Jake_Gano Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 How often do you make a habit of replacing your harness? My first thought would be 'whenever it needs it' : frayed webbing, blown stichting, taken big scary fall, etc., but I noticed on the stuff bag for my harness it recommends every two years of weekend use. Does this seem often to anyone else? I've had my one and only harness for two years now, and it's seem 4x a week in the gym, plus about a weekend of climbing every month, plus about about a month straight of being frozen solid every night and then worn all day long, and it's still going strong, hell this thing looks new compared to some of the scary straps I've climbed on! So what are you guidelines for retiring a harness? Oh by the way $ for $ the REI onsight II is about the best alpine harness on the market. $25? no stupid padding to get wet and freeze solid, and if you're lucky and it fits you like it fits me then it's not a bad rock harness. Quote
Pro Mountain Sports Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 Maybe about 100-200 days of use. 100 if you want to be consevative, provided it passes visual inspection. I would feel comfortable with 150 plus, provided it passed the visual. However often it takes so that you feel you can trust your harness 100% is a good guide. Quote
Thinker Posted February 12, 2004 Posted February 12, 2004 I knew it was time to replace my BD Bod one day when I realized it was at least 5 years old and I wasn't comfortable risking a big fall on it. It really screwed with my mind the rest of that climbing day....time to get a new harness. Quote
ChrisT Posted February 13, 2004 Posted February 13, 2004 I met a woman at Smith who was wearing a very unique, bright pink harnass (petzl I think) that she said was from the 80's...or was it the 70's? Quote
Stemalot Posted February 13, 2004 Posted February 13, 2004 I don't fall...so harness is just for show...wait, if I don't fall, then I don't need to bring my harness...if no harness, then no rope, no pros... Quote
Jens Posted February 13, 2004 Posted February 13, 2004 Oh by the way $ for $ the REI onsight II is about the best alpine harness on the market. $25? no stupid padding to get wet and freeze solid, and if you're lucky and it fits you like it fits me then it's not a bad rock harness. Amen,..To bad they don't make them or sell them anymore. I cut mine up and modified it down to 8.5 ounces. And it was comforable. Ultimate sport comp and alpine harness. REI actually made something that was perhaps the best in the world for a short time? - And cheap. Quote
layton Posted February 13, 2004 Posted February 13, 2004 Mine's 4 years old. Yikes! Waiting for Petzel's new harness shown at the trade show, cuz I don't wanna dole out 80 bucks for another arctyrx verro (which rules!) Quote
Dru Posted February 13, 2004 Posted February 13, 2004 i have a 8 year old arcteryx skaha which is still bomber, i replaced the belay loop lower path at arcteryx factory while i worked there cause it was kinda frayed my 13 yr old black ice was dope for alpine routes till it got stolen out of my car Quote
Rodchester Posted February 13, 2004 Posted February 13, 2004 Another thing to look for is color fading. UV rays damage nylon. Lots of time in the sunlight can break down the material. If its getting old, getting frayed, and has faded colors, junk it. Quote
catbirdseat Posted February 13, 2004 Posted February 13, 2004 Old harness are probably fine for top rope climbing when you want to take a bunch of newbie friends to Exit 38. Quote
Lambone Posted February 13, 2004 Posted February 13, 2004 I just replace my to keep up with the latest fasion... The new BD colors are sweet! Quote
Jedi Posted February 13, 2004 Posted February 13, 2004 I replaced my BD XX harness when the belay loop stitching started coming undone. Some stiching on the waist belt in the front had seen better days. Layton- that Petzl harness you mentioned above might be the Adjama at 13oz. Looks like a good design. I like the idea of the 2 different types of gear loops (hard in front and soft in back). It has loops for those Caritool carriers which look pretty sweet for ice screws. The Sama is the same thing w/out the adjustable leg loops and weighes 11.6oz Speaking of Petzl, how about those Nitros? Lighter & shorter than Screamers. Jedi Quote
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