Soft backplates

[cool_hardware52]

The DSS Kydex plate is pretty cool but it's also VERY expensive.

Not if purchased as part of a complete rig. Our complete rigs are a genuine bargain.

It's also not very flexible so it would be just as hard to pack even if it did save a pound or two.

Too flexi and IMO you lose some of the benefits of a Back Plate. Hope you find a solution that works for you.

Tobin

 

[Eptel]

Not to take anything away from Chris and Deep6 but until they come out with a plate, this is one I’ve been using. Absolutely awesome, firm but super light weight, fits standard 2” webbing, Has bolt holes and cam strap holes and even some neutrally buoyant padding......
UTD Soft Back Plate- Camo - New 2018 · UTD Scuba Diving

@decompression , do you know the actual weight of UTD Camo plate (i couldn't see it on the provided website)? I'm looking for light weight alternatives for my current DiveRite Stainless steel LITE backplate. Thank you!

 

[divinh]

Backplate newbie here... what benefits are lost with a soft backplate?

 

[Magnus Lundstedt]

Backplate newbie here... what benefits are lost with a soft backplate?

Rigidity and mass.

 

[divinh]

Rigidity and mass.

Mass, I can understand, as it can mean using less lead, but what are the benefits of rigidity while diving? Most jackets are soft and people dive fine with them.

 

[DavidFL]

I took this HOG softplate on a live-aboard trip this summer; used it in place of the HOG/Edge AL plate; was happy with the compromise
HOG Flex Softplate - BCD - Products

 

[rhwestfall]

and so it begins.....

 

[Magnus Lundstedt]

Mass, I can understand, as it can mean using less lead, but what are the benefits of rigidity while diving? Most jackets are soft and people dive fine with them.

Most jackets have a rigid plastic backpack in them. some don't.
Some like it one way, others like it another way.

I like the rigid type.

 

[Anthony A.]

I used a zeagle ranger for over a decade and never felt a floppy or unstable tank. Then i went to an aluminum backplate and couldn't believe how ridgid and solid the tank felt. As a compromise, why not use one of these? Cheap enough to test, weighs nothing, is stable and smaller than an aluminum bp.

Plastic Heavy Duty Style Backplate , Piranha Dive Shop |

Plastic Traditional Style Backplate , Piranha Dive Shop |

 

[Anthony A.]

To further derail this thread , is the vdh bp comfortabke? Being flat, I would think it would be rough on the spine. Typical bp's have the center groove which helps (atleast for me) the spine touching.