New comfortable weightbelt

[Uncle Pug]

A while back a guy popped up here on Scuba Board and offered free weight belts to try out. I thought, *Hmmmmmm...* OK....

What I received in the mail looked like a girdle made out of heavy black mesh.... just a little too wide was my first impression.... actually a lot too wide but I tried it anyway and it was very comfortable and did not interfer with the BP harness or plate.

I sent Heath my recommendations for some changes and in a couple of days another belt arrived to try.... (hey, this is fun I'm thinkin')....

This belt was much narrower... another one of our Scuba Boarders had given his recommendations and they were incorporated into another belt that Heath sent out....

The belt itself is made from a heavy mesh that seems to grip the suit and not slide off... I think this belt would work for the truely buttless among us! I don't know about the cordura version because I didn't try it....

The last version of the belt I received is the one Heath is producing for sale but with all the variations he is offering you can really customize the thing....

I just got back from diving in Canada and took along this belt with some extra weight pouches.... since the pouches are very slender I had folks borrowing them from me to put into their undergarment pockets! Shoot.... I don't have pockets on my new undies but I'm going to have some sewn in because this worked really good for a little extra weight...

Anyway here is a link to the Heath's website and this is the only time I am going to post it so mark it if you want it.... the prices look cheap to me and the pouches are sold seperate from the belt....

Please understand I have no financial interest in this at all and only recommend it because I know a lot of folks have had trouble finding weight belts that are comfortable, adjustable, and don't slide off your butt.
http://www.idsewing.com/weight_belt.htm

 

[Lloyd]

I tested the belt too. I have the beta2 version. I am waiting for the final version. It really looks good so far. The weights are really nice also.

 

[Uncle Pug]

Lloyd... what did you think about the idea to make mesh lead pouches instead of the flat vinyl ones? And are you diving dry or wet?

 

[Ari]

Thanks for the review. I guess that you can't really say anything about the cordura model.

Will 2#-4# lead weights (solid) also fit ito the pockets? Sometime this is all you can find if you don't carry along your soft weights.

Ari

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by Ari
Will 2#-4# lead weights (solid) also fit ito the pockets? Sometime this is all you can find if you don't carry along your soft weights.

Ari... I haven't tried it with hard weights... I guess I could go out into the garage and try it if you want but I am sure that they would fit... however I am just as sure that it wouldn't be as comfortable as soft weights. If you want me to go try it let me know.

One of the things I liked about Heath's weight pouches is how the vinyl holds them in a slender shape instead of letting them slump into a lump. The pouches are not water proof at this point but are slow to drain once wet so Heath is thinking about making mesh ones. However shipping the weights to Israel would probably be cost prohibitive.

 

[Ari]

I guess there is no need to try this with hard weights. They will probably fit, as the pockets are large enough.

I was thinking of ordering the belt itself (either to Israel or just pick it up next time in the US) and using it with soft or solid weights, both available locally. It seems that the design will accept both, altough it is clear that the soft ones will feel better.

Thanks for the assistance.

Ari

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by Ari
I guess there is no need to try this with hard weights. They will probably fit, as the pockets are large enough.

I went out and tried it Ari and 3#, 2#, and 1# plastic coated solid weights fit in fine and in combination... also I tried it on and the solid weights didn't seem to be uncomfortable (at least to me) since the mesh is so heavy duty... One thing that helps is that Heath has stitched a 1" hinge between the pockets... in fact the next time I go out single tank diving I'm going to use solid weights in it to see how it feels fully loaded.

 

[Ari]

Or actually emailed him. We have discussed the pros and cons of the different design and I decided to go ahead and purcahse the 26# mesh belt. I think it it the same on you are using UP.

Thanks for the assistance.

Ari

 

[Lloyd]

Uncle Pug,
I like the solid vinyl alot better than my current mesh weight pouches. The mesh ones make a mess as they oxidize. So far the solid ones are a lot cleaner. They also keep there shape better. I am diving wet right now. I am a sunny Gulf Coast diver.
Lloyd

 

[Uncle Pug]

Originally posted by Lloyd
Uncle Pug,
I like the solid vinyl alot better than my current mesh weight pouches. The mesh ones make a mess as they oxidize.

I know what you mean... Heath decided not to make mesh pouches ... here is part of an email he sent me...

"I’ve decided not to make mesh weight bags at this time. We changed to using a smaller needle for sewing the weight pockets. I put it in a bucket of water for four hours then took it out and very little water came out (a spot the size of a quarter on a paper towel) and it had no oxidation."