Mares

Mares Magellan HD BCD

Heavier-duty, back-mounted jacket BCD variant of the Magellan with added padding and 41 lbs of lift.

Travel-friendly

Lighter and more packable than a standard BCD of the same lift capacity, aimed at divers who fly to their diving.

Mares Magellan HD BCD
3.8Comparison Score
$595.95
Buy on AmazonBuy on Scuba.com
Released2023
Stylejacket
Weight-integratedYes
Lift capacity41 lbs
Backplatenone
D-rings5
Trim pocketsYes
Material420D Cordura
Travel-friendlyYes
Dry weight3250g
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
  • 41 lb lift and five stainless steel D-rings offer more capability than the standard Magellan
  • X-tra padded backplate and shoulder construction add comfort over the base Magellan
  • Removable weight pockets and integrated trim pockets allow the diver to fine-tune weight placement
Cons
  • Heavier and less packable than the standard foldable Magellan, since it adds padding and structure
  • Costs meaningfully more than the base Magellan for the added durability and lift
Diver community sentiment
Mixed opinions

Model-specific Scubaboard discussion is thin: the one substantive thread found is critical, with an experienced diver dismissing the Magellan HD (and Mares BCDs generally) as "big bulky BCDs," calling 40+ lbs of lift "way too much for single tank diving," and the original poster ultimately switched to a backplate/wing setup. By contrast, ScubaLab's professional test panel rated it among top scorers for comfort and stability, praising the padded backplate and hip weight distribution. An independent blog review echoed praise for fit and packability but flagged an undersized-feeling inflator hose and awkward drop-pocket access.

Scubaboard: Magellan HD bulk/lift criticismScuba Diving Magazine: Magellan HD ScubaLab review

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 Magellan HD is a versatile, lightweight, foldable, back-mounted jacket BCD that sits above the standard Magellan in the lineup, adding extra padding on the backplate and shoulders along with a higher 41 lb lift rating. It uses the same quick-release, removable weight-pocket system as the base Magellan, plus dedicated rear trim pockets, and is still marketed as travel-friendly despite the added durability.