Dive Rite Backplate Pad w/built-in sleeve

[Texasguy]

Seems like a nice padding but connecting the upper part is a pain. Who came up with these two straps idea? Why not to use screws to connect to the side holes of the backplate through grommets or something? The area where velcro connects is very small, I am not sure it can hold well, not that it needs a great force, just overall feels like a flimsy solution. Loosening up upper shoulder webbing so to feed these two straps is difficult, webbing itself is very hard, it makes the task a very long affair, not something I am looking forward to do the next time.

Also, on the bottom where waist harness connects to the lower part of a metal backplate, padding would benefit from some clearance to let the webbing through, something like an hourglass shape. Right now it sits on top of the webbing and makes it feel through the padding thicker than it should be.

 

[fdarden]

I had one, cut the foam out as it added a lot of buoyancy, and then I ended up just throwing it away. Waste of money, and just one more thing to have to make sink/go wrong. I agree with you though the way it installs is silly. Halcyon got this right, however I came to the conclusion that these backplate covers are overpriced and unnecessary no matter how they were made, unless you have a medical condition or something that truly warrants their use. I actually think mine made my rig much more uncomfortable, and maybe even a little off balance.. I bought it because I didnt like wingnuts pushing into my spine. With my 5mil wetsuit they were leaving marks. I ended up switching to Delrin nuts to affix my STA or my doubles to the backplate, and that solved my issue. I probably could have survived with just the wingnuts in hindisght.