Drysuit Pockets - Necessary or Not?

[scubadoo]

Hi,

In the process of buying a new membrane drysuit, I was contemplating ordering pocket/s for leg/s, which one, I don't know either cargo or slimline pocket on leg/s.

Are they any good or are they a burden, does one really use them?

What type of pocket should one get? large or small, cargo standard or large, slimline pocket for knife, etc!

What location should be used? top of leg, side of leg, is there a drag element?

Thanks for all help, Ro.

[Graham Brierton]

Hi Ro

I am a reasonably new drysuit user but will throw in my tuppence worth.

I think a pocket big enough to take a DSMB (and perhaps mini reel too) is worth having on a leg. However, the ideal position for a knife/cutter or shears is somewhere a little higher up where you can reach it with either hand (eg on your BC or harness shoulder strap).

There we are... tuppence worth by my reckoning.

Graham

[PeteM]

Hi,

In the process of buying a new membrane drysuit, I was contemplating ordering pocket/s for leg/s, which one, I don't know either cargo or slimline pocket on leg/s.

Are they any good or are they a burden, does one really use them?

What type of pocket should one get? large or small, cargo standard or large, slimline pocket for knife, etc!

What location should be used? top of leg, side of leg, is there a drag element?

Thanks for all help, Ro.

The small pockets are a waste of time, you can not put anything usefull in them.

I have two zip cargo pockets and these are very useful. Right one has backup reel and blob, left one has spare mask and anything else I want to carry.

Only problem with them is getting back on a rib, but as I do that so infrequently it is not a problem

[Nigel Hewitt]

The small pockets are a waste of time, you can not put anything usefull in them.Agreed. I carry a decent spare torch, a spare mask, a blob+spool et. al. My pockets are zip closed with a document slide down the back. The suit is an Otter.Only problem with them is getting back on a rib, but as I do that so infrequently it is not a problemI have front mounted pockets and in hindsight perhaps side mounted would have been better for a RIB but once I have bounced up onto the tubes they don't seem to give any trouble. I think they do get in the way but by then gravity has committed me to coming aboard so it's all going to happen regardless.

[Woz]

I'd go for a velcro closing cargo pocket on the outside seam of both legs.

[John Williams]

Hi,

In the process of buying a new membrane drysuit, I was contemplating ordering pocket/s for leg/s, which one, I don't know either cargo or slimline pocket on leg/s.

Are they any good or are they a burden, does one really use them?

What type of pocket should one get? large or small, cargo standard or large, slimline pocket for knife, etc!

What location should be used? top of leg, side of leg, is there a drag element?

Thanks for all help, Ro.

You could similarly ask "Bo**ocks - necessary or not?"

For 50% of the population I think you'll find a resounding "YES!" ...with maybe some debate about care, positioning and grooming! (but no really good reasons except "I'm quite fond of mine!")

From the other 50% you'd probably get a resounding "NO!" - they make buddies/partners far too gung-ho and macho (however they may engage in the secondary debate too! ... unless they have found out what good "persuasioin tools" they are!)

Back to pockets:
You must decide on what use you will put them to...whether or not they get in the way...and after that enter into the secondary debate about how big is best and where to put them!

If you follow the metaphor?

John;)

[David Walker]

Not *necessary* but useful to have. I generally always have an SMB and spool in mine, so i've always got one - if i'm doing a dive where I know I need one then that'll be my backup, if its a dive where I don't take my primary then thats there just in case. My pocket is a velcro cargo pocket, on the side of my right thigh - seems a good place, never ever got in the way of anything I do, easy to get into, and useful to have. Wouldn't bother with those flat pockets though, i'd never think of anything to put in it.

David

[Roz]

Would absolutely recommend that you have atleast one cargo pocket fitted. I've got two, and they are on the front of my thighs. Great for hard boat diving and a complete pain when rib diving. (They get in the way when getting back on board). So get yourself a cargo pocket, thigh mounted but on the side of your leg. Yes it does impact on your streamlining, but not that much.

Two schools of thought for fastening. Velcro will never jam and you can always open it. Zips keep things secure, but can jam. If you do go down the velcro fastening then ask for a ring inside that you can clip things too. That way if the flap comes open when it shouldn't, you won't lose things. If you want an idea of a model to look for, for info see O'Three Cargo Pockets.

Cargo pockets are great for stashing slates, DSMB, spare mask, shears etc. Have a hole in the bottom of them, to allow water to drain, but not too big. Wouldn't go down the tiny pocket route, with a cargo whilst you might not use it now, you can always grow into it as your diving progresses.

Hope this helps.

[Ben Field]

Would definitely reccomend suit pockets, large ones, often called Cargo style, remember its a gloved hand you'll be using them with!

Make sure they are mounted high enough so you can reach the bottom (no point storing something you can't later reach! ;) )

I would reccomend velcro over zips, zips and salt water are even less compatible that water and toasters! :eek:

Side pockets over front pockets too, afterall your arms are on the sides not the front and a full pocket high up on the front of your thigh leads to your leg not bending, which is pretty useless if you want to fin anywhere, also less likely to scoop up silt/rock when grovelling about on the bottom :)

Things what I keep in my 2 cargo pockets-
(Not a "necessary" list just a suggestion)
Spare mask
Small 50mtr backup reel
Small yellow SOS DSMB
Goodie bag
Small adjustable spanner (You want to surface to fix leaky kit? :confused: )
50kg lift bag
Small LED shake to power torch (Recently replacing battery power torch for Backup)
Wetnotes
Plastic pencil for above...
Foldable IANTD Table
BSAC DIVE Conduct slate!! (Table on the back tic,tac,toe on the front!)

All either clipped togather or clipped to small steel d-ring at top of pocket.

Of course you could clip all those thingts to your BC (and look like a christmas tree/get tangled in everything) or BC pockets, (try getting your hand under your armpit to remove anything!!!)

Whatever you choose- dive safe,
BEN

[Alan Ewart]

Agree with all the views so far. Pockets are good

[Woz]

Woz Top Tip:
Instead of clipping everything off to that titchy D ring, tie a loop of bungee to the D ring then clip everything off to that. Then when you want something, you open the pocket and tip everything out, all clipped to the bungee. Then unclip what you want and shove everything back into the pocket. This way everything remains secure and clipped off and if you are really keen you can stretch the bungee and actually see what you are doing too.

Works a treat for stab pockets, too.

[hypertigger]

ooooooh yes.

my ndiver pockets were very small, and i could only get a knife into the one pocket.

my shiny predator suit has 2 cargo pockets which i can put loads of stuff in like slate, spare mask, blobs and things (they do make me look odd, as they pockets seem huge compared with my suit, but they were the smallest ones that dennis did)

so a hearty yes from this small one.

[Daniology]

Yep I'd go with all that. Pockets are great where else are you going to keep your blob, your emergency bit of string, your playpuss with chosen beverage and emergency stash of food for when you get bored on stops. As for positioning put your hands by your sides onto your legs and thats where I'd put them.

[TerryH]

Surprised nobody has actually mentioned that if you dive a wing/backplate
then chances are you will have a small pouch at the front which is pretty
much in the way of any straps.

So why not have some decent pockets on the drysuit and have an
uncluttered front. Has the other advantage that if you do swap your twin
for a single and ordinary BC, you dont forget your spare mask. Same stuff
goes in the pockets no matter whats on your back.

I'd have cargo pockets definatly.

T.

[Martyn Ward]

you will have a small pouch at the front

Don't worry dear, size isn't everything. :D :D :D

[TerryH]

LOL very good.

Sooooooooooooo many replies to that one, but as I have a large beaver
out the front think I'd better stay quiet.

[John Williams]

LOL very good.

Sooooooooooooo many replies to that one, but as I have a large beaver
out the front think I'd better stay quiet.

Speaking of Beavers.....

(and sorry to completely sidetrack the thread!)

John