Weight belt VS. integrated

[Tavi]

Between steel Tanks and different weight Backplates (I have 3) I can get my weighting right without having to use any ditchable weight. Whether in a Drysuit with singles, Drysuit with doubles, or a wetsuit with a single.

In the beginning I tried integrated. I found that I prefered a weight belt.

 

[StSomewhere]

I voted for integrated weights, but for diving with a 7mm wetsuit I'm thinking about moving some weight to either a weight belt or weight harness in addition to integrated weights. I'd like to be able to get positively buoyant by dropping integrated weights without becoming a human underwater rocket. Maybe steel tanks will help with this...

 

[Hoosier]

It will eventually go to the integrated. It is just matter of time. People tend to find the convenient and comfortable features more and more. And, the developing technologies ensure the safety of new features. The market cannot ignore the customer's tastes. For example, there has been a big debate about Air 2, but many new recreational divers prefer using Air 2. if they can afford. Yeah, they are the majority target group of the scuba market.

 

[OE2X]

I have 16# of non ditchable weight integrated into my BP.
I wear 8# on a belt that is ditchable once my crotch strap is removed.

 

[mike_s]

Here's my 2 cents worth.


Integrated seems easier to me as I don't have weight belt sliding downarfds as I don't have large hips/*** to hold them up. Also at the surface if you take your gear off to hand up to the boat (on boats that don't have nice boarding ladders) then you don't sink imediately like you do with a weightbelt. Also less dropping the weight belt on the boat deck or your toes.

The only disadvantage iv'e seen is that if your BC is not very snug and your diving head down/inverted, then the BC might ride up on you. not a big deal as I pull it back down and typically snug it up some. Also, if you have to remove your BC at depth, with a wetsuit on, you are now positively bouyant.

 

[subaquaman]

This thread is quite similar. You might find some more advice.

 

[jamiep3]

Another vote for both. Depends on what gear I'm using.

 

[diver_paula]

I use and weight belt and have no desire to switch to integrated.

The belt is much easier to lug around. I either strap it on my waist or hang it over my shoulder. The combiniation of the tank, pony, bc and weights is awfully heavy to lug around on land or in a boat. I notice that my buddies with integrated weights forget their weights &/or lose them much more often than those with weightbelts. Also, I use a neoprene pocket weight belt which makes a nice cushion between my back and tank. (Wasn't a problem until I switched to a dry suit a few years ago.)

Paula (who by the way has a nice set of hips to help keep a weight belt in place!)

 

[gypsyjim]

Belt weights. It helps suck in the beer gut, a bit. After 35 years it's hard to give up the last vestige of the old gear. Hell, we had to retire the J valves, the co2 vests, adapt to computers, BC's, etc. Isn't anything sacred?

 

[Dryglove]

Non ditchable weight
6lb BP
6lb STA

10lb weight belt

2.5lb cannister light