So I decided on getting the Seaquest Balance, but I can't decide between two sizes. The medium seems to be a little harder to get into and I only need to cinch down the shoulder straps a small amount in order to get a good snug fit. On the flip side, the medium-large is a tad easier to put on, but in order to get a snug fit, I need to pretty much cinch down the shoulder straps as far they'll go. Any advice??
How should a BC fit????
- Thread starter froggs
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Texasdivechick
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How much weight do you plan on gaining in the next 10 years?
dumpsterDiver
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were you wearing the thickest exposure protection that you plan on using? If so, I would go for the snugger fit.
How should it fit? In the water you should not know it's there. It should not hinder your movements and it should carry the tank like it is part of you. That being said a dry test is an estimate at best. Be sure you wear an appropriate garment if the dry test is the best you can do. Wearing a heavy sweatshirt can mock a significant wetsuit.
I'd be careful about reading to much into ease of entry. The range of motion for getting into shoulder straps is not natural for many but one can adapt with lots of diving and stretches.
Hos does it fall o your body with respect to your weight belt. many modern BCs skirt the weight belt but you don't want it binding down on it. This gets into your personal torso length and hip proportions. You really need to look at it together with all of your dive gear as a system.
Consider what you were wearing when you tried it on and see if you can test dive them at least in a pool.
Pete
I'd be careful about reading to much into ease of entry. The range of motion for getting into shoulder straps is not natural for many but one can adapt with lots of diving and stretches.
Hos does it fall o your body with respect to your weight belt. many modern BCs skirt the weight belt but you don't want it binding down on it. This gets into your personal torso length and hip proportions. You really need to look at it together with all of your dive gear as a system.
Consider what you were wearing when you tried it on and see if you can test dive them at least in a pool.
Pete
Damselfish
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It's always possible neither size of the Balance really fits you. In which case it might be worth looking again at some other brands and models, they vary in the way they fit.
daniel f aleman
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Go with the larger size - you do not need it to be snug, just "tight" enough to keep it from slipping around.
SharkLover
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froggs:
Froggs,
How old are you? The reason why I ask this is that you need to think ahead, our bodies get wider as we get older. I have a small frame and have a Zeagle Ranger that is medium and my straps and cumberbun are almost maxed out. For me it is a little bit big but that is what makes it so comfortable to me. As it was said previously, in the water you do not know that it is on your back.
Getting in and out of my ranger is second nature to me. It is like putting on a sock, I can do it in the dark with ease.
Remember, comfort is key here
Well to answer some of the questions:
I'm 31 years old. I'm fairly active and have never gained weight too easily, so I'm hoping that wouldn't change too much over the next 10 years. Even with my exposure suit on, the medium BC leaves room in the shoulders for growth "outward", but not a large amount of room. The waiste strap is a different issue...my midsection would need to gain about 10 inches in order for me to outgrow either size. Both sizes seem to rest the weight integrated belt nicely on my lower abs (around my belly button area), which seems comfortable to me. I have yet to try it in the pool, but I plan to.
I'm 31 years old. I'm fairly active and have never gained weight too easily, so I'm hoping that wouldn't change too much over the next 10 years. Even with my exposure suit on, the medium BC leaves room in the shoulders for growth "outward", but not a large amount of room. The waiste strap is a different issue...my midsection would need to gain about 10 inches in order for me to outgrow either size. Both sizes seem to rest the weight integrated belt nicely on my lower abs (around my belly button area), which seems comfortable to me. I have yet to try it in the pool, but I plan to.
Dannybot
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I have a small Balance, which is what the weight/height chart recommends for me, but I also have the issue with struggling. When I bought it, it did not seem like a big deal, even with a wet suit. But later I got a wrist computer and camera, then once I added a flash light, on a rocking boat, in the dark...
What I'm saying, is if you can make the next larger size fit to your minimum size (no wet suit), then get the larger.
I really believe the problem is that hte shoulder straps are just not long enough to get the maximal length to fit without undoing the shulder buckles, which are a little difficult to fasten once you have the suit on, since it is not readily in view, and since they articulate, it is difficult to fasten them by feel.
I haven't tried to don/doff underwater yet, but I think I might be in for a challenge.
All that said, I feel it is comfortable and supportive. It actually is more comfortable with a tank on, than unladen.
Good luck
What I'm saying, is if you can make the next larger size fit to your minimum size (no wet suit), then get the larger.
I really believe the problem is that hte shoulder straps are just not long enough to get the maximal length to fit without undoing the shulder buckles, which are a little difficult to fasten once you have the suit on, since it is not readily in view, and since they articulate, it is difficult to fasten them by feel.
I haven't tried to don/doff underwater yet, but I think I might be in for a challenge.
All that said, I feel it is comfortable and supportive. It actually is more comfortable with a tank on, than unladen.
Good luck
highlandfarmwv
Contributor
My BC is too large for me and it flops around and chafes me. I would go smaller just because I have experience with a BC that is too large!
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