Hollis

Hollis HD-200 BC

A back-inflation, weight-integrated BC from Aqualung's technical-diving sub-brand, built with nine stainless D-rings for heavy accessory loads.

Hollis HD-200 BC
3.9Comparison Score
$789.95
Buy on AmazonBuy on Scuba.com
Released2013
Styleback inflation
Weight-integratedYes
Lift capacity36 lbs
Backplatenone
D-rings9
Trim pocketsYes
Material1000D Cordura with PU lamination outer, 420D nylon internal bladder
Travel-friendlyNo
Dry weight4264g
Fitunisex
SizesS–XL

"Lift capacity" is the manufacturer-rated buoyancy the wing/bladder can provide at the surface. Match it to your exposure suit, tank, and weighting, not the biggest number available.

Pros
  • Nine stainless-steel D-rings (2 shoulder, 2 hip, 4 rear, 1 crotch) give extensive mounting points for lights, reels, and stage bottles
  • Quick-release 10 lb weight pockets plus non-dumpable 5 lb trim pockets allow fine trim adjustment
  • 1000D Cordura with PU lamination is built for cold-water and technical use
Cons
  • At roughly 9.4 lbs system weight, it is heavier and bulkier than travel-oriented BCDs
  • Priced above most entry-level recreational jacket BCDs
Diver community sentiment
Mostly positive

Divers on Scubaboard who own the HD-200 describe it as well-built and comfortable, reporting good horizontal and vertical trim and a fit close to a backplate-and-wing setup while retaining jacket-style conveniences like integrated weights and pockets. The main recurring complaint is pocket placement, positioned toward the rear where some divers find them awkward to access. A few technical-diving-oriented commenters push back on marketing comparisons to true BP/W rigs, noting the HD-200 still has padding, plastic buckles, and a pull-dump inflator that serious BP/W users try to avoid. No recurring durability or lift complaints were found.

Scubaboard: HD-200 owner feedbackScubaboard: HD-200 vs Scubapro Equator

Summarized from public forum discussion (Scubaboard, Reddit, and similar), not a survey we ran ourselves. See the linked threads for the original conversations.

The HD-200 is Hollis’s weight-integrated, back-inflation BC, built on a contoured backpack with lumbar support and an oval corrugated hose. It targets divers who want a technical-style back-inflate platform with recreational-friendly weight integration, rather than a full wing-and-backplate rig.