Bellows pockets

[Bubblesong]

Added permanent pockets to most of my wetsuits because I kept forgetting the shorts...

Did you add glue-on type pockets? I have seen them sold online, I have a 7mm wetsuit, but I wondered about exact placement and if the pocket would truly stick to neoprene, but not damage material. I guess it depends on glue provided?

 

[JohnnyC]

Did you add glue-on type pockets? I have seen them sold online, I have a 7mm wetsuit, but I wondered about exact placement and if the pocket would truly stick to neoprene, but not damage material. I guess it depends on glue provided?

They're usually provided with Aquaseal, sometimes with Cotol too to accelerate curing. Best way is hold it to the suit, trace the outline where you want it, put some books into the suit to stretch the material to size, and after you've glued the pocket on, use weights and books to hold the pocket down until it's cured.

If you want it to look super nice, tape around the mark you made before you add glue so that you can pull off any excess glue overrun.

 

[woodcarver]

I used the Dive Rite pocket. JohnnyC laid it out pretty well for gluing it on. You have to order extra Aquaseal with the pocket. It only comes with 1 small tube that is not sufficient. Takes about 3 times the volume of the tube that comes with the pocket.
Aquaseal creates a true solvent weld of the neoprene, so make sure the pocket is where you want it the 1st time, you won't be able to relocate it later.
Mine are more towards the front of the thigh than a typical cargo short pocket. About halfway between the front of the leg and the side of the leg. I find this makes it a lot easier to access and even see the pocket with a bc on.

 

[woodcarver]

Just thought of something else. If you want to experiment with a pocket, there's a couple strap on style pockets available. You can figure out if left leg or right leg is better. Side, front, somewhere in between, is better. Just keep in mind the compression straps can get loose at depth and allow the pocket to shift some. But a good way to help you figure out where you want a permanent pocket.
Of course, this would add another $30-$40 to the project....

 

[Bubblesong]

Just thought of something else. If you want to experiment with a pocket, there's a couple strap on style pockets available. You can figure out if left leg or right leg is better. Side, front, somewhere in between, is better. Just keep in mind the compression straps can get loose at depth and allow the pocket to shift some. But a good way to help you figure out where you want a permanent pocket.
Of course, this would add another $30-$40 to the project....

I have ordered two different strap on thigh pockets for the three of us to try different configurations, and for skinsuit Diving. Later we can commit to glue on for northern wetsuits and keep strap on pockets for tropical. Thank you for this idea, i will delay buying glue on until i know more.

 

[Dogbowl]

OP here. We splurged (big time) and bought two of the Halcyon weighted bellows pockets. I must be crazy to spend so much on a bellows pocket right? Yeah, I'm crazy. But it is the only one that I could find that was easily accessible to me in Canada, has loops inside to clip things off AND it has a nifty integrated weight pocket inside, which means that we can take off one of our Dive Rite Quick Release waist weight pockets. The latter was the feature that had us sold.

This thread has some pictures:

Halcyon Weighted Bellow Pocket

 

[JBFG]

how much did that run ya?

 

[Dogbowl]

how much did that run ya?

Are you sitting down???

CAD$128.95 including taxes and shipping.

 

[Anthony A.]

What are the dimensions of the pocket and what size weight can you fit in the zippered pocket?

 

[Dogbowl]

Dimensions are approximately:

Height 10.5"
Width 7"
Depth 2"

According to Halcyon's website, a 5lb weight can fit in the zippered pocket. Looking at it, that looks about right, although I haven't tried it yet. I don't own any weights.