Storage Pockets

Thigh pockets — the most accessible location
A thigh pocket sits at mid-thigh on a leg strap system, making it easier to access during a dive than a torso-level BCD pocket — particularly for divers in drysuits or thick wetsuits where reaching into a chest pocket requires significant flexibility. The Scubapro Hydros Thigh Pocket and S-Tek Thigh Pocket both use a D-ring attachment at the waist and an adjustable leg strap to hold the pocket in position. The S-Tek pocket uses standard D-ring clips and works with virtually any BCD that has a waist-level D-ring.

Glue-on wetsuit pockets — permanent addition
The XS Scuba Glue-On Thigh Pocket bonds directly to the outer surface of a wetsuit or drysuit using neoprene cement — a permanent addition that becomes part of the suit. This is the right choice when you want a pocket that moves with you rather than sitting on a separate strap system. The pocket opening is larger and easier to access than most BCD pockets, the position is set once and stays consistent on every dive, and there is no strap to adjust or leg band to fit. It requires proper surface preparation and cure time before first use. Once bonded correctly, the pocket is as durable as the wetsuit itself. Be sure to have your drysuit or wetsuit on when you decide where to place the pocket and mark the position.

BCD accessory pockets — modular options
Several BCDs — particularly the Scubapro Hydros Pro — are designed with a modular accessory system that allows brand-specific pockets and accessories to attach directly to the BCD body without separate straps, like the Scubapro Ninja Pocket. On the other hand, the Highland Hurricane, Zephyr, and Tempest pockets are all designed to be used with a variety of brands and models of BCDs by clipping to 2-inch webbing and D-rings on the harness. Each style is designed for a different harness system — confirm compatibility with your specific BCD before ordering.

What to carry in a dive pocket
The most common items divers carry in a thigh or BCD pocket: surface marker buoy and finger reel (the most important), dive slate, spare mask, underwater flashlight for peeking in crevices and under overhangs, fish ID card, safety sausage (for snorkeling), and spare gloves. The pocket needs to be large enough for the biggest item you plan to carry — an SMB in its storage pouch is typically the largest single accessory, and is the baseline for sizing your pocket. The Scubapro Hydros Thigh Pocket has a bellow design that expands significantly for larger loads while remaining streamlined when lighter.