The new Freedom Contour - The Rolex of backplates.

[Bubblesong]

Suggestion: Get your stiff webbing pretty much into shape, take the lot outside, pour boiling water over it and adjust/snug it all up using heavy gloves and girl power.

I read @tbone1004 tip to use stiff webbing everywhere but soft webbing on crotch strap, which is possibly the most compassionate advice on Scubaboard, ever.

 

[Aloha Joe]

You want compassionate advice?

Take your harness off before you pour boiling water over it

 

[uncfnp]

I have heard stiffer webbing is hard to thread, but then holds its place, yet softer webbing has more give, and could loosen up mid-dive as the webbing absorbs water.
If making my own, I can experiment with both, but I’d rather fight the webbing on land than underwater.

The one place this might not be true for you is the crotch strap. Even if it means black Imwould go the the softer, dive webbing. I like the one...

Dive Rite Crotch Straps

But Bryon or Randy may also have something similar.

Oops. Posted before I read the later posts.

 

[Bubblesong]

The one place this might not be true for you is the crotch strap. Even if it means black Imwould go the the softer, dive webbing. I like the one...

Dive Rite Crotch Straps

But Bryon or Randy may also have something similar.

I think we both considering this simultaneously!

I’m sure it goes without saying that crotch strap should be 2” wide to avoid “thonging” after giant stride.

 

[tbone1004]

I read @tbone1004 tip to use stiff webbing everywhere but soft webbing on crotch strap, which is possibly the most compassionate advice on Scubaboard, ever.

I do prefer the stiff webbing with a neoprene pad if diving in a wetsuit or DPV, but use a soft one for single tank diving. The one on my Freedom plate came off of my Hollis Katana when I replaced it with a split crotch strap for cave diving

 

[Akimbo]

I’m sure it goes without saying that crotch strap should be 2” wide to avoid “thonging” after giant stride.

I don't need a crotch strap since the belly-band catches me under the rib cage and the curves of the lower "wings" of the Freedom Plate keeps it stable on my back. I am required to use them on bailout bottles though and prefer to use two 1½" wide soft straps that hook into D-rings on either side of the belly-band buckle. It functions like a parachute or climbing harness so is much more comfortable. YMMV.

 

[Aloha Joe]

The DSS crotch strap is really nice - super soft webbing, quality hardware, and sewn-in loops/D-rings.

 

[Aloha Joe]

Sneak Peak:
Paragon 30 - Subgravity

 

[stuartv]

The DSS crotch strap is really nice - super soft webbing, quality hardware, and sewn-in loops/D-rings.

I agree. I have a DSS crotch strap and it is nice, soft webbing. But, it's $25.

I also have a couple of Dive Rite 2" crotch straps on other BPW rigs. They also have sewn-in loops and D-rings. They have a neoprene sleeve over the middle part that makes them as comfortable (to me, anyway) as my DSS crotch strap.

The DR ones are only $20 from DGX. And if you spend $50, you get free shipping. Which is VERY easy to do (for me, anyway).

Dive Rite Crotch Straps

 

[ams511]

Dive Rite video on crotch straps.