Suggestioned Harness for Beginner Climber

[ladyrose42]

Hi, I was wondering what would be a good climbing harness for me, a beginner climber. I intend on advancing my skill quickly so I was wondering if it is possible to out grow a harness technically or if a harness is a harness is a harness.

[fenderfour]

Get a harness that fits you well and go to a reputable shop to get help fitting it. Otherwise a harness is a harness, although everyone on this board will sing the praises of whatever piece they have been using for the past XX years.

[layton]

Get a harness that fits you well and go to a reputable shop to get help fitting it. Otherwise a harness is a harness, although everyone on this board will sing the praises of whatever piece they have been using for the past XX years.

 

well said. just get something comfy and cheap.

[Phil K]

Yah Mon, fit is important. There isn't very much difference in terms of features, other than the choice between dropable/adjustable leg loops or not. Look at weights. If you are planning on doing alpine stuff, you might as well start considering the weight of every peice of equipment now, rather than have to start replacing good gear to save a few ounces later on.

[layton]

actually, the weight savings from something like an alpine bod compared to like an arctyrx Vero is so minimal, it's not worth concidering unless you're talking wall harnesses.

 

if it were me, i'd just get a cheap one from SierraTradingPost.com cuz it doesn't matter that much. you should see the shitty harnesses that most hardmen wear.

[Dru]

If you are planning on doing trad climbing don't get a sport climbing harness that only has 1 or 2 gear loops.

[ladyrose42]

Thanks for the input. I'll be keeping my eye open for one. The shop I like to go to is Mountain Gear, in Spokane Wa.

[Alpinfox]

"Suggestioned" is a cool word, but I think the word you were really looking for was "recommendinated".

[ladyrose42]

LOL, OOPs! Thanks for the fix!

[Blake]

Like others said, get the cheapest harness that is reasonably comfortable and has at least 4 gear loops. The harnesses from any mainstream retailer will be safety certified, just put it on correctly.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

Good advice on cheap and comfy, but don't sacrifice the latter for the former, and watch out for convenience, too. For example, Dr. Flash Amazing's first harness was the Black Diamond Alpine Bod, which was a steal at ~$25, but was rather uncomfortable, being made of unpadded webbing. Likewise, the Doctor tried on a number of harnesses recently, and one of the more budget models had a horrendously small, sharp-edged buckle that was hard enough to thread and double-back in the shop, let alone with cold or raw fingers ... food for thought. If it seems mildly annoying in the shop, it'll be 10x as annoying for the longer haul, so shop around!

 

Oh, yeah, and have fun!

 

[cj001f]

let alone with cold or raw fingers ... food for thought.

The good Dr clips bolts in anything less than full sun and Prana top weather

 

For the difference in prices between the cheapest and most expensive harnesses (not much compared to a harness lifetime). Buy the one you like most.

[Flatlander1]

My wife and I bought Petzl harnesses when we began. Price was not a consideration so we went with a harness that fit the best and was most comfortable thinking we would be hanging in them on top rope. They are heavier but have 4 gear loops and a buckle system that doesn't have to be doubled-back. Great for what we do but not recommended (or recommendinated) for the mountains.

[ladyrose42]

Thanks for all the input everyone. I went to Mountain Gear in Spokane and bought a Petzl Corvax harness. It is so comfortable. I really like it. It has the 4 loops, is comfortably padded, and I don't have to double back . It sounds close to the one Flatlander1 was describing.

[thelawgoddess]

sweet! welcome to the climbing world!