Opinions on best Women's BCDs

[Bleux]

Hi there,

I am in the market for a new BCD and am looking at either the Aqualung Pearl i3 or the Mares Kaila AT.

I am trying to decide which one will be the better choice and hoping someone out there can give me personal opinions to help me out. I have tried on both. I am leaning more toward the Pearl... I like the fit of the shoulder straps and not having the chest strap like most BCDs. But again, I haven't been diving with it nor put it on while wearing my wet suit so... what do you guys think??

Thanks in advance!

Lu

 

[DiveMaven]

IMO the most important thing you can do is try both in the water with a tank on, which could be in a pool or the open water, it doesn't matter. Fit and comfort is the #1 reason to buy one BC over the other.

Example: I tried and bought (upon recommendation) a SeaQuest Diva as my first BC. It fit great out of the water and I really liked it a lot. I never tried it in the water until I dove it for the first time. It didn't take more than 10 minutes before I knew I had made a huge mistake. I couldn't stop my tank from rolling nor the BC from shifting side to side on my body, no matter how much I cinched it down. After less than 10 dives (I was on a trip), I knew it was never going to work and sold it. I've been diving my Zeagle Zena for over 300 dives and it never shifts or moves on my body once adjusted.

A properly fitting BC should not shift or roll on your body while you're diving, and unfortunately the only way to know 100% is by taking it into the water with a tank on your back. The trick is finding what fits YOU best and what YOU like, not what others recommend or promote.

 

[fnfalman]

Or get a Backplate/Wing.

I've yet to see a fitment issue with a BPW for either men or women; in any sort of physical shape & sizes.

 

[DiveMaven]

Although she didn't ask for recommendations of different BCs and brands, nor about a BP/W configuration, my recommendation would remain the same. IF you're interested in a BP/W make sure you get one fitted properly and TRY IT before you buy it.

Regardless of how it sounds on SB, not everyone prefers the BP/W configuration over other BC choices. Yes, I am one of those people. I tried a BP/W after reading all the hype here, and absolutely found it to be uncomfortable (both in and out of the water) and not something I wanted to wear. I was glad I tried it, but it wasn't for me.

 

[Bleux]

Thanks to you both for the advice. I have not really considered the BP/W, and done some reading on them now. I think, for the time being, I am going to stick with a jacket, until I get some more diving under my belt and can reevaluate. Thanks again

Happy Diving

 

[kb40luv]

I have a Aqua Lung Diva and I love it! The Pearl is the newest version.

 

[cindycycle]

I agree about trying it out in the water - funny, but today my BC fit so funny on me in the water - the only difference was a bigger, longer tank I was using. Finally (underwater) I was able to tug and adjust the straps to get it on snugly.

 

[jac8724]

The only experience I have with these BCD's is that I tried the Mares Kaila on at the dive shop when I was looking to buy my first BCD. I decided it was not the BCD for me because the zippers on the pockets started so far back (almost behind your back) that I could not reach them wearing normal clothes...how was I supposed to reach them with a 7mm suit and gloves on? I thought this was silly.

And be careful with which Aqualung Pearl you choose, on some models, the material the "bra" is made from snags horribly whenever velcro touches it, such as the cumberbund. A few of them in the dive shop looked like hell, and they havent even left the shop yet. I believe they changed this on the newer models. Dont go for the ones that look like satin.

Just my 2 cents!

 

[TSandM]

Everyone I know, either here or elsewhere, who has gotten the i3 system, has discarded it and gone to something more standard. I would be very hesitant to spend the high-end money to buy this BC.