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SCUBAPRO HYDROS PRO | SRP: £769
Mark Evans: Scubapro have had back-inflate BCDs in their line-up for many years, ranging from larger units like the Knighthawk to more travel-orientated BCDs like the Glide Tec Pro, but the Hydros Pro treads a different path to its predecessors and, in fact, won the 2016 Red Dot award for product design. At first glance, it is more reminiscent of the Glide Tec Pro, which was a stripped-back, lightweight BCD that was ideal for travel. However, once you get over that initial overview, it is clear that the Hydros Pro is a completely different animal. The back pad and the straps are all made of injectionmolded Monprene, the same material that the innovative Seawing Nova fins are constructed from. This stuff is extremely resistant to UV, chemicals and abrasion, but perhaps more importantly, it is also virtually instantly dry when you exit the water – the water literally just sheds off it. Having had padded backpads balanced on top of doors to be in front of air-conditioning units, desperately trying to get them dry before a flight home, I really appreciate this development! With swivelling shoulder clips and a chest strap, the harness has a great fit, and snugly and comfortably hugs your body, reducing any cylinder movement both topside and underwater. The Hydros Pro has neat integrated weight pockets that slot into almost skeletal mounts, which not only cuts down on weight and looks cool, but as they are also made of Monprene, they don’t retain any water either. These can be removed quickly and easily, so if you were travelling
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