Mares BCD Size Chart
Find your Mares BCD size using your body measurements below.
| Size | Weight | Height | Waist | Hips |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3XS | < 45 kg / < 100 lbs | < 155 cm / < 5'1" | < 75 cm / < 30 in | < 80 cm / < 32 in |
| XXS | < 55 kg / < 120 lbs | < 160 cm / < 5'3" | < 85 cm / < 34 in | < 90 cm / < 36 in |
| XS | < 55 kg / < 120 lbs | < 165 cm / < 5'5" | 70–90 cm / 27–36 in | < 95 cm / < 38 in |
| S | 50–70 kg / 110–155 lbs | 165–175 cm / 5'5"–5'9" | 75–95 cm / 29–38 in | 85–105 cm / 33–41 in |
| M | 60–80 kg / 130–175 lbs | 165–180 cm / 5'5"–5'11" | 90–115 cm / 36–45 in | 95–115 cm / 38–45 in |
| L | 70–90 kg / 155–200 lbs | 170–185 cm / 5'7"–6'1" | 100–120 cm / 39–47 in | 105–120 cm / 41–47 in |
| XL | > 80 kg / > 175 lbs | > 180 cm / > 5'11" | > 110 cm / > 43 in | > 120 cm / > 47 in |
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Description
Description
The Mares Prestige Blue SLS BCD blends decades of diving technology into a reliable scuba gear vest that emphasizes comfort and buoyancy control. A refined shoulder and chest fit improves stability in the water, while the innovative SLS ballast system provides secure weight retention during dives. The Ergo Inflator and Classic Bladder deliver intuitive buoyancy adjustments, and the jacket’s lightweight Cordura 420 denier fabric supports travel-friendly performance. The back Monoplate backpack keeps the design streamlined, and the two-tone blue colorway offers a versatile look for divers.
Designed for practical diving use, this BCD features a unisex fit with improved shoulder strap swivels and a streamlined profile. Three-dimensional, self-draining pockets and multiple attachment points enhance gear organization and accessibility in the field.
Features
Features
- 180 N buoyancy (Size L) with an integrated SLS ballast system and two rear trim weight pockets for stable lift.
- Lightweight, durable Cordura 420 denier fabric with a Monoplate backpack for a streamlined profile.
- Unisex fit with improved shoulder strap swivels to reduce bulk and improve comfort during dives.
- Weight pocket system (SLS) supports reliable ballast retention and quick adjustments.
- Three-dimensional, self-draining zipped pockets for organized storage of dive essentials.
- Attachment versatility with 2 stainless steel D-rings and 4 heavy-duty technopolymer D-rings.
- Ergo inflator paired with a Classic bladder for intuitive buoyancy control.
- Two-tone blue colorway designed for a versatile look in scuba and diving gear.
- Specifications: Weight 3.9 kg (Size L); Backback: Monoplate; Material: Cordura 420; Buoyancy: 180 N (Size L).
Specifications
Specifications
| Weight | 3.9kg (Size L) |
| Fit | Unisex |
| BUOYANCY | 180N (Size L) |
| Material | Cordura®420 |
| Backpack | Monoplate |
| Weight pocket system | SLS |
| Stainless Steel D-rings | 2 |
| Heavy-Duty Technopolymer D-rings | 4 |
| Bladder | Classic Bladder |
| Type | Ergo Inflator |
Payment & Security
Payment methods
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WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm. For more information, visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should a scuba BCD fit?
A BCD should fit snugly enough that it does not ride up toward your ears when inflated, while still letting you breathe fully. Fasten the waist and cummerbund first, then adjust the shoulder straps so the tank sits close to your back and the shoulders cannot slide off. With the BCD fully inflated at the surface you should still be able to take a deep, comfortable breath; if it squeezes your chest, loosen it or move up a size.
How do I rinse and care for a BCD after diving?
Rinse the outside in fresh water and also flush the inside of the bladder, because salt water gets in through the inflator and dump valves. Fill the bladder roughly a third full of fresh water through the oral inflator, slosh it around, then drain it out through the inflator and each dump valve. Hang it to dry out of direct sunlight and store it partially inflated so the bladder walls do not stick together.
Should I use integrated weights or a weight belt?
Integrated weight pockets carry the lead in the BCD itself, which many divers find more comfortable and easier on the hips, while a weight belt keeps the weight independent of your BCD. Either way, you must be able to release your ditchable weight quickly with one hand, and your buddy should know how your system releases. Non-ditchable trim pockets are useful for balance but should never hold weight you might need to drop.
How do I pack a BCD for travel?
Make sure the BCD is completely dry inside and out before packing so it does not mildew in transit. Remove all weights, deflate it fully, and fold or roll it around softer items such as a wetsuit to cushion the inflator and valves. Avoid hard creases in the air cell, and unpack and air it out as soon as you arrive.
When does a BCD need to be serviced?
Follow the service interval in the manufacturer's manual, which is commonly an annual inspection alongside the rest of your life-support gear. Have the inflator, dump valves, and bladder checked any time the inflator sticks, free-flows, feels rough, or the BCD holds air poorly. Between services, confirm that it inflates and deflates properly as part of every pre-dive check.
What is the difference between a jacket-style and a back-inflate BCD?
A jacket-style BCD holds air in panels that wrap around your sides as well as your back, while a back-inflate BCD keeps the entire air cell behind you. Jacket styles tend to feel very stable and upright at the surface, and back-inflate styles keep the chest clear and are often preferred for horizontal trim underwater. Neither is objectively better, so treat it as a fit and preference decision and try both if you can.
Will my BCD fit any scuba tank?
Most recreational BCDs use an adjustable cam band sized for common single-cylinder diameters, so standard aluminum and steel tanks generally work. Re-check the band tension after the first wetting, because webbing can relax slightly and let the tank shift. If you dive doubles or unusual cylinder diameters, confirm compatibility with the manufacturer before assuming it will hold.
