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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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!
My comprehensive guide to sidemount configuration and development as a diver.
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.
FinnSub 'Fly Side' sidemount BCD FinnSub 'Fly Side' Sidemount BCD Reviewed The FinnsSub Fly Side sidemount is a tear-drop shaped bladder based upon a DIR harness with metal backplate and…
Aquamundo Sidemount BCD Review The Aquamundo Sidemount BCD I was pleased to be asked to conduct pre-release trials on the Aquamundo Sidemount BCD in Sept 2013 and this is…
Top 5 Convertible Hybrid Sidemount Systems The top 5 most popular hybrid sidemount systems. Sidemount systems easily converted to backmount singles or doubles configurations.
Deco Sidemount BCD Review My dive-tested review of the Deco Sidemount BCD. It's my favourite travel system for warm-water recreational sidemount.
Some Options for Homemade DIY Sidemount Rigs Some Options for Homemade / DIY Sidemount Rigs When I was a new sidemount diver there weren't many commercially sold rigs available. As a result,…
Top 5 Sidemount Adapter Systems A reviewed list of the Top 5 Sidemount Adapter systems for converting backmount wing systems for sidemount diving.
Hollis SMS100 Sidemount Modifications Hollis SMS100 custom modifications. Get the best performance from your sidemount BCD; especially for warm-water & aluminum cylinders!
