Bellows pockets

[Dogbowl]

So now that I’ve started to accumulate more and more miscellaneous gear (SMB/spool, dive lights, Nautilus Lifeline, whistle, mirror, etc.), I’m finding the need to buy a bellows pocket to contain everything. Since I have a Tanspac XT, I thought I’d stick with the Dive Rite ones. Originally, I was eyeing the horizontal one, but realized that there might not be enough room on my waist strap to put a horizontal one. So it seems like I will need vertical ones. And I will also have to re-position my 16lbs QR weight pockets vertically as well (they came pre-assembled horizontally).

There are 2 choices of vertical bellows pockets from Dive Rite, a zippered opening or a velcro opening. What are the pros and cons of each? Other suggestions also welcome.

Any suggestion as to some equipment that should actually be clipped onto a d-ring rather than put in the bellows pockets?

I have to be honest...all of this fiddling and tweaking, and purchasing extra pockets (weight, trim, bellows) and bolt snaps, has me questioning whether I should’ve just bought an integrated jacket or back inflate bcd with 2 giant pockets!

 

[JohnnyC]

Buy a set of pocket shorts. The Highland ones that DGX sells are great. So are the Apeks ones.

Unless you're solo diving, ditch the mirror. Ditch the whistle. Ditch any of the extraneous stuff. If you're a recreational OW diver really all you need is one light, an SMB, and a spool, and the Nautilus isn't a bad idea. Put a cutting device on your waist strap and a little one like a trilobite on your computer wrist strap.

And buying a jacket BCD with two giant pockets doesn't help when you have to fill it with so much gas to float all of that useless stuff that the pockets shrink to being worthless.

Look at divers who actually NEED to carry a bunch of stuff. Look at people like cave divers who need backup lights, multiple jump spools, safety spools, wetnotes, line markers, spare masks, small tools, etc. They have thigh mounted bellows pockets because they are the optimal solution to this problem. Backup lights on your shoulder d-rings is fine, but everything else should go in your thigh pockets. If a set of pockets offers enough storage space for a complex navigation cave dive with multiple jumps, there's absolutely no reason you should be even close to running out of space.

 

[NorCalDM]

I don’t have any pockets and it works for me I don’t like carrying tons of stuff I won’t use. SMB and spool clipped to my butt d-ring, light clipped to shoulder d-ring and held down with a piece of inner tube, whistle and compass clipped to the other shoulder d-ring, knives on my waist strap. All nicely tucked away but easy to get to when needed. The other thing I find it hard to dig into a pocket for something with thick gloves on. If I were to add a pocket I would get Apeks neoprene shorts with pockets that you can wear over your wetsuit.

 

[uncfnp]

SMB/reel cliped to right hip d-ring. Light clipped to right shoulder d-ring and bungeed. If I am carrying a backup light it goes on the right plate ring. Whistle clipped left shoulder d-ring. No mirror or Lifeline but I would clip to left shoulder. Anything else?

 

[Dogbowl]

Buy a set of pocket shorts. The Highland ones that DGX sells are great. So are the Apeks ones.

Unless you're solo diving, ditch the mirror. Ditch the whistle. Ditch any of the extraneous stuff. If you're a recreational OW diver really all you need is one light, an SMB, and a spool, and the Nautilus isn't a bad idea. Put a cutting device on your waist strap and a little one like a trilobite on your computer wrist strap.

And buying a jacket BCD with two giant pockets doesn't help when you have to fill it with so much gas to float all of that useless stuff that the pockets shrink to being worthless.

Look at divers who actually NEED to carry a bunch of stuff. Look at people like cave divers who need backup lights, multiple jump spools, safety spools, wetnotes, line markers, spare masks, small tools, etc. They have thigh mounted bellows pockets because they are the optimal solution to this problem. Backup lights on your shoulder d-rings is fine, but everything else should go in your thigh pockets. If a set of pockets offers enough storage space for a complex navigation cave dive with multiple jumps, there's absolutely no reason you should be even close to running out of space.

Why no whistle or mirror? Yes, I’m an OW recreational diver. I don’t consider them extraneous so that’s why I’m carrying them, but if there’s a reason they’re really not needed, please share!

I’m going to look into the shorts, but sizing *might* be an issue.

 

[Dogbowl]

SMB/reel cliped to right hip d ring. Light clipped to right shoulder d ring and bungeed. Whistle clipped left shoulder d ring. No mirror or Lifeline but I would clip to left shoulder. Anything else?

Yes, a plastic magnifying glass. I don’t want to feel like a Christmas tree. That’s why I thought a pocket would be a good idea.

 

[uncfnp]

Yes, a plastic magnifying glass. I don’t want to feel like a Christmas tree. That’s why I thought a pocket would be a good idea.

I’ve just got a magnifying glass for my next trip. Eric is going to drill it so I can string it and I plan to try carrying it on my left shoulder ring. Pockets on harnesses are not as nice as they would seem. I bought a DR thigh pocket and never used it.

Some dives I do feel a bit like a Christmas Tree but that’s not until I add my pony bottle, second SMB/reel, lobster bag and loop, lionfish tamer...

The trick is having everything in its place and secured. Practice retrieving and replacing each item without looking. And double check with a tug each time you restow an item.

 

[Dogbowl]

I’ve just got a magnifying glass for my next trip. Eric is going to drill it so I can string it and I plan to try carrying it on my left shoulder ring. Pockets on harnesses are not as nice as they would seem. I bought a DR thigh pocket and never used it.

Some dives I do feel a bit like a Christmas Tree but that’s not until I add my pony bottle, second SMB/reel, lobster bag and loop, lionfish tamer...

The trick is having everything in its place and secured. Practice retrieving and replacing each item without looking. And double check with a tug each time you restow an item.

Why didn’t you like the DR thigh pocket? I was just looking at that. I thought it would be good as it would remove the pocket from my waist. Also, why aren’t pockets on harnesses good? Is it hard to get stuff?

I’m looking at the various tech shorts with 2 pockets. First, I only really need one pocket. Second, I think the size small *might* be a tad big...but I’m still looking through the reviews.

 

[uncfnp]

Why didn’t you like the DR thigh pocket? I was just looking at that. I thought it would be good as it would remove the pocket from my waist. Also, why aren’t pockets on harnesses good? Is it hard to get stuff?

I’m looking at the various tech shorts with 2 pockets. First, I only really need one pocket. Second, I think the size small *might* be a tad big...but I’m still looking through the reviews.

Just my preferences. I think when I did Intro to Cave and used a drysuit pocket it skewed my view. It was a nightmare just trying to get things out and replaced. I am sure practice would have helped but I immediately developed a real dislike for pockets.

As for pockets on harnesses, one you have already noticed. There isn't that much room on the waist band and I just did not like the feel or dealing with a hanging pocket like the thigh pocket. Then there is the problem of securing everything within the pocket while still being able to retrieve each item and not lose others. The two items that I use most, light and SMB/reel are so easy to clip and unclip from my d-rings.

 

[Dogbowl]

Just my preferences. I think when I did Intro to Cave and used a drysuit pocket it skewed my view. It was a nightmare just trying to get things out and replaced. I am sure practice would have helped but I immediately developed a real dislike for pockets.

As for pockets on harnesses, one you have already noticed. There isn't that much room on the waist band and I just did not like the feel or dealing with a hanging pocket like the thigh pocket. Then there is the problem of securing everything within the pocket while still being able to retrieve each item and not lose others. The two items that I use most, light and SMB/reel are so easy to clip and unclip from my d-rings.

I see. Makes sense. It’s one of those things that you really don’t know if you’ll like them until you buy them and actually dive with them. But if you don’t like them, it’s kind of too late, money already wasted.