Continuous webbing vs adjustable harness for first BPW

[DiveLikeAMuppet]

Continuous webbing, single piece harness all the way. It’s reasonably easy for me to get in with a bit of gymnastics on a twinset/doubles or rebreather, with thick undergarments, heating, dry glove rings and all kinds of stuff attached to the harness. However it did take me few dives to learn all the proper angles especially to get out.

Should not be an issue at all with warm water wetsuit. If you do get a single piece harness, buy few EZYcutters and attach them to the belt or maybe your dive computer. The only time a single piece harness is a problem is a rescue course - you need to pretend that you would get a casualty out of the rig, instead of just cutting everything.

The only people who actually need a breakaway clip or some sliders is someone with proper shoulder mobility issues (not just too much blubber).

 

[johndiver999]

I hate a simple harness. Not comfortable for me. I always use a cross chest strap and often have fastex clips or a means to adjust the shoulder strap tightness.

However, the single harness is so simple and cheap, it probably makes sense to start with that. If it works for you, you save some money and optimized simplicity. You can always add the bells and whistles (and Air 2) later.. LOL

 

[RyanT]

Single webbing all the way. Much easier to set it up for your fit, cheaper, fewer failure points, and no difference in comfort.

 

[Ontwreckdiver]

I'm looking for something as simple as possible and thus leaning toward a basic, continuous webbing harness. But I don't know what I don't know about that arrangement. There must be a reason why all of these respected tech brands offer an adjustable or "comfort" harness as an option.

Warm water rec diving only--no coldwater or tech diving.
Typically, in a 3mm shorty wetsuit (maybe a rashguard/shorts sometimes).
Newly recertified after a long break. Trained in a rental jacket BCD (Aqualung Wave) but have been trying out various BPW configurations (and love them).

Thanks!

I dive a Sub Gravity aluminum BP/W for my travel BC. I love their adjustable harness it's clean, simple and no plastic parts. I won't trade it for anything else. Adjustable Harness System - SubGravity

Paragon Single Tank Package - SubGravity

We understand what the active diver needs from a single tank rig. Simple, streamlined, balanced, and easy to travel. We built the Paragon single tank package to offer a modular and customizable BCD to best suit single tank diving needs. At the heart of the Paragon Single Tank Package is the...

sub-gravity.com

 

[Scared Silly]

We have made our own continuous harness for both rigid and composite backplates. Easy to do and much cheaper than the kits.

 

[Wants2divemore]

I moved from a ScubaPro Hydros Pro (with adjustable harness) to a BP/W with a HOG adjustable harness, because I was used to the adjustable harness and thought it would be more comfortable. Then I moved to a single continuous webbing harness and am happy that I did. It takes a little while to get the webbing exactly where you want it, but once I did, I found it to be more comfortable and less bulky than the adjustable harness. And as others have mentioned, less chance of failure.

I highly recommend the Halcyon webbing simply because having the H's makes it easier to make sure everything is even between sides, or adjust it between different set ups (skins vs wetsuit vs drysuit).

Webbing

halcyondivegear.com

 

[inquis]

Much prefer the continuous harness after decades of using the regular/adjustable variety. I just didn't know any better at the time.

My rescue diver course was with a guy with a standard jacket BC with adjustable straps & release clips. We decided it was far easier to get me out of my one-piece harness (hand slides fwd along the ribs, belt falls away) than his fully adjustable, cinched down BC, hunting for black release clips against the black fabric background. (Yes, cutting the straps would be a little faster in a true emergency.)

 

[CycleCat]

My first bcd was a Seaquest Balance back inflate. I liked it but it ended up being a bit too small. Thanks to the love of BP/W here on Scubaboard (and the classifieds) I got an OMS IQ lite and love it. I eventually set up a continuous webbing BP/W too and like it equally well. The one downside is when you realize you want to add stuff it's a little more hassle to undo everything to make mods. I decided I like a chest strap and had to nearly disassemble the whole rig to add one. I would suggest getting an adjustable comfort harness and see what you like on that, then set up a continuous rig based on that. Two BP/Ws are not too many. I use my continuous one with a SS plate when I drive to dive and the IQ Lite with no plate for flying to dive.

 

[VikingDives]

If you currently dive a basic, continuous webbing harness on your BPW, have you ever wished you had an adjustable harness?

I'm buying my first BPW setup. All of the configurations I have had a chance to try have adjustable harnesses (e.g. Diverite Transplate harness and the Scubapro S-Tek).

I'm looking for something as simple as possible and thus leaning toward a basic, continuous webbing harness. But I don't know what I don't know about that arrangement. There must be a reason why all of these respected tech brands offer an adjustable or "comfort" harness as an option.

Warm water rec diving only--no coldwater or tech diving.
Typically, in a 3mm shorty wetsuit (maybe a rashguard/shorts sometimes).
Newly recertified after a long break. Trained in a rental jacket BCD (Aqualung Wave) but have been trying out various BPW configurations (and love them).

Thanks!

Let's be honest, backpack straps make donning and doffing a but easier. But fire there other 99 precent of your diving, you aren't adjusting your straps.

I'd suggest buying a hogarthian harness and giving that a spin first. Worst case you’re out about 70 bucksspin first. Worst case you’re out about 70 dollars. Go the other route and figure out you dislike it and you’re out more money.

 

[wetb4igetinthewater]

For single/twinsets, continuous webbing. For my rebreather, Subgravity adjustable harness.