Initial Thoughts
First, the good news about the Mares Prestige SLS BCD: It is a very comfortable, traditional jacket. It’s lightweight and has adjustment points at the shoulders, waist, and chest, giving it the ability to fit a multitude of divers. It’s lightweight and I was able to maintain buoyancy and trim throughout all of my test dives. And it has a lot of gear attachment points, both stainless steel and technopolymer.
I really didn’t like the Slide & Lock System (SLS). It’s a neat concept, but in practice it just falls short. Being able to see the green lock symbol through the window seems like it would be a good idea. After all, it is a simple “improvement” over the audible click that we are used to.
It gives the diver both audio and visual confirmation that the integrated weights are locked. We’ve all been on a loud boat while trying to set up gear, so we appreciate the intended advancement.
But that’s where the problem lies—the actual setup of the weight pockets. You must keep the handle separated from the rest of the pocket while you slide it in the receptacle, and push it in only once you have loaded the pocket. It’s difficult while not wearing the BCD, and nearly impossible while wearing it.
Spec Breakdowns & Features
The Mares Prestige SLS is a traditional, jacket-style BCD, which means divers will float face up on the surface in an unexpected emergency scenario. The Prestige is a lightweight, travel-ready BCD that weighs 8.4 pounds (size large).
Divers don’t have to worry about choosing between aluminum and steel tanks, as the Prestige delivers 38 pounds of lift (size large)*. Feel confident in your comfort while diving and while on the surface. With up to 13 pounds in each pocket (size large)** divers don’t have to worry about trying to squeeze weights into tiny pockets.
Adjustable at the shoulders, waist, and chest, the Prestige fits a variety of body shapes and sizes. Standard with two stainless steel and four technopolymer D-rings, there are plenty of choices for gear attachment, and divers will never have to sacrifice by leaving gear on the boat.
*Lift capacity: XXS: 24 lbs.; XS: 27 lbs.; SM: 30 lbs.; MD: 35 lbs.; LG: 38 lbs.; XL: 45 lbs.
**Ditchable weight: XS-SM: 18 lbs.; MD-XL: 26 lbs.
Accessories
Mares manufactures almost anything you could want to fill your dive bag for your next adventure. Some of our favorites are Mares masks, fins, and boots. One of our highest rated snorkels comes from Mares. You can read our review of the Mares Ergo Flex snorkel here.
Price/Quality Ratio
The cost of the Mares Prestige SLS is in line with other traditional jacket-style BCDs, and falls right on the line between budget and midrange, depending on where you purchase it.
Aside from the problems I encountered with the Slide & Lock System, the Prestige SLS is a good BCD worth the money you would spend. It is comfortable, lightweight, and has a lot of gear attachment points in stainless steel and technopolymer D-rings.
Do we recommend the Mares Prestige SLS?
We do recommend the Mares Prestige SLS BCD, with one caveat. Make sure you spend ample time practicing how to use the Slide & Lock System before taking it into open water.
Other than what we would consider an unfortunate design flaw, the Prestige gives divers what they need in a traditional jacket-style BCD. It is lightweight, travels well, has ample adjustment points at the shoulders, waist, and chest. There are also plenty of attachment points in the form of stainless steel and technopolymer D-Rings.
Specs & Features
| Inflation | Traditional jacket-style |
|---|---|
| Weight | 8.4 pounds (size large) |
| Lift capacity | 38 pounds (size large) |
| Clips/D-rings | Two stainless steel, and four technopolymer |
| Adjustment points | Both shoulders, chest, and waist strap |
| Tank attachment | Single tank band with tank height adjustment strap |
| Weight capacity | 13 pounds each pocket ditchable (size large), and 10 pounds trim |
