Integrated Weights vs Weight Belts

Weight systems have come a long way. While belt-style weights were once the norm, very few divers use them anymore — and for good reason. Modern divers prefer integrated weight systems because they’re more comfortable, more stable, and easier to configure for proper trim. But beyond comfort, the real question is how your weighting setup fits into your overall dive system — especially if you're diving a balanced rig.

Why Integrated Weights Took Over

Integrated weights are now standard on jacket-style BCDs and common even in backplate/wing setups. They reduce pressure on your hips, stay fixed in place, and distribute weight closer to your center of gravity. This helps improve trim and makes your kit more streamlined in the water.

There are different styles:

• Jacket BCDs often use large zippered or clip-in weight pockets.
• Backplate/wing systems use modular weight pockets — typically on the waist belt, cam bands, or tank straps — allowing for flexible positioning.
• Some divers also use steel backplates or heavier tanks to reduce or eliminate soft lead entirely.

Why Weight Belts Have Faded Out

Weight belts still exist, but they’re mostly relegated to rental setups or freediving. Belts shift around, concentrate weight in a single place, and make it harder to fine-tune trim. They’re uncomfortable on long dives and inconvenient on boats. For most modern setups, they’re obsolete.

Balanced Rig: The Better Philosophy

The traditional mindset was: “If something goes wrong, ditch your weights.”

But experienced divers know that a safer and more reliable approach is to dive a balanced rig — one that lets you swim up from depth, with an empty tank and no BCD inflation, without needing to ditch anything.

• When diving with minimal exposure protection — like a skin or 3mm wetsuit — there’s often no need for ditchable weight at all.
• For thicker wetsuits (5mm, 7mm) or drysuits, some ditchable weight may be necessary simply to carry enough ballast. In those cases, part of your weighting can be placed in quick-release pockets for practicality — not because you expect to drop it in an emergency.

This philosophy emphasizes prevention and control over emergency reactions. Ditching weight is a last resort — not part of the plan. That’s especially true for divers using drysuits, where much of the ballast is fixed or distributed and can’t be ditched — and where rapidly dumping weight can result in a dangerous, feet-first ascent.

Things to Watch For

• Overweighting is still common. Many divers add extra lead to “make sure they sink,” masking trim problems and becoming reliant on BCD inflation.
• Trim pockets aren’t ditchable. If you're using weight on your tank straps or behind your shoulders, don’t assume you can shed it if needed.
• Not all integrated systems are well-designed. Some use fragile clips, awkward pocket geometry, or are difficult to reinsert mid-dive.

Tips for Getting It Right

• Do a proper buoyancy check — at the end of your dive, nearly empty on gas.
• Distribute weight to support horizontal trim — hips, cam bands, or plate if needed.
• Avoid over-relying on quick-release pockets. Fixed weight is fine if your rig is balanced.
• Know your system: can you swim it up without inflating anything? If not, revisit your configuration.