Best climbing harness test What we like: A versatile harness offering great comfort and a high-quality construction. Best for Ultralight: PETZL Sitta. Best for Trad Climbing: Black Diamond Big Gun. Aug 6, 2024 路 A lightweight harness for technical climbing adventures as long as they don't involve much hanging: This harness is simply the best choice for gym and sport climbing: This model is fashionable, comfortable, and versatile, all for a lower price than the competition: A specialized harness that is the very best for ski mountaineering and glacier Austin has managed to try out dozens of beefier harnesses while developing new routes and climbing big walls. We recently purchased 15 of today's top harnesses to test side-by-side. 1 oz. Also contributing is senior editor and YOSAR veteran Matt Bento, who has spent Apr 30, 2019 路 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. Steps for Putting on a Climbing Harness Dec 4, 2020 路 The harness is absolutely a performance sport climbing harness. Apr 4, 2025 路 Our team of climbing experts has climbed in 86 different climbing harnesses since we started testing harnesses in 2010. Best on a Budget: Black Diamond Momentum. It is a very new harness so time will tell how the masses feel about it, but right now, this harness is a contender for the Best Sport Climbing Harness of 2021. You can fall and it will save you. This harness is geared towards anything from gym climbing to trad multipitch and ice climbing, offering maximum comfort and compactness in a lightweight package. . Number of testers: 15; Number of products tested: 21; Number of pitches climbed and belayed: 500; Longest single period on the wall: 4 hours Apr 4, 2021 路 Best Value & Best Beginner Climbing Harness: Edelrid Jay II. The text below provides some general information that applies to many harnesses. It doesn’t feature the most state-of-the-art technology in load distribution, and it doesn’t have a very functional Jul 1, 2024 路 Best Overall Climbing Harness 1. May 1, 2025 路 Tester Matt Samet putting new climbing shoes, ropes, and harnesses to the test. For this review, we purchased 15 of today's top harnesses to test side-by-side, rating them for comfort while hanging, standing, and belaying, and evaluating their features and versatility. However, it's important to always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific harness model. Gearhead® Experts Alli and Dylan put these Petzl, Mammut, and Ocun harnesses to the test on southern Utah’s sand and limestone walls. 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. 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 Shop kid's harnesses. Curious about the best climbing harness? Our team has climbed in 46 different models over the past 12 years. The Edelrid Jay II is an ideal generalist and top beginner climbing harness. Are they worth hangin’ Aug 7, 2024 路 This harness is simply the best choice for gym and sport climbing This model is fashionable, comfortable, and versatile, all for a lower price than the competition A decent all-around performer with a puzzling design that allows the nylon waist belt to slide through the padding, causing confusion and discomfort The Arc’teryx AR-395a is an excellent choice for climbers looking for an all-around, four season harness to fit every mission. (Photo: Matt Samet) How We Test Climbing Harnesses. These easily swallowed a full rack, and the Jay carried the load comfortably. Sean McNally. The Jay’s strengths begin with well-placed and spacious gear loops. Features. The Long Version. The climbing harness is widely regarded as the most important piece of equipment when it comes to rock climbing. What we don’t: Slightly heavy and bulky; rear gear loops are hard to access. We made a note of whether a whole double rack plus water, a jacket, and shoes could fit in the gear loops, how easy or hard the gear was to clip or unclip from the loops, whether the haul loop was easy to clip and unclip, how easy the buckles adjusted and stayed locked in place, and many Apr 4, 2021 路 Here are the best climbing harnesses: Petzl Sama; Arc’teryx FL-365; Black Diamond Chaos; Edelrid Jay II; Petzl Sitta; Black Diamond Solution; Black Diamond Momentum; How to Choose the Best Climbing Harness for Your Needs Types of Climbing Harnesses. It combines good comfort and features at an attractive price. I’ve used most of these harnesses for years over my climbing and guiding career, putting them to the test on glaciers, alpine ice, desert crack climbing, overhanging limestone, and alpine granite. The lightweight and comfortable construction make it work for sport climbing with features that will satisfy many ice and alpine climbers. How to Fit and Test a Climbing Harness. We identified each feature on each harness and tested them conscientiously while out climbing. It’s light, moves well, and is highly breathable, which is perfect for hard sport climbing. 1. At 275 grams, the Petzl Corax is remarkably light. Petzl Adjama ($95) Best uses: Trad, sport Weight: 1 lb. Aug 7, 2024 路 The Best Climbing Harness for Men. Rather than falling into discrete categories, climbing harnesses tend to operate along a spectrum. Feb 12, 2024 路 The Petzl Corax is a high-end technical harness for professionals that gives climbers total freedom of movement. Jun 24, 2024 路 The author climbed and performed crevasse rescue training in the best climbing harnesses. To test these harnesses, I took them climbing. Jun 5, 2025 路 The Black Diamond Momentum ($65) has been many climbers’ first harness. Let our team of climbing experts help you find the best climbing shoes, top climbing harnesses, and climbing ropes for your needs and budget. Best for Sport Climbing: Black Diamond Solution.