Which rubber belt? Wire buckle?

[Matt S.]

After a lot of reading, and irritation with a nylon belt that I have to adjust at depth, I figured I should try a rubber belt. There are a few different options though... some with what look like regular QR buckles, and some with a funky wire buckle. I'm not sure what to pick. (I like the idea of a set-and-forget buckle since I won't be changing the amount of weight on the belt but I can't tell if the wire buckles work like that.)

Note that the belt will be used with a weight-integrated BCD, so even if the belt buckle isn't quick-releasable, there will be a ton of weight in the BCD that is. In fact I would rather have a belt that's less likely to come off accidentally...

Does anyone have opinions on these options?

http://www.amazon.com/TRIDENT-STRETCH-RUBBER-WEIGHT-BELT/dp/B0002CT886

http://www.amazon.com/Rubber-Weight-Belt-Wire-Buckle/dp/B0000DCVZZ

http://www.scubastore.com/product.asp?pais=United%20States%20Of%20America&idioma=eng&id_familia=1&id_subfamilia=2&id_modelo=3206&id=2&marca=CRESSI&desde=0&fromhbx=subfamilia#

There are also a few belts from Omer.
http://www.omersub.com/catalog/belts/index.htm

Price on this stuff is all about the same so cost isn't a factor. (That does not mean than I am in the market for a DUI Weight & Trim system though!)

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Just out of curiosity, how much weight is in the BC, that you need even more weight on a belt? If you are only adding a few pounds to the belt, what about a weight on the tank instead?

 

[Matt S.]

This is actually for my wife... her BCD holds about 30 lbs, but with her drysuit she needs about 40 lbs.

We might be able to put that on with tank pouches but it seems like the distribution might be bad that way.

 

[JahJahwarrior]

Yeah, 10 pounds might be alot to put on a cam band. I sometimes put an extra two pounds on the tank....but not 10


I'm not sure which belt would be best, but I'm guessing you can't stuff any more weight into the BC? Trim pockets in the back?

If you find one of these that works really well, doesn't loosen too much underneath yet doesn't constrict too much at the surface, it'd be nice to know. I think some people have used innertubes from bikes before....not sure how though. Maybe they tied them in the front and just replaced every dive? I've survived with a nylon belt, even though it does jusually turn itself so the release is on my back about halfway through the dive. I'd be looking for a rubber belt like you, but I'm about to get weight pouches for my BC. I only dive with about 20 pounds, so I won't have the same problem you are hopefully.

 

[Matt S.]

Rubber's rubber but there are a ton of different buckles and the devil's in the details in this sport. If no one chimes in with a strong recommendation I'll just have to roll the dice. I think the Trident is a set-and-forget buckle, if a user review I found was accurate, so I will probably try it.

 

[MidAtlantic]

I have used this belt and love it. As a plus it is more recognizable then the other style.

http://www.spearfishinggear.com/Mer...creen=PROD&Product_Code=5106&Category_Code=WB

 

[Cacia]

yes, I want one with a belt buckle that feels different from my harness.

 

[GreenDiverDown]

I have the one from Omer. It is fine. The trick to closing the quick release is to stretch it as you clamp down the buckle. Or... get it wet.

I also have a rubber belt that is really tits... but I can't remember what brand it is. It looks just like a belt and buckle that you would wear with jeans... except that the belt is wider and the buckle is.. well... really big. The buckle is the type that has the prong (or whatever you call it) that fits into the holes in the belt... just like an old fashion belt. I got it from the Mayor (of Catalina). Maybe somebody on the island will chime in... they sell 'em at Scuba Luv.

 

[Luc Dupas]

See also discussion items #3 and #12 in http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=166537

... works already for "ages" (since 1988) without any problems... carries 9kg of weights (about 20lbs)... fits perfectly for both my wetsuit as well as my drysuit... no loose end... fast release buckle... it's great !

 

[cjv]

Get the Omer one from www.spearfishinggear.com or if you want the traditional belt look, get the Marsellaise. Spetton-Usa has this on stock.