Bought a XT Dive Rite plate, the one with all the cutouts. Usually use soft pacs harness for last several years. I'm 6' 3" and I set the plate up with an XL Transplate harness. No water or dives on it yet. 2 ??? I can barely touch the top of the plate with fingers, but am concerned that the waist strap is fully 2 to 3 inches above my belly button. Seems high, but would hate to lower the plate on my back. Is this normal for regular size plates?
Guys, your missing the point a little bit, I want this regular size plate to work because it is half the weight of a normal SS plate. With my steel tanks and 3mm suits I am extremely negative during all my summer diving. The DR plate is on 2 1/2 lbs. I believe I can get used to a high waisted belt because I prefer my tanks higher on my back, actually looks great with my DR XT 25 lb wing. Take a look at this plate you might like it too.
One thing that is interesting about fitting gear, be it a backplate or hiking backpack.... it is about
torso length, not overall height. Two people who are both 6' 3" tall may have different inseam lengths and different torso lengths! So advice from any of us tall folks (I'm a tad under 6' 5") needs to be taken with a small grain of salt.... and advice from more "normal" humans (who are not tall) with a BIG grain of salt.... we are all speaking from our personal experiences, which may not apply to
your particular torso length.
With that disclaimer out of the way, you
probably will be able to adjust your crotch and waist straps so that the waist strap rides at or near belly button level. The backplate will "find its own level" on your back if you have the shoulder strap length correct, i.e. not sloppy loose, but not "tight" either. The shoulder straps should
not be overly tight... the waiststrap / crotchstrap locks the backplate in place
when you are in the water. Note the emphasis on being in the water.... this is not a hiking backpack, it is not going to feel "right" walking around on shore.... but in the water it should feel great.
I use a standard length backplate. The crotch strap pulls the waist strap down enough so that it is over my navel. I use a rubber freediving weight belt, worn
very low.
You should be able to make that backplate work... but if you have an extra long torso, it might take more effort, and you should consider the recommendations about researching a longer backplate that others have made if that is the case.
Best wishes.