Climbing harness waist fit reddit. Black Diamond Harness Sizing Chart (Fixed Leg Does anyone have any harness recommendations for big guys, I'm 6ft, about 265lbs. If it's too big and you can't tighten it down enough, then you risk falling out of it if you ever become inverted. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. And where it should sit on me is about 50 inches. ) I have a Medium Black Diamond Momentum and it fits great all the time. I do wear the new Reecoil Audax chest harness/suspenders/hydro pack which is also super light and breathable. What do y'all recommend!? Or do you not recommend shorts altogether? Thanks in advance!! Hello! I'm looking for a harness that will open up to fit over my hips. Most harnesses that I have found online either accommodate my waist size and are too small for my legs or vice versa. So most harnesses that fit my waist either don’t go over my butt without unbuckling the entire double back buckle and/or they’re too tight in the legs. They feel too stiff for lighter softshell hiking pants, and I think they would get very uncomfortable under a waist belt or climbing harness. Harness isn't bulky but holds a lot of gear and is padded enough to be comfortable on multi pitch. 84 votes, 59 comments. I’ve been struggling with harness fit for years and am hoping for some recommendations. This harness is too large. Waist belt and leg loop sizing is fairly intuitive. I'm a 30-33" waist depending on my diet and metabolism and I have the same "beefy" thighs as you put it (I was squatting 500ish lbs on a 5'6" frame before I started climbing. tried out the Petzl Selena, and I love it! I have the chaos and i don't have anything good to say about it. I use a Petzl sitta for alpine and a padded thing for indoors. A harness shouldn’t stretch to fit, it shouldn’t stretch noticeably at all, ever, in its lifetime. So might come off as a dumb question, I just bought my first harness a BD Momentum, after taking a belay class and mostly bouldering at my gym. With a normal harness, it’s the waist that matters and the legs are almost incidental, just need to be intact to keep the thing on you and be comfortable. The typical check for this is the “3 finger test”: put three fingers into the waistband and see if you have enough space to turn the hand while keeping the fingers in line. As a result of the short rise, the leg loops constantly pull on my crotch and pinch/bruise/snag my lady bits (ouch!), especially if I catch an abrupt fall and don’t have time to wiggle into the Full body harnesses are definitely important for industrial work, but the harnesses used by rope access techs are also full body and if attached from the waist/chest attachment points will not cause suspension trauma. I have bought SO MANY harnesses in pursuit of this exact issue and also correct fit. The differences between a "unisex" and "women's" harness are the length of the belay loop, the ratio of the leg loops to the waist loop, and shape of the waist loop. Leg Loops should be comfortable but do not need to be super tight. Sure, it’s not perfect, and when I upgraded, I was particularly impressed by the additional padding and breathability that a higher-priced harness can offer without upping weight Find the least expensive, most durable harness you can. If you're aiming to start climbing outdoors (particularly trad) get something with decent size gear loops. Best advice would be to see what he is planning on using it for. Reply serendi_pity • I'll sometimes switch in my Adidas super high-waisted leggings, but I prefer to save those for silks sessions as I need the waistband to protect my waist from silks burns. New harness advice: Image is the user guide for my new harness, and I've been told the opposite in the past i. BD Solution is a bit larger than BD Solution Guide and the BD Technician has bigger waist and smaller leg loops compared to Solutions. Feb 12, 2024 · When looking for some great harnesses for your next climb, be sure to consult this list. A men's might fit her better if she has skinnier legs, but you must find one that fits her waist properly to be safe. 5 inces in the leg. ) or harnesses with a sliding waistbelt (Edelrid Jayne, Edelrid Zack, Edelrid Jay, etc. according to size charts it should have fit, but on the smallest size, the leg loops are too loose. If you want to spend the money, get the arc'teryx (more comfortable) or the BD Solution (the same or better than the Chaos and $40 cheaper). I’ve seen men who have narrow feet prefer the women’s model shoe because better fit. P. The reason for this design is because if you were to become inverted the belt would stop you from falling out the top of the harness because your skeleton will not fit. It could go higher, but I had limited selection of plates so I would need a lot of them and it'd be a tight fit. New to climbing with a harness : r/climbing Go to climbing r/climbing r/climbing The harness would mostly be used for single pitch sport climbing and occasional multi-pitches and follows on trad. You could always check women's sizing too, often the waist goes down a couple inches smaller and harnesses are honestly unisex imo, they either fit or they don't and often come in pretty generic colors (if you're worried about your son wanting "boy colors") Harness waist belts should fit over the Iliac Crest. Most companies that manufacture harnesses make a women's fully adjustable, so I'd recommend just trying a bunch of different ones on and seeing what fits well on your body. My waist size is 86 cm and Petzl says that: Size 1 (S/L) is recommended for… To be clear, your harness should be snug enough around the waist that your hips cannot pass through the waist belt (your hip bones are wider than your waist). You can I wear 32-33 waist pants, snugged down the large Momentum harness was almost maxed out; if my waist was larger the harness would be too small. I climb a lot of SRT in tall conifers. When it comes to harnesses, I’m going to guess women normally have Don't forget that pretty much only your true waist and thighs really matter for sizing. I've got a BD Technician, which is great, but I wouldn't mind something that packs down a bit smaller. trueCheck out the weekly beginner's thread on r/climbing, this gets asked all the time there. Chris McNamara has been working hard building this site up for the last few years, and has done an absolutely incredible job. The leg loops fit a little loose and the mesh on the inside waist is kinda like a cheese grater on your skin. I'm worried that's too roomy. If you don't get to try on a harness, adjustable leg loops increase the likelihood that you can make a harness fit. So a small women's will have a similar waist size to a small men's, but larger leg loop sizes. Not past your belly button. Cheers The black diamond momentum harness is a very good harness, but I suggest trying harnesses on first. 11 votes, 23 comments. It still gets on, and I'm able to pull some slack from the adjustment line Mar 15, 2023 · Find Your Ideal Climbing Harness Making sure your climbing harness is the right fit requires several steps. I've lost a lot of weight since climbing and picked up a petzl belt for wearing under the harness because the buckles on my other belts are too big and dig in when sitting on the rope. I recently got the Edelrid Solaris harness, it’s got good back support/ wide thigh loops for outdoor climbing comfort and is more than enough for indoor. Generally speaking, the "women's" harnesses are designed for the classic hourglass figure with high hips and wider thighs. With fixed leg loops, if it doesn't fit it doesn't fit. Unless you have the perfect size waist circumference every harness you wear will be a bit off-centred in the waistbelt. It is still tight enough that I can’t pull it down past my butt even with a good yank. The reviews on Black Diamond's website are saying that others with a 32" waist ended up going with a large. truehey all! hoping that someone here may be able to end my eternal search for my perfect climbing pant. Good luck! Mar 2, 2025 · Discover the top 5 mountaineering harnesses, expertly reviewed. I primarily engage in sport climbing I absolutely adore it. Can you wear a longer t-shirt for the harness on skin issue? Putting on a climbing harness can feel a bit like a brainteaser before you figure out where all the straps, loops and buckles go. The leg loops are larger for the same size with women's harnesses. Misty mountain or singing rock. I have tried E9, rab, Arc'teryx, Black diamond, Houdini +++. The beginner kit is a great value option since it includes a belay device, carabineer, chalk bag, and chalk for a good savings. Jul 5, 2023 · The stalwart Momentum has been around for years and is certainly one of the best climbing harnesses for beginners. I can fully tighten this one. Nov 29, 2020 · The brain is the most important muscle for climbing. Sizing differs between manufacturers; sounds like you need a size up. Im wanting to get into climbing and am looking to purchase my own harness and shoes. That crag or gym harness you wear repeatedly throughout the year probably isn’t an ideal choice when you decide to undertake your first (or umpteenth) alpine adventure. Hello, I'm looking into the preferable fit of a Petzl Corax harness. I tried a Beal Ghost, but the limited adjustments in the leg loops weren't quite enough (despite what the measurements claimed) and the rigid gear loops Legs off, waist off, or whole harness off? Edit: thanks everyone, I've realized I made a dumb mistake and ordered a mountaineering harness without a drop seat, which is why I couldn't understand how the drop seat works. Lightweight enough that I don’t feel it really limits mobility, enough organization for me (I don’t know how people climb serious trad in harnesses with only 4 gear loops and don’t hate it), and way, way comfier than my sport harness for hanging belays. I would love to hear from those of you who either have similar requisites and/or are similar sized as me. It should feel secure but not overly tight, allowing you to breathe and move freely. My favorite harnesses are made by Arc'teryx but you have to give your first born for those. I recently started multipitch climbing and my current harness hurts my back so much when I'm hang belaying my partners. Make a fist. Your harness should fit over the hip bone and constrict smaller than that to secure you from an inversion (not likely unless leading and you fall with your foot behind the rope but still, anything is possible). I have 22” thighs and 25” waist and I actually can let the thighs out even more!! Jul 27, 2022 · This page will discuss several harnesses, how to properly fit a harness, and how to choose the right equipment for your needs. I had a similar size waist (29-30) when I started climbing and had trouble finding a harness that fit. If you are just sport or gym climbing, you don't really need an expensive thing with lots of gear loops, just get something comfortable When hanging in the harness, you shouldn't need to struggle/engage your abs to remain upright in a seated position. Either way, it is all about comfort and safety when you are doing a climbing activity. While the waist loop is secure and won’t go anywhere if I pull down on the gear loops, I can’t say the same about the leg loops. Slide an open hand down inside the waist band. Everything else fits fine. I want to fit either: 30m rope (inside), rock shoes, harness, chalk bag, t-shirt, shorts, belay/etc or 1-2 pairs of rock shoes, harness, chalk bag, belay/etc, quickdraws, packed lunch, water, dslr camera, 60m rope (strapped to the outside) Does this sound like a 30l-ish or a 40l-ish backpack? I know, the bigger the better Suggestion to add question on gender (or at least the marketed gender of existing harness, as women's harnesses are built differently) Question on body type or height/weight, or perhaps what body part is the size limitation of their harness size (some people need to size up because of thighs, some because of waist). Hence, needing a double buckle, or yes, another harness. Harness Hi anyone have a recommendation for a climbing harness for mountain trad use? Needs to be fairly packable and light for carrying (about 300-350g) but also reasonably comfortable for multi pitch use and hanging stances etc. Once you get familiar with the parts of your harness and the style you’re looking for, you’ll find your ideal climbing harness in no time! Author Bio Jack Shaw is a freelance writer and adventurer. I mostly sport climb, but I do a little trad here and there. For example the women’s model of a climbing shoe will typically be identical to the men’s, but just a little narrower. Harnesses with such features allow you to always be able to center the For reference, im currently using the black diamond momentum harness in a small, which fits my waist fine but is very uncomfortable for my legs. Should I stick with the medium and have a looser waist but well fitting leg loops? Or should I get a small that fit better at the waist with tighter leg loops? Apr 4, 2025 · tldr need to find a comfy breathable harness that would fit a waist 24-25 inches and leg loops 23-24 inches. So do I just switch when my harness becomes physically too small for my body? Or do I need to make the change Apr 30, 2025 · A complete guide to the best climbing harnesses for beginners—featuring top picks, expert tips, and essential safety info. I guess I am one who likes to run light and minimal, and that’s why the Petzl Sequoia works best for me. The Elderid Jayne has been one of the only harnesses to fit me. Ideally the buckle adjustment should be halfway through its range and not maxed out at either end. Nov 6, 2024 · We tested and reviewed the best climbing harnesses for women, including top picks from Black Diamond, Petzl, Metolius, and more. The biggest thing you want to check is if the harness will hold you in the event you flip upside down. Get the harness that fits you. I'm hoping to get some suggestions on which harnesses might fit me better. In my experience, climbing harness usually doesn't have rigid sizing, and they tend to fit a lot of different sizes very nicely. Correctly set up, your dog cannot get out of it. and metal work can go through the belay loop. It’s recommended to measure yourself before purchasing to ensure an appropriate fit. The proprietary trakFit system also makes the leg loops extremely easy to adjust, which makes for a great fit for a variety of body types, and is I'm brand new to climbing (top rope in a climbing gym) and I am trying to find my own harness so I don't have to keep renting. It's indoor climbing, people! I see climbers indoors with pretty pricey harnesses and it makes me facepalm. Trad and sport harnesses can be different with the padding and gear loop layouts. I undo the waist strap completely to get it over my hips. e. Also just a heads up, women's leg loops are slightly larger for a But once in place, it won't loosen even if you use it for walking for hours. Any harnesses carried by a reputable retailer (not amazon, they get fake shit sold there) will be rated to the same standard for strength. It should be snug enough that you cannot pull it down. 10 votes, 34 comments. Not sure what kind of climbing you're into but the Misty makes great harnesses I use a climbing harness (only the waist belt part) and some chains to suspend my weighted plates. Jun 30, 2022 · Below, we cover all the details of how to size and fit a climbing harness for the most comfortable experience. The XL has enough adjustment to fit with proper placement of the gear loops. The following are some general guidelines that will help you find the right size harness for you. I'm trying figure out what size of backpack would be perfect for me. Do I need to return it or is that more of a comfort issue? Edit: Here's how loose it is. Stuff like prusiks, gloves, belay plate and a nanotrax+tiblock for rescue. Any harness recommendations? Hi, I'm after a new ice climbing harness, ideally with adjustable leg-loops, as most fixed leg-loop harnesses don't fit my chunky thighs. The Thoughts on this Harness? Im an amateur climber. The elastic straps on the back of harnesses are also usually adjustable, so as long as your waist and thighs fit Unless you're going mountaineering, or ice climbing, I would forget any harness with adjustable leg loops. It was the best fitting one I tried in store, but Large had me tightening the waist belt to the max to get it tight fitting. My hips sit pretty high (commonly called “violin hips”) and both of my current harnesses are too short. Thanks to climbing, my harness is too big and it’s time to upgrade. Waistband Fitting The first step in finding the right size waistband (also known as waist belt) is to identify the circumference of your waist. This means that when i tighten the waist i need to tighten it all the way. Sorry to be pedantic but I just think you're giving a misleading opinion without understanding the product. i am looking for a very high rise, durable pant that is on the baggier side-- i absolutely hate leggings, and even jogger style/five pocket style pants are still far too tight on my legs/crotch. I think that one was the Primrose. I'm thinking of retiring the 4 year old Black Diamond momentum and upgrading to something a little nicer. One medium, one small and mix them together (the leg loops for some models can be taken off) Now my harness is medium waist and small legs. trueIf your main concern is safety and your current harness otherwise feels comfortable, so long as your harness doesn’t fall below your hips when you’re jumping, it should be fine. It seems I have a somewhat thinner waist but regular legs. It's also streamlined, rugged, and relatively lightweight. I'd like to stop using it in time to have it as a backup, or in case a non-climber friend cares to join in. How to choose the right size of climbing or mountaineering harness Put on the harness. As long as the harness is suitably tight against your body (ie you won't slide out if you get flipped), and your gear loops are close enough to centered to be accessible you should be good to go! My waist is about 32 inches and my legs are 25 inches around at their widest point. Harness Fit Guidelines There are multiple parts of the harness that you should consider when fitting a harness to your body and for your needs. Highly, highly recommend. If your falls are uncomfortable, find thicker waist bands and leg loops to distribute then switched to an Arc’teryx AR385 (turned out to be even less comfortable than the Jayne iii, as the waist piece doesn’t get engaged, while the leg loops get pulled vertically => edges dig into the soft tissue immediately lateral to the pubic bone). Keep climbing, get your nutrition in check, and the weight will fall off. I have heard of people taking their harness to the production shop and asking for alterations and walking out with a custom fit harness. The 5th loop holds all of my nonsense gear that I carry for non climbing/emergencies. Your feet are shaped differently than mine, what's good for me is not for you. I am not asking for more than maybe two cm of space, around my thighs but it is impossible to find any. Ask for a climbing expert at the store to help her. Look at your shorts they are on your waist like they normally should, your climbing harness belt should sit on your waist like the shorts. i hate the feeling of wearing pants, but definitely want the protection Mar 2, 2023 · Conclusion When it comes to learning how a climbing harness fit, the tightness should just be enough that it will not slide down but should also be loose enough to prevent any hot spots or pressure points. In this case, change the size and/or choose a harness with 2 belt buckles. Unless you are way too fat or skinny it will fit great. With the harness I was using, I found that tightening the leg loops and the parts around the legs gave me the best support. Find the perfect fit for your next climbing adventure. Sport harnesses are designed to be up over your pelivs' iliac crest, which by nature of the human body is only a short distance below your ribs. I've actually lost like 60 pounds (unrelated to climbing) and it's still great. The waist varies but Leg straps aren't as important as waist band. On top of that, my main climbing partner who is 4 or 5 inches shorter than I am wears a medium of the same harness. If it is not the case, the harness is the wrong size. I TR, sport climb, and just started leading. My hands down favorite has been the DMM Puma - I love love love harnesses with a floating waist belt so you can center it no matter what layers you are wearing; it has substantial gear loops oriented toward the front, a full size fifth loop even in XS; ice clipper slots, and strikes a comfortable padding One sided buckle, which my dog hates) and for overnight hikes I sometimes let my dog carry her own gear in her ruffwear front range day pack which is essentially a safetyharness x backpack) As opposed to one strap harnesses, this is a safety harness. In this video, Miranda de-m The harnesses are designed to fit a range of waist sizes (and allow for variable clothing/layers underneath). My old harness would get weighed down by a large rack but this one stays up nice and snug on my waist. I rarely have to tighten the waist, maybe once on a longer pruning climb. The petzl corax is a great harness and is really easy to fit because either has 2 waist buckles. If you know your waist & thigh measurements it’ll be a lot easier to tell if something will work for you. So, you will need to be familiarized with fitting the harness the right way to make climbing an Just a couple of obvious points: You can also try them at a store, pick a model, and then go home and order it online. Also it is very okay to try out harnesses in a physical shop and order them online later. Women's harnesses have a higher leg circumference to waist circumference than men's fit, so they should address the issue you're having. Unfortunately, this harness does not come with adjustable leg loops, so I can’t make any adjustments to this whatsoever. The Misty Mountain harnesses are made about an hour away from me and they are hands down the best company out there. I need help. Jan 18, 2025 · A properly fitting climbing harness is crucial for safety, comfort, and performance on the rock. I'm almost 6' but wear an XS BD momentum harness because of how skinny I am. It is super comfortable on the back and the gear loops are rectangular. I’m quite tall but also If you’re growing maybe buy a harness with a wider ranger to get bigger in the waist with you (fits you now and has room to get bigger) and maybe adjustable leg loops. Based on my measurements I should be able to fit into an XL harness but most brands don’t sell that. like for some harnesses the overlap between sizes can be weird so even if they account for a good range you might fall into the weird middle ground! i had that with a few of the more popular women’s harnesses. Fixed leg loops are much easier to deal with on a daily basis, and since you only need to remember tighten the waist loop, it's two less things for you to forget. i have no idea how my thigh is almost the same circumference as my waist please send help See full list on gearjunkie. The MTDE Amazonia II works well for me; I have a 30" waist (male). People here are always asking about climbing pants so I thought I’d do a review of all my favorites! I still don't think you understand. Most waist loops can be adjusted using a system of webbing and buckles. A properly fit harness should leave the user hanging in an upright position with approximately 20-30% body weight on the waist and 70 - 80% on the legs. Note that this is designed for people without a bust. They are loose and dangling around a bit. Go try one on. I have a 30in waist and 24. undergo the same tests, so effectiveness wise should all be the same. Currently have the Petzl Selena from 2017 and am looking for harness recommendations. If you can pull your fist out, the harness is too big. Just about any harness you can buy at MEC will be fine quality-wise. As bearbreeder says, have her try on several harnesses. Women's harness as a guy? (Arc'teryx AR-385A) A question to you who have experience with different harnesses! (I'm a guy) I have been looking around but having trouble finding a harness that fits. It's really the only place I go for gear advice anymore. I bought an XXL black diamond momentum harness that fits (i think). For the waist band, there should be at least 3" of tail after cinching the harness. The Momentum has adjustable legs which I leave wide open to slip on and I get maybe 1/4 of the adjustment before they are tight. All brands fit differently as well so maybe offering to purchase one in your budget is a good idea. The butt-strap helps a lot with comfort by spreading out the support for your weight. My waist measurement is perfect for the small but the leg loop measurement is a few cm smaller than my thigh measurement. 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. If you have an old one laying around or if you can buy one for cheap online, you have yourself a super sturdy and comfortable weight belt. Something to keep in mind with that harness is that the gear loops are only centered and symmetric if you have it tightened all Your waist size could change quite a bit and you should never wear a harness that is too big for you (straps are overlapping). I just bought an Edelrid Jayne harness in a size Medium and it fits comfortably, but I have to tighten the waist pretty much all the way. I can fit in the large size but the gear loops were off-center. May 1, 2025 · A note on fit: Some male testers (who normally wear a small or medium harness) tried both the 385a and 395a, and preferred how the women’s version fit their waist and hips, so we recommend trying it on before you buy. Check out the Outdoor Gear Lab reviews on women's climbing harnesses. Other things to look for are proper rise (distance between leg loops and waist) and like youve mentioned, both legs and waist that fit your body. Been climbing for about 10 years and for the last six of it in a 2016 petzl sequoia SRT with the topCROLL suspenders and the seat attachment. It should fit snugly around your waist and legs without pinching or causing discomfort. Oct 23, 2024 · Boost your climbing performance with the right harness size. There little information online about women's harnesses with inclusive sizing and I can't find definitively which harnesses open at the waist. Your only gripe with the harness was that it couldn't be adjusted to centre it on your waist. Anyone have a good recommendation? Update: I ended up with the petzl sitta and love it! I worked at a climbing gym and we stocked harnesses that fit much heavier people than yourself. Bananafinger has a physical shop for you to try things out. Also, a softer fabric inside the waist band - the Selena is very itchy against your skin. Exceptions are harness with 2 buckles on the waistbelt (Petzl Corax, Black Diamond Momentum DS, Beal Shadow, etc. May 8, 2025 · Life in the mountains is your passion, but getting there requires a good deal of equipment. Her waist is about 25”, and she’s tried on a few different harnesses (mostly BD I think) and on the only one that fit her so far, the gear loops end up getting really lopsided when she tightens them all the way. Jul 24, 2025 · BEST FOR: VALUE The Momentum is an excellent harness for your introduction to climbing and will take you from the gym to the crag with no problem. The only problem is I feel like I don’t fit in anything that’s available. Check out these wonderful tips by plus size climber Sam Ortiz and say goodbye to worrying about whether or not a harness will fit your body and hello to taking on new challenges and reaching new heights! The petzl luna is great. Anything above ~40lbs gets pretty annoying with this set up. Comparing measurements to the Petzl it looks like the medium takes into account a smaller waist and a larger thigh, which is why I was recommended this harness in the shop. K. Men's don't go down to extra small though. Most importantly, you'll want to make sure the harness fits her well. You should be able to place a flat hand between your leg and the harness. S. com Jun 22, 2023 · We’re going to dive into how sizing works for climbing harnesses and how to navigate what the brands are putting out. Im looking for something lightweight and comfortable. It seems to be the most popular harness with "project cavers" these days. Please do not fit a harness lower than manufacturers recommend. The closest I've been to find a decent pair is Black diamond sierra, but they ride up in my crotch and bum: ( ( any recs? Wat are your thoughts on harnesses that can be put on directly in the waist (the ones that the leg loops can be undone like Petzl Altitude) It seems very convenient to be able to put them with crampons on without getting the crampons teeth into the harness and damaging it All harnesses in the U. At this price point ($65), you won’t find much better. In fact, it was my first climbing harness. Adjama Is my go to as well. But upon further looking into it, it goes up to about a 44 inch waist. If the waist is snug enough over your hips to prevent you slipping out when you're upside down you should be fine. I'd recommend going to your local climbing centre and asking to try on ALL the harnesses, jump on the wall and just sit, find one that fits comfortably. The other BD harnesses fit on the legs but all the XS were too big on the waist and they dont do XXS. Mar 12, 2015 · Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. gif The Black Diamond Momentum is an example of a good first harness, regardless of what you are doing. Women's specifix harnesses will often have a smaller waist to larger thigh ratio and a higher rise, but fully adjustable legs can help with this issue. It is a sport climbing harness, one of the lightest ones too but man does it hold its own on alpine terrain as well. If you don't need those it is available as a harness only. I went with BD Solution with waist belt as tightened as it gets, it’s comfortable but if I loose any weight it will be too big. PROS Lightweight Comfortable Medium is well sized CONS Dropping the back straps tricky We first featured an Ar… Guy with skinny legs, but medium size core here. Aug 29, 2023 · The Helios is a definite cut above your average all-round workhorse harness, with nicely sculpted and cleverly padded waist and leg loops that make it particularly comfy without excess bulk or There's not a lot of elastic to give as you pull them over your hips, so if you have a tiny waist / big butt combo they might be a pain to put on (although I find that worse with climbing harnesses). That said I bought this Petzl Selena harness recently and climbed with it once. Learn about Black Diamond harness measurements, how to choose the right size, and caring tips. Does anyone have any brand reccomendations which do small waist sizes but allow more room in the legs? Anyone have the same problem in finding a harness with a good fit? I bought a Jayne climbing harness. I use old climbing harnesses that are dedicated to getting beat up and wouldn't do that on my personal harness because it does seem very stressful on it. Basically all my fat is in my hips and my gut. Among the list of gear you need to venture safely into the alpine is a safe and reliable mountaineering harness. Why? Because you're not hanging in it for hours and who the hell cares how much it weighs. If you want to get one you haven't tried, measure your waist and leg and use those measurements to choose one that matches. If I size up they get way to baggy around my waist. You really want to be at the small end of the stated size range in BD harnesses so the gear loops line up symmetrically. Try female harnesses, the only fit difference is usually that the leg loops are further down. Jun 5, 2025 · The waist loop of a climbing harness should fit snugly around your waist and sit just above your hip bones. I thought the black diamond momentum would be perfect for me, but it ended up being too big for my waist and too small for my legs. That’s why our I want a pair of "loose" fitted climbing shorts. In BD I had to size up for my thighs but always had a huge waist gap and it sagged on my hips. Black Diamond harness size charts usually measure waist size and leg length, but different brands may provide different measurements. I've been climbing in my Black Diamond Momentum for the past year and change, and while it's been a good utilitarian harness, the padding seems to have worn out entirely, it's getting uncomfortable, and it's starting to show some early signs of wear. Needs 4 good size gear loops for trad rack. For your first pair, get the cheapest shoes that fit you. Sep 17, 2024 · A climbing harness should fit snugly around your waist without causing discomfort or restricting movement. You might find that part of the harness digs into you (I noticed that on the Arcteryx harnesses the gear loop attachments dug in). She mostly climbs in the gym, but is trying to start climbing trad. It is very lightweight and super comfortable, thanks to thick padding in the waist belt and leg loops. Something with more flexible leg loops - the Selena has very stiff, thick leg loops. The harness that fit me well (small waist bigger thighs) was Mammut Ophir. The problem is I am a bigger lady (5ft2 198lbs and about a 40 waist) and I can't figure out what brands might have something reasonable in my size. This can help explain why you might have trouble finding a harness that has a perfect fit. I’m 5’9 with a 36” waist and 30” thighs. Would it be better to keep it, or exchange it for a Small? having recently purchased a harness I can tell you that you will find that L and XL harnesses have leg loops large enough to fit around your legs and enough adjustability on the waist loop to fit snugly. Sep 3, 2024 · The all new, super light harness from Arc’teryx fills a neat gap in the harness range. So gear when it comes to men/women is typical designed around average physical differences between the genders. I have loved my momentum so far, I'm just looking for something a little more comfortable. I have an old harness, but I’ve lost some weight since I used it and now it feels a bit loose around the waist (I can easily fit a fist through). I find that I mostly use them casually with jeans. 360 votes, 76 comments. Most of my climbing is indoors. Check that it fits snugly and that the gear holders are symmetrical. There have been accidents, including the one I link below, where climbers have experienced head trauma due to flipping upside down in a harness that’s too large: “My fall was weird but it was weird for a reason: my harness was too big for me. Do you have any recommendations for harnesses that are super comfy for hours of wall hanging? I'm almost 18 weeks along and still really enjoying climbing! I'm still using my regular harness, and I think it feels fine? I do need to make the waist larger than I did pre-pregnancy, but I could still make it a good 4-5 inches larger without getting to the end of the waist strap. So I’m thinking of downsizing to a small. Also, mens harnesses have a lower rise so they likely won't feel as comfortable Im personally a fan on the camp energy harness, its pretty comfy, cheap, lightweight, and has a lot of adjustment points. Question about harness fit. That's because it didn't fit you. Not recommending it simply because it didn't fit YOU, makes no sense. What harness do you have, and what do you love/ hate about it? When I was shopping for my first harness I didn't really fit comfortably into women's sized harnesses and had better luck with more adjustable unisex harnesses. Have the climbing expert evaluate how the harnesses fits on her and listen to the expert's advice. My solution was to buy two harnesses. Let him try them on and purchase the he likes the most. Smalls were tight even when I loosened them all the way, meaning that I wouldn't be able to gain any weight. Note: We have a different post that describes all the details of how to fit a harness correctly. You should get the smallest size that fits. I personally use the Edelris Solaris which I find pretty supportive for falls and quite comfortable. don't use the belay loop with a rope. Keeps the front 4 loops clear for cams/nuts and slings while I climb. Recommendation: I’m also a size 10, small waist, bigger hips/thighs and currently use the black diamond momentum harness. good luck! The harness should fit tightly around your waist and legs, yet still allow for enough mobility to reach for the next hold. The waist should be snug with maybe a finger or two of room. I also highly recommend their chest harness, the Garma. Or BD women's xs or even a men's small? My actual waist measures about 30 (I wear a 28-29 jeans) and a medium is just a little big, but the small is a little smaller than ideal. ). Here are our best climbing harness picks!. I didn't find another post about this, so forgive me if it's already been asked! I started climbing 5 months ago and am looking for shorts to wear with my harness for top rope/lead climbing. Second this recommendation! I thought i would hate climbing in shorts as well but these fit like a dream and don’t bother me at all while wearing a harness Reply reply marimbaclimb • Apr 25, 2019 · Climbing is very intimidating, and even more so for plus size people. rafue jofd hnhhvs fboqw rmlof jwhww essls znp qyhcev xptm