ScubaLab tested the Scubapro SeaHawk 2 in its 2019 BCD review.

With a travel-friendly design that doesn’t compromise on stability, comfort or amenities, it was our Testers Choice for travel BCDs.

We tested BCDs—also called BCs or buoyancy compensators—at Blue Grotto Dive Resort in Central Florida.

We conducted objective tests in the pool to measure each BC’s buoyant lift and inherent buoyancy, and to gauge its ability to cope with a runaway power inflator.

We also conducted a series of test dives to evaluate each BC in ten categories including comfort, stability and ascent control.

There’s a little more to this makeover of the SeaHawk than some of the other featherweight travel BCs in our test — including a pair of roomy zippered cargo pockets, 8 stainless D-rings and a generous amount of padding. It still folds up as small as most of the other travel BCs, and it weighs only a pound or so over the average. The real payoff comes when you get the SeaHawk 2 in the water, because it doesn’t feel like it’s giving up anything in terms of amenities or performance to accommodate the demands of lightweight travel.

It took top scores for comfort, and one of the highest scores for stability, with testers repeatedly using the words “comfortable” and “stable” to describe its performance. With more than 50 pounds of lift and integrated weights that hold 24 pounds in size large, as well as rear trim pockets, it can handle anything tropical diving to drysuit duty.

Versatile and compact, the Scubapro SeaHawk 2 was our Testers Choice for travel BCs.

MSRP: $679; $805 (with Air2) Contact: scubapro.com