REASONS TO BUY
Simple
Quick to adjust
REASONS TO AVOID
Not comfortable
Mainly just appropriate for toproping
Expensive
Petzl Simba Review
This full body harness is quick and easy to put on and performs well for a wide range of sizes
Credit: Petzl
Our Verdict
The Petzl Simba has proven itself to be a great all around beginner full body harness. It's advertised to work for kids ages 5-10 and support the weight of kids up to 40kg (88lbs). The flat webbing and auto locking buckles make it easy to use, and the kids love the mouse and cheese graphics. It's not fancy, but it will get the job done safely and without hassle. It's also one of the most simple harnesses available. It has easy to use auto-locking buckles to get a good fit quickly and has a seemingly unlimited adjustment range. Slightly older kids will have no problem throwing this on and getting it adjusted for themselves.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Petzl Simba | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  |  | |
| Price | $65 List $64.95 at Backcountry | $50 List | $70 List $69.95 at Backcountry | Check Price at REI Compare at 3 sellers | $58 List $57.95 at Amazon |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Simple, quick to adjust | Dual adjust waist belt, large gear loops, kids can adjust easily, comfortable | Fully featured, comfortable, secure fit | Dual waist belt buckles, largest gear loops, high quality | Low price, secure, comfortable |
| Cons | Not comfortable, mainly just appropriate for toproping, expensive | Not the lightest | Narrower size range, not the best for larger kids | Heaviest | Old double back style buckles, dated design |
| Bottom Line | This full body harness is quick and easy to put on and performs well for a wide range of sizes | This is a comfortable sit harness capable of any type of climbing | This harness seems to have it all, comfort, security, and a plethora of features that can facilitate all types of climbing | A fantastic option for almost any kid looking for a comfortable and fully capable harness | A basic, comfortable first harness with a great price |
| Rating Categories | Petzl Simba | Mammut Ophir - Kid's | Petzl Ouistiti | Petzl Macchu | Trango Junior |
| Hanging Comfort (40%) | |||||
| Standing Comfort and Mobility (20%) | |||||
| Features (20%) | |||||
| Versatility (20%) | |||||
| Specs | Petzl Simba | Mammut Ophir - Kid's | Petzl Ouistiti | Petzl Macchu | Trango Junior |
| Designed for these disciplines | Top Rope | All Around / Sport | Top Rope | All Around / Sport | Top Rope |
| Weight (size medium) | 15.1 oz | 10.6 oz | 15.4 oz | 11.4 oz | 13.8 oz |
| Gear Loops | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Adjustable Legs? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Self-locking buckle? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Waist Belt Construction | Full Body | Sit | Full body | Sit | Full body |
| Waist Size Ranges (inches) | N/A | 20 - 26.7 in | 23 - 28 in | 21 - 25 in | 13 - 23 in |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
The Simba doesn't have the most features or comfort, but there is no other harness that is this quick and easy to get on, adjust, and get climbing in.
Performance comparison
The Simba caused no issues even for more difficult climbs.
Hanging Comfort
The Simba is a basic webbing constructed full body harness with no padding whatsoever. The shoulder straps are 1 and ⅛" webbing and the leg loops are 1 and ¾" webbing to help distribute the weight a little better when hanging. Normally, one would think that a webbing harness would be uncomfortable, but the way the webbing wraps around the body keeps kids more than comfortable enough for the short period they spend hanging while being lowered. However, if the climbers spend much time hanging, things tend to get a bit uncomfortable.
Not a bad feel for a quick lower. But not the best choice for long term hanging.
Standing Comfort and Mobility
Since this harness is so simple, it would be easy for the kids to forget its on when just hanging around; however, because the tie in points don't stay together when they are not tied in, the shoulder straps tend to fall down. Otherwise, this is a comfortable harness to wear.
Features
Adjustability and ease are this simple harnesses main features. There's no gear loops or padded leg loops. No belay loops or haul loops. You may ask, does this harness even have loops at all?! Joking aside, this harness is exactly what a beginner kids harness should be, simple and easy to get on, adjust, and share with others. This also makes it a great option for adaptive climbers or those kids with special needs. It's a secure harness that will work for a wide range of kids.
Big, easy-to-use sliding buckles and big tie in points make this harness easy to work with.
Versatility
The Simba is an extremely versatile harness if you weigh versatility by how many different climbers can use it. This is good for small children who may not have developed hips that keep them in seat harnesses if they were to flip upside down, special needs kids, gym rentals, or camp harnesses where many different kids need to use it. The auto-locking buckles are a breeze to operate, and all but the youngest of climbers will be able to slip into it and get it adjusted quickly.
Value
Value is in the eye of the beholder. This harness doesn't seem to have the best value unless you are looking for the most simple harness available for young kids. For the same price ($59.95) other options have more features, like the Petzl Ouistiti, with its gear loops and auxiliary tie in point, or the Black Diamond Momentum Full Body, and the amazing comfort that comes from its padded panels.
Conclusion
If you want a versatile harness to do basic tasks such as top roping at the gym or high ropes courses at camp, the Simba is a tested, tried and true harness that won't disappoint. This is one of the most popular children's harnesses and for a good reason. Petzl has a history producing some of the best climbing gear available; this is no exception.
Scoping out the headwall of a Joshua Tree moderate.
—
Adam Paashaus
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