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Ultimate Hogarthian System

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The Origin of Hogarthian Configuration

The hogarthian equipment configuration is a minimalist approach to dive gear that was originally conceived by Bill Hogarth Main and refined in the 1990's over an enormous body of dives including the cave exploration dives of the Wakulla Karst Plains Project (WKPP). The hogarthian configuration has been incorporated into holistic philosophies of diving such as "Do It Right" (DIR) and the training curriculum of Global Underwater Explorers (GUE). Every piece of equipment has been considered in a synergistic relationship to every other, resulting in a configuration where carefully selected components along with the skills of the diver are integrated into a complete system. There is no latitude for 'personal preference' in the hogarthian configuration. However, refinements continue with benefit of experience, advancements in technology and availability of products tailored for the hogarthian diver. Adopted by exploration divers of all types, many expert divers view the hogarthian configuration as exceptionally streamlined, safe and relatively inexpensive.

The hogarthian equipment configuration is always a balanced rig, meaning the diver is properly weighted with a minimal amount of compensation lift to maintain neutral buoyancy. The balanced hogarthian diver is never so heavy that they require lift from the BC to ascend, and they can always swim to the surface in event of BC failure. The distribution of weight and lift on the hogarthian diver is also balanced in order to be able to easily maintain proper trim. Balance is achieved with a carefully selected combination of the cylinders, backplate, wing, exposure suit and other equipment. The most common configuration is 8-inch diameter steel cylinders with a harness, aluminum plate, wing and a drysuit. Another popular configuration is 7.25-inch diameter aluminum cylinders with a harness, steel backplate, wing and a wetsuit.


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In Stock

$69.95

Ultimate Hogarthian Harness

The hogarthian harness is a continuous piece of 2-inch webbing that has a total of five D-rings: one at each shoulder and one on the left waist, one at the rear of the crotch strap plus the one at the front. The left shoulder has a bungee loop for use in retaining the BC inflation hose assembly. The combination of the left shoulder and waist D-rings are used for carrying stage and deco bottles. The SPG is also clipped to the waist D-ring. The crotch strap front D-ring is used when being towed by a DPV. The rear D-ring is used to carry additional equipment such as reels. The right shoulder D-ring is used to clip the head of the primary canister light, and also the primary long hose second stage regulator following gas switches. Backup lights are clipped to each of the shoulder D-rings and held in place by the elastic bands. Backplate and waistbelt sheath not included, sold separately.

Our Ultimate Harness kit includes a lot of quality extras: webbing sleeves for improved abrasion resistance, crotch strap with neoprene comfort sleeve, durable neoprene elastic bands, additional webbing slides to support a variety of assembly options, extra buckle for securing light canister or accessory pocket, snap line and of course a copy of our very detailed assembly and fitting instructions.

Click Here to read Hogarthian Harness Assembly Instructions.

Ultimate Hogarthian Harness Kit Contents

  • Nylon webbing harness (Continuous with S/S grommet at center and tubular webbing sleeves)    
  • Nylon webbing crotch strap (Sewn-in scooter ring, rear bent D-ring and belt slide, and abrasion sleeve)    
  • 2 bent D-rings
  • 1 straight D-ring
  • 5 serrated belt slides
  • 1 S/S belt buckle
  • 4 neoprene elastic bands
  • 2 tubular webbing sleeves
  • 1 plastic belt buckle
  • 1 bungee cord loop
  • 10 feet of #24 cave line
  • assembly instructions

    Backplate and Waistbelt Sheath not included.

The nylon harness webbing has been carefully selected and is soft enough for comfort yet stiff enough to keep it's shape for ease of doff and don. To minimize wear, the harness also features tubular nylon webbing sleeves where the webbing would normally be in contact with the metal plate. The tubular sleeves woven through plate slots also serve to hold the straps in position. Optionally you may choose not to use the tubular sleeves and two additional belt slides are included because some divers prefer to rig the harness with belt slides behind the lower slots instead of the sleeves.

Divers commonly use bike tire inner tube as elastic bands to hold their backup lights in place. Unfortunately, tire inner tube is not durable and some divers prefer to have a spare second band. Our kit includes neoprene elastic bands that are proven exceptionally reliable. However, the kit includes additional elastic bands for those who prefer two elastic bands on each side.

Stainless-steel snap clips are used in a variety of ways with technical diving equipment configurations. The hogarthian method to attach the clip to most objects is to tie it on with braided nylon line (aka cave line). This is because nylon line is tough enough to withstand a great deal of abuse, yet can be easily cut in an emergency if the clip is jammed or entangled. A length of #24 braided nylon line is included for tying snap clips to your equipment as appropriate so they may be clipped to the D-rings. See our separate article titled How to Attach a Snap for instructions.


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> Backplates

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

The Aluminum and stainless steel backplates are exactly the same shape and size, both are 15.5-inches high and 10.5-inches wide. They are designed with 1-inch and 2-inch slots to accommodate your choice of crotch strap and come with holes along the sides for mounting accessories. The backplates are highly polished with rounded upper corners and include doubles mounting slots that allow easy assembly on doubles without alignment concerns.

The aluminum backplate has an anodized black finish. Compared to raw unfinished aluminum, the durable anodized aluminum finish provides greater corrosion resistance and a better consistency in appearance. The stainless steel backplate 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 or machining. Passivation, which consists of soaking stainless steel components in a special solution, will dissolve the imbedded iron and restore the original corrosion-resistant surface by forming a thin, transparent oxide film.

Both the aluminum and stainless steel backplates are available as Dive Rite sourced versions, as well as a similar generic version for a small savings.


Ultimate Harness Package+ Enlarge  |   Pricelist $

In Stock

Sale! $499.00
$389.00

> Ultimate Harness Package

Build a custom configured Ultimate harness, backplate and wing system:

  • Ultimate Hogarthian Harness w/assembly instructions
  • Dive Rite Backplate: choice of stainless steel or aluminum
  • Dive Rite Aircell: choice of single or double EXP wings

This is not a 'Frankenstein' assembly of various discontinued, off brand, or low quality components, it's an integrated system of current Dive Rite brand products. Look below or follow the links for more detailed information about the individual components. Waistbelt Sheath not included. For single tank diving you will need only to add two tank straps, many other accessories are available.


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In Stock

$29.95

Waistbelt Sheath w/Knife and Shears

A hogarthian waistbelt webbing sheath that is hot-knife trimmed and professionally stitched and can hold either a knife or EMT shears, both are included. Cave divers will load the traditional hogarthian line cutting tool, a blunt-tip knife with a very sharp stainless steel 2-inch serrated blade. For open water and wreck diving, load the sheath with heavy-duty EMT shears that have salt-water ready stainless steel construction coated with industrial titanium nitride for longer lasting edges that resist corrosion.


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$27.20

DC Bellows Pocket, Vertical, Velcro Closure

Detail of Clip on Bellows Pocket The Velcro closure waist belt bellows pocket is a generous 10-in x 6-in and the internal depth expands from 0.5-inch to 2.5-inches. Inside the pocket resides a 36-inch, looped lanyard to clip off spools, line markers and other accessories. No fumbling for the right tools, just pull out the lanyard, select the tool you need, and stuff the loaded lanyard back in the pocket. Lanyard too long? Simply cut and shorten the cord, re-tie the simple knot and cut off the excess.


Dive Rite Single Tank Adapter with S/S Cam Buckle Straps+ Enlarge  |   Pricelist $

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Product Manual (PDF)

> Single Tank Adapter and Tank Straps

For divers who frequently switch between double tank and single tank rigs, the Single Tank Adapter is a convenient way to attach cam straps to a hard metal backplate that does not have tank band slots. Constructed of marine grade passivated 304 stainless steel and including all stainless hardware consisting of two removable 1-inch attachment bolts on 11-inch centers with holdfasts, washers, lockwashers 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. Tank straps are priced and sold EACH, if you need a pair order two.


Tek Tip
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Single Tank Mounting with Backplates

  • If you occassionally switch between doubles and singles, you can configure your backplate to attach to a single tank by adding two tank straps threaded through the tank strap slots of the aluminum and stainless steel backplates. When the plate is off the tank, the wing will hang loose on on the traps, but this is cosmetic and does not otherwise cause problems. Omitting the STA also saves weight.

  • If you frequently switch between doubles and singles, you may prefer the speed and convience of adding the straps using an optional single tank adapter mounting plate. The STA also holds the wing in place with the plate when off the tank, and adds weight to the rig. If you have a backplate design without the tank strap slots, you must add the straps using a single tank adapter.

You Can't Get Everything On-Line

The hogarthian configuration also includes a component that you are not able to add to cart - a skilled diver. Because this minimalist approach places emphasis on skills rather than equipment, merely wearing the hogarthian equipment configuration without developing and practicing the necessary skills will not deliver the benefits of the hogarthian system.

Hogarthian Diver

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Pricing for Hogarthian System

Image Item SKU Description Ship Status Everyday
Great Price

Ultimate Hogarthian  Harness  DR-BC1063HOGNY Ultimate Hogarthian Harness In Stock $69.95
Dive Rite Backplate, Stainless Steel  DR-BC2116 Dive Rite Backplate, Stainless Steel In Stock $130.00
Sale! $89.00
Dive Rite Backplate, Aluminum  DR-BC1034BLK Dive Rite Backplate, Aluminum In Stock $90.00
Sale! $59.00
Waistbelt Sheath w/Knife and Shears  DR-AC2042KS Waistbelt Sheath w/Knife and Shears In Stock $29.95
DC Bellows Pocket, Vertical, Velcro Closure  DR-AC3202 DC Bellows Pocket, Vertical, Velcro Closure In Stock $27.20
Single Tank Adapter w/pads (no straps)  DR-BC1090SS Single Tank Adapter w/pads (no straps) In Stock $48.95

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