Decathlon SCUBA Diving Gear Review

I have always been into freediving because SCUBA diving requires a lot of technical knowledge not only for the activity itself but the gear, too. Unlike freediving which only requires a mask, snorkel and a pair of fins (at times weights), SCUBA diving really has a lot. The pro of the latter? It could take me longer and deeper safely than what I usually dive in one breath. It allows me to experience and appreciate more the ocean and the life that it holds. With this in mind, I went SCUBA diving frequently especially this year. With that, I grabbed the complete set of gear from my trusted shop. Thinking of getting yours soon, too? Here’s a detailed review of the Decathlon SCUBA Diving Gear by Subea to help you with!

You may also want to read: Decathlon Philippines’ SUBEA Complete Freediving Gear – A Review

SCUBA Diving with Decathlon

Subea Buoyancy Compensator Device

Decathlon’s SCUBA diving buoyancy compensator device is a jacket-style that weighs around 3.24 Kg or 7 lbs. It is a wrap around one which makes it stable and could be easily adjusted according to the size of the user. Further, it is suitable for both men and women. The smallest size fits my body frame well and comfortably in and out of the waters. It does not restrict the arms in any way and it even allowed me to move my arms freely. I had no problem at all in releasing the air to decrease its buoyancy since its knobs for adjusting could be easily located. Overall, it’s easy to use especially for a beginner at the same time, all good for comfort, adjustment control, stability, streamlining and ascent control.

It has five attaching or D rings and two large velcro-enclosed side pockets that are all accessible. The D-rings are attached on the straps: near the shoulder on both sides, at the mid and one at the lower.

The BCD also comes with releasable weight pockets; hence, the integrated weights. This means I did not have to wear a weight belt as I can just load the releasable pockets with the lead weights I needed. It has neon green knob that can be easily seen to facilitate the pull out and a buckle inside to secure the weights in the pocket.

The takeaway with this Decathlon SCUBA Diving item: it is among the most affordable with good quality BCD in the market!

Subea Balanced Piston Regulator Pack With Octopus Pressure Gauge

Regulators manage the high-pressure, compressed air from the tanks; thus, allow SCUBA divers to breath normally underwater.

SUBEA’s Balanced Piston Regulator Pack with Octopus Pressure Gauge has a DIN regulator assembly. Its balanced piston or first stage made of chrome-plated brass has two high-pressure ports and four medium pressure ports. This, together with its second stage allowed me to dive with ease and comfort in and out cold and non-cold water. The Purging button’s size is big and soft enough making the purging easier. I must say, I feel comfortable with SUBEA’s regulator mouthpiece. It has varying softness and the part touching the gums and around the tongue is ultra soft. Definitely no strain and stress around the mouth area all throughout.

The hoses were just in the right place especially during the descent or dive; thanks to its pivoting turret. There’s only one color sold in the market, the classic black.

Overall, I had a constant breathing effort in varying depths with this regulator.

You may choose to purchase the separate regulator bag to keep the regulator safe from any damage. As for the servicing, Decathlon’s diving sports leader advised that the regulator shall be serviced only in SUBEA certified workshops at least once in two years with an annual physical inspection. Lastly, its price is pretty competitive as well compared to other regulators in the market.

Subea Adjustable SCUBA fins

For a different dive experience, I used a pair of Subea’s short Adjustable SCUBA fins this time. The pair of fins weigh around 1.7 Kg. It was easy to travel with it as it can be kept in a bag and it does not weigh much; thus, wouldn’t go over the baggage’s weight restrictions shall I decide to travel with it.

What sets it apart from the other fins that I have been using is that, its foot pockets are not closed-heel. Instead, it has a bungee elastic strap at the heel. Just when I thought that it would be hassle, it actually kept my heels in place all throughout our dive. The bungee elastic strap makes the fins fit a range of foot sizes with the said strap and the front pocket is also wide. Further, It has a rubber with a flat side as a support for the heel and the other side has what seem like a pull out strap. It is advisable though to have it worn with booties. It was easy to wear it wherever and whenever since I could simply slip my feet on and pull the strap.

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The blades are made of rubber. It may feel stiff as it thick and has rigid ribs but it has got enough flex regardless of the finning style, even in strong currents or non at all. When I took a closer look at it, I noticed that it has wings on both sides of its tips. These small wings kept the feet stable regardless of the finning technique or style that I used.

Subea SCUBA Diving Mask

I used Decathlon’s diving mask that they recently released. All of my diving mask from Subea have double lens. This, however, is the first one with single lens made of scratch-resistant tempered glass. Hence, a better field of view. It has two available colors and I got myself the black one.

Surprisingly, the skirts’ thickness vary. The skirts surrounding the lens is slightly thick and matted while the ones that covers the face is smoother and softer. The nose part has soft silicone and its sides has a different print that can facilitate equalization. It is too smooth compared to other masks which may make the fingers slip.

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The strap has the same texture as the silicone skirt around the face and the inside of the mask. It provides good grip on the skin; hence, preventing leaks. It may be a little problem for women like with me with long hair as my strands often get stuck into it. But the good thing about it? It doesn’t slip off the head. It has small buckles on both sides for ease of adjustment.

You may also want to read: Decathlon’s 2020 Low Volume Freediving Mask: A Review

Subea Women’s Scuba Diving 3 mm Neoprene Wetsuit

Subea’s SCUBA diving wetsuit got me the first time I saw it. Its color and design are simply catchy. I got the 3mm one-piece type because it is best for tropical waters. It is made of 100% Rubber, Chloroprene and Neoprene that is soft enough to allow ease of movements. It has perfectly tight waterproof seams that somehow prevent the water from flooding the insides of the suit. I noticed on our shore entry that water don’t come in fast even on the stitched parts as the seams are taped with GBS or Glue and Blind-stitched technique. If so, the suit traps the water inside that the body warms eventually which creates a thermal buffer.

I grabbed the smallest size for women. It does fit me well and it emphasized my curves somehow as the suit is said to be designed for female body shape. I may have had trouble wearing it especially with going through the seams but I resorted to wrapping my hands and feet with a plastic which made me smoothly wear it.

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Lastly, it has reinforcements which I initially thought were just designs of the suit. These are strategically positioned at the shoulder, lower back and knees and these serve different several purposes. The ones on the friction zones including the shoulders partly extended to the upper back and lower back kept my buoyancy compensator from slipping. The print on the knees, o the other hand, increase resistance.

Decathlon SCUBA Diving Gear, in a Nutshell

Overall, I had a good and safe SCUBA diving experience with the complete gear from Decathlon. I made a right choice getting these stuff as they are indeed a good deal. Its price, I cay say, is highly competitive and my experience was not compromise. More so, Decathlon Philippines offers maintenance services for the gear.

You may also want to read:

• The Differences between SCUBA Diving, Freediving and Skin Diving
• Best Dive Sites in Batangas 2021
• Dealing with Stress and Anxiety through Freediving