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The 5 Best Climbing Harnesses of 2024

We tested climbing harnesses from Petzl, Black Diamond, Blue Ice, and more to find the top options for all climbing styles
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Best Climbing Harness Review (The newest crop of harnesses for testing in Colorado.)
The newest crop of harnesses for testing in Colorado.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Aug 7, 2024

The Best Climbing Harnesses for 2024


Curious about the best climbing harness? Our team has climbed in 46 different models over the past 12 years. We recently purchased 15 of today's top harnesses to test side-by-side. Our comprehensive review includes ideal all-around options, top alpine selections, great harnesses for simple sport and trad cragging, recommendations for the gym, and mountaineering harnesses. We've tested and rated every harness for comfort while hanging, standing, and belaying, and evaluated their features and versatility. Whether you like pulling on small crimps while clipping bolts, plugging cams into splitter cracks, or summiting large mountains in remote wilderness, we offer expert advice to help you find the best harness for your next climbing adventure.

Our team of expert female testers did a deep dive on the best women's climbing harnesses. If you're in the market for a new climbing rope, looking for the best climbing shoes, or just want to know what the top climbing gear is in all categories, rest assured our climbing-centric reviews will make your purchase decisions easier.

Editor's Note: Our climbing harness review was updated on August 7, 2024, with an updated selection of products.

Related: Best Climbing Harness for Women

Top 15 Climbing Harnesses

Displaying 1 - 15 (scroll right)
 
Awards Top Pick Award
Best Harness for Sport Climbing
Best Buy Award
Best Bang for the Buck
     Editors' Choice Award
Best All-Around Climbing Harness
 Top Pick Award
Best Lightweight Harness
  Top Pick Award
Best for Mountaineering and Technical Skiing
  
Price $69.88 at Amazon
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$84.95 at REI
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$89.95 at REI$94.95 at REI$129.95 at REI$89.95 at Backcountry$159.95 at Backcountry$174.95 at REI
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$180 List
$180.00 at REI
$105.95 at Backcountry
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$99.95 at REICheck Price at REI$79.95 at Backcountry
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$89.95 at REI$99.95 at Backcountry
Overall Score
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Pros Unrivaled comfort while belaying and hanging, good mobility, affordableGreat features, comfortable, versatile, inexpensiveComfortable, good mobility, lightweight, affordableLarge gear loops, comfortable hanging and belaying, versatile, relatively affordableGreat features, highly adjustable, comfortable for hangingVersatile, relatively affordable, lots of gear storage, comfortable hangingLightweight, comfortable for climbing, decent hanging comfort, streamlinedMost versatile, lightweight, packs small, highly mobileAwesome mobility, lightweight, versatile for all kinds of rock climbingLightweight, great features, highly versatile, good mobilityLightweight, great mobility, large gear loopsInexpensive, big gear loops, versatile, unrestricted motionExtremely light, great mobility, functional enough for the jobLight, packs small, great mobilityLightweight, lots of gear storage
Cons Gear loops are small for carrying a large rack, not super versatile for other styles of climbingNo ice clipper slots, heavySmall gear loops, not versatileHeavy and bulky, lacks mobilityNo ice clipper slots, left gear loops can be too far behind the climberStiffness detracts from mobility, heavyExpensive, not versatile beyond sport and gym climbing, limited adjustabilityExpensive, not as comfortable for prolonged hangingSuper expensive, not versatile for ice or mixed climbingUncomfortable for extended hangingPoor hanging comfort, lacks versatilityNylon belt slides through waist padding, leg loops feel stiffUncomfortable for hanging, not suitable for most types of climbingExpensive, poor fit, uncomfortable for hangingExpensive, uncomfortable, puzzling to put on, fit restricts movement
Bottom Line One of the most comfortable harnesses you can buy, and our favorite for sport climbingA high-performing rock climbing harness at an excellent price pointA light and comfortable harness for single or multi-pitch sport climbingA great all-around moderate route harness, but it lacks the light weight and mobility needed for your hardest climbsA solid harness with great features for any kind of rock climbingThis is a versatile and affordable harness for climbing in any seasonLightweight and mobile for hard sends, this harness is surprisingly comfortable for working sport climbs as wellThe best harness money can buy, thanks to its versatility and great featuresA good harness for trad and sport climbing, at a sky-high priceThis minimalist, yet fully-featured harness is perfect for any technical mission where extended hanging isn't likelyThis light and versatile harness is a great choice for both sport and trad redpointsA decent all-around performer with a puzzling design that allows the nylon waist belt to slide through the padding, causing confusion and discomfortThis ultra-lightweight skiing and mountaineering harness is the best in its classThis lightweight and minimalist mountaineering harness has a poor fit that leads to severe discomfort when hangingAn expensive and finicky mountaineering harness with an unintuitive design
Rating Categories Black Diamond Solution Petzl Sama Edelrid Sendero Petzl Adjama Petzl Aquila Black Diamond Techn... Black Diamond AirNet Petzl Sitta Arc'teryx Skaha Blue Ice Choucas Pro Black Diamond Zone Edelrid Moe Blue Ice Choucas Light Black Diamond Coulo... Petzl Fly
Hanging Comfort (30%) Sort Icon
9.0
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Standing Comfort and Mobility (25%)
8.0
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9.0
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Specs Black Diamond Solution Petzl Sama Edelrid Sendero Petzl Adjama Petzl Aquila Black Diamond Techn... Black Diamond AirNet Petzl Sitta Arc'teryx Skaha Blue Ice Choucas Pro Black Diamond Zone Edelrid Moe Blue Ice Choucas Light Black Diamond Coulo... Petzl Fly
Weight (Size Large) 13.3 oz 14.8 oz 12.3 oz 16.5 oz 14.3 oz 14.7 oz 9.1 oz 10.0 oz 10.0 oz 5.3 oz 11.8 oz 12.3 oz 3.3 oz 3.8 oz 5.1 oz
Number of Gear Loops 4 4 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2
Haul Loop? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Adjustable Leg Loops? No, elastic No, elastic Yes Yes Yes Yes No, elastic No, elastic No, elastic No No, elastic Yes No No Yes
Self-Locking Buckle? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No No No
Ice Clipper Slots? No No Yes - 2 No No Yes - 4 No Yes - 2 No Yes - 4 Yes Yes - 2 Yes - 2 Yes - 2 Yes - 2
Waist Belt Construction Fusion Comfort: three bands of webbing, breathable mesh, EVA foam insert EndoFrame: wide waistband to reduce pressure points Soft frame construction with 3D mesh padding EndoFrame: wide waistband to reduce pressure points FuseFrame: closed-cell thermoformed foam Fusion Comfort: three bands of webbing, breathable mesh, EVA foam insert airNET: dyneema shell with breathable liner and no sew bonded edges WireFrame: support and weight distribution without use of foam 150D honeycomb mono mesh with a Spacermesh™ liner and Warp Strength Technology™ Mesh Fusion Comfort: three bands of webbing, breathable mesh, EVA foam insert Soft frame construction with 3D mesh padding UHMW polyethylene, polyamide Dynex monofilament FuseFrame: closed-cell thermoformed foam, removeable


Best All-Around Climbing Harness


Petzl Sitta


81
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Hanging Comfort 7.0
  • Standing Comfort and Mobility 8.0
  • Features 9.0
  • Versatility 10.0
  • Adjustability 7.0
REASONS TO BUY
Versatile for all styles of climbing
Excellent mobility
Great features
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Not the most comfortable for hanging
Expensive
If we had to choose only one harness for any style of climbing, the Petzl Sitta is it. It's incredibly light, packable, and has four excellent gear loops that hold as much gear as you could possibly haul up a climb. The front gear loops have dividers that further improve gear organization, and ice clipper slots make this harness versatile for use in all four seasons. It features a wide padded waistband and leg loops that are plenty comfortable for hanging, standing, climbing, and belaying. This harness is a great option no matter which climbing disciplines you participate in.
SPECIFICATIONS
Number of Gear Loops 4
Weight (Size Large) 10.0 oz
Haul Loop? Yes
Adjustable Leg Loops? No, elastic
Self-Locking Buckle? Yes
Unfortunately, the Sitta isn't as comfortable as other harnesses for long-hanging sessions. As such, it is less suitable for aid climbing and epic belay sessions at the sport crag. If your main focus is sport climbing, the Black Diamond Solution is a better choice for its hanging comfort alone. That said, the Sitta still offers plenty of comfort for most days out. Another notable drawback is the price point. But considering that you can use this harness any day you go climbing, it may eliminate the need for advanced climbers to purchase different harnesses for different activities, making the Sitta a valuable investment.

Read more: Petzl Sitta review

The Petzl Sitta eats gear, making it a great trad or alpine climbing harness.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Best Bang for the Buck


Petzl Sama


72
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Hanging Comfort 8.0
  • Standing Comfort and Mobility 6.0
  • Features 8.0
  • Versatility 7.0
  • Adjustability 6.0
REASONS TO BUY
Very comfortable, especially for belaying
Good arrangement of gear loops for any style of rock climbing
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Waist belt tends to ride up when hanging
Not the best choice for ice, alpine, mixed, or mountaineering
The Petzl Sama is a great choice for sport or trad climbing. While there are less expensive options out there, the performance they offer is nowhere near that of the super comfortable Sama, and it's still a bit cheaper than most other alternatives. Whether hanging out at the base of a crag or hanging at belays many pitches off the ground, this is one comfortable harness. We also love how the elastic fixed leg loops allow for greatly increased mobility without any noticeable constrictions of movement. Although it's designed primarily for sport climbing, it's also a solid choice for trad climbing, thanks to the wide, rigid front gear loops and large, easy-to-access rear gear loops, which give you plenty of room for storing all of the long route necessities.
SPECIFICATIONS
Number of Gear Loops 4
Weight (Size Large) 14.8 oz
Haul Loop? Yes
Adjustable Leg Loops? No, elastic
Self-Locking Buckle? Yes
Like all our other award-winners, the Sama is not perfect and has a few small flaws. We would really love to see the inclusion of a larger, but still low profile, fifth-gear loop in the back. Due to a lack of ice-clipper slots, this harness isn't the best pick for alpine and ice climbing. A harness like the finely tuned Blue Ice Choucas Pro is a better alpine harness. But if you prefer plugging cams, clipping bolts, or hanging at the gym, and especially if you want all of the above at an affordable price, the Sama will not disappoint.

Read more: Petzl Sama review

The Petzl Sama is a great rock climbing harness at an unbeatable price.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Best Lightweight Harness


Blue Ice Choucas Pro


75
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Hanging Comfort 5.0
  • Standing Comfort and Mobility 10.0
  • Features 8.0
  • Versatility 8.0
  • Adjustability 7.0
REASONS TO BUY
Super light and compact
Highly versatile for all different climbing disciplines
Surprisingly comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Comparatively expensive
Not as comfortable for hanging belays
The Blue Ice Choucas Pro is a radically lightweight, fully-featured harness built for any style of climbing. This harness can tackle any technical objective with huge gear loops, four ice clipper slots, and plenty of length adjustment in the waist. Weighing in at around half the mass of the competition, this harness sets a new standard in lightweight performance for technical climbing gear. You can barely feel it when moving, meaning it can be used for acrobatic, hard climbing.
SPECIFICATIONS
Number of Gear Loops 4
Weight (Size Large) 5.3 oz
Haul Loop? Yes
Adjustable Leg Loops? No
Self-Locking Buckle? Yes
The biggest shortcoming of this harness is the lack of padding. Even though the waist belt and leg loops are contoured to better fit the human body, there just isn't any substitute for foam padding and stiff fabric when it comes to hanging comfort. Climbers who spend a lot of time hanging would be better off choosing a slightly heavier harness, like the Black Diamond AirNet, which hangs better than the Choucas Pro, even without the assistance of padding. However, for alpine, ice, and trad climbers who want to shave every ounce without sacrificing utility, the Choucas Pro is a godsend.

Read more: Blue Ice Choucas Pro review

The Blue Ice Choucas Pro is a great choice for alpine climbing because of its low weight and small profile.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Best Harness for Sport Climbing


Black Diamond Solution


73
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Hanging Comfort 9.0
  • Standing Comfort and Mobility 8.0
  • Features 6.0
  • Versatility 5.0
  • Adjustability 6.0
REASONS TO BUY
Excellent comfort for climbing or belaying
Holds enough quickdraws for long routes or multi-pitch sport
Great value
REASONS TO AVOID
Not versatile
On the heavier side for sport climbing
The Black Diamond Solution has everything we want in a sport climbing harness. The leg loops and waist belt are super comfortable while climbing, walking around the crag, or belaying your partner on their project. The molded gear loops are easy to clip, and while they won't hold enough gear for most trad climbing, they hold plenty of quickdraws and associated belay and rappelling gear for multi-pitch sport climbing. The Solution also makes a great gym harness.
SPECIFICATIONS
Number of Gear Loops 4
Weight (Size Large) 13.3 oz
Haul Loop? Yes
Adjustable Leg Loops? No, elastic
Self-Locking Buckle? Yes
Since the Solution is designed strictly for sport climbing, it's not very versatile. When heading out for trad, alpine, ice, or mixed climbing, we reach for a model like the uber-versatile Petzl Sitta (which is also great for sport climbing!) The Solution's features make life at the crag easy, but they also add on the ounces, as this is one of the heavier sport-climbing specific harnesses on the market. But if climbing and hanging comfort is the top priority for your sport climbing addiction, this is the best harness you can buy.

Read more: Black Diamond Solution review

The Black Diamond Solution is our favorite harness for sport climbing, thanks to its hanging comfort and mobility.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Best for Mountaineering and Technical Skiing


Blue Ice Choucas Light


48
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Hanging Comfort 3.0
  • Standing Comfort and Mobility 10.0
  • Features 3.0
  • Versatility 3.0
  • Adjustability 3.0
REASONS TO BUY
Extremely lightweight
Maximum mobility
Easy to put on without taking off crampons or skis
REASONS TO AVOID
Uncomfortable for hanging
Only good for niche use
Light on gear loops
The Blue Ice Choucas Light is a lightweight specialty harness that excels while skiing technical terrain, traveling on glaciers, or climbing easy mountaineering routes. Its low weight and small packed size help this harness disappear into a pack when not needed. You can put it on without taking off skis or crampons, and the thin waist belt and leg loops make the harness unnoticeable when walking, skinning, or climbing.
SPECIFICATIONS
Number of Gear Loops 2
Weight (Size Large) 3.3 oz
Haul Loop? No
Adjustable Leg Loops? No
Self-Locking Buckle? No
This harness isn't very comfortable to hang in, but it won't bother you to do a couple of rappels or hang at a stance for a little while. For routes with minimal hang time and where the chance of falling is negligible, this harness is a lightweight dream. However, for routes with any extended hanging, you'll wish you had a more comfortable harness. The tiny gear loops can hold enough gear for easy mountaineering routes, but not much more than a light rack and belay kit. This minimalist design prevents this harness from being as versatile as the Choucas Pro for most climbing applications. But for users who want a niche harness for their lightweight ski or mountaineering missions, this is the best option.

Read more: Blue Ice Choucas Light review

The Blue Ice Choucas Light excels in non-vertical terrain where mobility and low weight are most important.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Compare Products

select up to 5 products to compare
Score Product Price
81
Petzl Sitta
Best All-Around Climbing Harness
$175
Editors' Choice Award
75
Blue Ice Choucas Pro
Best Lightweight Harness
$110
Top Pick Award
73
Black Diamond Solution
Best Harness for Sport Climbing
$80
Top Pick Award
73
Petzl Aquila
$130
72
Petzl Sama
Best Bang for the Buck
$85
Best Buy Award
71
Black Diamond AirNet
$170
68
Edelrid Sendero
$90
68
Black Diamond Zone
$100
67
Arc'teryx Skaha
$180
66
Edelrid Moe
$65
65
Petzl Adjama
$95
62
Black Diamond Technician
$90
48
Blue Ice Choucas Light
Best for Mountaineering and Technical Skiing
$80
Top Pick Award
47
Black Diamond Couloir UL
$100
44
Petzl Fly
$110

climbing harness - testing harnesses on steep sport climbs in colorado.
Testing harnesses on steep sport climbs in Colorado.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

How We Test Climbing Harnesses


We've reviewed climbing harnesses for the last 13 years and tested over 45 models. We stay current with the changes in the climbing world and consistently add new products to this review as they become available. We buy every product (no freebies) and test them head-to-head in several scientific and subjective assessments to see how they compare. We take them sport, trad, gym, and alpine climbing. We pay particular attention to the comfort level when climbing, belaying, and just standing around. We test all their features and determine their versatility. We also carefully weigh each model and note how many pieces of gear each gear loop can handle. Furthermore, we gather information from a wide variety of testers to make sure our judgments are accurate. For even more details on our testing process, see our How We Test article.

We use five metrics in our scores and assign the following percentage weightings to each metric:
  • Hanging Comfort (30% of overall score)
  • Standing Comfort and Mobility (25% of overall score)
  • Features (20% of overall score)
  • Versatility (15% of overall score)
  • Adjustability (10% of overall score)

Why Trust GearLab


Heading up our testing is IFMGA Mountain Guide and review editor Jeff Dobronyi, who climbs and guides all over the world, both on long vertical rock climbs and committing alpine climbs. He has guided climbers on peaks from the Alaska Range to the Tetons, San Juans, Alps, and Andes. From his home base in Colorado to the walls of the Dolomites, Jeff puts these harnesses through the wringer and has a discerning eye for which harnesses get the job done and which come up short.

Pulling through the low steep moves on a popular climb at the...
Pulling through the low steep moves on a popular climb at the Motherlode, a beautiful crag high in the San Juan Mountains.
Expensive harnesses often present an unmatched combination of...
Expensive harnesses often present an unmatched combination of versatility and durability, making them well-worth the investment for years of climbing.
Testing the hanging comfort of harnesses while getting lowered out...
Testing the hanging comfort of harnesses while getting lowered out over space at the Mars crag at Leonidio, Greece. The Sendero ranks up there with the best for comfort while hanging.
We did lots of climbing and lots of hanging around while testing these harnesses.

Analysis and Test Results


To provide our overall ratings and to best understand the relative performances of each harness, we tested and assessed each one based on five different metrics: hanging comfort, standing comfort and mobility, features, versatility, and weight and packability. Each harness was compared to the others, and since this is the finest collection of harnesses we could assemble, just because a product received a low score doesn't mean it's a bad product. It's also likely that you have slightly different priorities than us when selecting a harness, so be sure to assess what type of climbing you will most likely use it for and give those pertinent considerations greater value.


What's the Best Value?


Harnesses come at a wide range of price points, and many of our top choices and recommendations are not the most expensive. While high-priced harnesses usually have perks and features that may be lacking in others, the reality is that you can get a great harness for much less than the most expensive choices.

Particularly good value can be found with the Petzl Sama, which performs nearly as well as the best harnesses on the market for a fraction of the price. This harness excels at every rock climbing discipline, and our testers would have no problem using this harness for the rest of our lives on the rock (replacing it periodically, of course! No harness is meant to last forever). The Black Diamond Solution is also a great value, considering its top performance for sport climbing. If all you do is gym climb indoors and sport climb outdoors, this is an inexpensive option that will satisfy your every desire. If you need a four-season harness that can also perform on ice and mixed climbs, the Edelrid Moe isn't a bad choice.

climbing harness - the sama is comfortable for long hanging sessions while belaying...
The Sama is comfortable for long hanging sessions while belaying sport climbs or hanging at belays all day on multi-pitch routes.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

In the lightweight categories, both the Blue Ice Choucas Pro and Choucas Light are downright affordable for the level of performance they provide. The Choucas Pro is a true all-arounder, only coming up short for hanging comfort, and it performed just fine our lead tester as his only harness over a climbing season in the Alps. The Choucas Light is the best, and most affordable, ultra-lightweight mountaineering harness on the market.

The Blue Ice Choucas Pro is versatile and lightweight, for an...
The Blue Ice Choucas Pro is versatile and lightweight, for an attractive price.
Climbing easy rock in the affordable and minimalist Blue Ice Choucas...
Climbing easy rock in the affordable and minimalist Blue Ice Choucas Light.
The Blue Ice Choucas harnesses perform well, have small footprints, and don't cost too much.

Hanging Comfort


In general, climbing harnesses are not very comfortable for extended hanging sessions. Still, the sport demands a lot of hang time, so harnesses provide some respite to varying degrees of success. Some harnesses pack tons of padding into wide waist belts and leg loops, driving up weight and limiting mobility in the process. Others don't try to add much comfort, and others use wide loop designs with less padding in order to provide both comfort and mobility. Some harnesses are designed specifically for hanging comfort on long big-wall routes, so check out our Big Wall Harness Review for the most comfortable harnesses.


To conclusively say which harnesses are the least uncomfortable while hanging in them, we went to the bottom of a local cliff and spent 10 minutes successively hanging in each harness, one after the other, in a position that mimics a hanging belay (and also how you would hang at the end of the rope or while rappelling). In this position, a person's weight is distributed evenly between the waist belt and the leg loops. About half of the weight rests on the person's upper legs and hamstrings, while the lower back takes the other half.

climbing harness - hanging in a harness is usually not all that comfortable. we hung in...
Hanging in a harness is usually not all that comfortable. We hung in each model for lengthy periods of time to test how they felt, and there is no doubt the BD Solution is among the most comfortable.
Credit: Andy Wellman

Black Diamond's “Fusion Comfort Construction” employed on the Solution offers the most comfortable hanging experience. A large part of this is due to the wide leg loops that diffuse the load in the same way the waist belt does. This harness comes closest to making us forget that we are hanging off the side of a cliff or hanging on a belay device while our partners work out the moves on their project. If we have to spend a lot of time hanging on our objective, this is almost always the harness we reach for.

climbing harness - hanging at the crag to test the comfort of the black diamond solution.
Hanging at the crag to test the comfort of the Black Diamond Solution.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Designs that are thinner or diffuse the load with a single strap of webbing, especially in the leg loops, tend to cut off circulation and are noticeably less comfortable immediately. The soft frame construction of the Edelrid Sendero combines a load-bearing strap internal to the hip belt with a wide, well-padded back to evenly distribute weight across your back. Similarly, the wide, well-padded leg loops on the Petzl Sama, Adjama, and Aquila also offer excellent hanging comfort relative to the competition.

climbing harness - the petzl aquila is comfortable to wear at hanging belays, like this...
The Petzl Aquila is comfortable to wear at hanging belays, like this one perched well off the deck.
Credit: Jonathan Cooper

Standing Comfort and Mobility


If you are wearing a harness but aren't hanging at a belay or rappelling off a cliff, then chances are you are moving around, climbing, walking, or merely standing at the base of the crag or gym. This metric is designed to assess how comfortable a harness is during all of these non-hanging moments, which turns out to be the majority of the time while you wear a harness.


The “lingerie” feeling of the Blue Ice Choucas Pro makes it the most comfortable harness to wear while standing, belaying, or climbing. The waist belt and leg loops are made from a thin, pliable mesh that doesn't resist bending or flexing, allowing it to easily move with you.

climbing harness - granite slab climbing in the highly mobile blue ice choucas pro.
Granite slab climbing in the highly mobile Blue Ice Choucas Pro.
Credit: Sam Willits

The lightweight and thin Black Diamond AirNet is super comfortable while standing around, mostly because you can barely tell you're wearing it. It's also really comfortable for walking in since the Infinity Loop belay ring – also featured on the Black Diamond Zone – doesn't catch as you move your legs, and the gear loops are so minimal they sit really easily under a pack.

climbing harness - you can see the cross-hatched pattern of the airnet on the inside of...
You can see the cross-hatched pattern of the airNET on the inside of the waist belt. Not only does this create sort of a cool visual effect, but does a great job spreading out loads with very little material weight. This might be the most comfortable waist belt you can buy.
Credit: Andy Wellman

A far more versatile option is the Petzl Sitta, which is also very comfortable to wear. Its stretchy leg loops expand if you are wearing thick clothes, and the fluidity that we maintain while walking in this harness makes it an excellent choice for mountaineering. The Black Diamond Solution is also one of the most comfortable harnesses to climb in. Its waist and leg loops are very minimally padded so that there is no bulkiness to impede movement or provide a distraction. Its wide waist belt sits comfortably under the hip belt of our climbing pack, and it holds a rack of quickdraws without sagging or putting pressure on the hips. The Arc'teryx Skaha has a similar design and offers great mobility.

climbing harness - the arc'teryx skaha is a great choice for rock climbers looking for...
The Arc'teryx Skaha is a great choice for rock climbers looking for a lightweight harness that won't restrict their movements.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Of all the harnesses in our review, the minimalist mountaineering-specific harnesses are by far the most comfortable for movement. These harnesses are almost in a class by themselves for mobility. Without padding or stiff loops, the Black Diamond Couloir UL and Petzl Fly, as well as our favorite, the Blue Ice Choucas Light, all allow for a complete range of motion without noticing that you're even wearing a harness.

climbing harness - the blue ice choucas light is barely noticeable when climbing easy...
The Blue Ice Choucas Light is barely noticeable when climbing easy terrain and while mountaineering.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Features


Features play a large role in dictating what sort of climbing a harness is best suited for. Adjustable leg loops, ice clipper slots, and many large gear loops allow one to carry a lot of protection, including ice screws or even ice tools. On the other hand, small gear loops that rest close to the body, combined with fixed elastic leg loops, allow one to cut down on weight and bulk and keep a harness streamlined and simple — ideal for sport and gym climbing.


The Petzl Sitta has an ideal feature set for almost any type of climbing, which is why we call it the best all-around option. Four rigid, easy-to-clip gear loops and super low-profile ice clipper slots are some of the things that all work really well. It even has a divider in the front gear loops that helps you stay organized, separating cams from slings and keeping critical gear near the front of the harness where it is easily accessible. The Petzl Adjama also has a great set of gear loops.

climbing harness - the sitta's massive gear loops and convenient organizer take the...
The Sitta's massive gear loops and convenient organizer take the cake for best features.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

The Petzl Aquila features some of the best gear loops on the market, with two huge gear loops on each side and one extra-large loop that spans the back of the harness. We especially like this harness for trad and multi-pitch climbing since we can fit a full double-rack with tons of cams, nuts, and slings on the front two gear loops. On the rear side gear loop, we hang our belay and anchor equipment, which often has plenty of space to accommodate extra pieces of protection. This oversized back gear loop is also perfect for hanging approach shoes, a first-aid kit, a water bottle, an extra layer, and climbing gloves.

climbing harness - racking up in the petzl aquila for a long mixed-protection climb.
Racking up in the Petzl Aquila for a long mixed-protection climb.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Versatility


Some harnesses are purpose-built for certain climbing disciplines, while others are designed to be used for all purposes. The general-use harnesses typically omit features that discipline-specific users might want, but they also allow users to purchase only one harness for all of their climbing needs.


The most versatile harness by far is the Petzl Sitta. It's an ideal choice for any climbing discipline — sport, trad, ice, or alpine. In particular, its combination of very low weight and bulk makes it super packable for adventure climbs, but we also love how minimal yet comfortable it feels while clipping bolts.

climbing harness - the sitta's light weight and small packable size makes it easy to...
The Sitta's light weight and small packable size makes it easy to carry with you in a pack on a long approach or in the mountains, greatly increasing its versatility for multiple disciplines.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Another versatile option is the Blue Ice Choucas Pro. This harness doesn't have any padding, making it a poor choice for climbs involving lots of hanging belays or long rappels, but for alpine climbs, ice climbs, and any rock climbs that don't involve hanging, this harness is an easy choice for its performance.

climbing harness - the choucas pro has four ice clipper slots (two on each side) and is...
The Choucas Pro has four ice clipper slots (two on each side) and is a great choice for ice and mixed climbing.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Most other harnesses aren't as versatile as these choices. Many harnesses eliminate ice clipper slots and adjustable leg loops needed for ice climbing in order to shave weight for rock climbing. The Petzl Aquila is a bit of an exception to this rule. It has great gear loops that are large enough to hold a big rack while trad or multi-pitch climbing, and the harness is also svelte enough for sport or gym climbing.

climbing harness - the petzl aquila is built for long trad and multi-pitch climbs, but...
The Petzl Aquila is built for long trad and multi-pitch climbs, but it's also versatile for long sport routes, thanks to it's large gear loops.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Adjustability


Most of the harnesses in our selection offer an adequate amount of adjustability. We all need a waist belt that can accommodate the thickness of different layers that we tuck into the harness – a tee-shirt on hot summer days versus a puffy jacket for chilly fall or winter climbing. Adjustability also allows us to share our harness if we take friends climbing or to help introduce new climbers to the sport.


The Petzl Aquila offers the most adjustability in the review. With 11 inches (28 centimeters) of waist length and 6 inches (15 centimeters) of leg circumference adjustment, this harness can fit a variety of body types. It also allows the same user to wear any combination of clothing choices while still comfortably fitting into their harness.

climbing harness - the petzl aquila has highly-adjustable waist and leg loops.
The Petzl Aquila has highly-adjustable waist and leg loops.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Another highly adjustable harness is the Black Diamond Technician. This four-season harness has plenty of length adjustment in the waist and leg loops, making it a great option for four-season climbers. Large gear loops and ice clipper slots add to its versatility for all climbing activities.

climbing harness - with a wide range of adjustability in both the waist belt and leg...
With a wide range of adjustability in both the waist belt and leg loops, the Black Diamond Technician is suitable for a wide range of users.

Unfortunately, the ultra-lightweight mountaineering harnesses offer very little adjustability. These harnesses don't use traditional waist belts. Instead, they employ fixed-length waist belts with small cinch straps in the front. These harnesses offer around half of the length adjustment in the waists as traditional climbing harnesses, and generally, the lightest mountaineering harnesses don't offer any adjustability in the leg loops. For users interested in these harnesses, be sure to carefully measure for the correct size before you order.

climbing harness - the minimally-adjustable waist strap on the choucas light.
The minimally-adjustable waist strap on the Choucas Light.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Conclusion


We've done our best to offer you solid recommendations for the best harness for the money, the best all-around harness, and the best for various climbing disciplines like sport climbing, multi-pitch and trad climbing, alpine climbing, and ice climbing. We hope the information provided here has been useful in your search, and we wish you happy climbing.

climbing harness - questing through cracks and dikes in the petzl sama.
Questing through cracks and dikes in the Petzl Sama.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Jeff Dobronyi