After finishing my OW pool sessions I bought a BCD because the ones at the pool really didn't fit well and I wanted one that I knew well. I wanted to know where every strap, buckle and pocket was. I also wanted a jacket style one that felt "secure".
Oh how little we know as newbies :11doh:
The BCD is fine and comfortable BUT I no longer feel the need for something so bulky and "secure" feeling.
The other day I was walking through Sport Chalet (not where I would tend to buy my gear ) and I happened to see a BC that looked to my novice eyes kinda like a backplate and wings but I'm not sure. It did not look like just straps and a tank like I have seen in some DIR pictures but neither did it have any wraparound fabric on the front except for the cumberbund. It seemed like a hybrid. It also had integrated weights. The air bladder seemed all on the back side.
Is there a jacket style BCD and then a something other style?
I put one on and it felt real comfortable without all that junk in front of me. At my new home in California I figure I will be wearing a 7mm to start with and the less bulk, the better.
I'll head to the local shop and ask about different styles but I figured I would post here first since I always get even more than I asked for in terms of useful info.
Oh how little we know as newbies :11doh:
The BCD is fine and comfortable BUT I no longer feel the need for something so bulky and "secure" feeling.
The other day I was walking through Sport Chalet (not where I would tend to buy my gear ) and I happened to see a BC that looked to my novice eyes kinda like a backplate and wings but I'm not sure. It did not look like just straps and a tank like I have seen in some DIR pictures but neither did it have any wraparound fabric on the front except for the cumberbund. It seemed like a hybrid. It also had integrated weights. The air bladder seemed all on the back side.
Is there a jacket style BCD and then a something other style?
I put one on and it felt real comfortable without all that junk in front of me. At my new home in California I figure I will be wearing a 7mm to start with and the less bulk, the better.
I'll head to the local shop and ask about different styles but I figured I would post here first since I always get even more than I asked for in terms of useful info.