Climbing harness test Designed for multiple uses, rappelling included, this harness comes in four different variations, namely a Thicken Black-Red version, a Premium Black Version, a Basic Black Version, and a variant for Bungee Jumping. The harness was made to comfortably fit all body types and also keep the gear loops centered with a sliding waist belt. May 9, 2024 · This harness enables you to test your limits in a variety of climbing environments. Note: Edelrid released an updated version of this harness during our testing Oct 28, 2021 · I’m not a fan of “Euro-style,” if you know what I mean. Chances are, however, you won’t need adjustable leg loops or a burly haul loop. Examples include: micro nuts and ice screws under 12cm. nobody likes a saggy gear loop) and space for ice clippers, making it - alongside the adjustable leg-loops mentioned earlier - suitable for winter and alpine climbing. Feb 12, 2024 · The Petzl Corax is a high-end technical harness for professionals that gives climbers total freedom of movement. However, harnesses use different construction techniques and materials for different types of climbing. The GearJunkie team is made up of all sorts of climbers, enabling us to Jun 24, 2024 · We tested the best climbing harnesses for a variety of objectives to find the ultimate model to get you on top of your next project. That’s great value. That said, it is possible to find non-certified climbing gear available that is worth comparing. Even as a budget or beginner climbing harness, the Jay II can keep up outdoors and across disciplines. The harness has four gear loops—the two forwardmost ones are fortified with a plastic coating and the back two are not. It's around the same price as the other sit harnesses in the test, many of which have some significant shortcomings, but it is hard to find an area in which this harness suffers or performs poorly. That said, Chris vows to take a more comfortable harness on future big wall routes, a harness with more padding such as the Petzl Sama. Check for any fraying or tears along all of the webbing straps, waist belt, and leg loops. We look at the best options on the market including full body and sit options. A complete list of UIAA Standards for mountaineering and climbing equipment can be found on Figure 2 Table for water-repellency test 12 −0. A Make a fist and see if you can slide it through the waistband - I can do this, so that's not fine? This is not a good test— as a guy with fairly large hands, getting my fist through a harness (at least without contorting my torso) would absolutely mean it’s too big, but a woman with small hands will have a much smaller fist circumference, even proportionate to waist/hip measurements. Nov 6, 2024 · The Solution ($80) is Black Diamond’s bestselling harness, and for good reason. The European standard for all types of climbing harnesses is EN 12277. The Sama is $35 less and has many more uses. There are also some categories worth mentioning that fall in-between: full-body harnesses, caving and canyoneering, and of course industrial-work harnesses. Dec 10, 2024 · From top roping in the gym to remote alpine expeditions, harnesses are an essential part of every climber’s kit. Oct 24, 2022 · Whatever you’re looking for, our guide to the best climbing harnesses includes models that I have personally tested, as well as others I have experience with through friends and climbing partners. For via ferrata trails mostly sit harnesses are worn. . Jul 5, 2023 · Discover the top climbing harness picks in 2025 with our analysis to pick the most suitable model. Last autumn I toured a climbing gear factory and testing facility. Gearhead® Experts Alli and Dylan put these Petzl, Mammut, and Ocun harnesses to the test on southern Utah’s sand and limestone walls. To Book in your inspection please call 01483 561362 Price List Basic Climbing Inspection includes (Up to 20 items including 1 rope and 1 harness. We found it was a large improvement in terms of comfort over previous Arc'teryx harnesses, especially where the newly designed and shaped leg loops wrap around the insides of the legs. Apr 4, 2021 · As of this writing the Jay is the second cheapest climbing harness in our test, only slightly more expensive than the Black Diamond Momentum. The belay loops – front and back – enable you to secure yourself to a wide range of objects such as climbing bolts, anchors, trees, rocks, or anything Aug 24, 2021 · The front gear loops have an interior structure and are angled forward so your gear slides in front, a nice touch found on other harnesses as well. The back gear loops are bigger and have less structure. And I definitely got plenty of compliments. Jan 26, 2023 · A sport climbing specific harness should be light and still have a decent amount of gear storage and comfort. It's a great choice for single pitch cragging or using at the climbing wall due to its comfort and solid offerings of essential features, although it is Feb 6, 2023 · Features. Camp has accomplished this in a similar fashion as the Mammut Zephyr Altitude or the Petal Altitude harnesses where the leg loops have buckles to hold them in place and the waist strap is fed through the belay loop before getting buckled. In the past few years, we tested at many cool climbing areas, including Smith Rock, Leonidio, Chulilla, the Bugaboos, Squamish, Skaha, the Fins, Lumpy Ridge, and Eldorado Canyon. Apr 22, 2021 · This can be frustrating, particularly when traditional climbing, as three gear loops don't always cut it space-wise. It has four gear loops in total—well, make that five if you count the rear haul loop. Our team has 10 years of experience in testing helmets. At 275 grams, the Petzl Corax is remarkably light. Climbing harnesses share the same basic features; waist and leg loops, buckles, belay loop, tie in points and gear loops. The front two loops are slightly rigid, which makes it easier to rack and pull gear. One of the most comfortable as well as one of the lightest sport climbing harnesses currently on the market; the Black Diamond Zone will get you through . But honestly, in my usual black shorts and black tank, the harness did make for a nice pop of color. Indoor and Outdoor Climbing Apr 25, 2024 · The Blue Ice Addax is the perfect harness for fast-and-light alpine climbs where weight savings are key. With its super adjustable waist and legs, combined with its large amount of gear storage potential, we think this harness is pretty great for any rock climbing, whether that means trad cragging, clipping bolts at the gym, or a long free route at Red Rocks. Climbing is a dangerous activity and you undertake it at your own risk. Harnesses will often be marketed for different disciplines. It's very important that your harness Jul 14, 2023 · Harness types are broken into 4 categories for testing: A, B, C, and D. Climbing harnesses have many different options when it comes to haul loops in the back. The text below provides some general information that applies to many harnesses. Dec 21, 2021 · Non-Certified gear. Dec 14, 2023 · The Best Climbing Harness for Kids. Jan 24, 2018 · Petzl WHISPER Sets A New Standard The Petzl WHISPER is a compact, ultra-light harness that features everything you'd expect from a standard climbing harness. May 17, 2022 · They are responsible for setting the safety standards for climbing equipment and issuing safety certification for each piece of equipment. Check out how it compares to the competition in our review of climbing harnesses. If you want a lightweight harness for rock, alpine, and mixed climbing, this is the harness for you. Despite the minimalist design, it is impressively durable, which might be surprising considering that ultralight gear often falls apart more quickly than its beefier counterparts. Mar 22, 2024 · Related: How Strong Is a 20-Year-Old Climbing Rope? Harness. We did the hard work, adventuring across the USA, tackling all the fun, kid-friendly crags. The Jay and female-specific Jayne are both excellent all arounders at a reasonable price. Actual Black Diamond test data: Though our inline batch test rating is 3372 lbf, we regularly see belay loops test to over 6000 lbf, with a historical average of over 5000 lbf. Sleek, simple, and remarkably comfortable, this harness has some of the widest leg loops of any we tested. May 13, 2010 · We did not test any dedicated climbing harnesses, but several less-expensive harnesses from major climbing equipment companies like Petzl and Black Diamond closely resemble the Spinlock harness. If you climb alpine or ice, you won't find any ice clipper slots on this one. Climbing brands usually reserve advanced technology in a harness design for Apr 25, 2024 · Like most climbing harnesses, there are four gear loops on the Cuesta. This harness is geared towards anything from gym climbing to trad multipitch and ice climbing, offering maximum comfort and compactness in a lightweight package. 2 +0 Nov 21, 2024 · The Best Climbing Harness for Women. Jun 9, 2022 · Sizing a Climbing Harness. Oct 12, 2010 · CE requirements: The CE required testing is a bit difficult to describe, but basically, the belay loop must withstand 15 kN for a period of 3 minutes. Steps for Putting on a Climbing Harness Mar 9, 2024 · 2. Its revolutionary construction introduces MATRYX technology in harness design, offering unmatched packability and performance in the mountains. A sport climbing harness tends to be lightweight and streamlined; a trad climbing harness is usually sturdier with more gear loops; and a big wall harness tends to feature even more padding and include more features, like a second belay loop. Haul Loops. Utilizing their personal experience in the field along with the opinions of other big wall experts, we narrowed down our selection to include the top performing Dec 4, 2020 · Edelrid’s entry-level harness is something that all climbers can find comfort in. Our adventuring family has researched over 20 of the best kids' climbing harnesses before selecting 9 to test side-by-side. Shop kid's harnesses. From lightweight sport climbing harnesses to comfortable climbing harnesses that you can hang in all day, there’s something for everyone on this At Black Diamond, we strive to be one with the sports we serve. Ropes will usually list a UIAA fall rating. Climbing Harness – Petzl Corax. Apr 4, 2025 · We tested 15 climbing harnesses from Petzl, Black Diamond, Blue Ice, and more to find the top options for all climbing styles. Value At $100, this harness is in the middle of the value range. There is also a neat retainer located in the waistbelt in which you can May 17, 2022 · Climbing harnesses can be divided into a few main categories: gym climbing, sport climbing, trad/traditional climbing, mountaineering or alpine. ) Color change Aug 7, 2024 · This harness can be used for all kinds of climbing, making it the most versatile harness on the market. The Misty Mountain Silhouette still manages to fit four loops on the waist belt and is a good option for a traddie lady. No complaints there. Just like climbing ropes, your harness should be inspected before each climb, looking for obvious fraying. Let our team of climbing experts help you find the best climbing shoes, top climbing harnesses, and climbing ropes for your needs and budget. *Disclaimer: This does not constitute formal instruction in climbing. It features nice cushy foam padding on both the waist belt and the leg loops, and the TrakFit adjusters on the leg loops are far and away the easiest to use and adjust on the fly of any harness we have ever tested. There are three different types of climbing harnesses – sit harnesses (worn around the hips), chest harnesses (normally worn together with sit harnesses) and full-body harnesses. The Mast Pro harness is one size fits all, but the minimum waist adjustment on the one we tested was about 28 inches. If done right the climbing harness is a comfortable, functional and durable piece of equipment that literally provides the center piece for you and your climbing partner’s safety needs. Jan 16, 2020 · If lead climbing is available at your gym, be sure to ask if you’ll need to know how to catch a lead fall as a part of the belay certification test. Our review features 11 of today's top models, including great options for gym, rock, alpine, and ice climbing. Verbally explain what you are doing every step of the way. The forces May 8, 2020 · The Black Diamond Solution Guide Harness offers support, comfort, and extreme durability in a trad-specific harness. What started in a garage twenty five years ago, now continues to flourish in our 8,000 square foot factory in North las Vegas. It does everything the others do, and much more in many cases. Are they worth hangin’ Aug 7, 2024 · The biggest limiting factors for this harness are its lack of adjustable leg loops and ice clipper slots, which makes this harness unsuitable for ice and mixed climbing. May 9, 2018 · EQUIPMENT Climb Harnesses Helmets Climbing Protection Carabiners Ropes Climbing Shoes Quickdraws & Runners Belay & Rappel Ice Climbing Big Wall Chalk & Chalk Bags Bouldering Crash Pads Ski & Snowboard New Skis Climbing Skins Ski Poles Snow Safety AT Bindings Poles Trekking & Hiking Poles Running Poles Ski Poles Spare Parts Lighting Headlamps Apr 30, 2019 · It's one of the few harnesses on this test to offer only two proper gear loops, and at 340g it's certainly a light harness by most standards, although not one of the lightest in this review. Aug 25, 2016 · The harness features a standard four gear loops - as is the European way - which are nice and stiff (Ed. To compare, that is lighter than every other high-end lightweight sport Aug 7, 2024 · The Blue Ice Choucas Pro is a minimalist harness for technical climbing that performs well across the board, easily earning it a spot as our favorite lightweight harness. By far, the most important part of fitting your harness is making sure you get the right size. If you are top-rope climbing, you first need a harness. Harnesses can melt, act oddly in extreme cold (avoid temps of -80 F or below), and swell. However, it's important to always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific harness model. Following on from our men's all-round harness group test in 2016, it seemed high time to do a women's-specific harness review. The main downsides are the high price tag and the lack of hanging comfort compared to some other contenders. ) £80 ex vat Basic Rigging Inspection includes (Up to 15 items including 1 rope. We've worn these brain buckets in all manners of conditions, from multi-pitch trad to single-pitch sport. Type A and B harnesses are full body for adults and children, respectively, where type C is what most climbers would consider a standard ‘sit style’ harness, and type D is for chest only harnesses. Jun 7, 2019 · The places the straps overlap (back and hips), added noticeable pressure points as well, and the overall stiffness of the panels made the kid testers want to remove the harness when not climbing, which fortunately is easy and fast. Feb 12, 2018 · From my experience being tested at various climbing gyms, here’s what you can expect from a belay test. The Black Diamond Momentum is the perfect beginner harness that is also capable of some bigger projects and multi-pitches. Jul 1, 2013 · On the fall listed above, I was climbing overhanging rock so the risk of hitting a ledge was almost non-existent. Do a more serious harness check after every couple weeks of use. Dec 18, 2018 · Women make up an ever-growing proportion of the climbing community, and choice in women's-specific equipment is also increasing. Whether you're climbing steep routes or hanging belays, the AR-395a knows how to keep you snug. No one tests climbing gear as extensively and thoughtfully as we do, and our review ratings make it easy for you to make smarter, more informed, purchase decisions every time. (Visit Black Diamond’s Electric Harness Acid Test for a case study about a mysterious harness failure. Since we started more than 10 years ago, our team of lady rock crushers has tested over 30 of the best climbing harnesses for women. First, the Wild Country Mosquito Harness comes in at a mind-blowingly light 220 grams (claimed for size XS). May 10, 2024 · Different Types of Climbing Harnesses. Whether you climb, ski, run, or hike, our mission is to create the most trusted and innovative gear and apparel for every pursuit—so you can push higher, go farther, and move with purpose in the places that move you. This is based on a standardized test with controlled factor falls of ~1. ) £80 ex vat Additional Rope £10 ex vat Additional Harness £10 ex vat Additional Textile £5 ex vat Additional Hardware £5 ex vat Resplice for damaged rope if Jun 28, 2018 · Harness: Before you get ready for the climb, you have the right gear. Apr 29, 2020 · The price compared to the function and performance of this harness give it a great value. Generally we do not list climbing gear on WeighMyRack that is used as personal protection equipment (aka PPE) not certified by CE and/or the UIAA. 3 +0 13 −0. Aug 21, 2017 · Like all ski / mountaineering harnesses worth their salt, the Alp Mountain harness can be put on around a pair of skis or crampons. Customers particularly rave about its comfort. It specifies suitable materials for use in harnesses and defines methods of test and performance criteria. The gear. The mesh waistband and leg loops move freely with the user and are barely noticeable while standing, walking, or climbing. But for all rock applications, this is a great choice and an excellent value. If it's on the market, we've most surely gotten our mitts on it. Oct 15, 2018 · Contact with chemicals, heat, or repeated rough use can lead to changes in the soft fabrics. There are a lot of choices for harnesses but don’t worry, we’ve got your back. The main requirement is a strength test designed to simulate the load placed on a harness in the event of a fall. Climbing rope – supplied by gym; Belay device – sometimes supplied by gym Climbing Sutra started out sewing custom packs and harnesses for climbers, then evolved as stage riggers, circus artists, and stunt people came knocking on the door. However, the gear loops are pretty wide and can accommodate nine carabiners each, which is a bonus for trad climbing (now, if only it were more comfortable to hang in!). This guide takes you through the main features to look out for when selecting a climbing harness. Nov 2, 2024 · The search for the best big wall climbing harness started when our testers decided to take a closer look beyond the offerings of their standard everyday sport climbing harness. The gear loops are adequate, but don't stick out as much as we like for a good sport climbing harness. The Mammut Ophir 4 Slide harness is a comfortable and heavily featured choice that is versatile for all styles of climbing while also having an affordable price tag. Dec 4, 2020 · Need a no-frills but highly competent harness to get you into the gyms and maybe test the waters of outdoor climbing? Look no further. Nov 12, 2019 · Petzl says that it is designed for rock climbing, mountaineering, or via ferrata. The “4 Slide” part of its name refers to the four sliding buckles that allow for the maximum adjustment, including two on the waist belt. 7 until breakage. We test harnesses pretty much year-round on all of our climbing adventures. (A crucial detail when you're especially pumped and need quick access to that black Totem!) The back two gear loops are soft, which is equally important if you plan to climb with a backpack on. The Arc'teryx C-Quence is the best all-around harness because it earned excellent marks across all our testing metrics and is versatile enough for any style of climbing. Nov 3, 2020 · The Black Diamond Momentum is a great harness for beginners and those looking to get into the sport on a budget. How to Fit and Test a Climbing Harness. Our test results came after dozens of days of field testing on desert towers, limestone sport climbs, long alpine routes, and freezing through cold belay sessions while ice climbing plus hours in the garage hanging in harnesses, trying out buckles and clipping and unclipping gear. If the harness that I presented above is not to your particular liking, you could have a look at this alternative from X XBEN. But ever since that fall, I have wondered what forces are applied to the harness while falling inverted. Like men’s pants, climbing companies generally size harnesses according 5 days ago · Helmets and Harnesses. While you can always rent a harness at the gym, having your own harness is way more comfortable (and makes you look like a pro). lhxi phf wfsohj ivfm ktbshj cxdt ikkqq sgpiso kjlovh tbrciv zate dsiu hfcfe nkh jpjho