November 2002
By John Brumm

Weight Systems Reviewed in This Article

| DEEP SEE POSITIVE RELEASE WEIGHT BELT DUI WEIGHT & TRIM 2 IDAHO SEWING WEIGHT SYSTEM INNOVATIVE SCUBA CONCEPTS NEOPRENE WEIGHT BELT | SCUBAPRO POCKET WEIGHT BELT TRIDENT WB74 6-POCKET "EXTREME" BELT WATERMARK SCUBA SEASOFT WEIGHT BELT XS SCUBA POCKET WEIGHT BELTS |
Tired of strapping bricks to your waist? Is it a pain to add or remove weight from your belt when changing diving conditions warrant it? Ever gone into missile mode after a belt buckle popped open and sent you rocketing to the surface? And how do those hips feel after a day of lugging heavy lead? Sore? Sure.

If your current weight system is harassing you more than it's helping you, take a look at these kinder, gentler ways to balance your ballast burden.

Weight Systems In Review

Excellent--*****
Very Good--****
Good--***
Fair--**
Poor--*

DEEP SEE POSITIVE RELEASE WEIGHT BELT: Unique Buckle

Deep Sea Positive Release Belt Rating--***

This is a standard weight pouch system designed for hard or soft weights. It comes with large pockets, a heavy-duty zipper on top for loading and a mesh panel on bottom for draining. Pockets (small size has four pockets; medium, five; large, six; and extra-large, seven) accommodate five-pound hard weights or standard square-shaped soft weights. Other weight shapes are a tight fit. The large-sized belt we tested was able to hold up to 30 pounds of ballast.

What sets this weight belt apart is its patented "Positive Release" buckle. With most weight belts, you thread the loose end of the webbing into the buckle, adjust for waist size, then clamp down. With the Positive Release, you latch the two buckle ends first, then tug on the loose end of the belt to adjust. This way, once the belt is latched, it's secured (plastic friction tabs in the buckle jaws make it unlikely to release accidentally). Plus, you can make adjustments at depth without worrying about an unclamped belt buckle slipping out of your hands and sending you rocketing to the surface. To ditch or remove the belt after a dive, simply pull on the plastic handle located on the captive end of the buckle and the belt releases. A small D-ring just below the buckle accommodates additional gear.

PRICE: $65.
MADE IN: Mexico.
MATERIALS: 1,000-denier Cordura.
COLOR: Black.
SIZES: 4.
CONTACT: Deep See, (800) 367-2626.
WEB: www.deepseeinc.com.

DUI WEIGHT & TRIM 2: The Ultimate Ballast System

DUI Weight & Trim 2 Rating--*****

The Weight & Trim 2 (WT2) is a simplified version of DUI's original Weight & Trim Classic system, which is still available. Designed to be worn beneath any BC, the concept of the WT2 is to get your ballast off your hips and onto your shoulders. The WT2 consists of a simple harness and belt system on which two ditchable weight pouches are attached. Each pouch has two pockets, and each pocket can hold up to 10 pounds. Pouches are threaded onto the belt individually so you can ditch only one pouch if necessary. Waist and shoulder straps (much simpler and more contoured to body shape than the original design) are adjustable to fine-tune fit.

The WT2 is by far the most comfortable and most efficient weight system we have ever tested, both in and out of the water. At depth, the weights stay securely in place, even in a heads-down position. And while the weight belt is normally the first thing taken off upon returning to the dive boat, we found ourselves wandering around on deck with the WT2 on, loaded with upwards of 30 pounds, and not giving it a second thought.

When you need to ditch, the weight pouches separate from the belt and harness when you pull on a couple of big yellow handles that are connected to the pouches by nylon straps. That way, you can remove weights at the swim step if necessary without losing them. Rethreading pouches back onto the harness isn't difficult, but you'll probably need to refer to the owner's manual the first couple times, just to make sure you do it right. The WT2 comes with a drawstring tote bag.

PRICE: $98.
MADE IN: China.
MATERIALS: 1,000-denier Cordura.
COLOR: Black.
SIZES: 6.
CONTACT: DUI, (800) 325-8439.
WEB: www.DUI-Online.com.

IDAHO SEWING WEIGHT SYSTEM: Stiff and Slippery

Idaho Sewing Weight System Rating--**

Idaho Sewing's weight belts come in three styles: all mesh, a mesh back with Cordura face and flap, and a Cordura face with a mesh back and flap. The wrap-around pouch is divided into five pockets, with 10, 18- and 26-pound capacities (we were only able to fit 23 pounds into the largest belt, but the company says if two-pound weights are used you can fit 26 pounds into the large belt).

The weight pouch flap is one continuous piece of material with a long strip of Velcro. This makes it difficult to open if you need to access a pocket in the middle. It's almost easier to just start at one end and open the entire pouch to make any ballast adjustments, which is not an impossible task, but much less convenient than other designs. Individual pockets are larger than on most pouch belts, which is good because Idaho Sewing's soft weights, which are made from a solid piece of heavy vinyl material, are larger than average.

These weight belts tend to be a bit stiffer than other belts, especially the all-mesh style (the Cordura models are softer, but not by much). However, according to the company, the mesh is more rugged than what's found on other weight belts, so if you're looking for extra strength, you may have to live with the extra stiffness. All mesh and mesh-backed models also tend to be very slippery, especially against fabric dry suit material. Idaho belts are designed for their own soft weights, which come in 1-, 2-, 3- and 5-pound sizes, but can be used with other brands of weights.

PRICE: $15.40 to $17.25, belts; $2.45 to $9, weights.
MADE IN: USA.
MATERIALS: 1,000-denier Cordura and 18 oz. PVC mesh.
COLORS: 8.
SIZES: 3.
CONTACT: Idaho Sewing, (208) 983-3767.
WEB: www.idsewing.com.

INNOVATIVE SCUBA CONCEPTS NEOPRENE WEIGHT BELT: Rubber Comfort

Innovative Scuba Concepts Neoprene Weight Belt Rating--***

A very comfortable design, Innovative Scuba Concepts' neoprene weight belt includes two pouches separated by a pair of adjustable straps in the back area where the tank nestles. You can cinch up or separate the pouches based on your trim or comfort needs and still have the front buckle for achieving a snug fit around the waist.

Each pouch is divided into two pockets secured with a neoprene flap with Velcro closure. Individual pockets have drainage folds and will easily accommodate a lead five-pounder or a standard square-shaped soft five-pounder. Other five-pound weight shapes don't tend to fit as well, if at all. The belt comes with a standard buckle and two D-rings, and is also available in a six-pocket model.

PRICE: 4-pocket, $32; 6-pocket, $39.
MADE IN: Taiwan.
MATERIALS: Neoprene, nylon webbing.
COLOR: Black.
SIZES: Universal.
CONTACT: Your local dive store or Innovative Scuba Concepts, (719) 597-2885.
WEB: www.innovativescuba.com.

SCUBAPRO POCKET WEIGHT BELT: Padded Pouches

ScubaPro Pocket Weight Belt Rating--***

Scubapro's Pocket Weight Belt comes in three sizes with essentially three weight-carrying capacities so you don't have to lug around more weight--or weight belt--than you need. The small size has three pockets with room for up to three 10-pound lead weights. The medium size has four pockets for up to four 10-pound lead weights, and the large size has five pockets that can accommodate three 10-pounders and a couple of six-pounders in the smaller alternate pockets.

All belts have a padded Cordura backing (which goes against the body), a mesh face with a padded flap and Velcro closures. All belts also feature a non-skid strip that extends the length of the belt to minimize slippage when wearing either wetsuits or dry suits. A very flexible, comfortable belt, it will accommodate soft or hard weights of all kinds, including Scubapro's Eco-Weights. Belts are available in blue or black.

PRICE: $42.
MADE IN: Mexico.
MATERIALS: 400-denier nylon pack cloth.
COLORS: 2.
SIZES: 3.
CONTACT: Scubapro, (619) 402-1023.
WEB: www.scubapro.com.

TRIDENT WB74 6-POCKET "EXTREME" BELT: No-Slip System

Trident WB74 6-Pocket "Extreme" Belt Rating--***

The "Extreme" weight belt's six pockets are divided between two ballast sections separated by a rear adjustment that enables you to shift the weight fore or aft on your hips to maximize comfort and ballast trim.

The belt is one of only two systems tested whose pockets expand away from the body, eliminating a full lead load from pressing into your waist or digging into your hips. Available in black or blue/black, each of the expandable pockets is made of heavy-duty nylon webbing with drainage slots and a nylon flap with a wide Velcro closure. The pockets are padded on the back for comfort and there are four vertical non-skid strips to help keep the belt from slipping around on your waist while on deck or at depth.

Each pocket handles a five-pound hard weight or a standard five-pound soft weight for a maximum of 30 pounds of ballast. The belt comes with four plastic D-rings and a standard belt buckle.

PRICE: $32.
MADE IN: USA.
MATERIALS: Cordura and Ballistic-coated nylon mesh.
COLORS: 2.
SIZES: Universal.
CONTACT: Your local dive store.
WEB: www.tridentdive.com.

WATERMARK SCUBA SEASOFT WEIGHT BELT: Form-Fitting

Watermark Scuba Seasoft Weight Belt Rating--****

The most comfortable traditional weight belt in this test go-round, Seasoft shot-pouch belts literally mold themselves to your body shape. Two neoprene-coated rubber tubes are filled with dry lubricated lead shot, permanently sealed, then sewn to the ends of nylon webbing. In the back where the webbing joins, there's an adjustment to enable you to shift the tubes forward or backward to improve trim. In front, the belt is secured by a polished, heavy-duty stainless-steel buckle.

The belt is offered in eight ballast sizes ranging from four to 35 pounds, which is good because the one disadvantage to the Seasoft system is that once the neoprene tubes are sealed, you can't remove any of the shot in the event you find you no longer need it. However, you can add weight by using a special neoprene Seasoft Pocket that buckles onto the belt at the rear adjustment point. The pocket holds up to five pounds of soft or hard weight, although due to the stretchiness of the material, soft weights tend to work best.

PRICE: $44.99 to $149.99.
MADE IN: USA.
MATERIALS: Dry shot in rubber/neoprene tubes, nylon webbing.
COLORS: 8.
SIZES: 8.
CONTACT: Watermark Scuba, (800) 939-5510.
WEB: www.watermark1.com.

XS SCUBA POCKET WEIGHT BELTS: Expandable and Adjustable

XS Scuba Pocket Weight Belts Rating--****

XS Scuba's weight belt system combines simplicity with durability and comfort. Seams are double-needle-stitched with heavy-duty nylon thread, and all stress points on the resin-coated nylon webbing are bar-tacked for extra strength. Pockets are positioned on sleeves that slide onto the belt. Find the best position for your weights to maximize comfort and trim, then snug up on the belt keepers, and you're good to go. Each pocket's large Velcro closure increases security and also makes it easy to add or remove weights while wearing the belt.

This is one of only two systems in this test group that uses external pockets that expand away from the body, so weights won't press into your sides as you tighten the belt. If you take the belt from a cold-water dive site to a warm-water site where you won't be using all the pockets, you can wrap unneeded pocket closures around the belt and secure them to a Velcro strip running along the backside of the belt, thereby pulling the pockets flat and streamlined against your body. Pockets are designed to carry up to five pounds of ballast. They easily accommodate both hard weights and soft weights, including the more rectangular Seasoft weights and even the bulky Idaho Sewing weights. This belt is available in three sizes. The small size comes with four pockets that fit up to 20 pounds; the medium size has six pockets that fit up to 30 pounds; and the large size has eight pockets that fit up to 40 pounds. A single weight pocket that allows you to add up to five pounds is sold as a separate accessory.

PRICE: $39.95.
MADE IN: Mexico.
MATERIALS: 1,000-denier Cordura with PU coating.
COLORS: 8.
SIZES: 3.
CONTACT: XS Scuba, (866) XS-SCUBA.
WEB: www.xsscuba.com.

For Weight Watchers Who Have Everything

Five More Solutions for Your Heavy Problems

Ankle Weights ANKLE WEIGHTS

Ankle weights are just the ticket when you need to take some weight off your waist. McNett Ankle Weights come in two sizes, regular (11 to 13 inches in length, 3.3 pounds) and long (13 to 15 inches in length, 3.9 pounds). Easy-release Delrin buckles secure weights around ankles.

PRICE: $31.
CONTACT: McNett Corp, (360) 671-2227.
WEB: www.mcnett.com.

CARRY BAG FOR WEIGHTS

Carry Bag For Weights

If you dive with belt pouch weight systems or integrated BCs, often you find yourself with a lot of cumbersome loose weight to transport. A solution? Bag 'em. The #67 Carry Bag keeps loose weights together and easily transportable. Measuring 12" x 10" x 4", the bag is constructed of heavy mesh with a reinforced base and two-inch-wide web straps to take the weight. Available in blue and yellow.

PRICE: $21.95.
CONTACT: Armor Products, (800) 487-9485.
WEB: www.armorbags.com.

DEPTH-COMPENSATING BELT BUCKLE

Depth-Compensating Belt Buckle Tired of constantly having to adjust your weight belt during your dive? Try a spring-loaded, depth-compensating belt buckle. As you dive, the buckle automatically contracts or expands to compensate for wetsuit compression, keeping the belt snug around your waist. Made of polished 300 series stainless-steel, the buckle is compatible with most weight belts.

PRICE: $19.95.
CONTACT: Your local dive store or Innovative Scuba Concepts, (719) 597-2885.
WEB: www.innovativescuba.com.

For Weight Watchers Who Have Everything (cont.)

Tank Weights TANK WEIGHTS

Tank Weights are like ankle weights for your tank. Neoprene sleeves are pre-filled with two, four or six pounds of shot, permanently sealed and sewn to 1.5 inches of webbing with buckles. The soft package conforms to the curve of the tank. Tank Weights are designed to be clipped around the tank and beneath your BC. This way, by cinching down on the BC's tank strap, the weights are sandwiched between tank and BC, eliminating slippage.

PRICE: $22.99 to $32.99.
CONTACT: Watermark Scuba, (800) 939-5510.

SOFT WEIGHTS

Soft Weights These are some of the nicest soft weights we've seen. Neoprene bags are filled with lead shot, sealed with an industrial serger, then straight-stitched with five-strand nylon thread for extra strength. The weights are designed to fit easily into all weight-integrated BCs as well as Seasoft and Seaflex weight belts. They will also work in some standard pouch-style belts, but check before you buy, because the weights' rectangular shape is not compatible with all pockets. Available in 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-pound sizes.

PRICE: $2 to $2.50 per pound.
CONTACT: Watermark Scuba, (800) 939-5510.