Travel BCD

[Ontwreckdiver]

I would look at the Dive Rite Travel Pac. It's back inflate, most of the hardware is stainless steel, it's not loaded with extra crap you don't need, it has 2 tank cam bands, and a crotch strap. TravelPac BCD | Dive Rite

 

[MaxBottomtime]

I'll be the first to say it. A backplate and wing solves all these issues. You can get an aluminum plate but my steel Freedom Plate works great for travel. It doesn't take much room in a suitcase, there is a ton less drag than a jacket BC and it works with every type of diving I do. It's comfortable in a drysuit as well as board shorts and no shirt.

 

[Dogbowl]

I would look at the Dive Rite Travel Pac. It's back inflate, most of the hardware is stainless steel, it's not loaded with extra crap you don't need, it has 2 tank cam bands, and a crotch strap. TravelPac BCD | Dive Rite

I was considering this very bcd as well, but for the following statement from the description on their website:

With its compact and streamlined design, the TravelPac’s 25 lbs. (11.3kg) of lift will support one 80ft3 (12L) aluminum tank with up to an additional 10 lbs. of weight.

I have a hard time believing that to be true. My Transpac XT has a 25 lbs. wing and it can take way more than 10 lbs. of additional weight. I dive 16 lbs. in the Caribbean.

 

[RayfromTX]

New gear

I was considering this very bcd as well, but for the following statement from the description on their website:

With its compact and streamlined design, the TravelPac’s 25 lbs. (11.3kg) of lift will support one 80ft3 (12L) aluminum tank with up to an additional 10 lbs. of weight.

I have a hard time believing that to be true. My Transpac XT has a 25 lbs. wing and it can take way more than 10 lbs. of additional weight. I dive 16 lbs. in the Caribbean.

For now. I'm down to 6 with a kydex plate. With a steel plate I would use 2. Experience tends to reduce the weight you use. My wife started with 18 lbs with an Aqualung Zuma. She is using 8 now with her BP/W.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I was considering this very bcd as well, but for the following statement from the description on their website:

With its compact and streamlined design, the TravelPac’s 25 lbs. (11.3kg) of lift will support one 80ft3 (12L) aluminum tank with up to an additional 10 lbs. of weight.

I have a hard time believing that to be true. My Transpac XT has a 25 lbs. wing and it can take way more than 10 lbs. of additional weight. I dive 16 lbs. in the Caribbean.

Have a look at the OMS IQ Lite. It is almost identical to the Dive Rite but has the option of a 27 lb or 32 lb wing and can carry 12lb of weight.
32 lb (14.5 kg) IQ Lite Performance Mono

 

[Dogbowl]

New gear

For now. I'm down to 6 with a kydex plate. With a steel plate I would use 2. Experience tends to reduce the weight you use. My wife started with 18 lbs with an Aqualung Zuma. She is using 8 now with her BP/W.

I guess what I was trying to say was, why does the Travelpac say it can only take an additional 10 lbs. of weight and the Travel XT wing, which is also advertised as being 25 lbs. of lift, does not give a limit of how many additional weight it can take.

Does your wife use a kydex or steel plate now? 18 lbs. down to 8 is very impressive! Something I am looking forward to achieving.

 

[Dogbowl]

Have a look at the OMS IQ Lite. It is almost identical to the Dive Rite but has the option of a 27 lb or 32 lb wing and can carry 12lb of weight.
32 lb (14.5 kg) IQ Lite Performance Mono

Wow, you're right! This is practically the same bcd as the Dive Rite, except this one has the 2 weight pockets included!

 

[Snoweman]

I like my Aqualung Zuma for travel. It folds up into my carryon with my octo, mask, and other items. I only wish that it had more D-rings. I have added small zip ties to the D-rings to accommodate my needs. I would like to find a good place to attach my Lifeline radio, though.

 

[tbone1004]

I guess what I was trying to say was, why does the Travelpac say it can only take an additional 10 lbs. of weight and the Travel XT wing, which is also advertised as being 25 lbs. of lift, does not give a limit of how many additional weight it can take.

Does your wife use a kydex or steel plate now? 18 lbs. down to 8 is very impressive! Something I am looking forward to achieving.

ignore that. 10lbs of lead + 6.4lbs of gas in tank gives you a 10lb buffer to pick up some other stuff and give you some head room for your head at the surface. It's not the end all be all though, and 25lbs of lift is 25lbs of lift.

Travelpac would not be my first recommendation though. Too much padding which makes packing not as efficient. Unfortunately they discontinued the Hunterpac which was utterly brilliant

 

[Dogbowl]

ignore that. 10lbs of lead + 6.4lbs of gas in tank gives you a 10lb buffer to pick up some other stuff and give you some head room for your head at the surface. It's not the end all be all though, and 25lbs of lift is 25lbs of lift.

Travelpac would not be my first recommendation though. Too much padding which makes packing not as efficient. Unfortunately they discontinued the Hunterpac which was utterly brilliant

I agree the Travelpac has more padding than I’d like. So does my Transpac, which is not easy to pack due to its bulk, but that’s water under the bridge now.