Dive Rite now offers THREE different versions of the Nomad: XT, EXP, and the JT.

Sidemount isn't just for cave divers anymore and neither is the Dive Rite Nomad system. In addition to the pure sidemount only Nomad JT, Dive Rite has the Nomad XT and Nomad EXP, both of which can be worn with backmount single tanks and doubles, as well as rebreathers. The Nomad is a complete harness, butt plate and wing system. Utilizing the harness and butt plate hard points, tanks are attached with a strap and bungee system that allows primary, stage, deco and bailout tanks to ride closely at the diver's side, yet not be jammed under the arms. The very compact design, that minimises lift at the neck, also makes the Nomad perfect as an extended range diving harness and wing for use with doubles and rebreathers.

The Nomad systems, all with 50 lbs of lift, are popular with technical divers for its trim characteristics as well as open water divers wishing to transition into technical diving down the road. The Nomad XT is a versatile modular system assembled from separate components: standard TransPac Harness, Nomad XT butt plate, and Nomad XT wing. The Nomad XT wing features the SuperFabric® technology for maximum abrasion resistance. The Nomad EXP is functionally equivalent, but constructed as a single one-piece harness with butt plate and ballistic nylon wing. The one-piece ballistic nylon construction of the Nomad EXP offers a value price for a complete sidemount BC system. For sidemount diving purists and hard core sidemount explorers, the Nomad JT is designed strictly for sidemount diving and will not adapt to backmount tanks.

Nomad streamlining is achieved by integrating the special Nomad wing with the TransPac® harness through wing keepers that hold the wing low across the back to reduce drag. Proper trim comes from the longer wing and a Gusset Control System (GCS) cord that is woven through tabs on the front face of the wing. The GCS cord is positioned on the upper portion of the wing, forcing the lower part of the wing to inflate preferentially, keeping lift around the divers hips where it is needed.

The Nomad wing dual upgrade incorporates two bladders to provide back-up inflation. The dual option is ideal for technical divers who dive wet and do not have a drysuit as alternate buoyancy, or for any diver who wants to ensure their backup buoyancy has the same lift capacity as their primary. The Nomad's unique bladder design allows a single bladder wing to be altered (at the factory) to become a dual bladder wing at a later date, or it can be initially purchased as a dual bladder wing.

For the Nomad JT, tank bungees no longer run across the back of the wing and are now attached to daisy chain loops on the inner soft backplate and run across the front of the wing (facing the diver). There are two sets of loops, plus one center loop which gives divers options for lengthening or shortening bungees. Both standard and ring bungees work with the JT.

The Nomad JT harness is a modified Deluxe harness with hardware pivot points at the chest to ensure a proper fit along with a chest strap. The waist strap runs through stainless metal oval loops on the wing to capture the wing and keep it tight to the body. Gone are the quick release buckles on the shoulders as well as the stainless side plates at the waist. The crotch strap runs high on the back of the wing to give attachment points for lights, reels or stage tanks. Otherwise, the back of the Nomad JT is completely clean, there are no grommets or webbing slots which is why the JT will not accept back mount tanks.

Nomad XT/EXP/JT Tank Mount Configurations

Backmount Single Primary (XT, EXP) - Thread two standard 36-inch Dive Rite stainless steel cam buckle tank straps through the strap slots on the harness soft backplate to dive the Nomad with a backmount single tank. If you prefer you can also use a single tank adapter with the TransPac doubles mounting plates. (Although you may have to flatten the plates, turn them over, or shorten the bolts to keep them from sticking you in the back. Using delrin speed nuts instead of wing nuts helps too.) Tank straps, single tank adapter sold separately. Of course in this configuration you still have the option of sidemount to carry additional cylinders.

Backmount Doubles Primary or Rebreather (XT, EXP) - Use the standard TransPac doubles mounting plates to attach manifold and banded double tanks or rebreathers with standard 11-inch centers bolts. Doubles mounting plates sold separately. In this configuration you sidemount your stage, deco or bailout cylinders.

Sidemount Tanks (JT, XT, EXP) - Use stage straps, ring bungees and optional neck chokers to mount primary, deco or bailout tanks on each side. With the sidemount system, the base of the stage strap is clipped to the butt plate and ring bungees are used to secure tank necks to the harness. Some people prefer to just lay the cylinder necks in the bungees, others prefer to use the Dive Rite Neck Chokers that allow the stage strap clips to be used to attach the cylinder neck to the bungees. Stage straps sold separately.

Harness Sizing with Nomad

The harness is available in a wide range of sizes. While weight and height are a good starting point for determining your size, a perfect fit requires addtional information. Please carefully take the actual measurements explained below to make sure you select exactly the right size. Be sure to allow for exposure suit thickness. Keep this in mind if your measurement is near the higher end of the range for a particular size. The Nomad EXP and XT systems are designed using a standard size backpad for the Medium, Large, X-Large, and XX-Large size. The Nomad JT system is a 'one size fits most' design in which the shoulder straps are initially set for Large and can be adjusted to custom fit any size Medium to Extra Large.

IMPORTANT: For true sidemount cave diving, most cave divers prefer a loose fit for their harness. If you intend to use your Nomad for sidemount cave diving, you should seriously consider stepping up to the next size in the guide below unless you are at the smaller end of a specific size range. However, if you are sidemount diving in open water, then follow the Dive Rite sizing guide below as appropriate.

• Shoulder to Waist Length -- To ensure proper shoulder strap length, measure from a point at the top of the shoulder to a point immediately below the waist, as shown in the accompanying diagram. Be sure to allow for exposure suit thickness.
  
  
• Torso Length -- The Standard lumbar backpad and soft backplate is the size that most often fits average build individuals with back-of-neck measurements greater than 17 inches. If your measurement is significantly less than 17 inches, a small Nomad can be custom sewn by Dive Rite, contact us for availability and pricing.
  
  

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