Women's BC recommendations

[CamaroChick]

I'm looking to buy a BC in the near future, and was hoping to get some advice. Up until now, I've been renting BCs and they never fit me. I guess I'm on the small size, but tall - 5'7", size 4 - 6 in regular clothes. The rental BCs tend to "ride up", so that the straps are loose and the tank value hits me in the back of the head if I look up.
I know I definitely want a BC specifically made for women. I took a look at my LDS, but they only had one women's BC and it was way too big so I couldn't tell if I would like it.
Any suggestions?

[caroln]

I got a Seaquest Libra when I started diving and liked it very much. It is designed for women with some nice features that make it fit pretty well. I don't use it anymore because I've switched to a backplate and wing setup. That may be something you'd like to look into too. The advantage is that you can size it to fit you perfectly rather then relying on fitting into a standard size, and the crotch strap prevents any issues with it riding up or moving anywhere you don't want it to be.

[scubasavvy]

The Sherwood Luna is amazing. Wore one this summer, been looking to get one every since.

[Foo2]

You might also want to look at the Zeagles. I have the Zeagle Zena and love it!!! The wonderful thing about zeagles is that you can custom fit them to your body. Mine fits like a glove. Good luck!

[MSilvia]

Originally Posted by caroln

I've switched to a backplate and wing setup. That may be something you'd like to look into too. The advantage is that you can size it to fit you perfectly rather then relying on fitting into a standard size, and the crotch strap prevents any issues with it riding up or moving anywhere you don't want it to be.

As someone with plenty of experience with ill-fitting BCs, I'll second that. I have a backplate with a simple webbing harness, and it fits me (a 250# 5'11" man) like a glove. It only took about 5 minutes for me to adjust it so that it fit one of my significantly shorter size 8 female friends like a glove too (albiet with quite a bit of extra webbing to tuck out of the way). She said she was very pleased with how it fit securely without constricting her bosom, but I can't personally vouch for the latter part of that.

[booger]

Zeagle Zena hands down. Like mentioned before, I also love the custom fit and never have a problem with it shifting around. Added bonus... You can wear it with a 7mm suit or nothing at all and it will still stay in place because of the straps you cinch down.

[Zenagirl]

Although I dive a Zeagle Zena and LOVE my BC, I'd strongly recommend that you really check out as many different types/brands/styles as you can. If you are limited in what you can try at your LDS, then I'd suggest you try to narrow down the ones you're interested in and give the guys at ST a call.

Not only can they help you pick the right sizes, but they'll send you a couple of different ones to try and send back what you don't want. The only risk you have is spending money on shipping, but that's a small price to finding the right BC.

I've heard that a lot of hard to fit women like the BP/W set-up because it's so customizable. I'd recommend if you want to go that route, find someone who can fit you and teach you how to set it up.

[Diver Kat]

LOVE my Zeagle Zena ... it can be ordered specifically to fit your build ... the vest, back & shoulders can all be ordered in different sizes to fit pretty much any build, and the zip up vest front means no messing with a cumberbund & velcro!!

The greatest difficulty in properly sizing a woman's Buoyancy System is not finding a smaller size, or allowing for the bust, but lies in the fact that women's bodies have a defined waist where a waistband must fasten in order to secure the BC. At the same time, women tend to have both a shorter torso length and a lower center of buoyancy compared to men. So conventional buoyancy systems,which would ideally be worn lower for best balance and comfort, must be worn higher, around the narrowest part of the waist, in order to be secure. The Zena's twin waist and hip band system provides a way for women to securely position the weights and buoyancy below waist level, around the body's center of buoyancy.

All Zeagle’s buoyancy systems are available with women’s sizing options and can be adjusted to provide excellent fit and functionality for women divers.

The Zena BC, however, has been designed by women as a buoyancy system specifically for women. The twin straps adjust to fit waist and hips independently, while the elastic front panels provide outstanding fit and comfort. Zeagle's patented PFS sizing system allows for the waist size, chest size, and torso length to be independently fitted. The Zena is designed to be fitted with the upper waistband at the natural waist, placing the weights and buoyancy low, around the body's center of buoyancy.

The Zena closes in the front with a heavy-duty zipper for a snug and secure, yet non-restrictive fit. A ripcord release weight system is standard.

[ScubaJW]

If you had a hard time finding the right fit, then why not go for back plate and wing? They are adjustable, so you can adjust it to fit you. Give them a try.

[MelC]

I have a Transpac which has most of the adjustability of a BP/W combined with a bit more cushiness in the back pad. Love it.

Mel