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Vital to the protection of each climber, selecting the best harness is an enormous determination. But with so many climbing harnesses available on the market it may be laborious to decide on. That’s why we’ve made it our mission that can assist you discover the perfect climbing harness on your climbing fashion as a way to climb in most consolation and security.
To full your climbing gear equipment, be sure that to additionally take a look at our articles on the best climbing shoes, ropes, quickdraws, and helmets.
Comparison Table of the Best Climbing Harnesses
Below is a list of the best rock climbing harnesses. Click on the name to read reviews and check prices.
What to Look for in a Good Climbing Harness
Here is a list of everything you need to think about before purchasing your new rock climbing harness…
1. Type of Climbing Harness
a. Alpine Rock
These have all the features of a trad harness while being lightweight and packable. Alpine rock harnesses are durable with large gear loops, a haul loop, and maybe ice clipper slots.
b. Big Wall
These tend to be pricier because they have all the bells and whistles. You’ll need to be able to spend a significant amount of time in this harness, so it will have more padding for aid pitches and long-hanging belays. These usually have a bunch of gear loops, a load-bearing haul loop, and maybe even double belay loops.
c. Gym
These harnesses are comfortable, durable, and inexpensive. You won’t need a bunch of fancy features like numerous gear loops and ice clipper slots. Padding is most important with these because you’ll probably be doing a lot of hanging and falling.
d. Mountaineering
These minimalistic harnesses will be lightweight and easy to get on and off. They should also be more comfortable for walking than for climbing as you should be doing a lot of hanging or falling.
e. Sport
These tend to be minimalistic and allow for a lot of freedom of movement. The comfort should be focused primarily on climbing and not on hanging. Smaller gear loops are okay because you’ll really only need to carry slings and quickdraws.
f. Trad
Almost synonymous with multi-pitching, these are more full-featured harnesses. It should have a least four gear loops and a rear haul loop along with a wide waist belt and leg loops. Comfort should be focused on hanging or semi-hanging belays.
2. Buckle System
Most harnesses you’ll see with have speed-adjust buckles, but the one main thing to decide is whether you prefer one or two buckles. Having one buckle makes the harness more simple, streamlined, and lighter. However, two buckles enables you to keep loops centered regardless of the tightness of the harness.
3. Comfort
A harness is no good if it’s uncomfortable. Lighter harnesses have a reputation for being less comfortable because they typically weigh less due to less padding. However, with split-webbing technology comfort and low weight are not mutually exclusive. When considering comfort, it’s important to also consider mobility as well as comfort while hanging, standing, and belaying. Many harnesses will have fits for both men and women, but there’s no clear difference across the board. While you may be on the lookout for the best women’s climbing harness, you may actually find a men’s harness which fits you perfectly.
4. Construction
When considering the construction of a harness, you’ll choose between foam and split webbing, and some harnesses will even combine the two.
a. Foam
Foam tends to be the most popular construction material, but like everything, it has its positives and negatives. If you don’t want to spend a lot of money or you’re a novice climber, a foam harness will be fine. Some of the issues are that foam harnesses tend to be bulkier and heavier, which isn’t ideal if you’re trying to converse weight in your backpack or you’re focused on moving quickly. Foam also loses its padding after a while which creates pressure points and makes the harness uncomfortable.
b. Split Webbing
Split webbing will distribute the load more evenly. It’s more breathable, lasts longer, and is thought to be more comfortable. All of those positives will be reflected in the price tag, but for those who are more experienced or frequent climbers, split webbing is often the preference.
5. Fixed or Adjustable Leg Loops
Adjustable leg loops allow you more freedom to customize the fit. If you climb in all four seasons, sometimes wearing a lot of layers and sometimes wearing only one, then you’ll probably appreciate the versatility. However, they are heavier, they can slip overtime, and they require more adjustment. On the flip side, fixed leg loops are simple, they are lighter and they have an elastic band instead of a buckle, so you’ll still have some flexibility.
6. Gear Loops
These rings run across the waist belt and this is where you’ll place all of your gear. Four is the standard number of gear loops. Generally, more technical climbers go for more gear loops while gym and sport climbers may only need two. If you’re a trad climber then you’ll need to make sure your rack will fit on the loops. Gear loops vary by construction, shape, and size, so be sure to pay attention to that before purchasing a harness.
7. Haul Loops
Haul loops are convenient, but not always necessary. If a harness has a haul loop then it’s located on the rear of the harness between two gear loops. You can use them to attach a second rope, haul line, or even shoes, but they’re not meant to hang anything heavy or rated to take a fall.
8. Ice Clipper Slots
These are only necessary if you plan to ice climb because you’ll need a specialized racking system for ice screws. The good news is that they’re pretty noticeable when you’re not using them.
Best Climbing Harness Reviews
Now that you know what to look for, here are some of our favorite climbing harnesses.
Black Diamond Momentum
Best uses: Gym, sport, trad
Weight: 12 oz.
Construction: Foam
Adjustable legs: Yes
The Black Diamond Momentum is the least expensive harness on this list. It is super comfy and great for both beginners and seasoned climbers. Its design makes it easy to adjust and it has a dual-core construction, bullhorn-shaped waist belt to maximize comfort, especially on hanging belays. To help reduce error and guarantee a secure and quick fit, the waist belt buckle is pre-threaded. The trakFIT adjustment lets you easily adjust your leg loops and its adjustable rear elastic riser sits close to your body. This harness features four pressure-molded gear loops and a haul loop for your cams, draws, and belay devices. The all-around padding makes the harness feel almost non-existent, and all of this comes in a harness that only weighs around 12 ounces. The Black Diamond Momentum is an ideal harness to climb confidently and safely.
Arc’teryx FL-365
Best makes use of: Sport, trad, alpine
Weight: 12.9 oz.
Construction: Split webbing
Adjustable legs: No
Its versatility, excessive efficiency, and lightweight weight are what make the Arc’teryx FL-365 the perfect all-around climbing harness. Designed for each climbing and alpinism, this harness permits for environment friendly motion and safety regardless of the place you might be. The Warp Strength Technology affords implausible weight distribution in addition to reliable energy so that you may be comfy whereas climbing. It consists of further handy options like self-locking buckles, 4 ice clipper slots, 4 gear loops, and extra. The leg loops are adjustable and there’s additionally a fast hook on the rear leg elastic that can permit you to use the toilet with out eradicating the harness. For a small, gentle, and efficient harness that received’t hinder your warm-up actions, go along with the Arc’teryx FL-365.
Black Diamond Solution
Best makes use of: Gym, sport
Weight: 11 oz.
Construction: Foam and cut up webbing
Adjustable legs: No
This males’s harness is designed to suit physique contours and banish strain factors to assist with consolation, help, and straightforward motion. The harness weighs lower than a pound and might match waist sizes starting from 27” – 39”. The load is distributed evenly because of the Fusion Comfort Technology™ which makes use of strands of low-profile webbing within the fastened leg loops. The Black Diamond Solution has adjustable and releasable elastic risers in addition to 4 pressure-molded gear loops. For those that worth sustainability, the first cloth is bluesign® permitted. Keep in thoughts although that the gear loops are considerably small, so it received’t be the perfect harness for conventional climbing, but it surely is a perfect sport climbing harness.
Edelrid Jay II
Best makes use of: Gym, sport, trad
Weight: 14.6 oz.
Construction: Foam
Adjustable legs: Yes
The Edelrid Jay II is the proper all-around climbing harness. It’s been designed with optimum help and luxury in thoughts by equipping the harness with overlapping 3D mesh padding on the higher edge. There’s moveable waist padding which permits for the gear loops and tie-in level to be aligned and centered. The tie-in level additionally options an abrasion protector for further sturdiness. The leg loops are adjustable and permit for elastic mesh inserts for essentially the most comfy match and adaptability. This harness additionally has two attachment choices for ice screw clips and a chalk bag loop for comfort. With every thing it affords, the Edelrid Jay II is an efficient mountain climbing harness for everybody from newcomers to specialists.
Petzl Sitta Harness
Best makes use of: Sport, alpine
Weight: 9.5 oz.
Construction: Split webbing
Adjustable legs: No
PETZL has efficiently created the perfect climbing harness for professionals. The harness is very technical, but it surely provides climbers complete freedom of motion. This high-end harness is geared towards mountaineering and climbing, and it affords most consolation and compactness in a light-weight package deal. The Sitta permits for optimum load distribution with out the usage of foam as a result of Spectra strands are used within the leg loops and waist belts. The harness design is tremendous modern and has a deal with compactness. The bonded cloth helps to keep away from strain factors and affords optimum put on resistance. Wearers love this harness as a result of the shortage of by stitching can remove chafing. The tie-points on this harness are bolstered to assist resist the wear and tear from rope friction. For a minimal harness that features identical to a full-featured one, go along with Petzl’s Sitta harness.
Black Diamond Big Gun
Best makes use of: Big wall
Weight: 23 oz.
Construction: Foam
Adjustable legs: Yes
Built for taking up the large partitions of the world, the Black Diamond Big Gun is among the many finest mountain climbing harness selections available on the market. The development is tremendous stable and really comfy because of the additional padding. It has seven color-coded customizable gear loops, which makes it a fantastic harness for multi-pitch climbs, and it additionally has two color-coded belay loops. It is available in 4 completely different measurement choices and might match waist sizes 27” – 39”. It has left or proper holster slots and has an included hammer holster. Perfect for epic belays and lengthy routes, you may’t go fallacious with the Black Diamond Big Gun.
Black Diamond Chaos
Best makes use of: Sport, trad, alpine
Weight: 12.5 oz.
Construction: Foam and cut up webbing
Adjustable legs: No
If you’re into high-output, multi-pitch free climbing and trad cragging then the Black Diamond Chaos is the harness for you. It affords abrasion resistance, premium padding, and even weight distribution because of crystal polymer changing conventional webbing. This harness may be operated shortly and with just one hand because of the pre-threaded Speed Adjust buckle. There are 4 gear loops to carry cams, slings, and on-route equipment, and the 2 entrance ones are outsized for optimized racking. While most light-weight harnesses turn into uncomfortable or start to put on on the tie-points, the Black Diamond Chaos is resistant to these points and stays tremendous comfy even after it’s damaged in. For a harness that is still comfy and wishes minimal adjustment even after lengthy climbing periods, go along with the Black Diamond Chaos.
Misty Mountain Cadillac
Best makes use of: Trad, huge wall
Weight: 18.7 oz.
Construction: Foam
Adjustable legs: Yes
This no-slip harness is thought for its high quality development and clean experience. It options double go aluminum buckles and nylon waist belt webbing. The ice clipper slots make it a fantastic harness for winter climate adventures, and there are additionally six giant gear loops. The harness is light-weight and has 500D Cordura nylon cloth in excessive put on areas to extend sturdiness. The Misty Mountain Cadillac can be outfitted with closed cell crosslinked polyethylene foam padding. This harness is right for every thing from route setting to distributing a full trad rack, so in case you’re on the lookout for a flexible and light-weight harness, make sure you take a look at the Misty Mountain Cadillac.
Mammut Ophir 3-Slide
Best makes use of: Gym, trad, alpine
Weight: 13 oz.
Construction: Foam and cut up webbing
Adjustable legs: Yes
This all-around climbing harness can be utilized on an alpine peak, on the crag, or within the fitness center. Not solely is it light-weight, but it surely has adjustable leg loops and a comfortable design. Comfort and breathability are enhanced due to the two-part webbing development on the waist and legs. The 4 gear loops can maintain your needed gear, and the dropseat leg loops make it simple to go to the toilet. There is patented reinforcement on the tie-in factors to restrict the results of abrasion, however the belay loop will present crimson if an abrasion causes important injury. The Mammut Ophir 3-Slide is available in 5 completely different sizes and matches waists starting from 26” to 42”. This simply adjustable harness is one which climbers of all ability ranges can take pleasure in.
Petzl Adjama
Best makes use of: Gym, trad
Weight: 17.1 oz.
Construction: Foam and cut up webbing
Adjustable legs: Yes
Petzl’s Adjama is beloved by extra skilled climbers who climb all through all 4 seasons. It’s designed for technical mountaineering together with trad and multi-pitch climbing. The waist belt is wider on the perimeters to assist maximize consolation and evenly distribute weight. It has 5 gear loops, together with a rear loop for hauling a rope. The loops are designed in order that the entrance two are inflexible for straightforward entry to your gear, the 2 rear ones are versatile to keep away from pack strain factors, and the rear middle one can carry belay station gear or sneakers. It even comes with its personal carrying bag for cover, and it’s appropriate with Caritool software holders. For a snug harness that received’t limit your motion, it is best to positively take into account the Adjama.
All of those harnesses are fine quality and may help you to have the perfect climbing expertise potential. Hopefully this text has taken a variety of stress off of your shoulders relating to selecting your climbing harness, so now all you need to do is deal with having enjoyable in your subsequent climb.
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