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7 Types of Diving Belts & Weights

Written by Nevin
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Published on December 20, 2019
a scuba diving weight belt around a diver’s waist

Weight systems are essential in scuba diving. They give you a much easier descent and let you make a fast, easy ascent whenever you need to. Manufacturers offer plenty of choices for scuba diving weights and belts, making it almost impossible for you to decide which one to buy.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide to the most common weight systems for divers. They have two major categories: weight belts and integrated weights. Here’s a closer look at these systems and the different weights included.

What are the Different Scuba Dive Belts & Weights?

Weight Belts

a scuba dive belt with a lead weight inside its pocket
Image via Shutterstock

Weight belts are nylon belts with lead weights on them. They work just like typical belts and fasten around your waist. Diving weight belts are the oldest system used in scuba diving, and they’re the “tried-and-true” system for a few divers. These belts are very easy to find and are affordable, too.

Weight belts for diving come in the following types:

Lead Block Belts

a lead block scuba dive belt on a rock
Image via Shutterstock

Nylon belts are the most common dive belt used by scuba divers and can be two to three inches long. Lead block belts have a quick-release buckle where you can attach or lace lead weights. Lead weights can weigh from two to 15 pounds, depending on how much weight you’ll need while diving.

Lead block belts are the most affordable weight belts you can get. You’ll often find them at dive stores whenever you rent scuba equipment

Pocket Belts

a pocket diving weight belt on a diver’s waist
Image via Shutterstock

Pocket weight belts are regular nylon belts with pockets along their length. You can add lead blocks, or neoprene lead shot pouches to these pockets. Pocket scuba belts make adding or subtracting weights easier as you change your buoyancy. Also, the weights you put on these belts won’t dig into your sides as much. This characteristic makes them a more comfortable alternative to the lead block belt.

Lead Shot Belts

the XS Scuba lead shot dive belt

The XS Scuba Weight Belt / Available at Scuba.com

Lead shot belts feature pockets or pouches where you can fill round lead shots to meet your desired weight. They’re much more comfortable than a block belt, and you can purchase cylindrical or rectangular pouches for it depending on your needs.

But since buoyancy changes over time, adjusting weights on lead shot belts might get complicated. Buying more weights can help you tackle this problem. You can also create or buy smaller pouches that you can add to or remove from your shot belt.

Brace Systems

the Seasoft Sea Wolf brace diving weight system

The Seasoft Sea-Wolf-40 Weight Harness / Available at Suba.com

Brace systems are harness belts with or without a backplate where you can attach quick-release weights. These scuba dive belts help distribute weight over a larger area, which makes them ideal for divers with back problems. Brace systems can also provide equal tank weight distribution when they have steel plates. You can even quickly release the weight bags or pouches on these systems in possible emergencies.

Integrated Weights

scuba weights on a rock
Image via Shutterstock

Integrated scuba diving weights are systems built into your BCD (buoyancy compensator). With these systems, you don’t need to carry a separate belt on your dive. You won’t have anything hanging around your waist, either. Most divers find integrated weights much more comfortable than weight belts.

While they’ve got some benefits, these weight systems have one downside: When they’re inside your BCD unit, they’ll feel heavier to move around in between dives. But if you need extra weight while you’re plunging into cooler waters or while wearing a drysuit, integrated weights are an ideal choice.

Here are the different types of integrated weights that you can use during a dive:

V-Weights

Twin tank divers typically use V-weights on their BCDs. These dive weights are lumps of lead weight in V or “Toblerone” shapes. V-weights keep the weight away from your lower back, making them comfortable to carry. Wearing a diving belt won’t be necessary when your BCD has V-weights. But if you need to ascend quickly, you can’t unload these scuba weights from your BCD unit.

Aside from their standard form, V-weights are available in another type. P-weights, or Polish weights, are mounted between you and a backplate. Single tank divers can use this type of V-weight with a backplate and harness belt system (brace system).

Tail Weights

This next type of integrated dive weights is similar to a V-weight. Divers attach tail weights to a much lower part of their twin tanks and often bolt them to the bottom plate for extra trim. And since these weights offer equal weight distribution lower down the twin tanks, they help keep divers in a horizontal position more easily.

Tail weights have evolved in recent years. Divers can opt for ones that make lead weight belt attachment possible or ones that serve as end caps on air tanks.

Ankle Weights

the Seasoft ankle weights

The Seasoft Ankle Weights / Available at Scuba.com

Divers usually have a hard time keeping their buoyancy as their legs tend to float upwards. Ankle weights can help solve this problem, as they give your legs and fins less buoyancy. These weights also place less stress on your back for a more comfortable dive.

But if you want to enjoy these benefits underwater, do make sure that these weights have a comfortable fit around your leg. You may also want to get ankle weights with easy-release buckles.

How to Pick the Best Scuba Weight Belt or Diving Weight

When you’re picking the best diving belt or weight, it mostly comes down to what you want. Testing these pieces of equipment in a swimming pool is the best approach to choosing one. By doing so, you’ll find out which belt or weight is most comfortable for you. You can also discover which type you’ll need when you try scuba belts or weights on. So try renting different weight belts and test your buoyancy and trim to see what works best for you.