Weightbelts

[Dave S]

What sort of weightbelts are people here using, and what do you think is the best?

I've been using a pocket style belt I got for scuba, and having recently broken the (plastic) buckle, I'm thinking about getting a new one. The other option would be to just get a new buckle...

So what do you all think about the different designs - Rubber belt, non-elastic belt with normal buckle, non-elastic belt with spring-loaded buckle?

Thanks...

 

[Roan]

I would suggest any of the rubber "Marsellaise" belts. They quick release as well anything else and just about any of the major brands would be fine, they are pretty similar to each other. I've owned a Cressi and a Sporasub and both are good. One of my dive buddies has a Rob Allen and likes it fine.

 

[Dave S]

Checked out those rubber belts in a dive shop... The guy there said they're fantastic to use, but don't last very long. About 12 months before it breaks around the hole you use was his estimation.

Is this accurate?

 

[sammydive]

I like a rubber belt with the stiff part of velcro put on the back of some of the weights. Then it stays in place on suit. With my funnel shape hips I can't keep it in place without the velcro.

Natural rubber is suppose to contract with pressure at depth and thus stay tighter on the body than nylon, which is why most freedivers prefer it. Nylon belts will loosen at depth because of compression of the suit and body.
Sammy

 

[Murat]

elastic belt with nylon(plastic) buckle

 

[Brian Hamilton]

Some divers prefer nylon belts which do not contract with depth.
The reason for this is as your torso compresses inwards the belt (if your are descending head first) slides towards your shoulders.

The shifting of the weights move your centre of gravity towards your head and makes for a very comfortable descent.

The only problem with this setup is if the belt sticks up round your shoulder area when you ascend, apart from that its a good cheap solution.

Brian

 

[fpernett]

Brian is right,
I you look at Mandy pics of last attempts, there is one of her descending with the weight belt near her thorax.
You just have to adjust it to avoid that it gets to your shoulder.
If you want it for spearfishing maybe a rubber belt works better for you. (You don´t want to fight with a belt and fish at the same time)

 

[Dave S]

I was going to make a rubber one with a normal (scuba weight belt) buckle on the advice of some people on an Australia spearo board. Lengths rubber strip aren't hard to get, and only cost a few dollars.

However I'm now thinking about building a weight vest instead... Probably something like the Omer one, but with a crotch-strap and simpler release system... Those that have dived vests seem to love them.