Dive Rite — Equipment for Serious Divers Since 1984

In the early 1980s, if you wanted to explore an underwater cave in North Florida, you mostly had to make your own gear. No manufacturer was designing equipment for the specific demands of overhead environments — the tight passages, the silt, the cold springs, the long penetrations with no direct access to the surface. Lamar Hires and Mark Leonard were cave diving instructors who lived with this reality every weekend. In 1984, working out of a small workshop in North Florida's Cave Country, they did something about it and founded what would become the first dedicated technical dive equipment company in existence.

Dive Rite started with thirteen products. Everything was purpose-built for the demands of real explorers in real conditions. Pioneering products like the Classic wing and the canister light introduced to the scuba industry the very first items designed specifically for underwater exploration. In 1991, Dive Rite became the first manufacturer to launch a user-programmable Nitrox computer. In 1996, they revolutionized the dive industry with the launch of the TransPac harness. That harness is still in production today and remains the benchmark modular harness system in technical diving.

Forty years on, Dive Rite has grown to over 300 products and distribution in 68 countries. Dive Rite's employees are actively involved in every aspect of the dive industry — exploring, teaching, and testing the equipment they sell, in caves, wrecks, reefs, and ice diving environments worldwide. Insights from these dives come back directly to the R&D team. This isn't a brand that delegates diving to marketing consultants. It's a company of working divers who build gear they trust with their own lives.

At DiveCatalog.com, we carry Dive Rite's regulator packages, the TransPac harness system, the Voyager XT wing, weight systems, and masks as an authorized Dive Rite dealer.

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The Dive Rite Product Range at DiveCatalog.com

Regulators — The XT and FT Series

The XT regulator system is the result of Dive Rite applying their technical diving expertise directly to regulator engineering. The XT1 first stage uses a balanced diaphragm design — meaning it delivers consistent intermediate pressure regardless of depth or remaining tank pressure, for smooth, effortless breathing from the first breath to the last. With work of breathing at less than 1.0 J/l, the XT performs right alongside premier regulators on the market today. This performance has been independently verified by Mike Ward of Dive Lab, one of the most respected regulator testing authorities in the industry.

The XT1 features a balanced diaphragm design, a fully rotating swivel turret, and environmental sealing that protects internal components from contaminants, corrosion, and freezing — ideal for cold water, silty caves, and saltwater environments. Two high-pressure ports and five low-pressure ports on the swivel turret provide streamlined hose routing for a clutter-free dive. The DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating ensures durability and a sleek, professional look. The XT1 is cold-water rated to 27°F / -2.78°C, environmentally sealed as standard, and available in both Yoke and DIN configurations. Nitrox compatible.

The XT2 second stage is paired with the XT1 in the open water and doubles packages — a balanced, pneumatically optimized second stage designed for low cracking effort and consistent performance in demanding conditions. The XT4 is Dive Rite's premium second stage, offering an even lower work of breathing for divers who want the most refined breathing feel available. The FT1 is an alternative first stage option for budget-conscious divers who still want Dive Rite reliability.

Dive Rite regulator packages are configured for specific use cases — not just convenient bundles, but purpose-optimized setups:

XT1/XT2 Advanced Open Water Package — The most accessible entry into the Dive Rite regulator system. Pairs the XT1 first stage with the XT2 second stage for a complete, high-performing set suited to advanced recreational and early technical divers. Available in Yoke and DIN.

XT1/XT4 Advanced Open Water Package — Upgrades to the premium XT4 second stage for divers who want maximum breathing performance at depth. Available in Yoke.

FT1/XT2 Advanced Open Water Package — An alternative first stage paired with the proven XT2, offering Dive Rite quality and reliability at a more accessible price. Available in Yoke and DIN.

XT1/XT2 Doubles Package with Carry Bag — Configured specifically for twin-cylinder diving. Includes two complete first-and-second-stage sets with carry bag, ready for backmounted doubles configurations. DIN as standard for 300-bar cylinder valves.

XT1/XT2 Sidemount Package — The XT2 second stage in this package is configured with ambidextrous orientation for sidemount diving, routing hoses cleanly under the arm. Includes a 60-inch Airflex hose and right-angle adapter for proper sidemount hose management.

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TransPac Harness — The System That Changed Technical Diving

The TransPac harness, launched in 1996, is one of the most significant innovations in dive equipment history. Before it, technical divers used rigid backplates with fixed webbing — functional but unforgiving in fit. The TransPac introduced a fully modular, adjustable harness system that fits a range of body types, accommodates different cylinder configurations, and allows divers to expand their setup as their diving evolves.

The current TransPac harness uses a nylon backplate compatible with any Dive Rite wing, making it the foundation for single-tank recreational use, backmounted doubles, sidemount, and rebreather configurations all from the same base harness. Harness webbing adjusts across multiple points for a precise fit, and the nylon construction is lightweight and corrosion-resistant. Available in Small, Medium, Large Short, Large, and XL. Wings and cylinder configurations are purchased separately, letting divers build and expand their system as needed.

The TransPac Doubles Adapter Plate connects the TransPac harness to twin cylinders, creating a stable mounting surface that distributes the weight of doubles across the harness frame — an essential accessory for divers making the transition to twin-cylinder technical diving.

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Voyager XT Wing — Single-Tank Buoyancy for Technical Configurations

The Voyager XT Wing is a single-tank wing designed to pair with the TransPac harness or any compatible backplate system. It uses a donut-style 360-degree bladder design — buoyancy is distributed evenly around the tank rather than concentrated in a single rear pocket, which provides more stable trim and even lift distribution. The bladder is constructed with SuperFabric reinforcement for durability in demanding environments. Available in 12" and 16" lengths with either RE (rear exhaust) or Elbow dump valve configurations. 35 lbs of lift capacity. The Elbow configuration routes the dump valve differently for specific rigging preferences — contact us if you're unsure which suits your setup.

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Weight Systems — Modular and Mission-Specific

Dive Rite offers a comprehensive range of weight pocket systems designed specifically for technical harness configurations. Unlike integrated weight pockets in recreational BCDs, Dive Rite weight systems are built to attach to waist straps, crotch straps, and dedicated weight belt systems — giving technical divers precise control over weight placement for trim and buoyancy.

QB 32lb Weight Pocket System — A two-pocket set using the quick-buckle (QB) release system. Maximum 32 lbs total capacity. Designed for the TransPac harness or any BCD with a compatible waist strap.

QB 20lb Weight Pocket System — Two-pocket quick-buckle set with 20 lb total capacity. For divers who need less ballast or want a more compact weight configuration.

QR 12lb Weight Pocket System — Quick-release (QR) two-pocket set for 12 lbs total. Suited to warm-water diving or trim weighting where small amounts of additional ballast are needed alongside a wetsuit or drysuit weight system.

Travel Weight Pocket — 4lb Slide/Velcro Combo — A single compact pocket for travel diving and fine-tune trim weighting. Attaches via slide and Velcro to most standard waist straps. A practical solution for divers who need a small amount of trim weight without a full weight system.

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Masks — Low-Volume, Technical Performance

Dive Rite's mask range reflects their technical diving DNA: low-volume designs optimized for equalization, clear optics, and clean underwater visibility across all conditions.

ES155 Single-Lens Mask — Ultra-Clear Tempered Glass — The ES155 is the premium mask in the Dive Rite range, featuring ultra-clear low-iron tempered glass for maximum light transmission and true color rendering. Single-lens design maximizes unobstructed field of view. Available in Black and Olive Drab Green (ODG) — the green colorway suits divers who prefer low-visibility or tactical color schemes. Silicone skirt for reliable seal.

ES150 Frameless Single-Lens Mask — Frameless construction keeps volume to a minimum and allows the mask to fold flat for storage and travel. Single tempered glass lens with a double silicone skirt for enhanced sealing. Low-volume profile is quick to clear and equalize.

ES125 Double-Lens Mask — Twin tempered glass lenses in a low-profile framed design with a soft double-seal silicone skirt. Compatible with prescription gauge readers (available as the ES125 Black with Gauge Readers variant) — useful for divers who need vision correction and want to read instruments clearly.

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Who Is Dive Rite For?

Diver Type	Recommended Products	Key Reason
Advanced recreational divers moving toward technical	XT1/XT2 AOW Regulator Package, TransPac Harness + Wing	Entry into purpose-built technical gear that grows with you
Technical backmount doubles divers	XT1/XT2 Doubles Package, TransPac + Doubles Adapter Plate	Purpose-configured doubles reg set; modular harness for twin cylinder use
Sidemount divers	XT1/XT2 Sidemount Package, TransPac Harness	Ambidextrous second stages; 60" hose; right-angle adapter; correct routing out of the box
Cave and overhead environment divers	Any XT package, TransPac, Voyager XT Wing	Built by cave divers; environmentally sealed; streamlined for low-drag profiles
Cold water and temperate divers	Any XT regulator package (all environmentally sealed)	XT1 cold-water rated to 27°F / -2.78°C; sealed first stage standard
Divers building a modular system	TransPac Harness + Voyager XT Wing + Weight System	All components interchangeable and upgradeable as diving evolves

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Why Buy Dive Rite from DiveCatalog.com?

• Authorized Dive Rite dealer — full manufacturer warranty on all products
• Technical expertise — our staff understand the Dive Rite system and can help you configure the right setup
• Full range available — regulators, harness, wings, weight systems, and masks all in one place
• Fast shipping — in-stock items ship within one business day
• Financing available — spread the cost of a complete technical rig
• Rewards program — earn points on every purchase

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Frequently Asked Questions — Dive Rite

Who founded Dive Rite and when?

Dive Rite was founded in 1984 by Lamar Hires and Mark Leonard, cave explorers and instructors from North Florida. In 1997, Lamar Hires acquired full ownership and has led the company since. Dive Rite is recognized as the first dedicated technical dive equipment company ever established.

What makes the XT1 first stage different from standard regulators?

The XT1 uses a balanced diaphragm design — it maintains consistent intermediate pressure regardless of depth or remaining tank pressure. It is environmentally sealed as standard (not an optional upgrade), cold-water rated to 27°F / -2.78°C, features a five-port rotating swivel turret for clean hose routing in any configuration, and has been independently tested to produce a work of breathing below 1.0 J/l — a performance benchmark that puts it alongside the best regulators available.

What is the difference between the XT2 and XT4 second stages?

Both are balanced second stages designed for technical diving. The XT4 offers a lower work of breathing and more refined breathing feel at depth — it's the premium option for divers who want maximum performance. The XT2 provides excellent technical performance at a more accessible price and is the second stage in Dive Rite's most popular regulator packages.

What is the TransPac harness and why is it significant?

The TransPac harness, launched in 1996, was the first fully modular adjustable diving harness system. It replaced the fixed-webbing rigid backplate as the foundation of the technical diving rig and remains the standard-bearer today. The TransPac adjusts across multiple dimensions for a precise fit and is compatible with single-tank, doubles, sidemount, and rebreather configurations — all from the same base harness with different wing and adapter options.

Can I use a Dive Rite wing with other brands' backplates?

Dive Rite wings use a standard attachment system compatible with most modular backplate/harness systems. The Voyager XT Wing is specifically designed to pair with the TransPac harness. Contact us to confirm compatibility with your existing setup if you're looking to mix components.

What Dive Rite regulators are suitable for sidemount diving?

The XT1/XT2 Sidemount Package is specifically configured for sidemount use: the XT2 second stages are configured with ambidextrous orientation, a 60-inch Airflex hose is included for the long-hose primary position, and a right-angle adapter is provided for correct routing under the arm. This is a purpose-built sidemount package, not a standard package adapted for sidemount after the fact.

Are Dive Rite regulators suitable for cold water?

Yes. All XT1 first stages are environmentally sealed as standard — the internal mechanism is isolated from the surrounding water, preventing contaminants, silt, and moisture from entering. The XT1 is cold-water rated to 27°F / -2.78°C, making it appropriate for cold-water recreational, technical, and ice-diving applications.

What masks does Dive Rite make and who are they for?

Dive Rite offers three masks: the ES155 (premium single-lens with ultra-clear glass, Black and ODG colorways), the ES150 (frameless single-lens, compact and packable), and the ES125 (double-lens framed, with an optional gauge reader version for divers who need vision correction). All use tempered glass and silicone skirts with low-volume profiles suited to technical and overhead diving.

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Dive Rite equipment is built by people who dive caves, wrecks, and open ocean in conditions that most gear wasn't designed for. Browse the full collection above and reach out if you'd like help configuring the right Dive Rite system for your diving.