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 Dragon SLS BCD is a versatile scuba diving jacket designed for stability, comfort, and robust performance in demanding conditions. It features the new SLS ballast system (Slide and Lock System) delivering a stable hold on ballast with increased contact surfaces and an active mechanical locking mechanism that keeps weights secure during dives. Built for durability, it uses Cordura®420 fabric and a Fusion bladder for reliable buoyancy management. The backpack is a Monoplate design with a single plate backrest that supports both single and twin cylinders, while the adjustable belly band and extra-large pockets provide practical storage for diving gear.
Designed with the Dragon SLS concept in mind, the jacket emphasizes comfort and ease of use while wearing scuba gear during long dives. The bag separates from the shoulder straps when inflated to improve comfort, and the Dragon wings high-lift sack supports steady buoyancy. An Intelligent Trim Weight system positions weight pockets for optimal balance, and the SLS ballast system ensures reliable weight management. The new 50 mm swing buckles and the adjustable belt enhance fit, while extra-large pockets with elastic panels help organize accessories. The Ergo Inflator with a flexible corrugated tube and counter strap adds comfortable, intuitive inflation. The system includes five stainless steel D-rings for versatile attachment points and a customization label on the weight pockets for quick identification.
Key features
Features
Features
- SLS ballast system (Slide and Lock System) provides a stable hold on ballast with increased contact surfaces and an active mechanical locking mechanism for secure weights in scuba diving scenarios.
- Durable Cordura® 420 outer fabric paired with a Fusion bladder for reliable buoyancy and long-term wear.
- Monoplate backpack design and single plate backrest that accommodates single and twin cylinders.
- Weight-pocket system with visual confirmation for correct insertion; includes five stainless steel D-rings for versatile attachment of accessories on a dive.
- Dragon wings high-lift sack design to optimize lift and stability during diving.
- New 50 mm swing buckles and adjustable belly band for a secure, comfortable fit on coral reefs, wrecks, and open-water diving.
- Extra-large pockets with elastic panels to store essential diving gear and accessories.
- Ergo Inflator with a flexible corrugated tube and counter strap for comfortable inflation and deflation under water.
- Unisex fit with buoyancy around 200N (Size L) and weight about 4.5 kg for the specified size.
- Designed for scuba gear organization with a customization label on weight pockets.
Specifications
Specifications
| Weight | 4.5kg (Size L) |
| Fit | Unisex |
| BUOYANCY | 200N (Size L) |
| Material | Cordura®420 |
| Backpack | Monoplate |
| Weight pocket system | SLS |
| Stainless Steel D-rings | 5 |
| Bladder | Fusion 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.
