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Weights & Belts

Weights & Belts

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High Quality Gear -  Divemaster & Instructor tested and approved

Lead weight, harnesses, and weight belts for scuba diving and snorkeling. Choose from basic style webbing belt or the deluxe pocketed belts. Our products are hand-picked by our highly qualified staff which includes Instructors and Divemasters that snorkel and dive locally in Canada and around the world. 

 

What to look for in a weight system

Weight belt vs. integrated BCD pockets vs. weight harness
A traditional webbing weight belt threads hard lead blocks onto a nylon strap and buckles at the front — simple, inexpensive, and compatible with any BCD. Integrated BCD weight pockets do the same job but distribute the weight within the BCD rather than around the waist, which improves trim and comfort on longer dives. A dedicated weight harness — such as the DUI Weight Harness — transfers weight from your hips to your shoulders entirely, which is a significant comfort improvement for drysuit divers and anyone carrying more than 15 pounds. Which system is right depends on your BCD, how much weight you carry, and personal preference.

Hard weights vs. soft shot weights
Hard lead bricks are the standard for weight belts — they thread onto the webbing via a double-pass slot and stay in place with weight keepers. Soft shot weights use lead shot inside a heavy mesh bag, making them more comfortable in BCD integrated pockets by conforming to the pocket shape rather than sitting as a rigid block. Both hard and soft weights are available in small increments, usually from 1 to 5 pounds each. For weight belt use, hard weights are generally preferred. For integrated BCD pockets, either works — soft weights are more comfortable if the pockets allow them.

Rubber weight belts for freediving
Rubber freediving weight belts are specifically designed for breath-hold diving. The stretchy rubber adjusts automatically as the wetsuit compresses at depth, maintaining a consistent fit throughout the dive — a nylon webbing belt would loosen as you descend deeper. Rubber belts also grip the wetsuit better than nylon, reducing belt slippage during duck dives and kicks. The stainless steel Marseillaise buckle style uses a tilting pin mechanism that is faster to release in an emergency than a standard flat buckle. If you freedive or spearfish, a rubber belt with a quick-release buckle is the standard choice.

Trim weight pockets
Buoyancy control is not just about how much weight you carry — it is about where that weight sits. Single weight pouches that slide onto tank cam bands or harness webbing allow precise placement at the back of the BCD to correct your horizontal trim in the water. Getting trim right reduces effort during the dive and improves air consumption significantly.

Frequently asked questions

How much weight do I need for scuba diving?

The right amount of weight varies considerably based on your body composition, wetsuit thickness, tank material, and whether you are diving in fresh or salt water. Salt water is denser than fresh water, so you need slightly more weight in the ocean. A 7mm wetsuit requires significantly more lead than a 3mm suit. A neoprene drysuit adds more buoyancy than a trilaminate. A steel tank offsets some weight compared to an aluminum tank. The standard starting point is to weight yourself so that at the surface with a full tank, you float at eye level and can descend with a gentle exhale. Your Instructor will help you determine your correct weight during your open water course — keep a record of it for future dives in similar conditions.

What is the difference between a standard webbing weight belt and a soft pocket belt?

A standard webbing belt threads hard lead blocks directly onto 2-inch nylon webbing — the weights contact your hips and lower back directly. This is the most common and lowest-cost option, but carrying more than 10 to 12 pounds this way can become uncomfortable over a long dive. A heavy weight belt can slide off your waist and down your legs, especially problematic for males that don't have hips to keep their belt at their waist. A soft pocket belt holds weights inside external pockets that sit away from the body, cushioning the contact points significantly. The 4-pocket belt holds up to 20 pounds total; the 6-pocket holds up to 30 pounds. For drysuit divers or anyone carrying significant weight, a pocket belt or dedicated weight harness is worth the investment in comfort.

What is the DUI Weight Harness and who is it for?

The DUI Weight Harness is a shoulder-mounted weight system that transfers all lead weight from the hips to the shoulders, eliminating the pressure of a traditional weight belt on the lower back and hip bones entirely. It sits comfortably on the sides of the hips rather than on the hip bone itself, and the quick-release handles on each pocket allow the weight to be dropped in an emergency just as a belt would be. It is particularly popular with drysuit divers who carry 20 to 40 pounds of lead — carrying this amount on a waist belt for repeated dives is genuinely uncomfortable. Our Divemasters rate it as a staff favourite and use it personally. Available with small pockets (better trim) and large pockets (higher capacity).

Can I add weight pockets to a wing and backplate BCD that did not come with them?

Yes — wing and backplate systems do not include integrated weight pockets by default. We carry a variety of weight pockets that can be fed through 2 inch webbing on your tank band or waist band. Choose based on how much weight you need to carry and the configuration of your BCD.

Do I need weight keepers on my weight belt?

Yes — weight keepers are essential if you use a webbing weight belt with hard lead blocks. Without keepers, the weights slide along the belt during the dive and bunch up on one side, throwing off your trim. Weight keepers with teeth grip the nylon webbing and hold each weight block in position. The no-teeth version is used to secure D-rings and accessories on harness webbing rather than to hold weights. For any belt carrying more than a single weight on each side, use toothed weight keepers between each lead block. The stainless steel buckle is preferred over plastic when carrying more than 10 pounds — plastic buckles can deform under sustained load from heavier weight configurations.