Harnesses
how to choose a harness for rock climbing, mountaineering or ski touring?
To reach summits and enjoy fully the view, the climbing harness is a mandatory piece of climbing and mountaineering equipment . As an element of safety equipment, it is the link between your rope and belayer. There is a multitude of features that differ according to your activity: rock climbing, alpinism, ski touring. It is also important to choose a harness that fits your size for a precise adjustment. Brands such as Petzl or Black Diamond have their own size chart, check them carefully before you buy!
Read more Show lessRecommended price
£54.51
-18%
£44.59
Recommended price
£50.05
-27%
£36.31
- S-M (64-86)
- M-L (74-96)
- L-XL (84-108)
Recommended price
£59.15
-23%
£45.41
- 1 (65-96)
- 2 (76-107)
Recommended price
£59.15
-23%
£45.41
- 1 (65-96)
- 2 (76-107)
Recommended price
£90.91
-34%
£59.15
- S (66-76)
- M (76-86)
- L (86-96)
Recommended price
£59.15
-23%
£45.41
- 1 (65-96)
- 2 (76-107)
Recommended price
£52.78
-24%
£39.95
- XS-M (62-82)
- M-XL (76-100)
Recommended price
£43.68
-16%
£36.31
Recommended price
£59.15
-15%
£49.96
- £77.26
- S-M (64 - 86)
Recommended price
£90.91
-25%
£68.16
- XS (65-71)
- S (71-77)
- M (77-84)
- L (84-92)
Recommended price
£54.51
-24%
£40.95
- S-M (64-86)
- M-L (74-96)
- L-XL (84-108)
Recommended price
£54.51
-24%
£40.95
Recommended price
£72.71
-25%
£54.51
- XS-S (60-76)
- S-M (67-84)
- M-L (76-91)
Recommended price
£48.23
-15%
£40.95
- XS (56-66)
- S (63-73)
- M (70-80)
- L (77-87)
Recommended price
£81.81
-11%
£72.71
- S-M (64 - 86)
- M-L (74 - 96)
- L-XL (84 - 108)
Recommended price
£90.91
-25%
£68.16
- XS (65-71)
- S (71-77)
- M (77-84)
- L (84-92)
Recommended price
£54.51
-25%
£40.86
- M (76-84)
- L (84-91)
Recommended price
£63.61
-14%
£54.51
- XS-M (59-89)
- M-XL (76-110)
INCLUDED
DAYS FOR
CHANGING
YOUR MIND
Loading...
What is the difference between a safety harness and a climbing harness?
A safety harness is composed of straps for the thighs, chest and shoulder. This type of equipment is rarely used for rock climbing or mountaineering, except for young children. Indeed, it has led to severe injuries following head first falls. A rock climbing harness is composed of two leg loops around the thighs and a waistbelt linked together by a belay loop. There are some harnesses without a belay loop, the leg loops are then directly attached to the waistbelt.
What are the different parts of a climbing harness?
The choice of you harness depends on your activity. For rock climbing and mountaineering, it is important to have a comfortable harness with gear loops (carabiners, belay devices, stoppers, quickdraws, etc.). For mountaineering it is preferable to pick a harness with ice-screw loops. For ski touring, we recommend to prefer a more minimalist model. Indeed, in most cases you only need an ice-screw and possibly a carabiner. Some models feature adjustable leg loops so that they can be put on without removing skis or crampons.
The waistbelt: adjustable thanks to one or two buckles, designed to bring comfort while remaining lightweight. It should be adjusted just above your hips.
Buckles: they are located at various places of you harness. Some can be found at the legs for better adjustment and to make it easier to put the harness on without removing your equipment.
Gear loops: specific to mountaineering, they are usually four. They allow to carry your ice axe, carabiners etc. Some mountaineering harnesses have more loops to carry even more gear.
Belay loop: it is the strongest point of the harness, and the only resistance tested part. This is where you attach your carabiner to install you belaying or rappel system.
Tie-in loop: like the name suggests, it is where the rope is directly installed. It is located just below the belay loop and links the leg loops to the waistbelt.
How to buy a climbing harness?
The type of your activity really dictates the right choice. The characteristics to be favoured are not the same for indoor climbing, short routes, long multi-pitch routes, mountaineering, ice climbing, caving or via ferrata, etc. There is nonetheless a crucial common point, weight.
The lightest harnesses from Petzl and Black Diamond (between 150 and 220g) are perfect for ski mountaineering and ski touring where there is not a lot of technical climbing to do. They have the advantage to be easy to carry in a backpack without their weight being a burden. Furthermore, the leg loops can be detached to allow to put your harness on while having your skis or crampons on.