Mares

Mares Bolt SLS BCD

Unisex back-inflation BCD with a monoplate backpack and the Mares SLS quick-release weight system.

Mares Bolt SLS BCD
3.9Comparison Score
$559.95
Buy on AmazonBuy on Scuba.com
Released2017
Styleback inflation
Weight-integratedYes
Lift capacity46 lbs
Backplatenone
D-rings6
Trim pocketsYes
Material420D Cordura
Travel-friendlyNo
Dry weight3900g
Fitunisex
SizesXS-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
  • Six stainless steel D-rings give ample gear attachment points
  • SLS weight pockets show a green/red lock indicator so divers can visually confirm secure insertion
  • 420D Cordura construction resists abrasion from boat decks and tank rash
Cons
  • Rigid monoplate backpack is bulkier to pack than foldable travel BCDs
  • 46 lb lift is modest for cold-water divers running thick wetsuits, steel doubles, or heavy accessory loads
Diver community sentiment
Mostly positive

ScubaLab's panel named the Bolt SLS a "Best Buy" back-inflation BC, citing strong lift, a supportive harness with good lumbar support, and a secure, non-restrictive fit, though testers found the SLS weight system a little fussy to load at first. On Scubaboard, actual owners reported multi-year reliability with no failures, one diver logged three years of cold-water drysuit diving with "zero issues," though he wished it had a crotch strap. The main negative undercurrent wasn't specific to the Bolt SLS but general skepticism from some posters about Mares build quality versus brands like Scubapro or Aqualung long-term.

Scuba Diving Magazine: Bolt SLS ScubaLab Best BuyScubaboard: Bolt SLS quality discussion

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

The Mares Bolt SLS is a unisex, back-inflation BCD built around a padded monoplate backpack and Mares’ SLS (Slide and Lock System) integrated weight pockets, which give a visual cue when weights are properly seated. With 46 lbs of lift, six stainless steel D-rings, and 420D Cordura construction, it’s aimed at recreational divers who want a straightforward, durable back-inflate design rather than a jacket-style BCD.