XS Scuba Clear-Path buckle on sale (and mini review)

[stuartv]

I see from my oldest post that I have been using XS Scuba Clear-Path buckles on the waist belt of my BCDs and weight belt since at least August 2016.

XS Scuba ClearPath Buckle — XS Scuba - Everything For The Perfect Dive

Innovative webbing pathway design. Webbing end runs back under buckle to secure loose webbing. Molded from glass-filled nylon with 316 SS hinge pin. Easy use with open webbing channel. Secure webbing grip with high lift lever. Fits 2 in (50 mm) webbing.

www.xsscuba.com

I recently needed another one, so I went shopping and found them on sale for $9.95 on scuba.com. I bought 3 more, just to make sure I have them on hand the next time I build a harness.

When I bought my first one and posted about it, somebody knocked it as being a "plastic buckle". Well, first, they are glass-filled nylon, not plastic, and they have a stainless steel hinge pin. And, second, I'm still using the first one I bought (7+ years ago), on one of my rigs. I can't see any signs of wear or rust other than some scratches on the front of it.

I like them a lot better than the typical stainless steel buckle.

They are much lighter, so it doesn't hurt if you set your rig down and your buckle falls on your bare foot.

They are quiet. SO much less annoying than the clanking of a steel buckle when I'm moving my rig around.

They are matte black. I bought my first one because I felt like a barracuda was stalking the shiny steel buckle I had. That happened to me on two different occasions. Since switching to a matte black buckle, that has not happened again.

I have this buckle on my single tank rig, both of my back mount doubles BP/W harnesses, my CCR, and one of my sidemount rigs (soon to be on my new one). And I have one on a piece of 2 inch webbing that works perfectly as a weight belt.

Whenever I see things like this I worry that they are about to be discontinued. So, do us all a favor and buy yourself one, so XS Scuba will (hopefully) see that people want them and keep making them. They really are a good piece of kit!

 

[EdC]

As a matter of fact I think I read one of your posts, and that got me started on them.

I agree, I would never go back to steel.

 

[Endler's]

They are quiet. SO much less annoying than the clanking of a steel buckle when I'm moving my rig around.

May sound silly, but this is my favorite feature of this buckle.

'Also believe that this buckle is easier to thread than metal ones; Both when inserting tag end of belt into buckle, and when fitting on belt.

 

[inquis]

I wouldn't call the webbing pathway innovative. It's similar to a normal 3-slot buckle, but with the first slot built-up so it can be parallel to the belt instead of perpendicular. The tail runs back along the belt in both cases.

Can't fault the lack of noise or barracuda attraction, however.

 

[Scuba Scott]

Can't fault the lack of noise or barracuda attraction, however.

I always consider the barracuda my posse.

 

[fatgeorge]

Convinced by your post, just got a buckle myself to try it!

 

[Nemrod]

I bought two of them because unlike most plastic and many metal buckles they have a steel pin for a hinge. The type with the little tab ears, be they metal or plastic, can and do fail either by the tabs breaking or bending or the ears spreading if the webbing gets crooked during closing.

But when it came to removing the nice Oxy embossed or S embossed stainless buckles with hinge pins, I just could not do it. I tried but could not force myself. I may put them on yet. The XS Clearpath buckles are also slightly larger physically.

I have been trying to reduce the travel weight of my equipment and some would say, well, what is an ounce or two. Well, 16 such examples and that is a pound! Every ounce counts and especially if there is a lighter alternative that gives nothing in reliability, even if it is only an ounce or two.