How do I choose a climbing harness?
Owen Barnes
Published Mar 04, 2026
How do I choose a climbing harness?
A well-fitting harness should fit snugly above your hipbones and the “rise” (the distance between the leg loops and waist belt) should be comfortable. A harness that fits correctly cannot be pulled down over your hipbones. Whether fixed or adjustable, the leg loops should be snug but not tight.
Why do you need a harness for rock climbing?
Climbing Harness Harnesses make rock climbing much safer than climbing with the rope tied directly around the climber’s waist. Climbing harnesses are designed to provide support and security and it is important to find a harness that will suit your personal climbing needs and body type.
What is a rock climbing harness called?
A sit harness consists of a waist belt and two leg loops which are normally connected in the front of the hips through a permanent webbing loop called a belay loop. For rock climbing, the rope typically goes through the two “tie-in loops” that are above and below the “belay loop”.
What harness do pro climbers use?
7 Best Climbing Harnesses: Rankings & Reviews
| Climbing Harness | Score | Weight (Size M) |
|---|---|---|
| Top Pick: Petzl Sama | 86 | 415 g |
| Arc’teryx FL-365 | 85 | 365 g |
| Black Diamond Chaos | 83 | 360 g |
| Best Value & Best Beginner Climbing Harness: Edelrid Jay II | 82 | 437 g |
What size harness do I need?
This size guide can help you estimate which size collar or harness should best fit your dog.
| Size | Neck Width | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| XS | 8-12″ | 5-10 lbs. |
| S | 10-14″ | 10-25 lbs. |
| M | 14-20″ | 25-55 lbs. |
| L | 16-26″ | 55-75 lbs. |
How much does a rock climbing harness cost?
Climbing Harness Comparison Table
| Harness | Price | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Momentum | $60 | All-around |
| Petzl Sitta | $200 | Sport/alpine |
| Black Diamond Solution | $75 | Sport/all-around |
| CAMP Alpine Flash | $80 | Alpine/trad |
What is a rappel device?
Rappel devices (also known as Belay Devices) are mechanical brake devices that control the speed of a rope when rappelling (or abseiling). They allow you to descend a rope by sliding down it. The rope, harness, and rappel device protect the rappeler against a fall.
How much weight can a climbing harness hold?
A rock climbing harness has to hold a minimum of 15kN of force (~3,300 lbs of force) with the belay loop, and 10kN (or ~2,200 lbs of force) with the waist belt in order to be certified by the UIAA. Harnesses, like all climbing gear, are rated for force rather than weight because of the dynamic nature of their use.
What is rock climbing without ropes called?
Free soloing is the easiest type of rock climbing to understand: No ropes are involved, and if you fall while climbing, you will fall all the way to the ground. If you climbed trees as a child (or still do), you were technically free soloing. Example: Alex Honnold is the world’s most famous free soloist.
What are gear loops?
Gear Loop: The gear loops, either soft or rigid loop attached to the waist belt, are used to track your climbing gear, including nuts, cams, and quickdraws, to your harness for easy carrying while you climb. Harnesses usually come with either two or four gear loops, depending on the weight of the harness.
What is the lightest climbing harness?
Blue Ice Addax
The Blue Ice Addax is the lightest climbing harness on the market. It weighs a mere 150 grams in a medium.
What harness does Alex Honnold use?
Black Diamond Solution
What Climbing Harness Does Alex Honnold Wear? Alex Honnold’s climbing harness is normally the Black Diamond Solution – when he wears one. This harness is a light weight sport climbing design with multi-strand inners for the leg and waist loops, which means pressure on the body is spread over a larger surface.
What is the best climbing harness?
The newly redesigned Petzl Sama is the winner of our Best Overall Harness award, and is our recommendation for pretty much any kind of rock climbing. While we already loved the previous version of this harness, the new one is even better!
How to choose the right climbing harness?
Find The Right Type Of Harness. There are many different types of harnesses out there.
What does climbing gear do you need?
If climbing outdoors, you should always wear a climbing helmet . Your climbing helmet will be the most important piece of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) that you own. It is essential for alpine or winter climbing, where there is a great risk of stones or ice hitting you on your head.
What climbing gear to get?
– Climbing Ropes. Climbing ropes are not the ones you see spelunkers using to zip down into those dark holes they so love. – Climbing Harnesses. You have a good rope, but how do you fasten it to yourself? – Carabiners. – Slings: Runners and Quickdraws. – Belay and Rappel Devices. – Nuts and Cams. – Crash Pads. – Helmets. – Chalk and Chalk Bag.
