Blue Ice Cuesta - Women's Review

The Blue Ice Cuesta is our go-to harness for long multi-pitch climbs where we need comfort for hanging belays and a lightweight and functional harness. Although there is also a similarly named Cuesta within the Blue Ice men's line, this women's version features a specific fit, including a higher waist and larger thighs.

Performance Comparison

Hanging Comfort

The women's Cuesta fits like a dream. It has the perfect amount of padding along the extra-wide waist belt. The leg loops distribute weight evenly while hanging, reducing pressure points that can lead to discomfort during extended hang time. The harness has soft edges which didn't dig into the back of out legs like so many others do. We wore this on multi-day alpine rock climbs in Patagonia where we didn't have the luxury of ever taking it off – we slept in it, took falls in it, and aided in it. After extended wear, we can confidently speak to the superb comfort of the Cuesta.

The harness features an extra wide laminate waist belt that provides a good amount of lower back support. The leg loops are fixed (except for a small amount of elastic), but they are wide in the back and taper towards the front for added mobility. Using a harness with fixed leg loops is more comfortable for hanging since it distributes the weight more evenly, eliminates potential pressure points created by buckles, and keeps the padding where it was intended. Whether you're hanging at a belay for an extended period of time or taking big whippers while working on your project, the Cuesta certainly won't disappoint in terms of overall comfort.

Standing Comfort and Mobility

Sometimes, climbing can be uncomfortable. Facing long days, dehydration, and hunger, the last thing you need is your harness digging into your sides or chaffing your legs. Thankfully, the Cuesta is designed with the perfect amount of stretch to move around in. At the same time, it is stiff enough to carry a full double rack on your waist belt. The balance of mobility and rigidity was near perfect; the harness didn't pinch into our sides or fold under the weight of our gear.

What makes the Cuesta so great is that it has been specifically designed to meet women's fit requirements, namely a higher waist and larger thighs. This is a game changer for our lead tester, who has curves and struggles with harnesses designed most commonly for men. Even though they're fixed, the leg loops allowed enough stretch while stemming or high stepping and didn't interfere with our mobility while on the rock.

Features

The Cuesta is relatively lightweight, weighing in at 9.7 ounces. Too often, we encounter lightweight gear that isn't very durable, but thankfully, that's not the case here. It held up well to repeated use in some very difficult alpine terrain. We attribute this to high-quality material selection – the waist buckle is made from aircraft-grade aluminum, and the tie-in points are reinforced with high-tenacity nylon.

Like most climbing harnesses, there are four gear loops on the Cuesta. The front two loops are slightly rigid, which makes it easier to rack and pull gear. (A crucial detail when you're especially pumped and need quick access to that black Totem!) The back two gear loops are soft, which is equally important if you plan to climb with a backpack on. The flexible loops can lie flush against your lower back, preventing any additional discomfort from your pack.

Versatility

The Cuesta is a great harness for sport climbing, trad climbing, and anything in between. It features a haul loop to attach extras like your approach shoes or tagline, freeing up more space on the rear gear loops for slings and cord. Even though we still had plenty of space for a double rack, the rear gear loops are slightly smaller than we would have liked – this is a main point of feedback from folks who tested this harness and one we believe could greatly improve the Cuesta's versatility.

Similarly, this is a 'three-season harness,' meaning that it doesn't include slots to attach ice clippers. Again, this makes the Cuesta slightly less versatile than some of the other comparable harnesses in our lineup and something that seems like an easy addition to improve versatility. Otherwise, the Cuesta is a great harness for long multi-pitch climbs and big rock routes in the backcountry.

Adjustability

The leg loops on the Cuesta don't include adjustable buckles, but the elasticized material does offer plenty of wiggle room. This feature is pretty cool, as the leg loops essentially adjust themselves. Adding more layers? Then the elastic expands to make space. Taking layers off? Then the elastic shrinks back down. This feature also eliminates extra bulk and helps keep the weight of the harness to a minimum. Keep in mind that the elastic will not adjust as much as your standard leg loops with buckles, but we found there was plenty of room to accommodate long underwear paired with rather thick alpine pants.

The waist belt buckle is easy to operate, and you can easily adjust it with one hand. The elastic cord that attaches the leg loops to the waist belt detaches easily with a plastic clip, which is a super nice feature if you need to relieve yourself but can't take your harness off. This clip is also easy to operate with gloves, which is crucial in cold, alpine environments.

Should You Buy the Blue Ice Cuesta?

The Cuesta is a great three-season harness, one that is equally comfortable on long routes in the mountains as it is at your local crag. It strikes a nice balance between comfort and functionality without adding a bunch of extra bulk. We particularly appreciate the women's specific fit – if you need a harness that has a higher rise for curves and larger leg loops, then this might be the perfect fit for you.

What Other Harnesses Should You Consider?