Here is my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020. The buoyancy control device (BCD), or jacket, is a system that allows a diver to control his or her neutral hovering while scuba diving.
Controlling your buoyancy underwater is an important skill to master and to achieve positive, neutral or negative buoyancy as a diver to not bump into any corals, fish, rocks, sharks or turtles, and disturb or even worse destroy them. A perfect buoyancy control is essential for a Diver!
There are a few different type of BCD’s on the Market which I will explain here further down but first there are some technical terms on a BCD which are important to know if you’d like to invest in a BCD you’ll know what the description of a BCD actually means.
Bladder
A scuba BCD is just an air bladder that lets you control your buoyancy underwater by inflating or deflating your BCD. The Bladder are airfilled pockets connected to each other which are surrounding you.
D-Ring
Besides controlling your buoyancy, scuba BCD’s also store your dive accessories, in Pockets with zippers or Velcro as well as D-Rings. Keep your regulators and octopuses organized and prevent them from dangling.
Buckle
Buckles are made mostly from plastic and keep your BCD where it supposed to be, or make it easier to take it off or put on.
Cummerbund
Cummerbund is a Velcro in front of your Belly it keeps the BCD on your back when diving and inflating the BCD so it doesn’t flow off.
Backplate
The BCD Backplate is mostly made of Plastic due to weight and holds your Tank securely with a strap if properly closed.
Weight integrated
Some later BCD’s are weight integrated which means they have specialized pockets for carrying the Lead weights with a fast release mechanism in case of an emergency.
Dump Valve
If in case you inflated the BCD with too much air you can pull the string of your Dump Valve and a valve placed on your shoulder will open and will let a lot of air out quickly. Mostly there is one on each shoulder where on the left shoulder its integrated in the inflator hose which you would pull to open it. On your right side it usually is a small button the size of a big marble to pull.
Some BCD’s also have a Dump Valve on the lower right bottom side in case you need to deflate while head over Diving.
These Dump Valves also act as over pressure valve in case the BCD is inflated to heavily.
Air 2
An Air2 is a fully equipped Regulator which is attached to the end of the Corrugated tube and acts as an inflator/deflator and an emergency regulator in case your main Regulator fails.
Male or Female BCD?
Most BCD’s are unisex, meaning they work for both men and women. However, there are a few Lady BCD’s available. Because a women’s cut is narrower at the shoulder and wider at the hips than a mans.
Construction Material
The basic material used in the construction of BCD’s is nylon, or a variation often called. Cordura®, this being the brand name of a company that specializes in tough fabrics made from, among other things, nylon. Some manufacturers may highlight their extra polyurethane (PU) coating, which aids resistance to abrasion.
‘Denier’ is a term which may be more familiar to readers. It is a measure of how densely the fibers of a particular fabric are woven, with the lower end of the scale being less dense – and therefore lighter, but less durable – than the higher end.
BCD types
Recreational Jacket Style BCD
This is the most common BCD type for warm water recreational diving. It is also the type that you were probably given to use when you got your scuba diving license. Many Dive Center use them to teach due to reliability and robustness. Also because it’s easier to learn buoyancy control in these type of BCD’s than in a Wing for example.
The air bladder wraps around the diver from the back to the front.
Travel BCD
A travel BCD is like a normal diving BCD except more lightweight and smaller to pack.
Nowadays with most airlines charging exponentially excess luggage or reducing their free carry on luggage you are left with leaving some Dive Equipment at home or renting it expensive from the Dive Center but we all know that you’d rather use your own equipment which you are familiar with and know it does fit like a glove.
So now more than ever it’s important to look for light weight BCD’s
Semi Wing BCD
Advanced divers might prefer Semi wing BCD’s because it allows for more arm movement and you can remain horizontal underwater.
This is because the air bladder is placed on the back.
The weight is also lighter than a normal style Jacket BCD while it is still equipped with D-Rings, Weight Pockets, and Side Pockets.
Wing BCD
The design includes a Metal, Aluminum or Stainless Steel backplate, harness and detachable air bladder surrounding the backplate. This type of BCD originates from technical diving, where divers are using a twinset of two tanks or a rebreather. In recent years, wing-style BCD’s have appeared in single-tank diving and made its way into recreational diving.
Like a jacket Style BCD the shape is still like a sleeveless vest with pockets around the waist but the front is more streamlined because there is no air bladder in the front.
Due to a very small water resistance, low drag reduces the effort needed to move through the water. The less effort, the better our air consumption and the more time we get on our underwater adventure. However the Wing Style is more expensive and has less storage space if at some at all.
Stabilizing BCD
The Stabilizing Jacket remains the BCD style choice of experienced and professional divers because of its dynamic control system. Stabilizing Jackets reject the idea of air bladders within BCDs; instead, they use internal air passages that basically embrace the diver and allow air to remain dynamic inside the jacket. This air flows freely to the jacket’s highest point, which allows the diver to basically rotate around a bubble. This adds stability and creates ease of motion for the diver.
Time to reveal my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Number #10
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Cressi R1
- The R1 is designed for scuba divers who want a very complete yet light, hydrodynamic and affordable jacket.
- Made of durable 500-Denier Cordura, ideal for rental solutions or for an intense use.
- It comes with a Rigid Back Pack that is Padded-and-is-Equipped with a Built-In Carry Handle.
- It has 3-exhaust valves for easier buoyancy adjustments, 2 Large Zipped Pockets on either side of the BCD for Convenient-Storage of Accessories.
- The R1 Harness System uses Traditional Squeeze-Style Buckles and Adjustable Straps on the Shoulders, Chest and Waist for Precise-Adjustment-and-Fit.
- A Velcro Adjustable Waist Cummerbund provides Extra-Security and a superior comfort to any other Bc in the same category.
Number #9
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Scubapro Litehawk BCD
- Back flotation technology positions air bladder in the back
- providing exceptional freedom of movement around chest and shoulders
- 3-dump deflation system enables divers to dump air from a variety of underwater positions
- Streamlined air cell technology
- Automatic volume control of air cell through compression straps
Number #8
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Cressi Travel Light
- Cressi Sub Travel light Ultra Light BCD
- 210 denier nylon material, rubbery material (rear)
- Shoulder straps are very comfortable and supportive,
- Easy to adjust even in water FAST system for folding and compacting the BCD
- Completely Foldable for Saving Room
- Fully Accessorized: 8 D-Rings, 2 Wide Side Pockets, 2 Rear Trim Pockets
- High Lift Capacity
Number #7
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Cressi Ace BCD
- The Ace is an impressively lightweight, high lift capacity, rear inflation scuba diving BCD that is anatomically designed for maximum comfort and durability.
- Development of rear-mounted air cell made in strong 420 Denier Nylon.
- Integrated Cressi Flat-lock Aid weight System.
- Max weight for pocket: 4.5 kg – 9.9 lb. 2 rear ballast pouches.
- It features 4 50 mm aluminum D-rings on the shoulder straps, 4 25 mm stainless steel D-rings (2 on the pockets and 2 on the lower part of the harness).
- Ultralight rigid back plate with carrying handle.
- Multipurpose zip pockets.
- Next generation anatomical inflator with hose retainer. 50 mm quick-release buckled shoulder straps.
- The Ace is designed and made in Hungary by Cressi. Cressi is a brand pioneer in scuba diving, snorkeling and swimming equipment since 1946.
Number #6
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Scubapro GO BCD
- Made of 210 denier nylon covered with polyurethane, The go is lightweight yet durable, with rotating quick-release shoulder buckles to help you find the perfect fit.
- Super comfortable, The water-draining air net backpack provides just the right amount of cushion when wearing a thin wetsuit—or no wetsuit at all.
- The Wraparound air bladder delivers lots of lift, with double tank bands holding the tank firmly in place for maximum stability.
- Easily fold the go BCD and Stuff it in the included travel sack for overseas trips or handy home storage.
- Driven to constantly innovate and improve the diving experience, Scubapro builds high-quality equipment for the work, sport, and lifestyle of people whose passion is found below the surface.
Number #5
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Mares Dragon SLS BCD
- Jacket Style BCD – Excellent Fit and Performance – 420 Cordura Nylon Construction – Superbly Comfortable & Stable, Yet Tough and Durable
- Air Cell Slides-On-Shoulders, Increased Comfort when Inflated – Lift: 42.5 lbs. (19.3 kg), Size Large
- Mares Slide & Lock System (SLS): Ultimate Weight-Release System – Visual Confirmation of Proper Weight Pouch Insertion – No Guessing in Pre-Dive Gear Check – Sturdy Zipper Closures – Works/w Soft or Hard Weight
- SLS Weight Capacities of 9 lbs. and 13 lbs. (4 kg and 6 kg), Size Dependent, Each Pocket
- Rear Smart Trim Weight Non-Releasable Pockets
Number #4
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Apeks Black Ice
- SureLock II Mechanical Weight Release System (patented)
- There are 4 dump valves in all, one in each corner
- Triple bladder retraction system
- The left pocket is a fold down design
- The right pocket is a large utility pocket
Number #3
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
SCUBAPRO Glide BCD
- Constructed of 420 denier nylon for light weight and long-lasting durability.
- New Y-Fit shoulders with a triangular stainless steel ring balance the pressure on the body to maximize fit and comfort.
- Adjustable cummerbund compensates for suit compression ensuring a snug fit at varying depths.
- Super Cinch tank buckle system locks the tank in solid for maximum stability at depth.
Number #2
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Scubapro X-Black BCD with Air2
- Constructed of a combination of durable 1000 denier and 420 denier nylon for long-term wear.
- Adjustable cummerbund compensates for suit compression, ensuring a snug fit at varying depths.
- Non-rotating quick-release shoulder buckles optimize strap routing to maximize fit.
- Airnet backpack is water-draining and comfortable during long dives.
- AirFlex system with special bladder delivers enormous buoyant lift capacity.
Number #1
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Scubapro Hydros Pro w/ 5th Gen. Air2 BCD
- Ultra Durable: Patented Injection Molded Monprene Gel Harness is extremely resistant to UV
- chemicals and abrasion. The fabric-free harness uses no velcro or zippers.
- BC-4-Life Modular Design: Customizable to add/remove weight systems
- straps and pouches. Extended lifespan due to simplified repairs. Virtually every component
- including buckles
Additional BCD Equipment
of my Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
Scubapro Mako Titanium Diving Knife with 3.5-Inch Blade for Scuba Diving, Snorkeling or Water Sports
- Scuba rust-resistant titanium blade is incredibly strong and has the hardness to take and hold a sharp edge.
- The multi-function 3. 5-Inch blade Includes a serrated edge for sawing through rope, a conventional edge for making clean slicing cuts, a line-cutting notch, and a bottle opener.
- Grip the knife securely with the large handle, which includes plenty of gripping area and a thumb guard to keep the knife from slipping.
- A unique locking mechanism on the sheath makes it easy to release the knife with one hand.
- Driven to constantly innovate and improve the diving experience, Scuba builds high-quality equipment for the work, sport, and lifestyle of people whose passion is found below the surface.
Scuba Choice Scuba Diving 4′ Neon Yellow Surface Marker Signal Tube
Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
- Material: Nylon with TPU Size: 5″ (W) x 4′ (L)
- Plastic Clip included
- Fits in BCD pocket or clip
- Easy to use oral inflate
- “Diver Below’ print
Scubapro Premium Retractor
Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
- 110cm extension
- Force 0.5 Kg
- Stainless Steel Bolt Snap Hook
Double Ended Bolt Snap Hooks, 3-1/2 Inch Marine Grade
Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
- PREMIUM QUALITY The Double Ended Bolt Snap Hooks are all made by Marine Grade 316 Stainless Steel, rugged and corrosion resistant. Widely used in both indoors and outside application and also can be used in seawater environments.
- HEAVY DUTY DOUBLE END SNAP The double end snap has a portable size: overall length 90mm (3-1/2in), Width: 24mm (15/16inch) and Snap Opening 10mm(13/32inch). However Maximum load capacity of the pully is up to 110lbs (50kg).
- EASY TO USE Double-ended design makes bolt snaps more versatile. Spring-loaded bolts provide secure closure & easy-open thumb lever. It’s easy to trigger the snap hooks by one handed and moves freely and smoothly, allowing for easy on/off.
- WIDE APPLICATION The Trigger Snaps are designed as a useful hook for rope, chain, straps, animal leashes, horse tack and other home, farm and recreational applications. Also, can be used for a gate latch, a bucket hanger, hanging feed tubs, hay bags in the stall and many other various similar situations. Perfect for connecting your diving accessories to your BCD.
- SATISFACTION GUARANTEE The package includes 2Pcs 3-1/2 Inch Marine Grade Double End Scuba Diving Clips.
- We stand by our quality commitment and will guarantee you 100% satisfaction of the Trigger Chain Clips.
- Please do not hesitate to contact us if there is any question. We will do our best to solve the problem as soon as possible.
Scubapro Shaker
Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
- Give it a good shake and its loud rattling will turn heads.
- Magnetic end-stopper keeps the shaker from rattling when you need to keep quiet.
- Attach it to your BCD with the included clip.
- Compact, convenient and easy to use.
This was my Equipment Guide and list of the Top10 Best BCD in 2020! I hope you enjoyed it and if you did so and don’t want miss any of my next Equipment guides sign up for the Newsletter here.
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Top 10 Best BCD in 2020
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