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About BCD Travel

BCD Travel helps companies travel smart and achieve more. We drive program adoption, cost savings and talent retention through digital experiences that simplify business travel. Our 13,000 dedicated team members service clients in 170+ countries as we shape a sustainable future for business travel. For more information, visit www.bcdtravel.com .

SME corporate travel management

Media and entertainment travel management

Meetings and event management

Sports travel and events

Travel management consultancy

Full control for the best results

Make managing business travel a lot easier and more effective with tools like travel policy integration, (automated) pre-trip approval and our award-winning travel app.

Keep control over business travel costs

Enforcing rules is never fun. But what if your travelers follow the rules automatically? We’ll integrate your travel policy directly into our self-service platform, making it invisible for your travelers. You’ll steer your travelers to make the best buying decisions for your travel budget. With every booking they make, you’ll be sure to capture all your business travel spend, realize savings and keep your travelers safe.

Preferred flight/rail travel classes

Let your travelers know which travel classes they can book

Preferred hotels and rental cars

Indicate your preferred hotels and rental companies

Maximum fares and rates

Set maximum limits on air fares and hotel rates that your travelers can book

Company locations

Add your company offices or other locations to make booking easier and faster

Preferred payment method

Make travel payment easier by presetting your preferred payment method

Invoice references

Use up to six references to streamline your travel invoice handling

Trip approval

Keep travelers safe and control costs with the built-in trip approval process

Multiple travel policies

Set up separate travel policy guidelines for e.g. your VIP travelers

Take action when it's needed the most

With our built-in, automated pre-trip approval process, you’ll know when and where your travelers are headed to before their journey starts. Act fast and prevent them from booking options that exceed your travel budget or traveling to high-risk destinations.

Manage risks and ensure the safety of your travelers

Travel risks like COVID-19 has put traveler safety as the number one priority for many companies. Risk management for your employees or colleagues is an essential part of managing business travel. With reliable tools and 24/7 emergency service, we help you ensure the safety of your travelers on the road.

Manage trips, anytime, anywhere

Even while your travelers are on the road, we help make the best of their trip by keeping them informed and productive with our travel app for iPhone and Android.

• Trips automatically sync after booking
• Direct access to current and past trip details
• Real-time flight notifications and check-in reminders
• Risk alerts and emergency response ("I'm safe" feature)
• Share trips with colleagues, family and friends
• Add trip items
• Cancel your trip elements
• Maps and directions
• Add receipts
• Account settings and preferences

Full control and maximum results

• Integrated travel policy
• Pre-trip approval process
• Award-winning travel app

BCD Travel Suisse

Location & hours.

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Avenue Louis-Casaï 81

1216 Cointrin

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BCD Travel unveils new version of TripSource app

Global travel management company BCD Travel will launch a new version of its mobile app, TripSource, later this month . Built from the ground up, the entirely new TripSource app leverages the latest mobile technology to deliver a rich and intuitive user interface. TripSource allows travellers to securely shop, book and manage all aspects of their trip experience directly from their mobile device.

“Over one million travellers use TripSource.”

“When we set out to build the next generation of TripSource, we knew we had the opportunity to produce some innovative new features that would offer travellers an even better user experience every step of the way, before, during and after their trip,” said Yannis Karmis, senior vice president of product planning and development for BCD Travel. “With over one million travellers using TripSource, the goal was to reimagine the app experience. The new app had to accommodate more functionality and scale for an ever-changing industry while maintaining the user experience, positive reviews and ratings.”

“The mobile app is an extension of our TripSource traveller engagement platform and is the way we service travellers—from trip planning, booking and itineraries to duty of care and disruptions,” said Will Pinnell, vice president of product planning and development for BCD Travel.

The app will now include self-service features, pre-trip planning and booking, improved design and navigation and will be made available to all travellers in mid-July 2019 in over 113 countries and in five languages.

BCD Travel announces new leadership in Japan

BCD surveys reveal travel buyer priorities and traveler behaviors toward…

Travel & expense spend management is growing in importance

John Snyder to step down as CEO of BCD Travel after 30 years

Since you're here...

...there are many ways you can work with us to advertise your company and connect to your customers. Our team can help you design and create an advertising campaign

We can also organize a real life or digital event for you and find thought leader speakers as well as industry leaders, who could be your potential partners, to join the event. We also run some awards programmes which give you an opportunity to be recognized for your achievements during the year and you can join this as a participant or a sponsor.

Let us help you drive your business forward with a good partnership!

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Top Message

To become a travel infrastructure provider in the global business society.

HTB-BCD Travel’s management philosophy is “In the global society, we will make efforts to create values together with our customers and contribute to the society as a corporate responsibility.” With this philosophy, we are developing our business with the following management vision: “To become a travel infrastructure that is most frequently chosen by customers.”

Amid the rapidly changing world environment, in the innovation-oriented society, problems nagging customers are becoming diversified and complicated, which makes it necessary for the business travel industry to comprehensively handle multiple solutions.

In the face of this reality, we decided to continue to challenge the changes and shift our focus to become a “Business Travel Management Company” that comprehensively provides overseas and domestic business trip support as well as support for incentive trips and overseas and domestic conferences and events.

In April 2011, we became a business partner of BCD Travel, the 3rd largest in the world in terms of scale and network, and in July 2019, we became a part of the BCD Travel group. We provide BTM services to the Japanese business units of the clients that are under the global contract with BCD Travel.

We will try to provide solutions for all aspects of business travels by integrating know-how on business travels that we have accumulated for half a century since the company’s establishment and the global standard services. We will continue to respond to diverse needs of our customers without fail and will contribute to their creation of values as a provider of travel infrastructure. We appreciate your continued support.

CEO/President Kazuhiko Otani

Corporate philosophy

Company Outline

Company history, sales offices, full compliance.

In recent years, there is a strong demand from both the market and society for companies to ensure compliance with laws and regulations and to voluntarily uphold high ethical standards. At HTB-BCD Travel, we strive to develop and strengthen our compliance system, working to ensure compliance and to foster a “corporate culture in pursuit of the high ethical standards”; one that is committed to sound and proper corporate activities, with the aim of becoming a company that is trusted by its customers.

Compliance Promotion System

In an effort to improve and strengthen our compliance system, we have in place compliance officers covering all domestic and overseas operational bases. The compliance status within the group is reported to the representative director and is audited on a regular basis.

Internal Reporting System

To help prevent illegal and/or inappropriate actions, and to quickly detect and rectify any problems, we have established an internal whistleblowing and consultation system. HTB-BCD Travel protects the personal information of whistleblowers, ensures confidentiality of reports, and prohibits any retaliatory actions against whistleblowers.

Tightening of Information Security

We understand the importance of proper storage and management of both customer information and internal information. To provide our customers with safe, reliable and secure service, we continue to strive to maintain the highest level of IT security through vigorous enforcement of internal regulations, and regular and appropriate employee education and training.

Personal Information Protection

Our customers entrust us with a large quantity of personal information. HTB-BCD has established a “Privacy Policy” which allows us to take appropriate actions for the protection of such personal information.

• Privacy Policy

Privacy Mark

We are certified as an enterprise with a system of effective measures to protect personal information. This gives us the right to display the Privacy Mark. Some of our subsidiaries are also certified as such.

Global Network

HTB-BCD Travel (Shanghai) Ltd.

Corporate name: HTB-BCD Travel (Shanghai) Ltd.

Location: 7/F, Building 3B, South Section TianHua Info. Science and Tech. Park, No.195 Long Tian Road, Shanghai 200235

Established:November 2011

Capital:¥20 million

Shareholder: HTB-BCD Travel Limited (100%)

Legal representative:Osamu Shibata

Directors: Osamu Shibata (Outside Director) Naomi Watanabe (Outside Director) Akira Kumatoriya

President: Akira Kumatoriya

Beijing Base: 5/F, SDI Tower, NO. 5 Guangqu Home, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100022

Airline TicketI ssuing Partner Company: BCD Travel China

Menu of Hitachi Travel Bureau (Shanghai)

Business travel management.

We conduct BTM based on the same service standards as those in Japan while considering the characteristics of Chinese business.

Risk management

Our specialized account team supports customers who are overseas as expatriate employees or on business trips by utilizing a wide variety of experience and knowledge.

Data and Cost Management

We offer consultation services to reduce travel expenses by compiling and analyzing the actual data including the number of travelers, actual expenses, and the average cost per month.

Scheme for Alternate Billing

If you need to arrange domestic airline tickets etc. in China, you can book them directly in China through us. We will charge the Japanese company that is responsible for the costs in Japanese yen. This service is also available for expatriate employees and their family members for their annual home leave trips to Japan. By utilizing this service, business travelers, expatriate employees, and Chinese companies need not advance travel expenses.

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Proposals for Personal Travel and Group Tours

We propose plans for company outings, study tours, and incentive trips both inside and outside of Japan based on your requirements. We can also make arrangements for expatriate employees and their family members inside China and family members’ trip from Japan to China.

HTB-BCD Travel (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. proposes the most suitable plan for individual customers with our heartfelt and meticulous service.

BCD M&E (Meetings & Events)

BCD Travel is a leading business travel company, the 3rd largest in the world in terms of scale and network. From its headquarters in the Netherlands, it has developed into a business with a presence in over 110 countries.

HTB-BCD Travel signed a business partner agreement with BCD Travel in April 2011. HTB-BCD Travel became a part of the BCD Group in July 2019.

BCD Travel offers business travel management services to global companies based in Japan through comprehensive contracts, as well as extending its services to Japanese companies active abroad and foreign-owned companies in Japan through local contracts.

Overseas sales bases/offices

Santa Clara (BCD Travel, Sunrise Desk) ADDRESS   2535 Augustine Drive, 2nd floor, Santa Clara, CA 95054 CONTACT   TEL:1-888-774-3508  (New York and Santa Clara Common Number)

Shanghai: HTB-BCD Travel (Shanghai) Ltd. ADDRESS   7/F, Building 3B, South Section TianHua Info. Science and Tech. Park, No.195 Long Tian Road, Shanghai 200235 CONTACT   TEL:86-21-8011-3900(Company code:36085)

Beijing: Hitachi (China) Ltd. Group Business Center, Travel Planning Room ADDRESS  5/F, SDI Tower, NO. 5 Guangqu Home, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100022

Welcome to our news room

Dear journalists,

We are happy to see that you’ve found your way to our global news room. If you are searching for business travel related information, quotes or pictures don’t hesitate to  reach out to us .

We are looking forward to your inquiries.

Latest news

April 9, 2024

BCD Travel reveals the top destinations of 2023 for U.S. business travelers

April 4, 2024

BCD Travel 2023 Cities & Trends Report: Amsterdam and New York are the top destinations for European business travelers

March 14, 2024

BCD Travel car rental survey reveals 81% of travelers don’t rent electric cars due to poor logistics, range and availability

January 30, 2024

BCD Travel China partners with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) and Colorful Earth to drive sustainable transformation in business travel

December 19, 2023

BCD Travel remains Most Admired Travel Management Company

December 6, 2023

Ávoris Corporación Empresarial and BCD Travel sign partnership agreement for Portugal

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November 30, 2023

BCD Travel announces new leadership in Japan

November 6, 2023

BCD Travel remains sustainable supplier of choice  

October 12, 2023

Customer Service

We pride ourselves on our excellent customer service.  Please feel free to contact us if we can help you in any way.

Office Hours 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Central Standard Time

Telephone (800) 913 1942

BCD Travel in Greece

Optimizing travel spend for business success..

Empowering travelers with breakthrough tools for safety and productivity, enabling smart choices on the move. Collaborating with travel and procurement pioneers to simplify business travel challenges, secure savings and advance corporate goals.

Privacy notice

• If you are a global/multinational client of BCD Travel, receiving BCD Travel services, you may view the BCD Global Privacy Policy  here .
• If you are a national client of BCD Travel Greece S.A., receiving services from  BCD Travel Greece S.A. only , please review the Privacy Policy  here .
• If you are not sure which policy applies or have other questions related to the processing of personal data, please contact  [email protected] .

BCD Travel locations in Greece

BCD Travel Greece

35, Kapnikareas str Athens 105 56 [email protected]

Get Directions

Would you like to learn more about our travel management solutions?

Contact our sales team to explore how we can assist you with your corporate travel program.

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We make the complex simple.

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Local executive team

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Airline operations, travel smart. achieve more..

Get solutions for business travel that help you save time, money and stress.

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DIVE Magazine

Scuba Diving Luxury Travel Magazine

The best travel BCDs for 2023

4 May 2023 11 minutes

A lightweight travel BCD makes the perfect choice for warm-water recreational diving. Here are some of the best travel B CDs on the market today – a mix of traditional jacket, back-inflation and wing-style versions, all 3kg or less in weight

This article contains Amazon Affiliate links, through which DIVE Magazine earns commission from qualifying purchases – helping to keep us in print and produce quality content, largely available free of charge to our readers. Click here for more information

With airline baggage charges occupying a shadowy borderline between ‘additional fees’ and ‘not far off blackmail’, travellers can find themselves handing over cash for even the slightest packing oversight.

A full set of dive gear can take up your entire baggage allowance all by itself and airlines are inconsistent as to whether or not they will accept dive gear as ‘sporting goods’. If you have to take multiple carriers to reach your destination, then it’s entirely possible you will find yourself held to ransom halfway through your journey.

Lightweight travel BCDs may have compromises regarding their use and durability, but for the typical tropical diver, these are offset by the savings in baggage fees and ease of transport. There’s no hard-and-fast rule as to what the weight limit of a travel BCD should be, but the unofficial target set by the manufacturers is 3kg, so we’ve aimed in this article for a range of products that come in at 3kg or under.

More from DIVE’s equipment guides:

• DIVE’s guide to the best action cameras for scuba divers
• DIVE’s guide to the best dive computers
• DIVE’s guide to the best scuba diving fins
• DIVE’s guide to the best scuba diving regulators
• DIVE’s guide to prescription lens masks for scuba divers

AP Diving Commando Escape €469.65

AP Diving is a cutting-edge, independent British manufacturer based in Cornwall. Everything is built and tested in the company’s own workshop, and the quality of its products shines through. The Commando Escape is a traditional jacket-style BCD bordering on the 3kg weight limit and demonstrates AP Diving’s no-compromise approach to design. Using a bespoke material for the single-bladder construction that is welded rather than stitched, the Escape has four pockets, four anodized aluminium D-rings and a rigid, blow-moulded lightweight backplate, resulting in a complete BCD in terms of functionality and durability, but light enough to travel easily. There is no integrated weight system, but twin-cylinder and pony bottle cam bands are available as optional extras.

Specifications

Dry weight: 2.63kg (S) – 3.26kg (XXL) Maximum lift: 11.2kg(S) – 27.5kg (XXL) Material/denier: bespoke OceanSeal 805 (bladder), Cordura 1000 (exterior) Backplate: rigid Integrated weights: no

www.apdiving.com

Ap diving travelwing €469.65.

Built with a combination of the same 1,000-denier Cordura and the bespoke OceanSeal material as the Escape, the TravelWing is a back-inflation-style jacket that comes with an integrated weight system as standard, although the pockets can be extended and used for storage if the diver prefers to use a weight belt or harness. The padded cummerbund is adjustable at both the front and rear, and the soft backplate is padded for extra comfort, although it does mean that the twin cylinder cam upgrade is not available. D-rings are plentiful, with a total of seven on the outside and one in each pocket.

Dry weight : 2.7kg(S/M) – 2.9kg(L/XL) Maximum lift: 14.5kg Material/denier : bespoke OceanSeal 805 (bladder), Cordura 1,000 (exterior) Backplate: soft Integrated weights: yes

Aqualung Rogue £540.00

Aqualung’s Rogue is a cut-down back-inflation-style modular BCD which comes in at a lightweight 2.2kg, adding a little more for the optional integrated weight pockets. The Rogue’s unique ‘Mod-Lock’ system allows for a wide range of customisation, so that divers whose personal dimensions don’t match the standard sizes might use – for example – a large waistband with smaller shoulder straps. Uto 27 different customisation options are available. It’s ‘no fuss design’ retains essential features such as pockets, stainless steel D-rings, an octo holder and knife attachment point. It doesn’t have a backplate as such, rather, a semi-rigid harness to which everything else attaches, making packing and storage a low-profile affair.

Dry weight: 1.5kg Maximum lift: 15.3kg (33.7lbs) Material/denier: N/A Backplate: N/A Integrated weights: optional

www.aqualung.com

Check it out on amazon, cressi travelight / travelight lady £459.99.

Cressi’s most popular travel BCD is the jacket-style Travelight. The 210-denier nylon from which it is constructed means that some overall durability is sacrificed to make up for the light weight, but Cressi is keen to point out that the lighter material does not make the BCD any more ‘flimsy’ than others. The fully-flexible backplate comes with extra padding and two cambands for tank security, integrated weights are standard and two trim pockets at the rear are part of the design. Large zippered pockets and four alloy D-rings allow for plenty of carrying capacity, and the rear dump valve control is mounted at the front of the jacket. The Travelight Lady has differently-routed shoulder straps and fastenings to cater for the female form.

Dry weight: 2.3kg(XS) – 2.8kg (XL) Maximum lift: 6.1kg (XS) – 16.3kg(XL) Material/denier: nylon 210 Backplate: fully flexible Integrated weights: yes

www.cressi.com

Hollis lts $499.95.

Technical diving specialist Hollis has produced a slimmed-down version of its all-purpose HD200 tech/rec crossover, with the 2.27kg Lightweight Travel System featuring the classic ‘donut’ wing bladder with drag-reducing bungee cords in a lightweight harness. It is constructed from a 420-denier rated bladder with a 1,000-denier nylon external covering. Although it’s not strictly speaking a technical diving product, the location of chest and hip D-rings and 13.6kg lift capacity allows for the slinging of a second tank for those who wish to do so. The design is an all-in-one piece rather than an interchangeable modular system, and like most technical rigs there are no storage pockets and no integrated weight system as such. However, side pockets allow for 2.27kg of ditchable trim-weights according to the diver’s needs.

Dry weight: 2.27kg (S/M – XL) Max. lift: 13.6kg (all sizes) Material/denier: nylon 420 (bladder), 1000 (exterior) Backplate: partially flexible Integrated weights: trim only

www.hollis.com

Mares magellan £360.

Mares, for some time, did not have an especially lightweight option, but this has been dramatically changed with the introduction of its Magellan BCD, a back-inflate jacket weighing just 2.3kg in its largest available size, yet generating an impressive 18.5kg of lift. The backplate is completely foldable for ease of packing; an integrated weight system comes as standard with optional tank-mountable trim pockets. 1 heavy technopolymer and 4 stainless D ring plus a roll-up pocket keep accessories stored, and ergonomic concave shoulder straps make for a more comfortable all-round fit, especially for female divers.

Dry weight: 2.1kg (S/M) – 2.3kg (L/XL) Maximum lift: 18.5kg (41lbs) Material/denier: Cordura 420 Backplate: fully flexible Integrated weights: yes.

www.mares.com

Mares xr-rec trim single backmount set £480.

The Mares XR-Rec Trim Single Backmount Set comes with a redesigned ‘skeleton’ aluminium backplate shedding 40 per cent of its weight compared to its predecessor, with a soft back panel providing extra suport and comfort. Two tank straps provide cylinder security for the single bladder, which is longer than traditional designs for greater buoyancy in the lower back area, and two aluminium D-rings on the waist strap provide support for stage tanks. The set is available in black, blue, white and aqua.

Dry weight: 2.8kg Maximum lift: N/A Material/denier: 1000D Cordura Backplate: rigid Integrated weights: optional extra

Northern Diver Flight Travel £330

Northern Diver’s Flight Travel is a lightweight version of its popular Guardian BCD, weighing in between 2.7kg in its smallest size to 2.9kg in its largest. The Flight Travel has a moulded, padded, semi-rigid backplte and may be low in weight but it is definitely not short of features, with 15 – yes, fifteen! – CETL plastic D-rings, two generous zipped pockets and four air dumping methods. The BCD also has sliders for vertical adjustment of the chest strap, a removable reflective pocket for Northern Diver’s Flexi-Light, and a removable bungee cord with a split ring attachment point. Two integrated quick-release weight pockets come as standard. The ,

Dry weight: 2.8kg Maximum lift: 12.2kg (M), 22.4kg (L), 27.5kg (XL) Material/denier: Nylon 420D Backplate: moulded, padded Integrated weights: yes.

www.ndiver.com

Oceanic biolite $534.95.

Promoted by Oceanic as ‘minimalistic’, the open- harness, rear-inflation Biolite certainly meets that description. The bladder is constructed from Oceanic’s patented Bioflex material, which is claimed to be up to 30 per cent more flexible than other materials, therefore allowing the BCD to be built with a smaller air cell to minimise the amount of material used and to reduce the overall dimensions of the jacket. The exterior is constructed of 1,000-denier Cordura and, in keeping with the minimalist design, the integrated ‘quick drop’ weight system carries up to 6.4kg, with two non-ditchable trim pockets attached to the tank strap fitted as standard. Plastic D-rings, an adjustable shoulder carabiner retainer and small, zippered side pockets provide enough storage space for small accessories.

Dry weight: 2.5kg (L) Maximum lift: 11.4kg (S/M) – 13.2kg (L/XL/XXL) Material/denier: bespoke BioFlex (bladder), 1,000-denier Cordura (exterior) Backplate: fully flexible Integrated weights: trim only

www.oceanicworldwide.com

Scubapro go £455.

A mainstay of the recreational dive industry, Scubapro is renowned for its high-quality, staple products – the Go is no exception. Although the base material is 210-denier nylon, a polyurethane coating helps to reduce the damage associated with abrasion, while keeping the weight down to just 2.5kg. The fully-flexible backpack allows the Go to be folded into dimensions small enough to fit into cabin baggage, with its single-bladder wraparound construction built for the comfort of a standard BCD. A robust second strap, in addition to the cam buckle, helps to keep the tank stable, and voluminous zippered pockets, plus six aluminium D-rings and attachment grommets allow for plenty of storage. An integrated weight system is added as standard but can be removed to save further weight if needed. Trim weight pockets are available as an optional extra.

Dry weight: 2.4kg (XS) – 2.7kg (XL) Maximum lift: 10.2kg (XS) – 19.4kg (XL) Material/denier: polyurethane-coated, 210-denier nylon Backplate: fully flexible Integrated weights: yes

www.scubapro.com

Xdeep nx ghost £515-589.

The X-Deep Ghost is a premium wing geared towards the travelling recreational diver who prefers the wing and harness configuration. The skeleton backplate is made from aircraft-grade aluminium alloy and the tank adapter at the rear can be relocated to suit the diver’s requirements. The Ghost’s bladder, constructed from 1,100-denier Cordura, is smaller at the top than at the bottom, reducing the tendency to push a diver forward at the surface. Weighing in at just 2.2kg for the backplate, bladder and harness, complete with steel D-rings, the system is one of the lightest on the market. Ditchable weight pockets, as with most wing systems, are sold as modular extras but add little to the overall weight. A deluxe model is available which includes a quick-release harness and extra shoulder padding.

Dry weight: 2.2kg (standard), 2.4kg (deluxe) Maximum lift: 17kg Material/denier: polyurethane-coated nylon 420 (bladder), 1,100-denier Cordura (weight pockets) Backplate: rigid Integrated weights: no

www.xdeep.eu

Before you buy…, rent or buy your own dive gear for travel.

One obvious solution to the problem of excess baggage is not to carry any equipment at all, and to simply rent your kit from the dive centre. This is a personal choice, but most people who dive regularly prefer to buy their own gear. You know its history and how well it’s been looked after and – barring a change in your physique – it will be a perfect fit.

If you only dive once per year on holiday, renting equipment is less expensive overall, but since hiring a full set of gear can cost between €5 and €50 per day, regular divers will find that purchasing their own equipment will lead to long-term savings.

The first rule when buying equipment is: if you’re not certain, stick with what you know. Many divers will learn to dive in a jacket-style BCD, and if you know a product that fits you well and is known to be comfortable, then that’s your best starting point.

Fit is essential for BCDs as a poorly-fitting device can have a major impact on buoyancy control, but sizing can vary between manufacturers and their design philosophy and is often substantially different from what size T-shirt a person might wear.

Trying them out in person is highly recommended, and don’t forget that you might have to leave enough room for adjustment depending on the thickness of exposure suit you might be using. Consider what functionality you might require in terms of pockets and D-rings based on what you’re likely to carry during a dive.

Click here for DIVE’s guide to buying your first dive gear

Jacket, wing or back-inflate.

The jacket is the most common style of BCD and the one in which most people learn to dive. The bladder inflates at both the rear and the sides and this style is probably the best choice for inexperienced divers, as a jacket – generally speaking – gives you more vertical stability at the surface.

Wings are favoured by technical divers as they allow for more flexible configurations, provide excellent horizontal stability and have more room under the arms for carrying extra tanks or performing complicated tasks. They are increasingly popular among recreational divers, but you do need to learn to compensate for the position into which they can push you at the surface.

Wings have an inherent advantage when it comes to packing, as they are less bulky than a traditional jacket-style BCD, but don’t let this be a determining factor unless you’re sure a wing is right for you

Back-inflate BCDs are a hybrid of the jacket and wing designs which help maintain horizontal trim, but retain the pockets and integrated weight systems that many divers love. 

Click here for DIVE’s choice of back-inflate BCDs

Construction.

The basic material used in the construction of BCDs is nylon, or a variation thereof. Cordura®, which often crops up in BCD specs, is a brand that specialises in tough fabrics made from, among other things, nylon. Some manufacturers may highlight extra polyurethane (PU) or bespoke coatings for increased resistance to abrasion, usually with an increased price tag.

‘Denier’ is a measure of how densely the fibres of a particular fabric are woven, with the lower end of the scale being less dense – and therefore lighter, but less durable – than the higher. This does not mean that a BCD with a low-denier rating is in any way sub-standard, but it does mean that they are less resistant to abrasion.

Backplates are traditionally rigid constructions of hardened plastic, aluminium or steel. Some travel BCDs may have rigid, partially rigid or soft, flexible backplates to reduce luggage space, but care should be taken topside when handling kit with a soft backplate set up on a tank.

Integrated weights, pockets and D-rings

Integrated weight pouches are a common feature of many BCDs, but may be smaller in travel BCDs than on regular jackets, so you may need to carry extra weight using a weight belt. Some designs have additional trim pockets or pouches included as standard, other brands sell them as optional extras.

Similarly, side pockets on a travel BCD are often smaller than on a standard jacket to save on material weight. Some travel BCDs have only one pocket, and some have none at all.

D-rings are more likely to be made from plastic or aluminium rather than stainless steel, so if you habitually carry heavier equipment such as a professional-level camera with housing and strobes, you may need to take this into consideration.

Overall, there should be enough room for the carriage of accessories such as small torches, SMBs, reels, and to clip alternative air sources to the jacket, but you might need to invest in some extra clips.

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