It is a great year of relaunch by Mares Pure Passion, with lots of new products. After the recently presented Mares EOS Pro torch, the Mares Hydro backpack buoy is another interesting offer by the Italian brand. And much more is to come! The Hydro takes definitely inspiration from the Subea SPF 900 backpack buoy, winner of the Best Choice by Apneapassion 2023. Still, at a similar price, the Mares Hydro backpack buoy represents a better evolution than the Subea one.
A more stable design for the Mares Hydro
Probably the only weak point of the Subea SPF 900 backpack buoy was the shape that determined an unstable balance on the water. The Mares Hydro backpack buoy instead has solved the problem thanks to a clever design. Internally and centrally, in fact, the Mares Hydro has two axles, one inferior and one superior, which can be connected together thanks to two Nylon bands.
Such solution avoids to have a convex lower surface of the floater buoy, as such profile would generate instability in the water. Instead, the inferior profile of the Mares Hydro is flat, slightly convex. Such design determines great stability and a slight reduction in friction due to a catamaran effect, with two elongated profiles touching the water. At the same time, also the upper profile is flat with a small V shape centrally. The spearo will be able to lay on the floater more comfortably and stably.
Backpack function of the Mares Hydro
Internal storage
The excellent usage of the Mares Hydro backpack buoy starts from the possibility to carry all the spearfishing equipment. Wetsuit, gloves and socks, mask, snorkel and knife, torch and other accessories can all be stored inside the Mares Hydro. When this is done the buoy is not swollen, but simply full of equipment. The two connection bands inside the buoy are unhooked. In such a way the maximum capacity of the Mares Hydro is accessible.
Side and frontal connections and pockets for spearguns and fins
Evidently the unfordable and long equipment cannot be stored inside the Mares Hydro. For such reason, the spearguns can be positioned one per side of the backpack. Two adjustable Nylon bands per side will keep the spearguns in place. The long fins, instead, will be positioned frontally, with the tips of the blades inside the frontal mesh pocket. The fins will be kept in place, as they would bend dew to the weight of the foot pockets, thanks to an adjustable Nylon band.
Transformer: from backpack to dive board buoy
Spearfishing equipment out and clothes in
Once walked to the spot where we want to dive, we can take all our diving equipment out of the Mares Hydro. The Hydro has a very useful handle at the top, both to carry the backpack with our hand for short transfers, or to grab the handle when in the water. Another handle is positioned in the inferior part of the backpack to be able to pull the buoy from each side when in the water.
We will then put all our clothes inside the backpack and connect the two internal Nylon straps. We will be able to put inside all our clothes, but also our valuables, such as wallet or mobile phone, as the inside of the backpack will remain dry. Of course, especially for the mobile phone, a dedicated additional water proof bag will be a guarantee.
Off the braces
Releasing a velcro strap the braces will come off and we will be able to store them inside the backpack. Now the inferior surface of the Mares Hydro is perfectly free of additional elements and smooth for a better glide on the water.
Inflation to become a dive board
Once all our dry stuff is in the backpack, we can close the water tight T-ZIP. An elastic loop cord is a good improvement to insure the T-ZIP remains closed.
We will then open the large 2-way valve, perfect for quick inflation/deflation. With a few blows the backpack will have become a dive board and buoy. In fact, the valve is a high quality solution, which opposes no resistance during the inflation phase, still perfectly avoiding the air to exit back out.
We will then insert the high mast, 99 cm long, of the signal flag. Such length is a great advantage to have the best visibility in the water and a clearer advise to the incoming boats. Also, the flag helps on this, as it is 40 cm wide and 30 cm tall, very big! Two flags are included: Diving/Alpha.
Away we go spearfishing with the Mares Hydro
All is ready now. We can put the Mares Hydro backpack buoy, which is now in its dive float configuration, in the water and lie on it. The big dimensions and high volume will let us float easily with our body, while keeping the legs in the water and finning. The Mares Hydro measures 70 x 50 x 30 cm when inflated and shrinks to 20 x 60 x 5 cm when deflated, making it incredibly portable. We will be able to keep our spearguns one per side attached to the float. The signal flag and mast positioned on the side instead of frontally will be out of our way. A lateral mesh pocket will be useful to store a bottle of water.
Reaching the spot where we want to start spearfishing, we will be able to jump off the Mares Hydro, take one of the spearguns and start spearfishing. Now the Hydro is to all effect a great, visible dive buoy.
At sea
We will soon make a complete test in the water of the new Mares Hydro backpack buoy. Still, it is evident that this product has made some steps forward compared to the excellent Subea SPF 900.
It is also clear that all the advantages coming from this solution of a big, very visible, great storing space backpack, which becomes a buoy, but even more a dive float, will have to deal with the big dimensions of such product. In windy conditions and rough sea, it is evident that it will be harder to carry the Mares Hydro as buoy while spearfishing.
