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 Bolt SLS BCD is a rear-diver’s buoyancy compensator designed for scuba and diving gear reliability. It delivers stable buoyancy up to 18.5 kg and a precise fit across five new unisex sizes, ensuring comfort and balance in a variety of diving conditions. The integrated SLS ballast system enhances buoyancy control, contributing to safer and more predictable ascents and descents.
Constructed for durability and practical use, the Bolt SLS BCD features Cordura® 420 fabric, a back-mounted bladder, and a monoplate backpack for a streamlined profile. An Ergo Inflator provides intuitive inflation and deflation, while the SLS weight pocket system supports trim-weight management. The design accommodates both single and double tanks, with a backplate setup that aids stability during dives and travel.
Features
Features
- Buoyancy up to 180N (about 18.5 kg) with five sizes for a perfect fit across divers
- Materials Cordura®420 for durability and wear resistance
- Backpack Monoplate with backmounted bladder for hydrodynamic performance
- Weight pockets SLS system with 4+4 kg ballast capacity on select sizes
- Closure & attachments 6 stainless steel D-rings for versatile gear configuration
- Inflation system Ergo Inflator for reliable, easy control
- Storage & trim Unfoldable pouch and Intelligent Trim Weight positioning
- Fit & stability Swinging shoulder strap buckles and adjustable ventral strap
- Travel readiness designed with portability in mind for divers on the go
- Tank compatibility single- and double-tank backrest support
- Visibility & usability visual confirmation of pouch insertion
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 | 6 |
| Bladder | Backmounted |
| Type | Ergo Inflator |
| Color Kit | false |
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.
