If you’re looking for a new BCD but don’t want to go with a traditional jacket-style—and you’re also not interested in a full-on tech setup—the Cressi Aquawing Max might be the perfect middle ground.First impressions: clean and compact
The Aquawing Max makes an immediate impression as a clean, compact unit. The donut-shaped wing looks solid, while the smaller aluminum backplate and integrated padding make it feel softer and more approachable than the typical backplate and wing.
You’ll notice the padded backplate and shoulder straps, the continuous-webbing harness, and the adjustable waistband/shoulder straps—a rare convenience for BPW setups.
The Cressi Aquawing vibe in a nutshell is “I’m a BPW—but user-friendly.”
When it comes to testing, we dove the Aquawing Max in both cold and warm water to see how it handled different environments.
We dove it side by side with backplate and wing systems like the Hollis ST and XDEEP NX Zen, as well as recreational BCDs like the Cressi Emperor and Elettra.
This gave us a solid feel for how it performs across conditions—and how easy it is to transition into BPW diving with the Aquawing Max compared to both jacket BCDs and more technical setups.
Design and features
The Aquawing Max is built around a lightweight aluminum backplate, paired with a donut-style bladder and an integrated padded harness system. It’s meant for single-tank diving and is ideal for warm-water or travel use, but can easily be used in cold waters as well.
- Cressi’s patented “Automatic Adjustment System” (AAS), which lets you fine-tune the harness fit easily by tightening and loosening the shoulder and waist straps without weaving
- Donut-style bladder: offers even air distribution and stable lift
- Quick-release crotch strap: attaches via buckle—not threaded through the waistband
- Backplate padding: thick, comfortable, and removable (though not as easily as with velcro systems; requires Allen key)
- Height adjustment: backplate can be repositioned for shorter or taller divers by removing padding and reconfiguring the setup
- Integrated weight pockets at the hips and trim pockets on the tank band
- Lightweight design: ideal for travel or tropical diving
- Fixed solo harness: no modularity for upgrading to a deluxe harness or metal D-rings
- Plastic hardware throughout
Comfort and fit
One of the biggest wins for the Aquawing Max is comfort. The backplate is padded enough to prevent tank rub, and the shoulder straps are comfortable, even without a break in the harness webbing.
The Automatic Adjustment System makes this stand out from other continuous harnesses—it allows you to easily snug up or loosen the straps without threading or re-rigging, something that’s a pain on most traditional BPW setups.
The quick-release crotch strap is a welcome quality-of-life feature. The height adjustability on the backplate is a useful feature, though adjusting it requires some work.
Performance underwater
We put the Aquawing Max through its paces in both cold and warmer waters—and it impressed us with its adaptability.
Like most backplate and wing setups, it’s easy to get a horizontal, streamlined position. Whether diving in a drysuit or lighter tropical gear, the Aquawing Max maintained stable, balanced buoyancy throughout.
- Trim: Naturally balanced thanks to the rear-mounted bladder and trim pockets
- Lift: The donut wing provides plenty of lift for recreational single-tank diving
- Stability: Solid tank connection and secure harness setup create a confident dive experience
- Surface position: Like any wing system, it will push you slightly forward at the surface
Comparisons
The Aquawing Max sits in a unique space between jacket-style comfort and backplate-and-wing performance—but how does it stack up against other popular systems? Here’s how it compares to both the Cressi Emperor and the Hollis ST setup.
The Cressi Emperor is a hybrid jacket-style BCD with a soft, padded design and an internal rear bladder for improved trim. It’s comfort-first and excellent at the surface, making it ideal for beginner or resort divers. Compared to the Aquawing, it’s bulkier, less streamlined underwater, and offers less precise trim control—but it’s more familiar for those used to jacket-style setups and more forgiving at the surface.
Choose the Emperor if you want plush comfort and an easy transition from rental gear. Choose the Aquawing if you want better trim, lighter travel weight, and a step into backplate-style diving.
The Hollis ST System is a more modular, rugged BPW system built for technical-minded recreational divers. It comes with stainless or aluminum backplates, fully customizable harnesses (Solo or Elite), and wings in different sizes. It trims beautifully and is great in cold water or drysuit diving. The trade-off? More complexity, more weight, and less out-of-the-box ease.
Compared to the Aquawing, the Hollis ST system is more configurable and durable, but also heavier and less beginner-friendly.
Choose the Hollis ST if you’re already experienced with BPW or want long-term modularity. Choose the Aquawing if you want a more approachable, padded, travel-friendly backplate system with built-in simplicity.
Cressi Aquawing Max: who it’s best for
The Cressi Aquawing Max is ideal for:
- Divers ready to move from a jacket to a backplate and wing
- Recreational divers who want trim control without the bulk
- Warm-water or travel divers who need something lightweight
- Divers who like the idea of a backplate but still want comfort and adjustability
Price/Quality Ratio:
For its price point, the Aquawing Max offers excellent value. You get BPW-level trim and control, with the added comfort and adjustability that most recreational divers want—without the weight or complexity of modular BPW systems.
It’s not the cheapest travel BCD, nor is it trying to be. For divers who want a serious upgrade from a jacket BCD without diving headfirst into full tech gear, the Aquawing Max hits a real sweet spot.
Do we recommend the Cressi Aquawing Max BCD?
The Cressi Aquawing Max is a well-balanced, well-designed BCD for recreational divers looking to step into the world of backplate and wing systems. It keeps the clean trim and modular simplicity of a BPW setup, but adds enough comforts—like padding and adjustability—to ease the transition.
Bottom line: If you’re a diver looking for a backplate and wing that feels more like a comfortable BCD—but trims like a pro—the Aquawing Max could be your perfect next upgrade.