Best Travel BCs for Scuba Diving
One not-so-fun part of dive travel: deciding what to leave behind (shoes?) so you can stuff your BC into your bag. Fortunately, there are lots of choices among travel BCs that combine comfort, performance and designs that make for quality gear that's easy to pack. Here are 8 of the best Travel BCs for Scuba Diving.
Carrie GarciaAqua Lung Zuma - Editor's Pick
Back-Style BC | Best Travel BCs for Scuba DivingThe back-inflation Zuma weighs in at less than 5 pounds, and its soft backpack rolls up tight for travel. The chest strap has rails — with 14 attachment points — for adjustability. The Zuma has 34 pounds of lift in size medium/large, and flat exhaust valves to keep a tight profile.
Contact: aqualung.com
MSRP: $425Click Here for more information on the Aqua Lung Zuma BC Editor's Pick.
Carrie GarciaZeagle Covert
Back-Style BC | Best Travel BCs for Scuba DivingAbout as compact as a BC can get, the Covert tips the scales at less than 4 pounds and rolls up like a burrito. Its twin- tank bands and waist-hugging harness provide great stability with 32 pounds of lift. Its top-load, easy-to-ditch weight pockets hold 16 pounds.
Contact: zeagle.com
MSRP: $429.95
Carrie GarciaSherwood Scuba Ventura
Back-Style BC | Best Travel BCs for Scuba DivingAnother lightweight at just 4.7 pounds, the back-buoyancy Ventura offers 37 pounds of lift in size medium, and is made of a nonabsorbent material that practically dries with a shake. The integrated weights load easily and ditch with a quick yank of the pull cord.
Contact: sherwoodscuba.com
MSRP: $470
Carrie GarciaSubgear Levo
Back-Style BC | Best Travel BCs for Scuba DivingAlthough it’s built around a lightweight full back plate for stability, the Levo still fits easily in a suitcase. It has a simple harness, basic weight pockets and a right-shoulder exhaust. Two noteworthy features are the jumbo air cell that provides a whopping 56 pounds of lift, and its friendly price tag.
Contact: subgear.com
MSRP: $379
Carrie GarciaAeris Jetpack
Back-Style BC | Best Travel BCs for Scuba DivingThe Jetpack solves the space problem by making the BC part of your luggage. The Jetpack straps to a semidry backpack that can carry gear plus extras, and works as a carry-on. One-size-fits-all, it has a good range of adjustability, 34 pounds of lift, and weight pockets that hold 14 pounds.
Contact: diveaeris.com
MSRP: $599.95
Carrie GarciaScubapro Equator
Jacket-Style BC | Best Travel BCs for Scuba DivingThe Jacket-Style BC Equator has a short back plate along the spine, providing a firm tank attachment point for stability but allows the BC to fold for packing. The buckle- up integrated weights keep things compact with 29.2 pounds of lift in size medium, large pockets, three exhaust valves, octo pockets and eight stainless D-rings.
Contact: scubapro.com
MSRP: $539
Carrie GarciaCressi Air Travel
Jacket-Style BC | Best Travel BCs for Scuba DivingThis back-buoyancy model weighs 5.5 pounds and folds up into a compact tote. You get a harness system with lots of adjustment, and features like an integrated-weight system that holds 20 pounds, one roll-up cargo pocket, three exhaust valves, and 35.9 pounds of buoyant lift in size medium.
Contact: cressi.com
MSRP: $449.95
Carrie GarciaCressi Travelight Lady
Jacket-Style BC | Best Travel BCs for Scuba DivingFor women who like a jacket BC, men’s models often just don’t fit. The Travelight Lady is specially cut to offer women the same stable and comfortable support as the men’s model. Features include 20.2 pounds of lift, roomy pockets, secure integrated weights, six alloy D-rings, and easy-load trim weight pockets.
Contact: cressi.com
MSRP: $449.95
