It doesn’t matter if you are a beginner or you are an expert mountain climber, a wrong choice of a climbing harness can cause serious injuries even while you enjoy your hobby. But how can you identify a good climbing harness?
A good harness must be lightweight, comfortable, and durable, always ready for the job. When ensuring safety, the first reference should be the harness. However, there is a diverse collection of climbing harnesses available online. Choosing the right ones for you can be challenging, even overwhelming.
This review presents the best climbing harness along with some background information on each of them. Each important factor like size, weight, durability, comfort, and the price has been considered to help us streamline the search. This way you too can rust these selections the same way we trust them too.
Our Top Picks for the Best Climbing Harness
1. KwikSafety Mandrill Harness 1 PC, 2 Pack, Combo pack
Well designed for any outdoor recreation with family and friends, there will simply be no mountain too high for you. Even though it has a weight limit, it has been tested and confirmed to conform to the latest harness standard requirements. It features 4 different heavy duty plastic wrapped cord loops and another loop at the back, capable of comfortably handing on any equipment gear.
It is lightweight and durable. The waist belts and the leg loops are both adjustable. It is meant to be used by both men and women, young and old. Its one-size-fits-all design makes this possible. The material from which the climbing carabiner is made, high-strength aluminum-magnesium alloy shows that it was designed to ensure your utmost safety.
Specifications
- Item Package Dimensions: 11.14 x 10.94 x 4.25 Inches
- Package Weight: 0.93 kilograms
- Manufacturer: KwikSafety
- Included components: Harness, Tool Lanyard, Connector
- Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Great for all roofing jobs
- It meets international safety standards for harness
- Comes with free accessories
- Lightweight
Cons
- Has a weight limit of 300 pounds
2. X XBEN Climbing Harness Professional Mountaineering
The Construction of the frames, carefully stitched, ensures effective weight handling. Each of the construction and webbings has fastened ends and will never come apart no matter how height you may climb. As you strap it around your waists, you won’t feel any hurt whatsoever because of the well-padded waist belt and leg loops.
It is made from a nylon webbing material, a 3D woven polyester mesh, a closed-cell foam padding, and a Dyneema attachment point. It remains one of the strongest and most secure climbing harnesses you will ever get in the market.
Its best use is in mountain climbing, tree climbing, indoor climbing, and rock climbing. That doesn’t mean if you only need to fix something on top of your roof, you can’t use it.
Specifications
- Item Package Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.5 x 7.52 inches
- Package Weight: 1.36 kilograms
- Color: Black
- Material: Polyester
- Manufacturer: Xibei
- Customer Reviews: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
- Comfortable and secure
- Leg loops are adjustable
- Connections come with reinforced ends
Cons
- It may add some unwanted weight when climbing
3. Fusion Climb TCH-107-2FBN-S Full Body Climbing Harness
One of the first things you will notice as you unbox this climbing harness is how extremely lightweight it looks. The last thing to carry is any extra weight because it will drain the strength left in you faster.
However, it is packed with features that make it capable of sustaining any weight. It features reinforced stitching and adjustable buckles that ensure not just your safety but also its durability. Its waist belts and leg loops are well padded with the breathable EVA foam that guarantees extra ventilation.
The leg loop is elastic, easing any stress associated with movement. There are enough gear loops for keeping vital items you will need as you make your way up the mountain. It also features a wide range of both indoor and outdoor use.
Specifications
- Item Package Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.5 x 2.8 inches
- Package Weight: 1.45 kilograms
- Color: Blue, Black
- Suggested Users: Unisex, Adult
- Manufacturer: Fusion
- Customer Reviews: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Easy to use
- High-end safety construction
- Lightweight
- Offers real value for money
Cons
- Available only in one size
4. TRIWONDER Climbing Harness Protect Waist Safety Harness
They say climbing harnesses made from polyester are meant to last, maybe that is one reason you should trust this next product. It combines strength as safety so beautifully that at first glance, you will want to own it. Its adjustable buckle, strong webbing, and load-bearing capacity makes it one of the most flexible climbing harnesses on this list.
It has great wear resistance and high tensile strength. Either you are in for a short session or a long one; it remains firm and comfortable throughout your use. The design (traditional buckle) also ensures an even weight distribution across the waist belt.
Its best use is in mountain climbing, tree climbing, indoor climbing, and rock climbing. That doesn’t mean if you only need to fix something on top of your roof, you can’t use it.
Specifications
- Item Package Dimensions: 8.98 x 5.35 x 1.89 inches
- Package Weight: 0.48 kilograms
- Color: Black
- Material: Polyester
- Manufacturer: TRIWONDER
- Customer Reviews: 4.6 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Breathable waist belt
- Made from durable polyester material
- Has a wide range of use
- Comfortable to wear
Cons
- Not suitable for long sessions
5. Kissloves Full Body Safety Climbing Harness
A good climbing harness must be strong because it can keep you safe while you levitate above ground level. It is thus made from a high quality/strength polyester material that remains intact through repeated and consistent use. It is comfortable when worn, and when climbing it feels good on your waist. This is because the belt and leg straps are made from highly breathable foams.
It will not add to your weight as you go up because of its being lightweight while it provides the support you need. Careful observation shows that it comes with two double back buckles through which the waist belt can be adjusted in a single movement.
Whether you are into rock climbing, some rooftop construction, firefighting, or just normal camping with friends, you can always trust any climbing harness from kissloves.
Specifications
- Item Package Dimensions: 12.1 x 8.3 x 6 Inches
- Package Weight: 1.52 kilograms
- Color: Half Body Blue
- Material: Polyester
- Suggested Users: Unisex, Adult
- Manufacturer: kissloves
- Customer Reviews: 4.4 out of 5 stars
Pros
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Enough gear loops for all your items
- Wide range of use
- Highly durable
Cons
- Below par bridge strap stitching
- Not easy to adjust
The Buying Guide: Important Factors to Consider When Choosing Climbing Harness
There is no big deal in choosing a good climbing harness. All you need is to recognize all essential elements of a good climbing harness and confirm if the brand you are buying features all the parts/ purpose you have in mind. All climbing harnesses share virtually the same features. If any of the following features are missing, please consider another product.
Waist Belt: This is at the core of any type of climbing harness. This belt provides strength since it is what holds every other thing in place. It must contain foam that will make a pleasure to wear, no matter how long you need to wear them. Newer models of the harness are designed to spread a person’s weight across the waist belt.
Buckles: These buckles are what lock every piece into place. They are adjustable and are easy to use. Newer models of the climbing harness feature auto-lock buckles to make your experience a little less stressful
Belay loop: This is one of the strongest loops on the harness. It is the focal point when fastening belts with a climbing partner. It features a vertical orientation for a more direct and smooth belaying. If you ever suspect that this part is getting damaged, don’t hesitate to repair or change it altogether.
Gear loop: They are the loops situated at intervals around the waistband for carrying items. Every type of climbing harness features a gear loop. If you will climb for a long period, you might want to go for a harness that features 5 to 6 gear loops so you can have everything you need handy. Most lightweight harnesses may feature just 2 hear loops. Please, don’t ever attach to a belay with a gear loop.
Ice clipper slots: These are the slots that have been included to hold specific karabiners in place for quick and straight access to ice screws.
Haul loop: It is located at the back of the waist belt. It is usually used for tailing the rope behind you as you climb. Since most haul loops don’t have a particular shape, they must not be used as a point of attachment to the mountain/ rock.
Rear riser: This is the strip of elastic web that connects both leg loops to the back. You can adjust the shape and feel of the harness by adjusting the length of this rear riser. They are detachable and allow the leg loops to be removed while you are still strapped in.
Carefully check if these parts are in place before paying for any climbing harness. The completeness of the features may be that line between your well-being and potential injury.
Final Verdict
No other equipment is well-tailored for your climbing safety like a climbing harness. No matter how fragile they look, the force required to break the harness would far exceed the force required to do internal bodily harm.
Remember, your intended use is what determines the type of climbing harness you should buy. Why they are mostly affordable, some may be a little pricey. It is well worth the buy of you having to go beyond your proposed budget for it.
Make sure you read the instructions for use before attempting to use a new brand. If you are a beginner, it might do you some good if you can watch some videos on how to use them.