When it comes to ice climbing, a harness is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can own. Ice climbers are often faced with some extreme situations in which they need to be secured at all times. A good quality ice climbing harness should have a wide range of features that will keep them safe and secure while they climb. To find out more about what makes an excellent ice climbing harness, please read on! In this post we’re going to talk about how an ice climber’s needs change as their level progresses from beginner all the way up through expert level. We’ll also cover why having different types of gear for different levels is so important when it comes to safety and security.
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What is the Best Ice Climbing Harness?
To find the list of absolute Best Ice Climbing Harness, we have researched many harnesses for ice climbing and what people who bought and used them say about these products. Based on their experiences, we compiled for you the top 5 ice climbing harnesss.
Also, to make it easier for you to making the right choice, we also wrote a mini harnesses for ice climbing Buying Guide and frequently asked questions (FAQs). You will find it at the end of this article.
1. Black Diamond Technician Men Harness
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| Price: 💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Number of Gear Loops: 4 Adjustable leg loops: Adjustable Weight of Harness: 0.84 lbs |
The Black Diamond Technician Harness is a fantastic addition to the list. Manufactured with a plethora of storage options for a wide array of gear, including specialised ports for ice climbing equipment, the lightweight and sleek harness both excels in safety and performance for even the most flexible of climbers. It is fully adjustable through specially designed speed-buckles on the legs, and the quick-drying, well fitted waist is comfortable to climb hard in all day long.
Pros
- Complete with four ice clipper slots.
- Lightweight, sleek design.
- Fully adjustable legs.
- Four wide, pressure-molded gear loops
Cons
- A little expensive for those who are trying to budget.
- Extra loop on the back may get in the way
2. PETZL Corax Rock Climbing Harness
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Number of Gear Loops: 4 Adjustable leg loops: Adjustable Weight of Harness: 0.5 lbs |
Through four reinforced buckles, the PETZL Corax can be fitted to clkimbers of any size or shape. The deisgn, though visually traditional, has been refined for maximum comfort and performance with a thick, padded waistband, wide leg loops and soft, fabric inners. The varied gear loops provide plenty of options for storing your entire array of equipment needed to safely send the route.
Pros
- Four points of adjustment to completely tailor the fit of the harness.
- Wide and comfortable padded waistband.
- Four gear loops – two pressure molded and two flexible loops
Cons
- Leg loops prone to uncomfortable twisting when putting on,
- Buckles can create unnecessary pressure points when falling
3. Black Diamond Mens Solution Climbing Harness
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| Price: 💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Number of Gear Loops: 4 Adjustable leg loops: Non-Adjustable Weight of Harness: 0.86 lbs |
The Black Diamond Solution has been engineered to reduce all unnecessary features to minimalise weight while still providing enough to cope with trad climbing or multi-pitch routes which require a fair amount of gear. The gear loops are pressure molded to ensure that they retain a shape that allows quick and easy attachment and removal of gear and their duraility. The front loop is intuitively differently colored to help easily distinguish it from the rest of the harness. The leg loops are generously padded to maximise comfort, even when using for a long period of time.
Pros
- Extremely durable construction.
- Enough reinforced gear loops for trad climbing and long multi-pitch routes.
- Comfortable and light enough to be worn all day without problems.
Cons
- Towards the heavier end of the products on this list.
- Leg loops are fixed and cannot be adjusted
4. PETZL Sitta Ice Climbing Harness
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| Price: 💲💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Number of Gear Loops: 4 Adjustable leg loops: Non-Adjustable Weight of Harness: 0.7 lbs |
Petzl Sitta is a climbing harness that is carefully crafted to maximize the comfort of the climberm especially hanging grom theice wall for long hoursin the cold. The hardy waist belt is properly cushioned to reduce the pressure points and rough abbrasive seams that can be felt in poorly designed harnesses. There is ample room for hanging ice climbing gear on the gear loops, and the spectra strands in the waist belt and leg loops allows for the ice climber to go on for hours without feeling like the weight is unevenly distributed.
Pros
- Snuggly padded long climbs
- Adjustable waist band for comfort
- Ample gear loops
- BlueSign certified
Cons
- Leg loops are not adjustable
- This model is slightly heavier than other models
5. Misty Mountain Cadillac Quick Adjust Harness Women’s
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| Price: 💲💲💲 (fewer 💲 = cheaper) Number of Gear Loops: 2 Adjustable leg loops: Adjustable Weight of Harness: 0.65 lbs |
https://youtu.be/UvRM7jwRlyA
The Misty Mountain Cadillac is specifically engineered for trad climbing and outdoor routes. Complete with six reinforced gear loops, more than any other harness on this list, the harness is fully adjustable through four traditional buckles and comes with a dual-layered waist to prevent slippage, keeping you well fitted and comfortable throughout an entire day of climbing.
Pros
- UIAA safety approved.
- Fully adjustable across the entire harness.
- Six gear loops instead of the standard four – allows more gear to be carried
Cons
- Front loop is the same color as the rest of the harness and potentially difficult to quickly identify.
- Many moving parts make it more likely to wear quickly
Verdict
After all of our long research about the Best Ice Climbing Harness, we found that Black Diamond Technician Men Harness is the best ice climbing harness available today.
There’s also a Premium Option with all the best features and high-quality materials if you have more money to spend, namely PETZL Sitta Ice Climbing Harness.
However, if you are on a slightly tighter budget, you can also consider the PETZL Corax Rock Climbing Harness as an affordable alternative.
Our other reviews you may find useful in your research:
What You Should Know Before Buying ice climbing harnesss
How to use and wear a climbing harness
Climbing harnesses should be tightened to fit snugly around the waist (above the hips). The leg loops tend to be left slightly looser around the legs. Make sure the gear loops point downwards and the leg loops are the right way around – I can’t believe how many people I’ve seen wearing upside down or tangled harnesses at my gym! If in doubt – ask another climber for assistance.
When tying in, the rope should be fed through both the attachment points and the belay device should be attached to the belay loop. Remember – the belay loops and tie in points tend to be the only parts of the harness that are rated to withstand force – so make sure you’re tying in and belaying from the right points! Again, a buddy-check with your climbing partner before you set off should be a regular part of your routine.
Key Features of your harness
There are different features of your climbing harness, and understanding the different features and what they are (or aren’t!) used for will keep you safe and happy on the wall. Thankfully, rock climbing harnesses tend to follow a standard design.
Any harness on the market will likely comprise of an adjustable waist belt and two leg loops all linked together by an elasticated cord. At the front, connecting the waist and leg loops is a loop of thick cord known as the belay loop. At the top and bottom of the belay loops are two smaller loops of material – these are known as the tie in points. These tie-in points and the belay loop are the parts of the harness that are rated –or built to withstand force. Thus, they are usually the point at which you are attached to the system.
Other features on a rock-climbing harness will vary. Some harnesses will be built to be ultra-lightweight, while some will be heavier and more geared towards comfort and support (ideal for long days in the mountains multi pitch climbing). Almost all harnesses will have gear loops – for helping you transport your quickdraws, trad rack, or just belay device – but the number and size will also depend on the harness’s intended use.
Questions and Answers About ice climbing harnesss
How much weight can a climbing harness hold?
This really depends on the make and model, and the information will be on your supplier’s website. In general, most standard climbing harnesses will safely carry up to 310lbs/140.6kgs. If you’re heavier than that you’re best investing in a full-body harness.
What size harness do I need for climbing?
Suppliers will have information on the waist and leg loop circumferences on their website, so check this against your own measurements. Even so, it’s always a safer option to try a harness on before you buy.
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