How to stop waist strap from twisting?

[WhiteSands]

I'm using an ali bp with continuous webbing and 2 integrated weight pockets (left & right) on the waist strap.

When the pockets are loaded with weights and I'm donning the bp, the waist straps often start twisting where they come out from the bp.

Is there anyway to stop this from happening? Thanks.

 

[buddhasummer]

Load the weights after donning?

 

[Colliam7]

When the pockets are loaded with weights and I'm donning the bp, the waist straps often start twisting where they come out from the bp.
Is there anyway to stop this from happening? Thanks.

And, move some of the weight in the weight pockets on the waist strap to small weight pockets on the cam bands.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

Or to a weight belt. I've never used weight pockets on my harness. They are either on the cam bands, on a weightbelt, or weight plates are bolted to the back plate. Only thing on the waist strap are a d ring on each side, very small knife, or my back up mask pouch.

 

[Bopper]

The Apeks WTX SureLock weight pockets have attachment wings that prevent this. You bolt the semi-rigid wings to the bp and the pockets attach to it. But this is not a cheap solution.

By the way, is your webbing pretty firm or is it the softer stuff? Also, what kind of weight pockets do you have?

 

[WhiteSands]

Load the weights after donning?

Possible but I mostly dive off boats & lobs. 3-4 dives a day, taking out and replacing the weights isn't really an attractive option as most of the time we need to be quick when gearing up.

---------- Post added November 24th, 2013 at 09:44 PM ----------

And, move some of the weight in the weight pockets on the waist strap to small weight pockets on the cam bands.

I need these to be ditchable so I can't really move all. 4lbs with wetsuit, about 12lbs with drysuit.

With drysuit I put some on cambands but I'm head heavy so the waist is the best location for me.

---------- Post added November 24th, 2013 at 09:48 PM ----------

Or to a weight belt. I've never used weight pockets on my harness. They are either on the cam bands, on a weightbelt, or weight plates are bolted to the back plate. Only thing on the waist strap are a d ring on each side, very small knife, or my back up mask pouch.

I might have to consider weight belts.

Do you have links to these weight plates?

I fly to most of my dive destinations so I try to avoid packing weight if possible, so even SS bp is out for me. What are my best options in this case?

I am using cam band pouches but these aren't very streamlined. V weights and plates may not be readily available at the diveshops.

Thanks for the pointers.

---------- Post added November 24th, 2013 at 09:53 PM ----------

The Apeks WTX SureLock weight pockets have attachment wings that prevent this. You bolt the semi-rigid wings to the bp and the pockets attach to it. But this is not a cheap solution.

By the way, is your webbing pretty firm or is it the softer stuff? Also, what kind of weight pockets do you have?

These look good! But the D rings are oriented wrongly, can these be mounted vertically?

I'm using cheap locally made weight pouches. Just a simple velcro pouch with a quick release clip. I hang the pouches so they open downwards for easy dumping of weights if needed.

My webbing is firm. Regular 2" webbing I got from DGX.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

The weight plates only fit DSS plates. Your cam band pockets can be extremely low profile. Unthread the cam bands and push the pockets all the way up against the back plate. They should not be on the loose end or riding in the middle. I have them offset on my Express Tech and my al plate travel rig. One on the left side on the top band and the other on the right side of the lower band. If all you are using is 4lbs wet I'd put that on a belt. And dry 12lbs? 4 lbs on a belt and the other 8 in the cam bands. Not all of it needs to be ditchable. Just enough to get you positive and on the surface. Once there you can dump the whole rig.

---------- Post added November 24th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ----------

And a SS plate has never been a problem when flying. It goes in my carry on and I just make sure the flight attendants don't try to put it in the overhead. I do it myself. The difference between SS and al is only 4 lbs or so.

 

[WhiteSands]

The weight plates only fit DSS plates. Your cam band pockets can be extremely low profile. Unthread the cam bands and push the pockets all the way up against the back plate. They should not be on the loose end or riding in the middle. I have them offset on my Express Tech and my al plate travel rig. One on the left side on the top band and the other on the right side of the lower band. If all you are using is 4lbs wet I'd put that on a belt. And dry 12lbs? 4 lbs on a belt and the other 8 in the cam bands. Not all of it needs to be ditchable. Just enough to get you positive and on the surface. Once there you can dump the whole rig.

---------- Post added November 24th, 2013 at 11:54 AM ----------

And a SS plate has never been a problem when flying. It goes in my carry on and I just make sure the flight attendants don't try to put it in the overhead. I do it myself. The difference between SS and al is only 4 lbs or so.

Thanks for the great tips Jim. I like how you set up the cam band weight pouches, will give them a try!

 

[fbk]

I use the XS Scuba velcro weight pouches on my waist belt, I don't know if yours are similar but mine has a fairly rigid backing where the webbing slides through. If you push this hard up to the backplate you can then put a belt slide in front of the pouch locking it in that position. It keeps the waist bands oriented properly even with a weight in the pocket.

 

[TSandM]

I've read this post several times, and I'm still not sure what the issue is. I have a light canister on the right side of my waistband, and periodically, it will end up turning upside down and twisting the waistband. I either reach back, feel for which end of the canister has the switch, and right it, or I turn to my buddy and say, "Hey, can you have a look at my right waist strap, because something's funky there." It twists, and we fix it -- no big deal. I wouldn't change your gear configuration around for that issue, if it's working otherwise.