Harness Material

[djcheburashka]

Hi. I've started using my first hog-style backplate, harness & wing. One great annoyance I have with the system is how much of a pain in the butt it is to adjust the size (wetsuit vs. drysuit) and what's rigged around the belt (cannister light, ACB's, etc.).

It's particularly difficult because the harness that came with my rig is so tough. Its difficult to manipulate carefully, and folds seem to "lock-in", making adjustments even harder.

Is there more than one option for harness material?

 

[TSandM]

Yes, there is, but there are tradeoffs. I really like the thinner webbing that Halcyon sells (as much as it annoys me to have anything with big blue H's on it). It's MUCH easier to adjust, and doesn't take a "set" through the triglides nearly as much. But things will also slip more easily on it, and it can get twisted. The thicker, stiffer webbing is more stable, but much harder to work with.

 

[strazz]

The easier option is to buy a second backplate and harness. For less than $100 (assuming aluminum), you'll never have to adjust your harness again.

 

[MBH]

I have two sets of the Dive Rite webbing, one for the SS plate and one for my Al plate. I have both harnesses marked with "Whiteout" for positioning each plate, the tri-glides, and d-rings, depending upon my choice of diving wet or dry for whatever application.
It's just 2" nylon webbing. You need to show it who the boss is.

 

[djcheburashka]

Yes, there is, but there are tradeoffs. I really like the thinner webbing that Halcyon sells (as much as it annoys me to have anything with big blue H's on it). It's MUCH easier to adjust, and doesn't take a "set" through the triglides nearly as much. But things will also slip more easily on it, and it can get twisted. The thicker, stiffer webbing is more stable, but much harder to work with.

Does anyone else sell thinner webbing? I refuse to wear anything with a Halcyon logo on it... I actually removed the Halcyon logos from my ACBs, and I can't figure out how to get rid of those H's. I've seen webbing that was red and beige striped, but I can't figure out where to get it.

 

[PhilEllis]

Does anyone else sell thinner webbing? I refuse to wear anything with a Halcyon logo on it... I actually removed the Halcyon logos from my ACBs, and I can't figure out how to get rid of those H's. I've seen webbing that was red and beige striped, but I can't figure out where to get it.

The Dive Rite webbing with the lower thread count (wider weaving) seems to be what many like. It does not have the 25% "sizing" chemicals like the traditional nylon webbing. It is not thinner, but it is MUCH easier to manage than weight belt webbing. Take a look.................

Dive Rite 2 Inch Harness Webbing

Phil Ellis

 

[refinished]

I like the really stiff stuff that Halcyon used before the blue 'H' harnesses. It's really quite stiff and very hard to adjust, but it makes getting in and out of the harness much easier. It does not twist easily and it stands away from the plate so you can get that second arm in easily. In the seven or eight years that I have been diving it, I have only adjusted it once to convert it from a singles setup to a dbls setup (trim adjustments). That harness is fraying in places and will be missed when it gets too worn... I have no idea where to find that material now. I also have a newer DR harness with a courser weave. It's too floppy for my preference. Different strokes for different folks....

 

[dumpsterDiver]

I like to make the ends (3-4 inches) of my nylon belt VERY stiff to ease insertion of the belt into the buckle. I saturate the end of the belt with PVC glue and it soaks in and makes the belt stiff. I haven't seen any drawback with doing this, so far. Maybe it would work on the entire harness?

 

[refinished]

I saturate the end of the belt with PVC glue and it soaks in and makes the belt stiff.

I'd like to do this to my belt-end too. This is an area where webbing floppiness is particularity annoying. How stiff does the glue make it? Is it so stiff that it cracks when bent? Dry time? You're talking about typical PVC plumbing pipe glue like the Oatley stuff you find at Home Depot?

 

[Flightlead]

I like the really stiff stuff that Halcyon used before the blue 'H' harnesses. It's really quite stiff and very hard to adjust, but it makes getting in and out of the harness much easier. It does not twist easily and it stands away from the plate so you can get that second arm in easily. In the seven or eight years that I have been diving it, I have only adjusted it once to convert it from a singles setup to a dbls setup (trim adjustments). That harness is fraying in places and will be missed when it gets too worn... I have no idea where to find that material now. I also have a newer DR harness with a courser weave. It's too floppy for my preference. Different strokes for different folks....

the APEKS harness I got from......TDL I think....a few months ago is WAY stiff. Comes with some silly neoprene pads for the straps and a 2" crotch strap. Uses these great big thick heavy D rings too.