Metal Plate

Highly modular, these systems allow you to choose your type of harness, type of plate, and type of wing (aircell) to build a configuration uniquely suited to your needs and style of diving. Traditionally a hard backplate system was used for double tank diving ONLY but with the new backplate designs that accommodate single tank straps, the BPW (Backplate and Wing) configuration has become increasingly more popular with experienced and new divers alike. All of the backplates we sell do NOT require a Single Tank Adapter(STA) when diving with one cylinder.

13 Items

Set Descending Direction
  1. DGX Singles Harness and Wing Package with AL Backplate
    DGX Custom - DGX Gears Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package
    As low as $349.00
  2. DR TransPlate Package w/ XT Light Backplate, Travel EXP Wing, 8 lb Travel Weight System, 1.5-in Crotch Strap and DGX Tank Straps
    DGX Custom - Dive Rite TransPlate Singles Package
    As low as $729.00
  3. DR TransPlate Package w/ XT Light Backplate, Rec EXP Wing and 1.5-in Crotch Strap
    DGX Custom - Dive Rite TransPlate Doubles Package
    As low as $699.00
  4. Custom Package w/ XT Light Backplate, Travel EXP Wing and 1.5-in Crotch Strap
    DGX Custom - Dive Rite Harness/Plate/Wing Singles Package
    As low as $539.00
  5. Custom Package w/ XT Light Backplate, Rec EXP Wing and 1.5-in Crotch Strap
    DGX Custom - Dive Rite Harness/Plate/Wing Doubles Package
    As low as $609.00
  6. Mares XR Silver Singles Harness/Backplate/Wing Package
    Mares XR Silver Singles Harness/Backplate/Wing Package
    $699.95
  7. Mares XR-Rec Trim Singles Harness/Backplate/Wing Package
    Mares XR-Rec Trim Singles Harness/Backplate/Wing Package
    $735.95
  8. Front View
    Mares XR POLYGON Singles Harness/Backplate/Wing Package
    $819.95
  9. XR Singles Package w/ AL Backplate and Hardware and 22 lb Singles Wing
    DGX Custom - XR Singles Harness / Backplate / Wing Package
    As low as $639.00
  10. Al Harness & Backplate with Black Mono 27 lb Wing
    DGX Custom - OMS SmartStream Harness Singles Package
    As low as $669.00
  11. Al Harness & Backplate with Performance 45 lb Wing
    DGX Custom - OMS SmartStream Harness Doubles Package
    As low as $689.00
  12. Comfort Harness III w/ SS Hardware and Backplate and Red Mono 32 lb Wing
    DGX Custom - OMS Comfort Harness III Singles Package
    As low as $789.00
  13. SS Harness & Backplate with Deep Ocean 2.0 Wing
    DGX Custom - OMS Comfort Harness III Doubles Package
    As low as $809.00

Backplates and Your Height

A typical metal backplate is about {15.5 in | 39.4 cm} long and about {10.5 in | 26.7 cm} wide at the base. In our opinion that size is suitable for divers with an average build between {5 ft 3 in | 1.6 m} and {6 ft 3 in | 1.9 m} tall, although this just a generalization as some rare individuals may have a disproportionate amount of their height distributed between their legs and torso.

If you are extraordinarily long in your torso, we don't recommend using any metal backplate and continuous webbing harness. If the harness shoulders are set to hold the tank and wing at the correct height, then the waistband is going fall on your diaphragm or possibly even your ribcage and thus implead your breathing. If the harness shoulders are set too long in order to lower the bottom of the plate and harness to your waist, then the tank and wing will also ride too low on your body thus affecting your in-water trim plus possibly making the inflator difficult to reach.

If you are extraordinarily short in your torso, a typical size backplate is less of an issue with usability and more about comfort. The bottom edge of the typical size plate will rest below your waist and feel uncomfortable, especially if you are only wearing thin exposure protection. The Dive Rite Short Backplate is approximately {2 in | 50 mm} shorter than the standard backplate and may be more comfortable for those individuals with a shorter stature.

If you are not a good fit for a standard backplate, we recommend you consider a 'soft plate' system. These are available in a wide range of sizes that are tailored for your body build, along with adjustability and configuration options to deliver a perfect fit. You will find them much more comfortable, yet they still provide the benefits of a back inflation system with a plate and webbing harness. You can find our soft plate systems in our BC Packages under Soft Pack BC Systems.