BP/W vs Jacket BCD weight

[JPDenny]

This may be a stupid question, but do backplate and wing setups generally weigh less than a Jacket BC?

 

[jgttrey]

As always, it depends. Aluminum BP with a continuous weave harness and no extra bling beyond the basics is pretty light, but won't be as light as a travel type BCD, like an Express Tech or Biolite. It will be lighter, I would guess, than a stab jacket. If you add pockets, extra d-rings, ditchable weight pockets, etc., it will quickly get heavier.

A stainless BP will be heavier than almost any BCD, but it's all good weight that takes the place of lead, as opposed to a heavy BCD with a lot of stuffing, clips and BS that is bulky and heavy, but more or less neutral underwater and still requires weight.

 

[JPDenny]

Thank you

 

[Centrals]

Jacket bc comes in various sizes(XS to XL) but generally BP/W has only one size.
I would imagine an XL size jacket BC with integrated weight system is a lot heavier than BP/W(Al) with small wing and simple harness.

 

[decompression]

I would say the most important factor is the inherent buoyancy of the jacket bcd requiring more led underwater.

 

[Streydog]

My Deep 6 AL BP with a harness and 20lb wing is about half a pound lighter than my XL Zeagle Brigade.