Instructors Top Tips

Climbing Harnesses - George McEwan

Harnesses

When choosing a harness it is worth factoring in how you wish to rack your gear. Some harnesses have few gear loops on them, being designed primarily for sport climbing where all the climber has to carry are a load of quick draws or ‘clips’.

You may wish to use your harness for a variety of types of climbing e.g. winter climbing. This means that the harness may have to accommodate a range of waist sizes due to you going from honed outdoor rock athlete to honed, but warm and bulky snow and ice climbing machine. Having adjustable leg loops also makes putting a harness on over crampons/bulky clothing easier.

Finding one harness to do all that and still feel comfortable for both activities can be a challenge. It may well be worth considering having two harnesses. One for summer use, the other for winter/alpine use. Whatever you decide make sure you try it on (if it has to do winter and summer make sure you try it on with lots of clothes on, then clothing off. Keep in mind getting naked in the middle of a busy shop may case distress to other shoppers). Also try hanging from it and see how comfortable it is. After all you will spend a lot of climbing time wearing it.

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