A diving weighted belt is something that all divers need to familiarize themselves with. They are ideal for helping to achieve the neutral buoyancy you need and at an affordable price when you compare to other pieces in your scuba gear.
When you come to buy dive weights you will see that there are a variety of different types and styles of lead dive weights on the market right now, which can be off-putting if you’re new to the whole thing. You may want to look at a previous post we’ve produced about the options of investing in a weight belt vs an integrated system that is incorporated in a BCD (Buoyancy Control Device).
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Top 10 Best Weights & Belts
We know many of you are completely new to the world of diving so we have also provided a buying guide to help you understand the key factors that you need to consider before purchasing these scuba diving accessories.
Whether that is simple cheap dive weights to add to your scuba gear weight collection or rubber-coated dive weights for a new belt. We’ve put together a list of what we feel are the 10 best scuba divers weights out there right now.
1. Sea Pearls Lead Shot Soft Mesh
First in our guide is the Lead Shot Soft from SeaPearls, a company that has over 40 years’ experience in the diving industry and who have led the way with cutting-edge tech and advancements. These will fit snugly into a belt or when placed in integrated pockets of your BCD the lead shots form to the shape of your body, to avoid any bruising.
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Like all the scuba weighting SeaPearls produce, their mesh soft mesh lead shot dive weights are made from lead that is naturally sourced from the earth and the lead is melted right down and enhanced by mixing other substances to it. Each bag is colored and marked clearly for easy identification. One of the great things about these is they can be drained and dried quickly after use. High quality and durable at a reasonable price point.
2. XS Scuba Lead Shot
The XS Lead Shots are next and similarly to the above, these are also sewn using double stitching into nylon mesh bags and clearly marked for easy identification. These soft divers lead weights to fit snugly into a belt or the integrated system in your BCD forming to the shape of your body for comfort when wearing.
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The lead is hardened by using antimony, a brittle metalloid that has a silvery-white coloring and formed into #4 lead shot. Due to the material that they are made off, these diving weights are quick to drain and then dry. Perfect for traveling scuba divers who are looking for a more comfortable diving weight option.
3. Sea Pearls Vinyl Coated Lace Thru
These are the vinyl-coated and are lace thru-style from the company. These are in many ways like the other scuba dive weights from SeaPearls. They are, again, made from reclaimed and recycled, melted down car batteries and have been mixed and combined to form a new alloy to make them better all around.
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However, unlike the soft option, these are coated in a matte vinyl that is resistant to scratching and provides a strong protective barrier against the lead. As well as meaning you don’t have to touch the lead directly, they also help to protect swimming pools and boats. Their curved inner surface and the rounded edges make these very comfortable to wear.
4. Sea Pearls Uncoated Lace-Thru-Style
As SeaPearls is a leading name in the diving industry known for producing some of the finest products, it’s not surprising we another great product from the company. The harder, uncoated lace-thru-style are, like their softer counterparts, made from reclaimed and recycled car batteries. So, they have that environmentally friendly edge.
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The lead has been hardened using antimony as this stops the metal from deforming. Perfect for use with both a rubber or nylon belt and just as good for using in BCDs with integrated weight pockets. They can be used safely in a pool. A very versatile option.
5. Pocket Weights BCD
Next, we have a rather slick choice from the relatively new company PocketWeights. These, again made from lead, have a new and improved design compared to those that were used with BCDs in the past. These have the benefit of a more streamlined and comfortable shape and profile, that makes them easier to use and to slip in or remove as and when necessary.
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Designed especially for weight-integrated BCDs, these diving weights are easily removed and replaced even when you have scuba diving gloves on. They have been sealed expertly to provide protection for you and the environment. These pocket weights will help you enjoy greater comfort and keep a more streamlined profile while diving.
6. Diverite 16lb Qb Scuba Diving Weight Pocket
The next option we have in our guide is this great Quick Buckle or QB 16lb pocket from Diverite. This features a pocket that the weight is inserted into that releases when you pull the attached handle, while the holster remains firmly attached to the belt fastened around your waist.
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This has been designed with the TransPac harness in mind and can be worn in either a horizontal or vertical position with each of the pockets holding either shot lead or block lead totaling 8lbs. The pockets are quick and easy to load from the top and help to avoid inadvertent problems with buoyancy.
7. Cressi Neon Yellow Scuba Weight Belt
The first product in our guide from the highly renowned and respected Italian diving gear and accessories manufacturer Cressi is this great quick-release nylon belt. It’s made from particularly strong woven nylon and features a stainless-steel buckle with a quick-release function so that you can always lose them easily should you need to do so.
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It has a latch-style design and is coated with a corrosive-resistant finish that protects the metal and increases its lifespan. Although the pictured product is bright yellow, this option is available in a variety of different tones, so you’re bound to find one that suits your unique style.
8. Cressi Scuba Belt
Another similar product to the above, this scuba diving belt from the CRESSI manufacturers has a different color but has the same high-strength and reliable nylon that’s been woven to create a sturdy belt. The buckle is made from high-quality, corrosion-resistant stainless steel, perfect for all underwater conditions.
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The quick-release buckle provides an instinctive and rapid emergency release which is why these types of belts are used by scuba diving schools all around the world. An ideal weight solution for beginner scuba divers.
9. XS Scuba Eight Pocket Belt
Next, we have another XS Scuba accessory. This time in the form of a pocket weight belt. It is one of the best-selling and popular belts on the market right now. There are lots of great things to recommend this belt to anyone looking for an efficient and versatile system. It’s easy to adjust to fit the size you need.
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Each of the pockets holds a maximum of 5lbs of either shot or hard lead. Any Velcro pockets you are not currently using are flattened out to give you a streamlined look and feel. It features four stainless-steel pockets and the material used in the belt is 1000D Cordura finished with a robust and easy-to-use ClearPath belt buckle.
10. Palantic Scuba Diving Weight Pocket Pouch with QR Buckles
Although the last product on our list is not a weight or a weight belt itself, we thought it was worth mentioning. These weight pockets from Palantic are great for scuba divers who want an integrated weight system but do not have an integrated weight BCD.
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Sold as a pair of two, these weight pockets can be attached to either a tank or waistband providing you not only trim but also better weight distribution and in-water stability. Each pocket holds up to 5lb weight and comes with a D-ring perfect for attaching scuba accessories onto.
For a very quick recap of our article, Here are our top 3 best selling dive belt weights and belts;
- Vinyl Coated Lead
- Environmentally Friendly
- 3 Color Options
- 1-10 lbs Available
- Weight-Integrated BCDs
- Enjoy Greater Comfort
- Environmentally Sealed
- 4-10 lbs Available
- Quick Drying
- Environmentally Friendly
- 100+ Amazon Reviews
- 1-5,8 & 10 lbs Available
Buying Guide
We hope our guide has given you the information that you need to find the right products to suit your own setup, we understand that for many of you this might be the first time even looking at them.
So we wanted to give you additional advice by providing a buying guide with all the important information and considerations you need to make before buying as although individually they have a low price point, but you will need more than just the one so you really don’t want to get it wrong.
One of the biggest issues a lot of divers, even the extremely competent, have is being unable to accurately calculate the amount they need. Along with knowing the best way to distribute the weight properly and also the type they should be using. There are also issues revolving around adjusting the amount to match any changes to conditions or gear they are using.
Below we are going to discuss the main factors that come into play when you are working out how much ballast you require for a dive.
Your Body Weight – You need to know your own body weight and body mass index.
The water you are in – The general rule is that you will not need to use as much when in freshwater as you would in salt water which is approximately 10% of your body mass.
The equipment you are using – Buoyancy and ballast are directly related to the equipment you are using. This includes the style and thickness of the type of wetsuit you are using. As well as the type of cylinder you prefer.
All types of wetsuits are naturally buoyant and the thicker the wetsuit, the more buoyant it will be.
When it comes to cylinders, aluminum models are more buoyant than the stainless-steel models. You also need to keep in mind that cylinders get more buoyant as they become empty. It is even the case, with some of the aluminum models that they float upwards.
How to Properly and Accurately Weight Yourself
Now that you know the kind of things that can affect the amount that you need, you have to understand how to weight yourself properly and a simple buoyancy test is all that’s involved to give you a general idea of the amount you need. Obviously, if any of the variables above change, this test would need to be carried out again.
For Scuba Diving
You are normally taught that while you are on the surface of the water, breathing normally, and in a vertical position with no air in your BCD, the water surface should rise halfway up your mask. Too high in the water and you will need to add more ballast and too low the reverse is true, you take some away.
This though is only a rough test. There are more comprehensive ways to perform a proper scuba diving weight test here.
Freediving, Spearfishing, and Snorkeling
When you are on the surface, you need to be neutrally buoyant when you are spearfishing and snorkeling. As above, you know you’re neutrally buoyant if while you are at the surface and in a vertical position, breathing normally and with the water halfway up your mask. Not too high and not too low in the water.
It is a good idea to start with fewer than you need and then to add extra as and when you need them until you’ve achieved neutral buoyancy.
Do You Have Natural Neutral Buoyancy?
As we’ve already mentioned a few times, all divers are different. Did you know, however, that some are blessed with natural neutral buoyancy?
You can tell if you have natural Neutral buoyancy if you can hold your breath and float while your head is bobbing out of the surface of the water and when you start breathing out and when there’s no air left inside your lungs, you start to sink.
They Can Be Used in Other Ways Too
Even if you don’t need a whole lot on your own person, there are other ways to utilize them that may suit your needs, for instance, if you are conducting a marine or coral survey, they are great to anchor and weigh down any equipment you are using, especially when swells and currents are changing a lot. Instructors also make use of these to keep equipment down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Well, there you have it. You now know a lot more about weight belts and weights and why you should invest in them. We hope you are now on your way to go and purchase yours. Below we have answered some of the questions that we are asked the most to help you further.
How much do dive weights weigh?
Normally dive weights would weigh from 1lb to 10lbs, and by using different combinations of this ballast you can achieve neutral buoyancy.
How heavy should my weight belt be for diving?
Before you know how heavy your weight belt should be for diving you will need to do a buoyancy test. Put simply, when you are on the surface of the water in your full scuba gear setup the water should be at approximately eye level on your mask when you have reached neutral buoyancy. Wearing a snorkel will make this easier for you to achieve.
How many dive weights do I need?
Although the number of diving weights you need may vary, a good rule of thumb to go by is you will need 10 percent of your body weight. So when purchasing buy a variety of sizes so a combination can be found to achieve this. However, if you are in freshwater this will be slightly less.
1 comment
I am planning to wear weights to aid swimming lengths underwater in a pool.
I have near neutral buoyancy, floating after taking a deep breath and gradually sinking as I breathe out.
When swimming underwater I expend a lot of energy keeping below the surface, more so when swimming on my back.
T think I need minimal weights in a form which provides as little resistance as possible.
I hope to increase 5he distance I can achieve from 30 to 50 metres.
Please can you advise?
Many thanks
Jeff Jordan