Backplates are available in aluminum or stainless steel. Some divers prefer stainless backplates due to the fact that they are more negatively buoyant than the aluminum backplates, which helps offset the additional buoyancy of saltwater or aluminum tanks. Aluminum backplates are the most popular with freshwater divers and divers using steel tanks.

Our stainless steel plates are 316L grade that is polished and passivated. Passivation treatments improve the surface condition of stainless steel by dissolving iron that has been imbedded in the surface during forming, machining or polishing. Passivation, which consists of immersing stainless steel components in a special acid solution, will dissolve the imbedded iron and restore the original corrosion-resistant surface by forming a thin, transparent oxide film. Our aluminum backplates have an anodized finish. Compared to bare uncoated aluminum, the durable anodized aluminum finishes provide greater corrosion resistance and a better consistency in appearance.
All of our plates are of modern laser cut design offering the same basic features:

Mounting hole and slot that allows easy assembly on 11-inch centers doubles bolts without alignment concerns.

Slots to accept directly threaded tank cam bands for single cylinder diving, making the use of a single tank adapter optional.

Horizontal and angled strap slots to allow your choice of straight or cross-over shoulder strap mounting.

Both 1-inch and 2-inch slots to accommodate your choice of crotch strap.

3/8-inch holes along the sides for mounting accessories such as light canisters, inflation bottles and lumbar pads.

Rounded corners and all edges are deburred and CNC-machine beveled to reduce wear on the harness and wing.

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> Backplates

The Dive Rite aluminum and stainless steel backplates are exactly the same shape and size, both are approximately 15.5-inches high and 10.5-inches wide at the base, 9-inches wide at the top before the corner curve. The depth of the "V" is 1.25-inch, allowing for a flatter fit against the back. The 2lb aluminum backplate has a durable anodized black finish. The 5lb stainless steel backplate has a matte finish.

We offer two different brands (Dive Rite and Highland) of this particular design of stainless steel backplate. They are functionally identical (i.e. exactly the same shape, dimensions and placement of holes and slots) except for the logo and finish. Both are polished, but the Highland plate has a brushed satin finish. The Highland plate has a very nice laser engraved Highland logo.

Dive Rite Backplate Pad w/built-in sleeve

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$46.75

Dive Rite Backplate Pad w/built-in sleeve

Recently improved, the Dive Rite Backplate Pad has been redesigned to include a convenient sleeve for lift bags and surface marker tubes. Created for use with hard metal backplates, the Backplate Pad alleviates pokes and prods from the plate into the soft area of the back. It attaches securely to any hard backplate by threading the shoulder straps through webbing loops at the top of the pad. The lower portion of the pad attaches through the crotch strap slot with a webbing loop. A quick release buckle allows the pad to be lifted away from the plate for easy access to bolts when diving double tanks. Open-cell porous design allows the pad to release water and dry quickly, plus it resists compression allowing the pad to maintain its thickness and comfort-providing shape at depth. Quick-dry fabric and drainage holes quickly release water and aid in drying.

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$119.00

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Dive Rite Short Backplate

Many short waisted divers, particularly petite women, find typical backplates do not fit them very well. The DR Short Backplate is solves this problem because it is exactly 2-inches shorter than a standard backplate at 13.5-inches high and 10.5-inches wide (weight 1.5 lbs, 0.68 kg). The shorter backplate won't dig into the lumbar area of the back and sits right where the shorter diver needs it - just below the waist. Featuring natural color hardcoat anodized finish on 5052 aluminum, all edges are smooth and rounded to eliminate sharp edges and prevent abrasion to harness webbing. The harness webbing actually weaves below the top hole on the small backplate so there is no need for the webbing to be pierced or grommeted. Available in aluminum only, this strong low weight backplate also makes a great Travel Plate.

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> Hollis Backplates

The Hollis aluminum and stainless steel backplates are exactly the same shape and size, both are approximately 15.5-inches high and 10.5-inches wide at the base, 9-inches wide at the top before the corner curve. The depth of the "V" is 1.5-inch, allowing for a flatter fit against the back. The 2lb aluminum backplate has a durable anodized black finish. The stainless steel backplate has a very highly polished mirror like finish and is slight lighter at 4.8lbs. The Hollis backplate is engineered to fit very close to the cylinders and the outside edges are radius-formed to fit the Hollis BC, thus preventing chafing of the BC. One very nice feature of the Hollis plate is the bottom corners are flared out so they don't dig in to your lower back, as is common with most backplates. The Hollis plate has a laser cut Hollis logo.

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Interchangability of Backplates and Wings

One configuration consideration is that plates and wings are not always perfectly interchangable among brands. Manufacturers tend to make subtle design decisions such as the placement of grommet holes and slots on the wing based on aligning similar slots and holes of their own brand of backplate. The shape of the flat in the center of a specific brand wing may be designed to match the specific shape of their plate so that the bladder is not pinched by the plate when the two are assembled together on doubles. A common annoyance with doubles mounting is the depth of the "V" in the center of the plate varies slightly among brands, which can trigger compatibility problems with the bolt height setting of the bands. The diver might find it very difficult to engage the wing nuts when assembling a plate and wing on a set of doubles where the bolt height was optimized for a different brand plate and wing.

The good news is that we are not aware of any interchangability issues for doubles mounting between any of the brands of wings and plates we sell. For single tanks, you can usually avoid using a single tank adapter if the wing and plate are the same brand. By the same token when the brands are mismatched, or the manufacturer does offer a branded plate, an STA is pretty much a necessity.

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> Single Tank Adapter and Tank Straps

For divers who frequently switch their harness, backplate and wing between double tank and single tank rigs, or between backmount and sidemount configurations, the Single Tank Adapter is a convenient way to attach cam straps to a backplate without having to thread the cam straps through the backplate slots and reweave the cam buckles. Constructed of marine grade passivated 304 stainless steel and including all stainless hardware consisting of pairs of both 1-inch and 1.5-inch attachment bolts (with some backplates the longer bolts are needed) on 11-inch centers, washers, and wing nuts, along with two rubber pads to protect the tank. Also available as a package that includes two S/S Stamped Cam Buckle Tank Straps.

Tank straps are 36-inches in length to accommodate 7.25-inch or 8-inch tanks and include a marine-grade, stainless steel cam buckle that is strong and low weight. The stainless steel buckle cam bands include a sewn-in, non-slip pad to protect the tank from scratches by the metal buckle. Tank straps are priced and sold EACH, if you need a pair order two.

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Single Tank Mounting with Backplates

If you occassionally switch between doubles and singles, you can configure your backplate (including the soft backplates of the TransPac and Nomad) to attach to a single tank by adding two tank straps threaded through the tank strap slots of the backplates. Note that when a traditional metal backplate is off the tank, the wing will hang loose on on the straps. This is cosmetic and does not otherwise cause problems, but if you wish you can use two plastic assembly screws to hold the wing against the backplate. Omitting the STA also reduces weight.
If you frequently switch between doubles and singles, you may prefer the speed and convenience of adding the straps using an optional single tank adapter mounting plate. Using an STA means the strap buckles never have to be unthreaded and re-weaved plus the STA also holds the wing in place with the plate when off the tank and adds weight to the rig. All modern backplates include provisions for tank strap slots, but if you have an older backplate design without the tank strap slots then you must add straps using a single tank adapter.

We are often asked if the tank mount would be more stable and secure using the STA, as opposed to threading the cam straps directly through the backplate. We've tested several configurations and discovered that threading the straps through the backplate is at least as stable as when using an STA. Using an STA sets the tank farther away from the backplate and allows the tank to rock slightly by pivoting from side to side on the bolts. Using the straps threaded to through the backplate snugs the tank and wing up very tight against the backplate and does not allow the tank to rock.

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Pricing for Backplates

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Backplates

> Backplates

Dive Rite Backplate Pad w/built-in sleeve

Dive Rite Short Backplate

> HOG Backplates

HOG Backplate Pad w/Mounting Screws

> Hollis Backplates

Hollis Backplate Pad w/Mounting Screws

Dogbone Backplate

Interchangability of Backplates and Wings

> Single Tank Adapter and Tank Straps

Single Tank Mounting with Backplates

Related Products

Pricing for Backplates

About Us | Contact Us | Ordering | Returns | Shipping