| mbing harness attaches you to your climbing rope, so | | | | such situations. The chest harness is made to be |
| it's important that you know what harness you will | | | | used in conjunction with a sit harness. The resulting |
| need for the type of climbing you’ll be doing. | | | | combination is the same as the full-body harness, but |
| Your harness should fit your body shape for comfort | | | | with the versatility of adding or removing the chest |
| and safety. There are three general styles of climbing | | | | portion, as needed. |
| harnesses: Alpine, Sport, and multi-purpose. | | | | Test Fit Your Harness |
| Construction varies among these categories to meet | | | | Finding a harness that fits you well is essential. If the |
| your specific needs. Women's and children's | | | | harness is too tight it will restrict your movement. If |
| harnesses, for example, have special fit | | | | your climbing harness is too loose, it will slip, chafe |
| characteristics. The following suggestions will help you | | | | and, in an inverted fall, maybe even let go of you. |
| find the right harness. | | | | Just like clothing, different harness brands fit |
| Consider Your Climbing Style | | | | different body shapes better than others. Be sure to |
| You should first decide the type of climbing that you | | | | find one that works well for you. |
| will do the most often. Once you know your climbing | | | | Whenever you test-fit a harness, make sure you're |
| style, you can select the right harness for your | | | | wearing the kinds of clothes you're likely to be |
| needs. | | | | climbing in. If you plan on carrying a pack with you as |
| Multi-Purpose – Multi-purpose harnesses are | | | | you climb, wear it as well so you can make sure it |
| known as all-around, crag or sport harnesses. | | | | doesn't cause any discomfort when worn with the |
| Multi-purpose harnesses are ideal for beginners | | | | harness. |
| because they are designed for a number of climbing | | | | The Waistbelt -- Your harness waistbelt should be |
| applications such as top-roping, sport and gym | | | | snug, but not too tight that it is uncomfortable. It |
| climbing. Most multi-purpose harnesses have padded | | | | should ride just above your hips, but it shouldn't |
| leg loops and waistbelts for which provides more | | | | restrict your breathing. You should not be able to pull |
| comfort, especially if you take a fall. Some | | | | the harness down over your hips, no matter how |
| multi-purpose harnesses have detachable leg loops | | | | hard you try. Children and narrow-hipped adults -- if |
| which will allow you to detach your legs while | | | | you can't get a harness to stay above your hip |
| remaining attached to the rope. Most climbing | | | | bones, use a full-body harness until your body shape |
| harnesses have gear loops for carrying your climbing | | | | works with a waistbelt-style harness. Be sure that |
| hardware such as carabiners, chalk bag, quickdraws | | | | there is at least 3 inches of webbing extending out |
| etc. Multi-purpose harnesses will usually have a front | | | | of the waistbelt buckle once it has been properly |
| loop that allows you to attach a belay/rappel device. | | | | secured and doubled back. |
| Alpine – Alpine climbing harnesses are made | | | | Leg Loops -- Your harness leg loops should also be |
| for long mountain trips. These harnesses are pretty | | | | snug, but not so tight that it causes discomfort. If |
| basic and usually have minimal padding and very few | | | | they are an adjustable design, the webbing straps |
| extras so that they will be light weight with low bulk. | | | | should be long enough for you to double them back |
| Alpine harnesses are made of non-absorbent | | | | through their buckles with at least 2 inches left over. |
| materials so that they will withstand the rough | | | | You should be especially careful when fitting a seat |
| environment of glacier and alpine climbing. The | | | | harness. If you choose one that's too small, it will |
| waistbelt and leg loops on alpine harnesses are very | | | | squeeze your hips and legs, reducing mobility. If you |
| adjustable to make it easier to get in and out of | | | | choose one that's too large, the harness may slide up |
| when the harness is not needed. The leg loops are | | | | onto your lower ribs, restricting your breathing. You |
| sometimes removable so you can take potty breaks | | | | should have between 1 and 3 inches of clearance |
| while staying tied into the rope. | | | | between the tie-in loops at your waist. |
| Big Wall – Big wall harnesses are for climbers | | | | Buckling up and tying-in |
| doing multi-pitch, multi-day climbs like in Zion’s | | | | Most harnesses use full-strength buckles to join the |
| National Park or Yosemite Valley. Big wall harnesses | | | | waistbelt. Read the manufacturer's instructions |
| will have lots of padding on the waistbelt and leg | | | | carefully and learn how to use your harness and the |
| loops to relieve pressure during hanging belays or aid | | | | buckle correctly. If your harness and buckle are not |
| climbing. Big wall harnesses will also have multiple gear | | | | secured properly, you risk injury and possibly even |
| loops that will help put much of the wait on your | | | | death. |
| harness instead of on your shoulder gear sling. They | | | | Most harness buckles must be buckled a certain way |
| usually have a full-strength haul loop in back for | | | | to be secure. Be sure you follow the recommended |
| towing a rope or heavy gear bag. | | | | procedure every time. In a high risk sport like |
| Competition – Competition harnesses are the | | | | climbing, you never want to take short cuts. Short |
| best choice for climbing competitions like "On Sight | | | | cuts and carelessness will put your life at risk. Always |
| Difficulty" or "Speed" events. Competition harnesses | | | | double back all webbing straps through your harness |
| have a slim design and narrow webbing to allow a full | | | | buckles. Under the impact force of a fall, webbing |
| range of motion. Most competition harnesses will | | | | straps that are not doubled-back can pull through |
| typically have little padding and few, if any extras. | | | | buckles, causing you to fall out of the harness |
| Compare Types of Harnesses | | | | altogether. |
| Leg Loop/Waistbelt -- This popular style of harness | | | | Remember that your harness is only as reliable as the |
| consists of a padded waist (or "swami") belt and a | | | | knot you use to tie yourself into it. Make sure you |
| pair of leg loops joined together in front with a belay | | | | know how to tie into your harness correctly. Read, |
| loop. The waistbelt buckles in front or off to the side, | | | | understand and follow the manufacturer's instructions |
| and the leg loops are usually held up in back of the | | | | that come with the harness. Be careful -- different |
| harness with elastic straps. Leg loop size may either | | | | styles have different tie-in procedures. It is your |
| be fixed or adjustable.. | | | | responsibility to know how to use your harness |
| Full Body Harness -- Full-body harnesses are designed | | | | correctly, along with all of your other climbing gear. |
| to keep you safe in a wide range of climbing | | | | Harness Care |
| activities. The harness holds your shoulders as well as | | | | Protect your harness from direct sunlight, heat and |
| your legs, preventing you from slipping out if you | | | | harsh chemicals like bleach. Wash your harness in cool |
| rotate upside down during a fall. Since full-body | | | | water with mild, non-detergent soap. Always check |
| harnesses have a higher tie-in point than seat | | | | your harness before you climb for frayed stitching, |
| harnesses, they reduce the chance of flipping over | | | | cuts or other forms of damage. |
| backward in the first place. Full body harnesses are | | | | Remember that your harness will not last forever. If |
| often used in climbing safety courses to ensure the | | | | you climb every weekend, your harness should last a |
| safety of beginners while they are learning to climb. | | | | couple of years. The harder you climb and the more |
| Chest Harness -- Chest harnesses are typically worn | | | | often you fall, the weaker your harness will become. |
| only on climbs where you could likely turn | | | | Replace your harness whenever it shows signs of |
| upside-down. Falling into a crevasse during a glacier | | | | wear or damage. |
| climb or rappelling with a heavy pack are examples of | | | | |