My weight pockets pretty much max out at 8 lbs per side. I've cracked the outside plastic part of the buckle on each side once, and suspect it might be from trying to put too much weight in, which causes the pocket to bend and crack the plastic. I don't overstuff the pockets any moreI can get a hard eight and a soft two into my dive rite pouches...I've never tried more than that, but I'm pretty sure I could get 12 per side if they were all soft weights...I have them vertical on my Transpac...