When shopping-how to tell if BC fits well?

[Artimas]

Having a good fitting, comfortable BC is obviously important. Buying a BC over the internet prevents you from trying one (or several different ones) on to see how it feels, and is thus a good argument for buying one at your LDS.

Not all shops have access to a pool &/or allow you to try various models in a pool, so you're left with trying them on in the store.

Other than how it feels, which may or may not be similar to in the water, what can you do to ensure the best fit possible?

Thanks!

 

[CJM]

good question... All the ones I tried on in the shop I've just moved around in it a lot. Put opposite hands over opposite shoulders to be sure nothing is in the way, Reached all around and just made certain I can reach my inflator easily, yank out the weights easily, and easy access to the pockets. Just made sure it was comfortable and not cumbersome to don. Obviously the in-water fit is what matters when you actually have a tank on it and everything else hooked up. Its definitely a tough decision. Hopefully someone else has some good opinions too. I ended up buying mine online and so far so good. I made the right choice.

 

[livewire]

A snug fit is important, with your wetsuit on and a little slack left to go in both the straps and waist straps and cummerbund. The reason for the extra slack is that your straps will loosen as they stretch in the water and you will want to tighten them up. Your tank should be stable and centered on your back, and not flopping around and carrying the BC with it, throwing you off balance and causing you to waste air on buoyancy control. Also, as CJM mentioned, it's important to have easy reach to your power inflater as well as all releases, especially weight releases if it's weight integrated.

Outside of these basics, fit becomes a very personal opinion, and choosing which BC is better than another almost becomes a religious debate around here. In the end, it's all about what works best for you individually! Only you know what kind of diver you are, and you'll see whats available and what fits and works best for you.

 

[300bar]

Lots of good info now and to come.
But don't forget to wear it with a tank.
So just get the feeling for the BC with a tank.Wear it,walk it,see if you can reach the valve.

Good luck on your quest.

 

[richmanmh]

I wish I would have read this thread before I purchased my BC. It fit fine in the shop and I thought that the little looseness would be taken up by the wetsuit. After wearing it in the water adn having straps stretch a little it's a little too big. I didn't notice that there was no more room to take up the straps. My best advice is make sure that there is room to adjust straps both directions as needed and with different thinckness wetsuits or without a wetsuit.

 

[300bar]

I wish I would have read this thread before I purchased my BC. It fit fine in the shop and I thought that the little looseness would be taken up by the wetsuit. After wearing it in the water adn having straps stretch a little it's a little too big. I didn't notice that there was no more room to take up the straps. My best advice is make sure that there is room to adjust straps both directions as needed and with different thinckness wetsuits or without a wetsuit.

This is one of the reasons you should try a BC with a tank,a BC should be worn as a backpack,on your hips.NOT with the shoulders,many divers just pull up the shoulder straps as far as they can.Thats not the way to fit/wear one.:no
Just put the BC with tank on, fasten the cumberband(thight)(not the safety strap,just the cumberband)and then adjust the shoulder straps so that the backplate rests against your back.NOW walk around,reach for the valve and so on


btw the safetystrap should only be thight,when the BC is FULLY inflated.
good luck

 

[TSandM]

I think it's hard to know exactly how something is going to feel in the water, without getting in the water. I'd definitely second the recommendation to try the BC on with a tank -- also with the exposure protection you are going to dive in. See if the straps are at the end of their travel in any direction -- If they are, you won't have any adjustability in the water. Try to throw the tank around on your back -- if it slops around, you're going to be uncomfortable in the water. See if you can get into the pockets and get them open and closed with whatever gloves you are going to wear, and see if you can get the things you are going to take underwater with you to fit in the pocket or pockets. If there are integrated weights, load them and make sure they're easy to get in and to pull out (but not too easy!) Make sure you can easily reach the inflator and the dump valve(s). Inflate the air bladders and make sure you're comfortable with them full.

I think that's about all you can do without actually diving the BC.

 

[Stu S.]

If I was going to buy another BC, I'd look at the Zone II from Omega. Adjustable from small to xx-large. With a diving family, "one size fits all" would be a plus.

 

[spectrum]

The advice I got here way back before buying mine as a cold water diver was to go in with a heavy sweatshirt to try it on. What you want is something that fits. You should be able to snug it right to you without maxing out the strap adjustments. the cummerbund may need some configuring some you can usually adjust the available length from the fixed end. If you can try a size up and below that can be very telling.

I will say that while getting certified and in other shop visits I must have used 6 or more different BCs including too big and too small and it really didn't bother me. My wife on the other hand was more like the 3 bears looking for the one that fit just right. She would not buy until she found Cinderellas slipper in a dive shop pool. She still likes her choice over 3 years latter.

Just as important is considering what you want for features. This post gets into my thoughts at the time. Nearly 350 dives latter I still think it was a fine choice.

Getting the right fit IMO is much more important than getting the right model or brand. If the fit and features are there then you will probably acclimate to the nuances of the model.

Pete

 

[Artimas]

Thanks to all. Some good advice here.

I hope some day when I have more experience, I can return the favor...