APEKS BLACK ICE with SL2

The Black Ice’s heavy-duty construction is capable of handling any type of diving. It’s about as comfortable and stable as a BC can get, and offers oversize weight pouches and large prebent stainless D-rings.

-The Modular design makes it possible for three adjustable sizes to cover a wide range of body shapes.
-It can be rigged for use with double tanks using the optional twin-cylinder kit.

CONTACT: aqualung.com
MSRP: $695

Carrie Garcia

AQUA LUNG AXIOM

The Axiom comes in a wide range of sizes, and offers multiple adjustments and some strategically placed padding. It’s a comfortable and stable BC with a good weight system and a long list of convenience features.

-A Wrapture harness system provides comfort and stability at depth, and eliminates ride-up on the surface.
-A SureLock II integrated-weight system loads quickly and deploys with a simple single-pull release.

CONTACT: aqualung.com
MSRP: $595

Carrie Garcia

SHERWOOD SCUBA AVID

A proven performer, the Avid is very stable at depth and boasts a highly efficient valve system. With its depth-compensating cummerbund, it’s comfortable too, and a wide size range helps you get a perfect fit.

-Three-dimensional air cell wraps around the body to maximize stability at depth and at the surface.
-New-generation CQR-3 offers an updated system for loading and ditching ballast weight.

CONTACT: sherwoodscuba.com
MSRP: $588 ($617, 2XL; $647, 3XL-5XL)

Carrie Garcia

For Women: AQUA LUNG SOUL i3

A luxury BC designed for women, the Soul i3 incorporates Aqua Lung’s Wrapture harness, an air cell that features lower profile lobes, and a shorter torso length to conform to female curves.

-The i3 control system is easy to use — lift up on the handle to inflate and push down to deflate.
-The GripLock tank band offers both macro and micro adjustments to securely lock in the tank.

CONTACT: aqualung.com
MSRP: $695

Carrie Garcia

AERIS JETPACK BC

Combining a semidry carry-on bag with a travel BC, the JetPack lets you carry a complete set of dive gear, along with clothing, a toiletry kit, a laptop and more for multiday dive trips.

-The BC offers a fully adjustable harness, 14 pounds of ditchable weight and 30 pounds of lift.
-The bag is made of 800-denier double-coated nylon with a padded back panel and external compression straps.

CONTACT: diveaeris.com
MSRP: $599.95

Carrie Garcia

AERIS JETPACK Bag

Combining a semidry carry-on bag with a travel BC, the JetPack lets you carry a complete set of dive gear, along with clothing, a toiletry kit, a laptop and more for multiday dive trips.

-The BC offers a fully adjustable harness, 14 pounds of ditchable weight and 30 pounds of lift.
-The bag is made of 800-denier double-coated nylon with a padded back panel and external compression straps.

CONTACT: diveaeris.com
MSRP: $599.95

Carrie Garcia

CRESSI TRAVELIGHT

Carrie Garcia

CRESSI AIR TRAVEL 2.0

Though you can pack it into a small bundle for traveling, the Air Travel is a full-featured, well-made BC that’s stable underwater, comfortable at depth and on the surface, and easily adjusted so you can get a good fit.

-Lock Aid integrated-weight system enables easy loading and ditching of ballast.
-Air-cell restraint system keeps bladder in check for a streamlined underwater profile.

CONTACT: cressi.com
MSRP: $425.95

Carrie Garcia

For Women: CRESSI AIR TRAVEL LADY

With the inflation placed in back, female divers can enjoy a clear chest area, creating a very comfortable, minimalist feel while cruising underwater — plus, it weighs just 5.5 pounds, making travel easy. The BC’s power inflator is well shaped for pinpoint ascent control.

-Special sizing and multiple adjustments are designed specifically to accommodate female divers.
-Folds into a compact tote that can be packed in carry-on luggage for easy traveling.

CONTACT: cressi.com
MSRP: $425.95

Carrie Garcia

CRESSI BACK JAC ELITE

For divers who like wearing a fully equipped back-buoyancy BC, the Back Jac Elite covers all the bases in features and functions. The Lock Aid weight system is first rate, as are the easy-access cargo pockets.

-500-denier Cordura combined with 420-denier nylon offers maximum durability with minimal weight.
-Rigid backpack with molded carry handle make it easy to rig on the surface and control at depth.

CONTACT: cressi.com
MSRP: $449.95

Carrie Garcia

DIVE RITE TRANSPAC XT & TRAVEL XT WING PACKAGE

The Transpac XT uses a mountaineer backpack design with integrated hip pads, a molded-foam lumbar-support pad and ergonomic shoulder pads. The lightweight Travel XT is small yet offers 25 pounds of lift.

-Transpac XT harness weighs less than 5 pounds and packs flat for travel.
-Travel XT’s 360-degree design distributes inflation for improved buoyancy control and horizontal trim.

CONTACT: diverite.com
MSRP: $740

Carrie Garcia

MARES PURE

The Hybrid Pure combines light weight with modularity, and offers some nice design elements that enhance both comfort and convenience. Featuring a lumbar suspension band for lower-back support, the BC behaves well at depth.

-Hinged rigid backpack folds into a more compact package for traveling.
-MRS Plus weight system can be easily removed to create a more minimalist rig.

CONTACT: mares.com MSRP: $398

Carrie Garcia

MARES PRIME SMU MRS

This jacket-style BC is targeted to new divers, but anybody who straps it on will enjoy a comfortable, controlled ride. It is offered in a good range of sizes with substantial buoyant lift.

-The rugged 420-denier-Cordura construction is built to stand up to years of use.
-MRS Plus weight system assembles easily and holds up to 26 pounds of ballast in the larger sizes.

CONTACT: mares.com MSRP: $370

Carrie Garcia

SCUBAPRO LITEHAWK

The Litehawk offers a clutter-free harness design with ample padding yet carries no inherent buoyancy. Generous buoyant lift in all sizes makes it ideal for both tropical- and temperate-water diving.

-Low-drag, low-profile air cell is fitted with elastic straps to keep the air cell streamlined when partially inflated.
-Available with Scubapro’s standard Balanced Power Inflator or optional AIR2 alternate-air source.

CONTACT: scubapro.com
MSRP: $399 with BPI; $519 with AIR2

Carrie Garcia

SCUBAPRO EQUATOR

This redesigned jacket-style BC is well suited for both dive travel and local diving. It is lightweight and packs easily, yet it offers almost 40 pounds of lift in the largest of its five available sizes.

-New integrated-weight pockets offer low-profile buckles and an easy deployment system.
-Redesigned double tank straps, a lightweight plastic buckle and easy-insert webbing.

CONTACT: scubapro.com
MSRP: $539 with BPI; $659 with AIR2

Carrie Garcia

SUBGEAR LEVO

The simple and efficient Levo is a featherlight yet high-performing backbuoyancy BC. It comes with an easy-adjust belt-style waist strap and a series of elastic cords that keep the air cell in check when partially inflated.

-Low-profile rear air cell is shaped to reduce hydrodrag while providing abundant buoyant lift.
-Streamlined design uses 420-denier nylon and lightweight hardware to reduce weight for traveling.

CONTACT: subgear.com
MSRP: $379

Carrie Garcia

SEAC ICARO 2000

The Icaro has been upgraded with a new back plate made of black aluminum, a more comfortable backplate cover, and two additional D rings, bringing the total to eight. Though ruggedly constructed, this BC is extremely lightweight.

-Rear double-bladder cover is made of Cordura 1,000-denier coated in polyurethane for durability.
-Weighing 4.4 pounds with a buoyant lift of 55 pounds, it’s adjustable to fit any size, and provides lift for all scenarios.

CONTACT: seacusa.com
MSRP: $789

Carrie Garcia

SEAC NICK

With lots of adjustment options, the Nick can be cinched snugly, plus it features an efficient integrated-weight system. The two drop-down cargo pockets provide abundant cargo-carrying capacity.

-Quick and Safe integrated-weight system for easy loading and one-hand release; back-mounted BC with a Cordura 500D bladder.
-The cummerbund is both adjustable and depth compensating for dialing in fit before and during the dive.

CONTACT: seacusa.com
MSRP: $615

Carrie Garcia

SEAC PRO 2000 HD

The Pro 2000 HD is a full-featured BC. The combination of front and rear air cells provides a balanced, comfortable ride both at depth and on the surface. Its simple integrated-weight system helps maintain a streamlined profile.

-Frame-to-Back Evolution system includes horseshoe shoulder straps with three adjustment levels to optimize fit.
-Three cargo pockets and seven stainless-steel D-rings to provide maximum gear-carrying capability.

CONTACT: seacusa.com
MSRP: $675

Carrie Garcia

SHERWOOD SCUBA AXIS

The Axis delivers the functions, features and performance most coveted in a back-buoyancy BC. The new CRQ-3 weight system loads and ditches like a charm, and the power inflator provides pinpoint ascent control.

-Depth-compensating waistband replaces a cummerbund to lighten and streamline the BC; a backpack provides tank stability.
-Ready to accept Sherwood’s Optional Pro Kit, which includes a dive light, knife and two retractors.

CONTACT: sherwoodscuba.com
MSRP: $588

Carrie Garcia

ZEAGLE COVERT

Designed for dive travel, the Covert weighs less than 4 pounds and folds into a compact travel package, yet it’s a fully functional BC with double tank bands, a two-position sternum strap, and ditchable weight pouches.

-Its 1,000-denier, Cordura-nylon material makes for a light but extremely durable BC.
-The rear bladder uses elastic mesh for a streamlined profile while offering 32 pounds of lift.

CONTACT: zeagle.com
MSRP: $429.95

Carrie Garcia