Backplate sizes - really needed?

[scubafanatic]

+1 for Tobin abd Blue Sparkle, I too am glad there are manufacturers who make different sized plates....I custom design/build my own BP/wing rigs, did some measurements, and found I HAD to have a 'medium' DSS plate.......I wanted the light KYDEX material AND 'medium' was the only size DSS made that would fit my exact requirements!

So far I've ordered 3 such KYDEX plates from Tobin, using them to build 2 new rigs last year, this fall/winter I'll use the 3rd plate to build yet another rig.

 

[tajkd]

For kicks, I made my own backplate based on the "Freedom" plate. I bought a thin steel sheet from an online company, lay back on some cardboard to make a template, and cut it out. You can find online some pictures or guides but it was surprisingly easy. The hardest thing was asking a friend to weld the STA rails onto the back. I bought the webbing and conections online as well. Bottom line is that it was inexpensive, simple and (best of all) fits my frame exactly. I really enjoy diving it and it is the most comfortable rig you could imagine. I'd recommend the exercise for anyone with even a small bit of mechanical ability. The reward has been well worth it.

 

[Bob01]

For kicks, I made my own backplate based on the "Freedom" plate. I bought a thin steel sheet from an online company, lay back on some cardboard to make a template, and cut it out. You can find online some pictures or guides but it was surprisingly easy. The hardest thing was asking a friend to weld the STA rails onto the back. I bought the webbing and conections online as well. Bottom line is that it was inexpensive, simple and (best of all) fits my frame exactly. I really enjoy diving it and it is the most comfortable rig you could imagine. I'd recommend the exercise for anyone with even a small bit of mechanical ability. The reward has been well worth it.

Wow, thats a great idea...wouldn't happen to know of a step by step guide and list of sources for materials/templates?

 

[vel525]

My wife is around 5'4 and she uses the standard size BP just fine. I will say though she has short legs and a long torso, so that might be why.

Also, make sure the shoulder straps are properly adjusted. I recently went on a trip and I must have gotten a little smaller (haven't been in the gym lately) because when I put my BP/W on the corners of the bottom dug into my pelvic bone/back and everything sat very low. I tightened the shoulder straps and voila, back to fitting properly.

 

[ligersandtions]

I'm 5'-2" and use a short plate on my singles rig. I got a good deal on a standard plate and was using that for my doubles rig, but had some issues (I couldn't move the plate down any further because it was already sitting on top of my butt....and that meant that I couldn't get my head back into a comfortable position because the manifold and first stages were sitting right in the way). I recently swapped my standard plate for a short plate and all these issues have disappeared....it's amazing what an inch can do

 

[Blue Sparkle]

That's exactly the situation I had, ligersandtions. Definitely comes down to inches!

 

[Rhone Man]

I am 6'4" and 205# and I get away with a DSS Medium.

 

[Lobzilla]

That's exactly the situation I had, ligersandtions. Definitely comes down to inches!

Well said Blue Sparkle.

What seems to matter is NOT your total height/weight but your sitting height, the shape of you waist line, and width of your shoulders.

Good mountaineering backpacks do not only come in different sizes but also have provisions to fine tune the attachment points of the shoulder straps both vertically and horizontally to the individual shape of the user. When you are lugging stuff for days on your back even 1/2" adjustments make a difference.

If you have a BP that is "close but not quite" you can always take it to a local sheet metal shop and have it copied with the necessary mods.