APEKS Black Ice - no traditional cumberbund

[cklosson]

I am seriously considering purchasing the Black Ice BC. I bought it on-line and have tried on.I very much like it, but the lack of a traditional cumberbund with velcro has me questioning my selection. I have a slight frame, and think I can achieve a very nice fit with their system. I haven't read a negative review anywhere about their waist strap. In fact, stability/comfort and a secure fit are frequently mentioned by divers. Does anyone have experience with the Black Ice who can address my concerns? Thanks.

 

[Chuckitall]

I've used several Apeks BC's, but never a Black Ice. Hate cumber buns, always feel fine in just straps. Just make sure you have enough room to snug them up tight. There are adjustments also available depending on waist size.

 

[cklosson]

Thanks for the feedback. The adjustability was a strong plus for it when I chose it. Moving away from a jacket style and hoping the lack of a traditional cumberbund or a hard back won't be negatives once it's wet and cant be returned.

 

[crosshairs]

I dive an Aqualung Axiom i3 that does not use a cumber bun..the BC is almost identical( if not identical) to the black Ice and I love it..I personally cant stand the cumber bun design and would never go back to it

 

[freewillie]

You can check with the manufacturer or use your local LDS but you may be able to add or purchase the cummerbund separately and have it added to your BC. Check the back of the BC and look to see if it has loops for a cummerbund. I purchased an Aeris EX Travelite for my daughter and had the same situation. The original BC did not have a cummerbund but I was able to order one and fit to the BC through my LDS. She is also very slight and the cummerbund helps tremendously with the fit.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Add crotch strap and you'll wonder why they even put cumerbunds on bc's.

Sent from my DROID X2 using Tapatalk 2

 

[WB2GLP]

I dive a Black Ice which I picked up at the begining of last season. I like the fact that it lacks a cumberbund. That's part of the reason I went with it over the other models available from Aqualung/Apex. A great pre-season keyman discount offer was the only reason for the brand selection. I was diving a Transpac with wing up until the Black Ice.

 

[coldwaterlloyd]

I dive Zeagle Tech with clips rather than cumberband , will never go back to a velcro cumberband to the point I cut the cumberband off my Zeagle Stilleto which I use for travel , the clip alone is all I need and so much easier to adjust U/W , you will enjoy your new system.

 

[fjpatrum]

You could just add a wider cumberbund if you feel it's necessary after a couple of dives. I suspect, as others have already indicated, you won't feel it necessary. If it has a waist strap, then it's effectively doing the same thing a cumberbund would.

 

[boat sju]

Looks like it will save you the trouble of having to cut the annoying velcro cummerbund off like I did (and apparently Floyd did too). Notice a trend here?