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.
Article Contents
SUMP UK Sidemount Harnesses
- 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.
- 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
Farr Explorer 1 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
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
- 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
DiveRite Transpac XT Harness
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Buoyancy: Not applicable – harness only
- Material: Nylon webbing and stainless steel fittings.
- Weight: Not Known
- Manual: Not Available
- Manufacturers Link: Innodive Sidemount Harness
My comprehensive guide to sidemount configuration and development as a diver.
178 Pages. PDF format. Fully Illustrated. $25
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
Ultimate Guide to Sidemount Cylinder Trim
Sidemount cylinder trim is a headache for many sidemount divers. This illustrated guide will help you diagnose the problem & find the solution
Ultimate Guide: Positioning Sidemount Cylinder Bands
I observe lots of sidemount divers experiencing frustration with their kit; and it's often due to their sidemount cylinder band positioning. There's actually a very simple principle that determines band positioning.
What are the two styles of sidemount BCD design?
The history and evolution of Mexican and Florida cave sidemount BCD designs. Understand these principles to choose the right sidemount gear for your needs,
A Guide to Modern Sidemount Diving
A comprehensive guide to sidemount diving. What it is, the history, the equipment styles, how it is configured, gear setup and everything else you need to know.
Problems Reaching The XDeep Stealth Dump Valve
I occasionally hear sidemount divers report having problems reaching the XDeep Stealth dump valve. There are some simple solutions to this problem…
DIY Sidemount Helmet Instructions
How to make a DIY sidemount helmet for wreck and cave diving. An illustrated and comprehensive guide.
Ultimate Guide: How To Set Up A Sidemount Harness
There are just a few simple steps to the methodical setup of a sidemount harness system. Knowing those right steps can save you lots of time and frustration.
Top-5 Best Sidemount Fins 2023
Choosing the right set of sidemount fins is an important decision. They have a profound effect on diver trim and control. With that recommendation in mind, here is my pick of the top 5 warm-water sidemount fins.
How To Set Up Sidemount Loop Bungee
How to set up sidemount loop bungee : an illustrated step-by-step guide by Andy Davis. Take the guesswork & frustration out of kit setup.
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 27 years of diving across the globe.
He has published numerous diving magazine articles, designed courses for dive training agencies and tests/reviews dive gear for scuba equipment manufacturers. He 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.
Originally posted 2018-03-07 23:55:48.