The new OMS backrest: A game-changer for your diving comfort
- Thomas Swiglowski
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Have you ever wondered how you could make your dives even more comfortable, thoughtful, and organized? If you're a passionate diver, you know the quest for the perfect equipment configuration. We're thrilled to introduce an innovation that addresses precisely this need: the new OMS backrest .
It's more than just a pad – it's a thoughtfully designed upgrade for your backplate system that takes comfort and functionality to a whole new level. Whether you're a recreational diver diving in warm waters or a technical diver optimizing your setup for demanding cold-water dives, this new accessory will impress you!
In this detailed blog post, we take a close look at the new OMS backrest. We'll show you why the integrated trim weight pockets are an ingenious solution, how the new buoy insertion slot works, and what revolutionary innovations have been implemented specifically for twin-tank divers and drysuit users. Get ready to reinvent your dive gear!
Comfort meets ingenious functionality
Why even have a backrest? Purists among the “DIR” (Doing It Right) divers often swear by the bare stainless steel or aluminum backplate.
But let's be honest: a little comfort never hurts, especially when diving in the tropics without a thick wetsuit or having to complete long decompression stops. The OMS backrest offers exactly that extra protection and padding. But OMS wouldn't be OMS if they settled for "just soft." This new model is a true multi-tool. It was designed to solve problems many of us are familiar with: Where do I put that small trim weight to achieve the perfect body position? And where do I stow my buoy so it doesn't get in the way but is instantly accessible?
Integrated trim weight pockets: Perfect trim made easy
Perhaps the most noticeable and practical innovation is the four integrated trim weight pockets on the back of the cushion.
Imagine you only need to adjust your trim by one or two kilos, but your weight belt is already full, or you don't want lead on your waist belt because it gets in the way. That's exactly where these pouches come in.
Capacity: Each of the four bags can hold up to 1 kg (for a total of up to 4 kg of additional trim weight).
Positioning: Because the lead is placed directly along the spine or backplate, the center of gravity is optimally central. This greatly helps to maintain a stable horizontal position in the water without having to fight against rotation.
Soft lead: The pockets are ideally designed for soft lead pouches, which further increases carrying comfort, as nothing hard presses against the back.
This is an incredibly elegant solution for distributing the overall weight and perfecting the trim without having to thread additional pouches onto the straps. It looks clean, is streamlined, and extremely effective.
The smart buoy insert: Order must prevail.
Every diver knows the dilemma: The surface marker buoy (SMB) or lift bag has to come along, but where to put it? It often dangles annoyingly from the D-ring, and it takes up space in the leg pocket.
The new OMS backrest offers a brilliant solution: a special sleeve accessible from below. Here you can safely stow your buoy or a small lift bag. The advantages are obvious:
Streamlined design: The buoy disappears behind your back into the padding. Nothing sticks out, nothing increases water resistance.
Protection: Your buoy is protected from damage and cannot get caught on anything.
Accessibility: In an emergency or at the end of the dive, simply reach down and back and pull out the buoy. This can be done blindly and intuitively.
This type of storage ensures a "clean configuration" – a tidy setup where you can fully concentrate on your dive instead of managing your equipment.
The revolution for twin-tank divers: Side opening
Now we come to the features that truly make this backrest unique and set it apart from conventional models. OMS has reimagined the installation process, especially for those of you who like to dive with twinsets.
Are you familiar with the struggle of mounting a backplate with a back pad onto a double cylinder when the cylinder bolts need to pass precisely through the holes? It's often a fiddly process to position the backplate correctly while trying to guide the heavy cylinders and clamp bolts through it.
OMS' solution is as simple as it is ingenious: The backrest can be opened on one side.
How does that work?
Instead of having to laboriously thread the padding over the bolts, thanks to the side opening (often solved via Velcro or a special slot system) you can simply unfold it or slide it to the side to have free access to the attachment points.
The advantage in practical testing: When mounting your double cylinders, you can insert the bolts unhindered through the backplate and secure them with the wing nuts. Only when everything is tight do you close the padding over the nuts again. This means:
No more fabric getting caught.
Significantly faster assembly and disassembly.
Protection for your suit: The wing nuts and bolt ends are covered by the padding and cannot rub against the drysuit or wetsuit.
This feature clearly shows that developers who dive themselves and wanted to eliminate the small annoyances of everyday life were at work here.
Argon installation made easy: The solution for drysuit divers
For our cold-water enthusiasts and technical divers, this is perhaps the ultimate highlight. Those who dive in cold water often use argon (or air) from a separate small cylinder ("pony cylinder") to fill their drysuit. This separate gas supply provides better insulation compared to trimix or heliox from a back-mounted unit.
However, attaching these small argon cylinders was often a makeshift solution. Many cyclists used mounting straps to fix the cylinder directly to the side of the backplate. The problem with conventional back pads is that they often cover the exact slots or areas where these straps should be positioned, or the cylinder presses uncomfortably because the padding is in the way.
The new OMS back pad was specifically designed for use with mounting straps for pony bottles .
Integration in perfection
The design allows the fastening straps for your argon cylinder to be neatly routed through the system without compromising the padding function. This means:
Secure hold: Your argon bottle sits rock-solid on the backplate.
No pressure points: Because the system is coordinated, the bottle does not press uncomfortably into the back area.
Redundancy: You have your redundant buoyancy or insulating gas supply safely with you, without it feeling like a foreign object.
This feature makes the pad an indispensable tool for anyone planning technically demanding dives and who does not want to compromise on equipment configuration.
Easy assembly without tools
Another aspect that impresses us is the uncomplicated installation of the pad itself. Nobody wants to be standing at the dive site fiddling with screwdrivers.
The OMS back pad is designed for screwless installation. It simply slips over the backplate (slip-over design). The harness's shoulder and waist straps are threaded through the designated slots. This not only ensures the pad stays securely in place but also makes installation incredibly easy.
It is compatible with all common OMS backplates (both stainless steel and aluminum) and also fits most standard backplates from other manufacturers. This modularity is a core feature of the OMS philosophy – everything fits together.
Conclusion: A professional solution for every requirement
In summary, the new OMS backrest is far more than just a piece of fabric for your back. It's a highly sophisticated piece of equipment that offers intelligent solutions for storage, trim, and configuration.
The combination of:
4 trim weight pockets for perfect balance,
an integrated buoy insert for better organization,
the side opening for stress-free double bottle mounting,
and compatibility for argon cylinders
...makes it an absolutely professional and well-thought-out solution. It shows that OMS understands what divers really need: equipment that works, solves problems, and makes diving more enjoyable.
We at the OMS Store are absolutely convinced by this product. It perfectly reflects what we value so much about OMS: quality, innovation, and practicality.
Discover the new diving experience
Are you ready to upgrade your gear? We cordially invite you to check out this new backrest. Whether you're an experienced tech diver or just assembling your first wing system, this backrest will impress you.
We strive to offer you not just products, but solutions that enhance your time underwater. Feel free to visit us online or stop by our store in Beeskow. Let's discuss the details and find the perfect configuration for your next underwater adventure!
We look forward to seeing you and wish you always "good air"!
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