Mares XR SF2 Loop...any thoughts?

[kdlv]

SF2 and alternative brands with same design are used if one of your shoulders is less mobile. It works... If you don the rig from a seating position and you don't have the weight of the gear hanging on your shoulders, otherwise it still works but it's more difficult to adjust.

My last 2 backplates came with plastic sliders for both shoulder straps like the ones below. They don't rattle, typically hold their position, but are a difficult to adjust.

I find both designs impossible to adjust underwater and reverted back to standard sliders. Have some plastic sliders in the box and will try them to see if they are strong enough for my travel wing. I hate it when the metal ones rattle.

Give it a try, might work better for you. I don't dive drysuit so there is no difference in the adjustment of my harness if I dive a 5mm, 3mm or rashguard.

 

[MarkA]

Bastard file. Most likely from an older usage of the word as mixed or crossbred. A bastard file makes an intermediate cut between a rough file and what's known as a second cut. Bastard file are usually double cut so they remove stock on both the push and pull. The heavy, double cut means they can remove stock fast although you'll need to follow up with something else if you want a precise cut or smooth finish.

This name has always amused me, since starting work at an engineering company as a youth. And yes I do have one in my toolbox

 

[stretchthepenn]

My last 2 backplates came with plastic sliders for both shoulder straps like the ones below. They don't rattle, typically hold their position, but are a difficult to adjust.
View attachment 920807

I put some of these slider-things on my backplate, paired with triglides on the plate's EDIT: FRONT SIDE, ON THE SHOULDER STRAP SECTION, and I'm getting excellent results. I get one-way easy sliding from the waist to the shoulder. Thus, the waist strap never steals length from the shoulder straps, and I can pull the shoulder straps even looser if I want.

 

[kdlv]

That's a good one, thanks for the hint, will give it a try!

 

[stretchthepenn]

I put some of these slider-things on my backplate, paired with triglides on the plate's EDIT: FRONT SIDE, ON THE SHOULDER STRAP SECTION, and I'm getting excellent results. I get one-way easy sliding from the waist to the shoulder. Thus, the waist strap never steals length from the shoulder straps, and I can pull the shoulder straps even looser if I want.

Here are some photos of the setup, back (L) to front (R):