Which BCD? Try a Backplate and Wing!

As an instructor, I’m often asked what I think is the best BCD to get. Of course, the honest answer is whatever feels most comfortable and is suited to the kind of diving you want to do. 

This is, of course, is not the answer people are really looking for, so if you pinned me down, is there one single solution I would recommend in particular?

Yes, there is!

As travel BCDs evolve, many go back to the straightforward minimalist harness & bladder design. However, if you are thinking of buying one of those, you might also want to consider a backplate & wing setup.

Which BCD do I recommend? - Photo Credit: Alexandra Ward

But I’m not a technical diver?

True. Backplate & wing (BP&W) combos are a staple of the technical diving realm. But there are reasons why so many people use theirs for everyday diving. Why I believe, even non-technical divers should consider the switch.

Backplate and Wing BCDs Provide Ultimate Comfort and Adjustability

Once you’ve adjusted your harness and you have all your padding in the right places, it’s like getting into your most comfortable old jacket. You know the one that fits you, just right? While some people don’t use padding, I like the pads on my shoulder straps when I carry my gear over any distance.

It is also important to mention how uncluttered your backplate & wing setup will feel regarding comfort. It’s like diving naked! Well, almost. A little bit of bungee and some D-rings are all you need to accommodate your SMB & reel. Your dive knife can be screwed straight onto the harness or mounted with the adapter provided by many manufacturers.

Weight pockets can be mounted straight onto the harness and/or tank bands, as required, and you’re ready to go!

BP&W BCDs Are Versatile

Have you ever wanted to try different kinds of diving? Twinset or dry suit diving in cold water? Or even rebreather diving? Your lovely comfortable harness can be used for all of these. 

All it takes is to separate your harness and backplate from the rest of your setup. It can then be simply attached to another format, such as a bigger heftier wing. Then you’ll have your perfectly sized BCD ready for your next diving adventure.

Note that you may need different adapters for certain kinds of diving. Check with your dive shop, as you might get to borrow one as part of the course!

I use my BP&W for fun diving and some teaching too. - Photo Credit: Alexandra Ward

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Durability and Longevity with a Backplate and Wing

Your backplate & wing will be your best diving buddy for many years. The webbing on the harness is tough & durable, and your backplate is virtually indestructible. Your wing’s bladder is usually surrounded by heavy-duty nylon or even Kevlar infused. 

The inflator and dump valves, which tend to be cheap & easy to replace, are a universal fit for many systems. With a BP&W, there should be no need to special order parts.

Travelling With Your Backplate and Wing

Yes! With a bit of forethought, you can create your own ultralight travel setup. Here are our recommendations:

• Harness: Look at how much hardware you need on your harness. Two or three D-rings are enough for most purposes. Non-technical divers, you can go for aluminium D-rings and retainers.

• Backplates: BPs and tank adapters now come in super-minimalist aluminium designs, that weigh very little and look great.

• Wing: Go for the smallest size that accommodates your needs. For most, this is between 20 – 32 lbs. For reference, I’m 5 ft 6 and 130 lbs, and the 25 lb bladder on my wing is perfect for me, even when I’m guiding dives and carrying spare weight.

• Tanks Bands: You can get tank bands with aluminium or plastic buckles. 

• Weight Pockets: If you are using weight pockets, make sure these are sized to take the weight you dive with and not much more. For example, if you dive with 4kg/8 lb as standard, you probably don’t need two weight pockets that accommodate 10 lbs (5kg) each!

In all, your BP&W system can weigh as little as 6 lbs, which more than compares to the most compact travel BCDs.

The Wing design helps with getting that perfect horizontal diving position. -Photo Credit: Alexandra Ward

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Diving Position and Weighting With a BP&W

As you are suspended by your harness, the wing on your back will help you get that perfect horizontal diving position. We recommend a 360-degree donut-shaped bladder for everyday diving, as it makes buoyancy adjustments simple. 

You will find you need less lead weight with the BP&W too. Since there is so little buoyant clutter, there is less scope for air to get trapped anywhere. Additionally, with the heavier stainless steel backplate’s weight, you may not need to add any lead at all. When moving to a BP&W system, many divers can shed up to 4 lbs of weight!

Getting Used to Your New Backplate and Wing

Some may find the idea of a harness system daunting. But the purchase process is relatively painless when you buy your harness ready set up for you. The initial adjustment can be fiddly. But, with a good pair of needle-nose pliers and some instructive YouTube videos, you’ll be on your way to being a BP&W convert like myself.  

Then there’s the crotch strap. You’ll get used to it, honest! Make sure it’s adjusted to fit you comfortably. It keeps the bladder from riding up and helps keep the whole setup in the right place. After a while, you’ll barely notice it’s there.

Properly fit your crotch strap – you’ll barely notice it’s there! - Photo Credit: Alexandra Ward

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