hog singles bp w package

Understanding the HOG Singles BP/W Package: Direct Hands-On Overview

The hog singles bp w package is a minimalist, modular buoyancy control system designed specifically for recreational divers who want to ditch bulky traditional jacket BCDs in favor of a streamlined backplate and wing setup. Built around a rigid metal backplate (available in heavy stainless steel or lightweight aluminum) and a specialized 23lb or 32lb donut wing, this package targets divers seeking precise trim, reduced underwater drag, and unmatched equipment durability. Its primary advantage is absolute customization: every strap, D-ring, and pocket can be adjusted to your exact bodily proportions. If you're tired of squeezing into ill-fitting jackets or fighting buoyancy roll on every dive, this setup is undoubtedly worth your serious consideration.

Switching from a standard recreational BCD to a backplate and wing (BP/W) can feel intimidating at first. Modern dive shops often promote jacket-style or rear-inflation BCDs with quick-release plastic buckles and padded air-cell cushions. However, when you stripped down those designs, you find excess material, extra drag, and buoyant padding that forces you to carry additional lead weight. The HOG BP/W configuration removes those unnecessary variables. It gives you a rock-solid platform against your back, keeping your tank locked into position so you aren't fighting gear shift underwater.

Check Current Price & Discount on Official Site

Your discount is automatically applied securely at checkout via the link above.

Anatomy of the HOG Backplate and Wing System

To understand why this package performs so well underwater, you need to look at how each core component functions independently and as an integrated rig. Unlike one-piece jacket BCDs where a failed zipper or torn seam ruins the entire unit, every piece of the HOG rig can be serviced, replaced, or upgraded individually.

1. The Backplate: Stainless Steel vs. Aluminum

The foundation of the entire system is the backplate itself. HOG offers this package in two distinct metal options, each serving a specific diving environment:

• 316 Stainless Steel Backplate: Weighs roughly 5.5 to 6 pounds. The weight is distributed evenly down your spine, which allows you to remove an equivalent amount of weight from your weight belt or trim pockets. This is ideal for cold-water diving with thick wetsuits or drysuits, where you need extra ballast to submerge.
• Hard-Anodized Aluminum Backplate: Weighs around 1.7 to 2 pounds. This option is engineered for warm-water travel, tropical dives, or aluminum tank configurations where adding native ballast to your back would make you over-weighted.

Both backplates feature standard 11-inch center-to-center bolt spacing, meaning they fit virtually any standard single-tank wing or double-tank wing on the market. The slots along the perimeter are flame-cut and finished with smooth, rounded edges to prevent sharp metal from fraying the continuous nylon webbing over hundreds of dives.

2. The Donut Wing: Lift and Bladder Construction

The HOG Singles wing uses a 360-degree continuous "donut" air cell rather than an older horseshoe design. Older horseshoe wings tend to trap air at the top tips on either side, forcing you to roll sideways or elevate your body awkwardly to shift gas to the dump valve. A 360-degree donut design allows air to migrate freely around the entire perimeter of the wing, making buoyancy control effortless regardless of whether you're hovering horizontally, looking down at a reef, or inverted slightly during a photo setup.

The outer shell is constructed from 1680 Denier ballistic nylon, offering extreme resistance to sharp coral, rusted wreck metal, or rough boat decks. Inside, a heavy-duty polyurethane bladder holds the air. The lower left features a low-profile pull-dump valve with a quick-turn pull cord, while the corrugated inflator hose connects at the top center to lie neatly over your left shoulder.

3. Harness Configuration: DIR Continuous Webbing vs. Deluxe Adjustable

When ordering the HOG package, you generally choose between two webbing options:

• Continuous Webbing (DIR / Tech Style): Consists of a single 12-foot piece of stiff 2-inch nylon webbing threaded continuously through the backplate slots. It has zero failure points—no plastic buckles to snap under pressure. It includes a crotch strap, stainless steel D-rings on the shoulders and left hip, and rubber keeper bands for securing hose routing.
• Deluxe / Adjustable Webbing: Features quick-release plastic or stainless steel buckles on the shoulder straps, making it easier to slip in and out of the harness on small boats or tight spaces. While it offers convenient chest adjustment, it adds hardware points that some minimalist divers prefer to avoid.

Technical Specifications Breakdown

Based on official manufacturer data and field measurements, here is how the technical specs for the HOG Singles BP/W package break down:

Component	Specification / Material	Practical Diving Benefit
Outer Wing Shell	1680 Denier Ballistic Nylon	Resists punctures, abrasion, and sun degradation over time.
Inner Bladder	Heavy-Duty Polyurethane (Puncture Resistant)	Holds air reliably without seam leakage or material degradation.
Lift Capacity	23 lbs (10.4 kg) or 32 lbs (14.5 kg)	23lb option ideal for warm water/aluminum tanks; 32lb covers steel tanks and thick wetsuits.
Plate Material	316 Stainless Steel (~5.5 lbs) OR Aluminum (~1.7 lbs)	Choose ballast placement right where you need it to reduce waist weight.
Tank Stabilization	Built-in STA slots / Optional Single Tank Adapter	Keeps single cylinders locked down without side-to-side wobble.
Harness Type	Continuous 2-inch Nylon Webbing with Crotch Strap	Locked-in custom fit that eliminates tank ride-up on the surface.

In-Water Buoyancy & Trim Dynamics

The single biggest reason divers switch to the HOG BP/W system is horizontal trim control. Traditional jacket BCDs place air bladders around your sides and chest, pushing your torso upward while your heavy tank and lead weight drag your legs down. This forces you into a diagonal "seahorse" swimming position, requiring constant finning just to hold depth and kicking up silt off the bottom.

With the hog singles bp w package, the air is positioned exclusively along your back surrounding the tank. The metal backplate distributes ballast evenly across your torso. When you adjust your harness correctly, your center of gravity aligns perfectly with your center of buoyancy. The immediate result?

• Instant Horizontal Hovering: You can stop finning entirely and remain motionless, perfectly parallel to the seabed.
• Lower Air Consumption: Reduced frontal surface area means dramatically less water resistance. You move further with each fin stroke, saving breathing gas.
• Silt Reduction: Because your fins stay elevated above the bottom, you avoid kicking up sand or silt in delicate cavern, reef, or wreck environments.

Dumping air from the HOG wing is equally straightforward. If you're horizontal, a soft pull on the lower left dump valve vents excess expansion gas instantly. If you're vertical at a safety stop, holding the inflator elbow high lets air escape through the top corrugated hose without needing to tilt your torso off-axis.

Step-by-Step Guide: Assembly and Fitting the Harness

Because the HOG BP/W arrives unassembled or in modular sections, taking the time to fit the harness properly on land is essential before jumping into the water. Setting up continuous webbing takes about 30 to 45 minutes, but once locked in with serrated weight keepers, you rarely need to touch it again.

Pro Tip for Harness Fitting:

Thread your harness while wearing your primary dive suit (wetsuit or drysuit). Neoprene compresses under depth, but fitting your shoulder straps over your thickest suit prevents the rig from feeling uncomfortably tight during land donning.

Threading the Main Webbing Thread Path

1. Center the Webbing: Start with the 12-foot nylon strap centered at the bottom slots of the backplate, leaving enough length at the bottom center to form your crotch strap anchor point.
2. Route Upper Shoulder Slots: Feed each end of the webbing through the lower center slots of the backplate, up along the front face, and out through the top diagonal shoulder slots.
3. Add Shoulder Hardware: Slide a serrated stainless steel keeper onto each shoulder strap, followed by a bent D-ring (angled outward to easily clip brass bolt snaps), and secure them at collarbone level with another keeper.
4. Form the Waist Belt: Bring the remaining strap ends down through the waist belt slots at the bottom corners of the plate. Thread a flat D-ring onto your left hip (for your pressure gauge/stage bottle) and slide a standard stainless steel belt buckle onto the right hip strap.
5. Adjust Crotch Strap: Thread the 2-inch crotch strap through the bottom center slot of the backplate. The front loop slides onto your waist belt before you buckle it closed, holding the bottom of the plate securely against your lower back.

For a detailed visual guide and safety inspections, always consult the official instructions provided in the Official HOG Equipment Manual.

Real-World Field Testing & Community Insights

To see how the HOG BP/W holds up outside marketing claims, we looked closely at long-term feedback across active diving communities, tech diving forums, and independent review platforms.

Diving community consensus highlights several major operational strengths and practical considerations:

• Community Consensus on Reddit: Experienced divers on the Reddit Scuba HOG BP/W discussion frequently highlight HOG as providing the best dollar-to-performance ratio in the industry. Users routinely praise the toughness of the 1680D nylon wing shell and emphasize how easy it is to replace off-the-shelf webbing if it ever wears out.
• Video Breakdown Assessments: Video gear analysis on YouTube HOG BP/W review tutorials demonstrates how cleanly single cylinders lock onto the backplate using dual cam bands, even when diving without a heavy dedicated Single Tank Adapter (STA).
• Retailer & Merchant Reliability: Merchant reliability ratings on Trustpilot reviews for Dive Right In Scuba show high marks for customer service, especially when helping divers choose between aluminum versus stainless steel backplates based on local diving conditions.

Comparative Analysis: HOG BP/W vs. Traditional Options

How does the HOG Singles package stack up against conventional recreational jacket BCDs or high-end competing tech brands? Let's analyze the practical differences:

1. HOG BP/W vs. Traditional Jacket BCDs

Jacket BCDs wrap air chambers around your waist and chest, restricting breathing slightly when fully inflated. They rely heavily on plastic quick-release buckles that can snap under stress or aging UV exposure. In contrast, the HOG system keeps your chest completely clear. Air inflation only expands outward behind you, keeping your chest open for relaxed breathing and full arm mobility.

2. HOG BP/W vs. High-End Competitors (e.g., Halcyon, Apeks)

Brands like Halcyon produce fantastic backplate systems, but their premium price tags often reflect brand positioning rather than superior structural materials. HOG uses the exact same 316 stainless steel plate material, heavy-duty webbing, and 1680D ballistic nylon construction as top-tier brands, but at a far more accessible price point. You get identical durability and underwater hydrodynamics without paying extra for a brand logo.

Essential Logistics: Ordering, Warranty, and Support

When purchasing your equipment online, understanding distributor support policies ensures your investment stays protected throughout its operational lifespan:

• Shipping Details: Fast dispatch options and order tracking can be reviewed directly via the official Dive Right In Scuba Shipping Policy.
• Warranty Coverage: Details regarding manufacturing defect coverage and lifetime equipment policies are outlined under the Warranty Policy documentation.
• Flexible Payment Methods: Multi-currency processing, major credit cards, and installment options are available at the Checkout and Payment Portal.
• Technical Support: Need help choosing between a 23lb and 32lb wing lift option? Contact factory-trained experts through the Dive Right In Scuba Customer Support Team.

Long-Term Maintenance Protocol

Backplate and wing systems require minimal maintenance due to their mechanical simplicity, but following a consistent post-dive cleaning routine will ensure your rig lasts for decades:

1. Internal Bladder Rinse: After every ocean dive, pour fresh water into the wing through the inflator mouthpiece while depressing the dump button. Swirl the fresh water around the internal polyurethane bladder, turn the wing upside down, and drain it completely through the lower dump valve to remove salt crystals.
2. Dump Valve Inspection: Unscrew the lower left dump valve cap twice a year. Inspect the silicone gasket seal for trapped sand or salt granules, rinse thoroughly, and reassemble lightly hand-tight.
3. Webbing & Grommet Checks: Check stainless steel grommets and plate slots for burrs or sharp edges that could wear into nylon straps. Replace continuous webbing immediately if you notice fraying along friction points.

Who Should Buy the HOG Singles BP/W Package?

This package is an ideal choice for:

• Recreational divers who want to achieve perfect horizontal trim and lower gas consumption.
• Divers planning to transition eventually into technical, cavern, or wreck diving.
• Traveling divers looking for a lightweight aluminum rig that packs flat in a duffel bag.
• Divers tired of replacing cheap jacket BCDs every few seasons due to broken plastic zippers or torn seams.

However, it might not be suitable for divers who prefer built-in zippered pockets without adding modular zippered pouches to their belt, or those who dislike taking 30 minutes to do an initial fitting of continuous webbing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Single Tank Adapter (STA) strictly required for this package?

No. The HOG Singles wing and backplate feature built-in dual tank band slots. You can thread two standard cam straps directly through the wing and backplate to secure your tank tightly without using a heavy metal STA. However, adding an optional STA can add extra localized weight along your spine if you need additional ballast.

Should I choose the 23lb or 32lb wing option?

If you primarily dive warm water with a 3mm wetsuit or rashguard and use an aluminum 80 cylinder, the 23lb wing provides plenty of lift while keeping your profile as slim as possible. If you dive cold water with a 7mm wetsuit, drysuit, or high-capacity steel cylinders (like an HP100 or HP120), choose the 32lb wing to ensure adequate surface floatation with heavy gear.

How do I carry accessory gear like SMBs, spools, or slates?

Because the rig is streamlined, gear is clipped to your shoulder or waist D-rings using brass or stainless steel bolt snaps. Lift bags and SMBs roll up neatly and stow in a backplate storage pack or a modular weight/utility pocket slid onto your waist belt.

Final Verdict: A Reliable, Highly Adaptable Dive Platform

The hog singles bp w package remains one of the best investments a recreational diver can make. It solves the core physical challenges of diving—buoyancy instability, excessive drag, and poor body position—by using simple, proven mechanical engineering. It eliminates unnecessary points of failure, cleans up your chest harness area, and delivers exceptional durability season after season.

Get Your HOG Singles BP/W Package Here

Order securely from the official authorized dealer with instant discount activation.