xDeep Weight Pouches and Pockets Review

Last updated: July 2025

These are xDeep’s dedicated system for harness-mounted ballast. They come in small (~6 lb) and large (~12 lb) versions and are designed to bolt directly to xDeep backplates. The inner weight pouch slides into a soft sleeve and is locked in place with a webbing buckle that threads through a fabric handle. This design is extremely secure but makes underwater reinsertion difficult and slow. These pockets should be considered semi-ditchable at best. Rigging is clean and modular — but only if you're already using an xDeep backplate.
Overall Score: 6.8 / 10 (Acceptable)

These are xDeep’s dedicated system for harness-mounted ballast. They come in small (~6 lb) and large (~12 lb) versions and are designed to bolt directly to xDeep backplates. The inner weight pouch slides into a soft sleeve and is locked in place with a webbing buckle that threads through a fabric handle. This design is extremely secure but makes underwater reinsertion difficult and slow. These pockets should be considered semi-ditchable at best. Rigging is clean and modular — but only if you're already using an xDeep backplate.

• Integration: Works seamlessly with xDeep backplates for trim and ditchable weight placement.
• Modularity: Mix-and-match Secure Weight Pocket sizes to match exposure protection and ballast needs.
• Security: Buckled design keeps weight firmly in place, even if ditching is slow.
• Durability: Heavy-duty materials withstand frequent cold-water dives.
• Use Case Fit: Best choice for divers already committed to the xDeep ecosystem.

Overall Score: 6.8 / 10 (Acceptable)

xDeep's trim and Secure Weight Pockets have handled more than a hundred dives for me, covering quarry, wreck, and cenote dives. They integrate neatly with an xDeep backplate for both wetsuit and drysuit setups. Expect excellent modularity, but also a slow, deliberate weighting workflow.

Pros & Cons

Why I Chose xDeep Weight Pouches

I was looking for a weight system that supported backplate diving in both wet and dry configurations. The trim pouches offered a stable way to adjust balance. The Secure Weight Pockets gave me the option for ditchable lead mounted directly to the harness. Since I was already using an xDeep backplate, these integrated naturally and didn’t require extra hardware. I chose both the small and large sizes to scale up or down depending on exposure suit and dive conditions.

Verdict

Both sets of pouches remain in my regular kit. The trim pockets are mounted permanently to my cam bands, and I rotate between the Secure Weight Pocket sizes depending on how much ditchable weight I need. They are not quick to adjust, and I would never recommend them to anyone not using an xDeep plate — but for my setup, they are solid and dependable.

Would I buy it again? Yes — but only because I’m committed to the xDeep system and comfortable with its tradeoffs.

Who xDeep Weight Pouches Are Best For

This item is best suited for:

• Divers using the xDeep backplate and wing system
• Divers who need modular trim and ditchable weight options
• Cold water or drysuit divers managing heavier weight loads

It may not be ideal for:

• Divers not using an xDeep backplate
• Anyone needing to make frequent weight adjustments during a dive

Deep Dive into the Score

Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.

Rounded Display Score: 6.8 / 10 — Acceptable

Scoring System: Each category is scored out of 10 and weighted by importance. This model is used consistently across all gear reviews for transparency.

Deep Dive Score Explanations

• Function & Performance – 7: Does the job well within its intended system, but not fast or intuitive.
• Ease of Use – 4: Replacing the weight pouch is a chore. The buckle threading system feels overengineered.
• Versatility – 7: Great options for single tank, wetsuit, and drysuit use — within xDeep setups only.
• Durability & Build Quality – 9: No wear issues or degradation after heavy use. Materials are rugged.
• Value – 7: Not overpriced, but it’s a specialized system. Spares cost a premium.
• Brand Trust & Transparency – 8: xDeep delivers reliable products with consistent integration across their ecosystem.

My Custom Setup or Configuration

I use the 5 lb trim pockets on my upper cam bands, and alternate between small and large Secure Weight Pockets depending on my total ballast needs. These are mounted to a stainless xDeep backplate with continuous webbing and no padding.

• Right Hip: I thread my long-hose stick through the waistband loops between the Secure Weight Pocket and harness.
• Left Hip: The D-ring included on the Secure Weight Pocket replaces the standard harness D-ring in that position.

This configuration works well for me but requires precise threading and harness tension. The Secure Weight Pockets integrate cleanly with the xDeep backplate, but I would not attempt to rig them on a different system.

Performance in the Water

• Stability: Pockets stay firmly mounted and never shift during entries or exits
• Accessibility: Not easy to ditch or adjust mid-dive — you need to plan ahead
• Comfort: Sits flat under the harness with no pinch points or movement
• Security: Rock-solid when bolted on and buckled correctly. Nothing has ever come loose