc.