Trail Gear Advisor

Cressi S104 BCD Review: What to Know Before Diving With This Small Vintage Vest

The Cressi S104 is a Small jacket-style BCD with storage pockets, weight pockets, D-rings, and an inflator hose, but its early-2000s age and hose-rubber cracks make inspection and service a central consideration.

Last updated Aug 26, 2026

Choosing the right BCD & dive regulators setup means answering two practical questions: does the listed size suit the diver, and is an older piece ready for diving or does it need service first? The Cressi S104 offers a useful jacket-style configuration, but its early-2000s age and surface cracks near the shoulder hose make condition the deciding factor-not the long feature list.

Quick verdict

The Cressi S104 is worth considering for someone specifically seeking a Small jacket-style BCD with large storage pockets, weight pockets, and an inflator hose at USD 165.00. It is not a straightforward grab-and-dive purchase: the BCD is vintage, and a few surface cracks are noted on the rubber near the shoulder hose. Routine inspection and service are recommended before diving.

Who it suits

This Cressi S104 fits the shopping brief for a diver who needs the explicitly listed Small size and wants a BCD for recreational scuba diving or backup use. Its jacket-style format, padded harness, and rigid backpack give the design a conventional equipment layout, while the black finish keeps the appearance straightforward.

The size should be treated as the first decision point. A Small BCD may be appropriate for one diver and unsuitable for another, so the S104 makes the most sense when that size designation already matches the intended wearer. The product name identifies it as a scuba diving vest, but it does not replace a fit decision.

Cressi S104 Buoyancy Compensator Device BCD Size S Black Scuba Diving Vest New

Cressi S104 Buoyancy Compensator Device BCD Size S Black Scuba Diving Vest New

The reason to choose the Cressi S104 is its combination of practical storage and attachment features: large storage pockets, weight pockets, multiple stainless-steel D-rings, a rigid backpack, and an inflator hose are all part of the configuration. The padded harness is another useful detail for a shopper looking for a jacket-style BCD rather than a stripped-down setup.

The limitation is age. This is an unused vintage item associated with the early 2000s, and the rubber near the shoulder hose has a few surface cracks. That makes routine inspection and service recommended before diving, even though the item has not been used.

What stands out

The S104's appeal comes from how much equipment organization is built into the design. The large storage pockets can accommodate personal items, the weight pockets address a common BCD function, and the stainless-steel D-rings provide several attachment points. The rigid backpack and thick nylon construction also give the vest a substantial equipment profile without requiring the shopper to assemble those elements separately.

These features are useful reasons to consider the Cressi S104, but they should not overshadow the condition issue. The most important distinction is between the feature-rich layout and the age-related hose concern. For this BCD, the inspection requirement is part of the buying decision rather than a minor afterthought.

Meaningful trade-offs

At USD 165.00, the purchase only makes sense for a shopper comfortable treating inspection and service as part of the plan. The price is concrete, but the product's early-2000s vintage and visible rubber cracking add a practical step before diving. The listing also identifies the condition as "New other," so the unused status should be read alongside the age and hose detail rather than on its own.

Bottom line

Choose the Cressi S104 when the Small size, jacket-style design, storage and weight pockets, and multiple D-rings match the intended dive setup. Avoid choosing it solely because it is unused: the early-2000s age and surface cracks near the shoulder hose mean routine inspection and service should come first. For a diver unwilling to schedule that step before diving, this BCD is a poor fit.

Products in this article
Cressi S104 Buoyancy Compensator Device BCD Size S Black Scuba Diving Vest NewUSD 165.00View on eBay
Cressi S104 Buoyancy Compensator Device BCD Size S Black Scuba Diving Vest NewUSD 165.00View on eBay

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