If you’ve ever felt the weight of your scuba tank bearing down on your spine—or found yourself envying the smooth, minimalist setups of tech divers—you might be ready for a side mount revolution. Once the realm of cave explorers and deep divers, sidemount diving has broken into the recreational world, offering a more balanced, streamlined, and versatile experience for divers of all levels. And if you're thinking about taking the plunge, XDEEP’s Stealth series is one of the most trusted names in the game.
Let’s dive in.
What Is Side mount Diving?
In side mount diving, cylinders are clipped to the diver’s sides rather than strapped to the back. Originally developed by cave divers navigating tight passageways, the configuration has gained popularity in recreational diving—and for good reason.
Instead of a single tank on your back, you’ll carry one or two tanks (usually aluminium in warm water or steel in cold) along your sides. This setup offers:
- Better trim and buoyancy control
- Easier access to valves and regulators
- Increased comfort (no more tank spine!)
- Flexibility with equipment and redundancy
Why Try Side mount?
You don’t need to be diving in overhead environments to benefit from side mount. For recreational divers, side mount offers:
- Incredible comfort – distribute the weight evenly and enter the water feeling nearly weightless.
- Streamlined profile – ideal for squeezing through swim-throughs, wrecks, or even coral mazes.
- Customisation – more control over your setup and configuration.
- Progression into tech – if you’re even remotely curious about technical diving, side mount gives you a head start on redundancy and gas management skills.
Once you try it, many divers never go back.
What to Look for in Side mount Gear
Not all side mount systems are created equal. A good side mount rig should be:
- Modular and adjustable to fit different body shapes and diving conditions.
- Durable, especially if you're planning to dive in rugged environments.
- Streamlined to reduce drag and maintain good trim.
- Supportive of your goals – warm water, tech diving, cold water, etc.
That’s where XDEEP’s Stealth series really stands out.
XDEEP Stealth: A Modular Approach to Mastering Side mount
XDEEP didn’t just jump on the side mount bandwagon—they engineered it from the ground up with the Stealth system. Loved by tech divers, cave explorers, and recreational enthusiasts alike, the Stealth family offers a configuration for every level and diving style:
Stealth 2.0 Rec – Built for Comfort and Simplicity
Perfect for warm water recreational diving and single-cylinder setups, the Stealth Rec is minimal, comfortable, and streamlined. It’s great for:
- Divers trying side mount for the first time
- Holiday divers wanting a light and compact rig
- Those who mostly dive in warm or tropical waters
This version has less lift than its techy siblings, but for shallow-to-mid-depth diving with one or two ali tanks, it’s all you need.
Stealth 2.0 Tec – A Serious Workhorse for All Conditions
Designed for twin tank side mount and deeper dives, the Stealth Tec brings higher lift capacity and added stability. Think of it as your everyday rig for both recreational and light technical dives.
Ideal for:
- Divers doing twin sidemount regularly
- Cold water diving with steel cylinders
- Divers prepping for decompression or trimix courses
It’s also incredibly modular, so you can tweak it to perfection.
Stealth 2.0 Classic – The Original Cave-Conquering Machine
Originally built with exploration in mind, the Stealth Classic is what started it all. Still loved by cave and wreck divers, it’s a no-nonsense, highly adaptable system for those pushing limits.
Perfect for:
- Cave, wreck, and expedition divers
- Divers needing complete customisation
- Those venturing into
The Importance of a Proper Setup – and Why XDEEP Nails It
One of the biggest factors in how much you enjoy side mount diving is how well your rig is set up. Unlike back mount, side mount is highly dependent on precise trim, tank positioning, and harness adjustment—and a sloppy setup can mean poor buoyancy, draggy hoses, and general frustration.
The good news? XDEEP’s Stealth series is made for dialling things in. Every component of the system—from the modular harness to the wing and weight system—is fully adjustable and deliberately separate. That means you can fine-tune every part of the rig independently to match your body shape, tank size, exposure suit, and diving style.
In a nutshell, setting up your side mount system properly means:
- Adjusting the harness snugly without restricting movement
- Positioning D-rings to align cylinders perfectly along your body
- Balancing trim weight for horizontal positioning
- Routing hoses for easy access and minimal drag
With XDEEP, none of this is an afterthought—it’s built into the design. Whether you're working with an instructor or fine-tuning your kit post-dive, you’ll appreciate the precision and adaptability that the Stealth series offers.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Sidemount isn’t just a configuration—it’s a mindset shift. Whether you’re easing into twin-tank redundancy, chasing better trim, or preparing for the demands of technical diving, side mount offers a new level of control, comfort, and capability. And with the XDEEP Stealth series, you’re not just adapting to side mount—you’re thriving in it.
Each system in the Stealth range is purpose-built, field-tested, and endlessly customisable. Whether you’re a new diver in warm water or an experienced tech diver venturing into caves and wrecks, there’s a Stealth for you.
So if you’re looking to upgrade your diving experience, streamline your setup, and learn new skills that take you further underwater—it’s time to go side mount.
👉 Explore the XDEEP Stealth range today and find out why so many divers are making the switch.
