Blog » Sidemount Diving Articles » Sidemount Harness Options for Homemade Systems

Originally posted 2018-03-07 23:55:48.

Sidemount Harness Options for Homemade Systems

There are a number of stand-alone sidemount harness options on the market. Whilst not complete sidemount diving systems, they may warrant consideration if building a mixed, or DIY, configuration rig.

You can configure your sidemount harness, then simply add the wing and bungee system of your choice.

 sump uk sidemount harness hardware options
‘H’ Style Harness showing custom hardware sidemount harness option
 
Andrew Goring at SUMP UK is well known for his excellent range of custom sidemount hardware – so it’s natural that he should produce a range of sidemount harness options to suit every need.  
 
There isn’t one specific harness option – but rather, you can consult directly with Andrew to specify exactly which design and hardware options you prefer.
 
sump uk sidemount harness
Photo courtesy of Andrew  Goring
  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:  Nylon webbing and stainless steel fittings.
  • Weight:  Not Known
  • Manual: Not Available
  • Manufacturers Link:  SUMP UK Facebook

Deco Sidemount Harness

Deco Sidemount 2

 

There are two harnesses available;  a traditional harness (shoulder straps to the rear lumbar plate) and an ‘H’ style harness (shoulder straps routed to front of harness via ‘T’ attachments).  Both harnesses are lightweight and minimalist; providing all the functionality that you’d need with zero superfluous clutter.  

Many other types of sidemount wing could be attached to this harness. The harness is supplied with 6ft of 5/16th bungee and two bolt-snaps, so the diver can rig out their own tank bungee method (loop, sliding loop, independent, ‘old school’ etc). Both harnesses include fixed front D-rings and offset (drop) D-rings at the read.

The rear crotch strap D-ring is a dual/double ring design; giving more options for equipment attachment. There is no weighting system included with the harness.  My solution for weighting, on ‘bare’ harnesses like these, has always been to put a couple of stand-alone weight pouches directly onto the spine webbing.  

It works great and keeps things very simple. These would be an extra purchase…  or you could just thread weights directly onto  the spine strap for a more permanent option (less ideal for travelling). The regular harness costs $145.99 and the ‘H’ style harness is $163.99…..  very cheap compared to most on the market.

  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:  Nylon webbing and stainless steel fittings.
  • Weight:  Not Known
  • Manual: Not Available
  • Manufacturers Link:  Deco Dive Equipment
 

Darkside Harness

Darkside sidemount harness

The Darkside harness is manufactured in the UK and consists of a hogarthian webbing rig with lumbar and shoulder plates.  It has regular sized D-rings and crotch strap.

  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:    Nylon webbing / 316 marine grade stainless steel plates
  • Weight:  1.4kg shipping weight
  • Manual: Not available
  • Manufacturers Link:  darkside-diving.co.uk
Sponsored Link

Farr Explorer 1 Harness

Farr Explorer Harness

Designed by renown cave explorer Martyn Farr, the ‘Explorer 1’ is a seriously robust harness designed for exploratory cave diving. All metalwork is 316 stainless steel and the waist belt can be stripped down quickly to add/remove weights.  Not currently listed on the Farrworld website.

  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:    Nylon webbing / 316 marine grade stainless steel plates
  • Weight:  Not known
  • Manual: Not available
  • Manufacturers Link:  farrworld.co.uk

Warmbac ASM Sidemount Harness

warmbac asm sidemount harness

Another UK manufactured sidemount harness options is the Warmbac. It has a fully adjustable belt and shoulder straps.  The bungees  run from between the shoulders to the shoulder mounted large D rings. It features a highly adjustable roller-style belt buckle and single “floating” belt through the main ‘H’ harness with lead attachment points. Often worn in conjunction with a dedicated climbing seat harness by UK sump divers.

  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:    Nylon webbing / 316 marine grade stainless steel plates
  • Weight:  1.23kg
  • Manual: Not available
  • Manufacturers Link:  Warmbac Divers Sidemount Harness

Kent Tooling Sidemount Harness

Kent Tooling Sidemount Harness options
 
Kent Tooling make a variety of stainless steel diving accessories, including this stand-alone sidemount diving harness.  The KT harness features stainless steel lumbar and shoulder plates on nylon webbing. Available in two sizes: S-L (7m webbing supplied) and XL-XXXL (10m webbing supplied).  The harness will accommodate most ‘warm-water’ style sidemount wings.
  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:    Nylon webbing / 316 marine grade stainless steel plates
  • Weight:  Not known
  • Manual: Not available
  • Manufacturers Link:  Kent Tooling Sidemount Harness
Sponsored Link

DiveRite Transpac XT Harness

DiveRite Transpac XT Harness Sidemount
 
The original DiveRite Transpac harness was a popular choice for DIY rigs back in the days when no dedicated sidemount rigs were being manufactured (or used with the, now discontinued, DiveRite Junior or Trek wings).  Designed by cave explorer Lamar Hires, the current generation transpac features  integrated hip pads, molded foam lumbar support pad, and ergonomic shoulder pads. The harness is available in sizes XS-XXL.
  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:    Soft backplate constructed of 1000 denier ballistic nylon. Marine grade stainless plates and fittings.
  • Weight:   Small 4 lbs 4 oz / 1.92kg  to Large – 5lbs / 2.29kg
  • Manual: Transpac XT Harness Manual
  • Manufacturers Link:  DiveRite Transpac XT

DiveRite Transpac XT Tech Harness

DiveRite Transpac XT Tech Harness Sidemount
The ‘tech’ version of the Transpac features a single-piece continuous webbing harness, molded foam lumbar pad and chest-support strap
  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:  Soft backplate constructed of 1000 denier ballistic nylon. Marine grade stainless plates and fittings.
  • Weight:  < 5lbs / 2.29kg
  • Manual: Transpac XT Tech Manual
  • Manufacturers Link:  DiveRite Transpac XT Tech

Santiago Ultimate Harness

Santiago Ultimate Sidemount Harness
 
This Mexican produced sidemount harness follows a common minimalist theme and is designed to provide a mounting option for the Z-Trim and Stealth 2.0 wings.  It features low-profile D-rings and manages to eliminate heavy lumbar/shoulder plates through innovative use of ‘folding-back’ the webbing through weight retainers. It also comes with a double 4.5mm high-strength bungee to provide redundancy.  One very novel feature is the LB-SR (Sliding Ring) System: an adjustable sliding D-ring that allows quick adjustment to precision cylinder trim whilst wearing/diving the rig.
  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:  Nylon webbing and stainless steel fittings.
  • Weight:  Not Known
  • Manual: Not Available
  • Manufacturers Link:  Santiago Diving Sidemount Ultimate

Innodive Sidemount Harness

innodive-sidemount-harness options
This French designed stand-alone sidemount harness features low-profile D-rings and uniquely shaped lumbar and shoulder plates.  The lumbar plates has integral equipment attachment points.
  • Buoyancy:  Not applicable – harness only
  • Material:  Nylon webbing and stainless steel fittings.
  • Weight:  Not Known
  • Manual: Not Available
  • Manufacturers Link:  Innodive Sidemount Harness

Buy my ‘Sidemount: Principles For Success’ ebook now!

Sidemount: Principles For Success eBook

My comprehensive guide to sidemount configuration and development as a diver.

178 Pages. PDF format. Only $25

Fully Illustrated!

Chapters include:

  • Sidemount history, design styles, and cylinder principles
  • Harness and bungee setup and sizing
  • Configuring deco/stage cylinders
  • Diagnosing cylinder trim problems
  • Regulators and hardware
  • Training and skillset development

Andy Davis Technical Sidemount Wreck Diving Subic Bay Philippines RAID Courses Training

About The Author

Andy Davis is a RAID, PADI TecRec, ANDI, BSAC, and SSI-qualified independent technical diving instructor who specializes in teaching sidemount, trimix, and advanced wreck diving courses.

Currently residing in Subic Bay, Philippines; he has amassed more than 10,000 open-circuit and CCR dives over three decades of challenging diving across the globe.

Andy has published numerous diving magazine articles and designed advanced certification courses for several dive training agencies, He regularly tests and reviews new dive gear for scuba equipment manufacturers. Andy is currently writing a series of advanced diving books and creating a range of tech diving clothing and accessories.

Prior to becoming a professional technical diving educator in 2006, Andy was a commissioned officer in the Royal Air Force and has served in Iraq, Afghanistan, Belize, and Cyprus.

In 2023, Andy was named in the “Who’s Who of Sidemount” list by GUE InDepth Magazine.


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