The Best Climbing Harnesses For 2024
Published June 20, 2024
A climbing harness is an integral piece of climbing safety equipment. And except for the rare, elusive boulderer with a chronic rope allergy, all climbers will have a harness—or two or three!—in their gear arsenal. In this article, we break down the different types of harnesses on the market, what to look for in a quality harness, and our favorite harnesses for 2024.
How To Choose A Harness
There are a few considerations when picking out a new harness. After all, this piece of gear will catch your falls for years to come. Here are the questions our Gearheads ask themselves when looking for the best climbing harness:
How much does it cost?
Climbing harnesses range in price from around $50 to $200+. A common misconception is that a more expensive harness is safer than a cheaper one, but in reality all the harnesses we sell have been certified to protect a climber in the event of a major fall. Where these price differences actually come into play is typically in materials, advanced designs, and extra features (some of which you may not even need, depending on how you like to climb).
- Nylon, polyester, and Dyneema webbing are common materials used in harnesses. While all three are durable and strong, Dyneema tends to raise the cost due to its lighter weight. If you’re looking to save money, you may end up with a slightly heavier harness. And if you’re looking for the lightest harness out there, be prepared to drop some extra coin.
- Design-wise, cheaper harnesses tend to have simpler constructions. For example, it is more costly to produce a harness with a split webbing waist belt than one with a single band of webbing. In this case, split webbing design reduces pressure points, preventing the harness from digging into your waist when falling or hanging, which is worth every extra penny in our books!
- As for extra features, additional gear loops, haul loops, and ice clipper slots can all increase the cost of a harness. If you’re just planning to climb in the gym, a harness that just has the basics will serve you perfectly and save you some money. And if you plan to trad or ice climb and need those additional features, you’ll want to spend a little more on your new harness.
Does it work for the type of climbing you’re into?
While you can wear the same harness to trad climb and sport climb, some harnesses actually excel in some disciplines over others.
- Sport climbing harnesses tend to be thin and lightly padded, without many bells and whistles to promote ease of movement. They generally have four gear loops.
- A trad climber’s ideal harness, on the other hand, will feature plenty of stiffer padding and larger gear loops to accommodate the weight of all the extra gear they need. These harnesses have four gear loops at a minimum—some have upwards of seven, an organizer’s dream.
- For gym climbing, you can of course wear the same harness you’d wear at the crag. If you’re top roping or lead climbing indoors, any comfortable, low-profile harness works wonders. As competitive climbing grows as its own discipline, more brands are making harnesses tailored for team climbers. Comp harnesses prioritize lighter, less bulky materials over comfort and other flashy features.
- We don’t dive into top picks for ice climbing, glacier travel, mountaineering, and skimo in this article, but you can shop dedicated winter harnesses here. If you’re looking for a 4-season harness that can do it all, some of the harnesses on this list can be used for adventures year-round. If you plan to rock and ice climb, choose a harness with ice clipper slots and leg loops big—or adjustable—enough to fit both summer and winter bottoms. Many harnesses developed for trad climbing, especially lightweight ones, will work for some alpine mountaineering, too. As for ski mountaineering, glacier travel, and more complex alpine objectives, we recommend choosing a specialized harness: ultra-light, minimalist options are preferred for these activities thanks to their packability and ease of use with winter attire.
Does it fit?
Grab your flexible measuring tape! The best way to find a comfortable harness is to find one that fits well.
- Waist and thigh circumferences are the two most important measurements you’ll need to find your harness size. All harnesses have adjustable waist belts, but not all have the same feature for their leg loops. If a harness doesn’t have adjustable leg loops, double-check the size chart to see if both your waist and thigh measurements correspond to the same size. If you need a size medium for your waist belt and a large for your leg loops, look for a harness with adjustable leg loops.
- Harnesses come in unisex, men’s, women’s, and kids’ sizing. Unisex and men’s harnesses tend to fit roughly the same, and kids’ harnesses scale down those proportions; meanwhile, women’s harnesses have smaller waists, larger leg loops, and a longer rise to better fit women’s anatomy.
- Generally, when a brand offers a women’s harness, they make a men’s version, too. This article includes unisex, men’s, and women’s harnesses. When we talk about a men’s- or women’s-specific harness, we are also referring to its fraternal twin, too.
Your budget and preferred climbing discipline plus a harness’s fit range covers the primary bases of selecting a new harness. Still scratching your head about where to start? Check out How To Choose A Climbing Harness for a more detailed breakdown of harness anatomy and what to look for based on how you climb.
Best Climbing Harnesses
Best Harnesses For Sport Climbing
Whether you’re projecting 5.14 or just breaking into 5.10, sport climbing demands some seriously tenuous movement compared to other climbing styles. The best harnesses for sport climbing offer complete mobility—after all, you don’t want a pinching harness to prevent you from clipping the chains. And while we don’t need to hang in it all day long, a sport harness needs to be reasonably comfortable for whips big and small while we suss out the beta. Our top sport harness picks give us a bit of both worlds.
Our no. 1 sport climbing harness is Petzl’s ultralight performance champ, the Sitta. This diminutive-in-weight harness packs down small in our crag pack while cushioning in all the right places once we’re on the wall—that’s thanks to Petzl’s Wireframe tech. We like this comfy-to-hang-in harness best for projecting sport routes—though it can kick ass and take names for mountaineering adventures, too. In the front, two rigid gear loops give us plenty of space to organize draws, while two soft loops in the rear let us easily carry our rappel gear and an anchor kit in case we’re setting up a top rope.
Key Specs:
- $174.95
- Unisex sizing
- Fits waists 25.5–36.25 inches
- 9.5oz for size medium
- 2 deviated rigid gear loops, 3 semi-rigid rear loops, 2 ice clipper slots
- 4-season—great for sport climbing & mountaineering
Extra Considerations: - Rear rise is not adjustable and may not fit bigger booties
- Limited size range may not fit larger adults
- Pricier than other sport harnesses
- Leg loops are not adjustable
Choosing a single best harness is a toughie—one harness inevitably won’t fit everyone equally. Available in a wider range of sizes, our second top pick for sport climbing harnesses is a great choice for climbers who don’t find a perfect fit in the Sitta. Ocun’s Neon 3 has three locking buckles—one at the waist and two for the leg loops—as well as an adjustable rear rise, allowing curvier climbers to lock in a just-right fit. Four sturdy gear loops give us just the right amount of carry we need for our project, and breathable microfiber padding keeps us comfy if we need more than a few falls to work out your sequence.
Key Specs:
- $89.95
- Men’s fits waist sizes 26–39 inches
- Women’s fits waists 22.5–36.6 inches
- Adjustable leg loops
- 11oz claimed weight
- 4 gear loops
- Color-changing wear indicator at hard points
Extra Considerations: - No haul loop
- Less ideal for alpine climb
Wondering which question this Solution answers? In our experience, it’s comfort. Black Diamond’s Fusion Comfort Technology takes split webbing design to the next level, utilizing three strands of super low-profile webbing in both the waist belt and the leg loops. When we take a monster whip or belay for ages in this harness, the result is an even spread of force across a larger surface area. In less technical terms, it’s one of the most comfortable minimalist harnesses out there. Designed with the sport climber in mind, it’s no wonder this harness is a favorite for both indoor and outdoor redpointers.
Key Specs:
- $79.95
- Men’s fits waist sizes 24–39 inches
- Women’s fits waists 24–36 inches
- Excellent for sport climbing, both indoors and out
- 11oz for size M
- 4 pressure-molded rigid gear loops
Extra Considerations: - Leg loops aren’t adjustable
- Unpadded waist and leg loops
When putting together a best harnesses list, it’s no surprise that big players like Petzl and Black Diamond rise to the top. But they’re not the only ones crafting precise, high-performing climbing gear. A relative newcomer is Blue Ice. From the base of Mont Blanc, this mountaineering brand centers around the experienced of humbleness in the face of the mountain. And while their ethos gives us the just right amount of poetics, their gear goes just as far in the superior tech direction. The minimalist Cuesta Harness is an excellent example. This 3-season harness features extra wide yet extraordinarily thin surface areas, ensuring both comfort on the body and mobility on the wall. We also love this harness’s sleek and sensible color options—while color has nothing to do with whether we stick a cruxy move, we can’t deny that gracing the crag with a little bit of style feels pretty darn good, too.
Key Specs:
- $85.95–$105.95
- Fits waist sizes 24.8–40.5 inches
- Excellent 3-season climbing harness for sport and the gym
- 10–10.9oz for size M
- 4 gear loops, 1 haul loop
Extra Considerations: - Thin rear-rise elastic is not adjustable
- Men’s & Women’s versions have fixed, elasticized leg loops
- Unisex Adjustable version with hot-forged leg-loop buckles costs more
More Sport Climbing Harnesses
Looking for more harnesses from more brands? Here are five more excellent sport climbing harnesses.
- Mammut Sender Harness (Unisex) ($89.95)
- Blue Ice Halo Unisex Harness ($179.95)
- Mammut Ophir 3 Slide Harness & Ophira 3 Slide Harness ($69.95)
- Petzl Sama Harness & Selena Harness ($84.95)
Best Harnesses For Trad Climbing
Gear galore goes with us when we head out for a crag adventure. From cams and nuts to alpines and anchor kits, there’s a lot of carabiners we need to have handy while trad climbing. The best harnesses for trad offer plenty of carabiner storage—four loops is a bare minimum—so that we can haul all our protection efficiently. And with all the weight added, we look for harnesses with some extra padding and comfort enhancing features like wide leg loops and waist belts.
If you believe that there’s a place for every piece of gear and every piece in its place, then this uber-looped trad harness is your dream come true. The Webee Bigwall’s seven total gear loops—plus two ice clipper slots—give gear organization a whole new definition, and we can’t get enough of it. All the extra carry this harness offers could spell disaster, weight wise, but Ocun made some key design choices to account for it: double self-locking waist buckles ensure your rack stays centered and the breathable perforated foam material built into the waist belt and leg loops diffuses weight across a larger surface area. From jamming to jumaring (yep, this harness has a double belay loop for when you encounter aid pitches), this mega-featured harness flows with us on climbs big and small.
Key Specs:
- $109.95
- Expanded size range: fits waists 26.67–43.3 inches
- Adjustable leg loops
- 18.69oz for size XS-M, 20.1oz for size L-XL
- 7 gear loops, 2 ice clipper slots, 1 9kN haul loop
Extra Considerations: - Smallest size may be too large for the smallest adults
- Heavier than other trad harnesses
This one’s all in the name. Here’s what makes this Mammut harness so comfortable. A split webbing design made with Warp-Knit open webbing material both disperses force when hanging or falling and offers superior breathability for climbing warm solar aspects. Meanwhile, its light overall weight reduces hip discomfort when carrying boatloads of pro on multi-pitch climbs, and adjustable leg loops let us loosen up squeeze in case we need to don an extra layer in variable conditions. When it comes to carrying gear, four sturdy loops offer plenty of space for the essentials, and ice clipper slots offer some extra carry even when we aren’t ice climbing—we especially like them for a nut tool leash and even our gym certification tags when we take this puppy indoors.
Key Specs:
- $109.95
- Men’s fits waist sizes 26–39 inches
- Women’s fits waists 24–36 inches
- Adjustable leg loops
- 4 pre-shaped gear loop, 4 ice clipper slots, 1 2kN haul loop
- 14.1oz for women’s M, 14.8oz for men’s M
- Plastic reinforced tie-in points + wear indicators
Extra Considerations: - Pre-shaped gear loops are somewhat large and may not work with exceptionally small carabiners like those found on nut tool leashes or walkie talkies.
- On the pricey side
We never thought we’d use both cozy and functional to describe a harness, but this versatile, full-featured harness has us reconsidering. Petzl’s EndoFrame redistributes weight to prevent pressure points and dead leg, and the thin foam padding in the waist belt and leg loops offers that sweet spot of relief during long hangs and mobility on strenuous climbs. Designed purposefully for trad, multi-pitch, and mountaineering, this technical harness has five gear loops in total: two rigid loops in front for your primary pro, two angled soft loops keep draws and other necessities in reach toward the front of your harness, and a third center back loop offers excellent storage for your anchor kit and spare layers. See, cozy and functional.
Key Specs:
- $94.95
- Men’s fits waist sizes 27.9–39.4 inches
- Women’s fits waists 25.6–36.2 inches
- Adjustable leg loops
- 2 rigid gear loops, 3 soft rear gear loops
- 17.1oz for size M
Extra Considerations: - Somewhat small size range
- No ice clipper slots, compatible with Petzl Caritool Evo
Meet Edelrid’s signature alpine harnesses, the unisex Sirana TC (TC is short for Tommy Caldwell) and women’s Autana II, now with some signature updates. These harnesses feature larger redesigned gear loops that maximize carry, butterfly shaping in the waist belt to better diffuse pressure while hanging and lowering, and responsible materials that lessen your impact on the places you love. A remarkable feature of Edelrid’s harnesses is their waistbelt construction. The sliding waist padding ensures that gear loops stay centered, no matter how tightly or loosely the waistbelt is cinched. As a result, the Sirana TC has the largest fit range of any harness on this list. The primary difference between these two all-round harnesses, other than color, is leg loop adjustability. Designed for smaller-to-hip ratios, the Autana II has abrasion resistant buckles in addition to elastic to encourage excellent fit.
Key Specs:
- $79.95–$89.95
- Sirana TC fits waist sizes 23.6–43.3 inches
- Autana II fits waist sizes 23.6–37 inches
- 10.1oz (Sirana size M); 11.3 oz (Autana size S)
- 5 gear loops, 2 ice clipper slots, 1 haul loop
- Made with bluesign®-certified materials
Extra Considerations: - Size XS lacks a fifth rear gear loop
- Autana II costs more than Sirana TC due to leg loop adjustability
More Trad Climbing Harnesses
Those were just a few of our favorites for trad climbing. Here are four more excellent harnesses for crack climbing, roped alpine adventures, and big-wall climbing
- Wild Country Session Men’s Harness & Women’s Harness ($89.95)
- Black Diamond Technician Men’s Harness & Women’s Harness ($89.95)
- Metolius Safe Tech All Around Harness ($129.95)
- Black Diamond Long Haul Bigwall Harness ($139.95)
Best Harnesses For Indoor Climbing
Choosing a gym harness could be as easy as raiding your cragging day-pack. There isn’t technically a difference between an indoor or outdoor sport climbing harness, and there are no rules that we know of that state that a gym harness can’t be worn outside, either. Because most climbers these days start their journey into the vertical world scaling plastic at their local gym, our top picks for indoor climbing harnesses cater to newer climbers. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t appropriate for more experienced climbers, too. Many a climber has a harness reserved for the gym—this makes it easy to grab gear and head out the door in the morning when planning a gym session with friends after work.
Our favorites for indoor top roping and lead climbing offer plenty of comfort, ease of packing into a gym bag (or day pack!), and not too many bells and whistles. And because the gym is a place we tend to socialize, we consider visuals, too. Our indoor harness picks come in a variety of colors, allowing us to express ourselves on the wall not just be the way we move. Ultimately, these climbing harness are excellent all-rounders that excel indoors and out, offering comfort, utility, and style in equal measure.
The latest edition of Edelrid’s Moe has everything we look for in a casual climbing harness. Butterfly shaping in the waist belt keeps us comfy on our projects, elasticized leg loops let us climb in leggings or sweats without altering fit, and sliding webbing system ensures our tie-in points are perfectly parallel. This harness also includes an ultra durable Dyneema® belay ring and four gear loops for carrying gear when we climb outside. On top of that, the Moe 3R is the first partially recycled harness on the market. And when your harness’s life is through, it’s single-origin recycled polyester ripstop can be recycled again.
Key Specs:
- $69.95
- Fits waist sizes 26.8–38.2 inches
- 12.4oz (size S)
- 4 gear loops, 2 ice clipper slots
- Recycled textiles and padding reduce impact
- Belay loop made with Dyneema® for durability
Extra Considerations: - Doesn’t have a haul loop
- Textiles are repurposed, so no two Moes are exactly the same
And now for something completely different! Our final harness pick can of course TR with the best of ’em, but if you’re looking for a harness that’s more for hard-as-nails indoor projects, our this harness may be more your tempo. Superlight, superfly Wild Country’s Mosquito was designed for climbers who want to get as close to flying up the wall as humanly possible. Surprisingly lightweight and extraordinarily packable, this harness is a no brainer for outdoor bolt lines far off the beaten path. And it makes perfect sense for attempting PRs on the speed wall, too. With a minimalist yet comfortable design and oodles of weight saving measures (just take a look at the rear gear loops), it truly feels like it’s just us and the crux.
Key Specs:
- $109.95
- Men’s fits waist sizes 25.4–37.4 inches
- Women’s fits waist sizes 26–33 inches
- 8.1oz (men’s S); 8.5oz (women’s XS)
- 2 rigid gear loops, 2 UL soft gear loops, 1 haul loop
Extra Considerations: - Women’s version only comes in XS–M
- Leg loops and elastic risers are not adjustable
Cushy, lightweight, and plenty adjustable, is there anything not to like about Black Diamond’s go-to all-round harness? The Momentum’s split webbing waistbelt and leg loops get an extra level of comfort from CLPE foam inserts and soft, breathable lining fabric. We love that this harness is plenty adjustable at both the waist and thighs, allowing it to fit a wider range of body types. The result is a sturdy harness that hugs the body without pinching or squeezing when taking a lead fall or lowering off a top rope climb. When it’s time to venture outdoors to trad or sport climb, this harness has four molded gear loops and packs down small and light.
Key Specs:
- $64.95
- Men’s fits waist sizes ~24–42 inches
- Women’s fits waist sizes 36–39 inches
- Fully adjustable waist, legs, and rise
- 10.7oz (M); 10.2oz (W)
- 4 gear loops, 1 haul loop
- 2024’s version has 4 new trendy colors (2 for women, 2 for men)
- Available in packages with belay devices
Extra Considerations: - Older versions of this harness have slightly different sizing, so be sure to check the size chart if you’re getting a second Momentum harness
- Gear loops are somewhat small and may not be the best for outdoor trad climbing
Versatility and comfort go hand-in-hand with this all-round harness. Plenty of EVA foam at the waist and legs gives us a comfortable buffer when weighting the harness. Meanwhile, cool colorblocking help us get in a style zone on-and-off the wall. When it’s time to take this harness outside, we appreciate that the front gear loops are sturdy for easily racking and removing gear. Meanwhile, the rear loops a flexible, enhancing comfort when climbing with a pack on easy high-altitude jaunts.
Key Specs:
- $69.95
- Fits waist sizes 25.6–39.4 inches
- 13.9oz (men’s M); 14.1oz (women’s M)
- 2 rigid gear loops, 2 soft gear loops, 1 haul loop
- 4 new trendy colors (2 for women, 2 for men)
Extra Considerations: - Leg loops aren’t adjustable, but elastic accommodates a range of shapes and sizes
- Lilac White color appears much lighter in person
More Gym Climbing Harnesses
Looking for more comp-style harnesses like the Mosquito? Or perhaps fun colors with plenty of cush? Here are 5 more Gearhead® approved harnesses that totally rock for gym climbing.
- CAMP USA Energy CR 3 Harness & Energy Nova Harness ($49.95)
- Edelrid Jay Harness & Jayne Harness ($69.95)
- Mammut 4 Slide Unisex Harness (59.95)
FAQs About Climbing Harnesses
Q: What size climbing harness do I need?
A: Climbing harnesses generally come in alpha sizes. Many brands offer sizes XS to XL. However, som brands make XXS and XXL sizes, while others include a larger range of potential waist sizes within a smaller size by including more adjustable features. To find your size, measure your waist and upper thigh, then compare with the harness size chart.
Q: How long can you have a climbing harness?
A: Climbing harnesses have a lifespan of around 10 years if unused. Every harness will have a tag that states its manufacture date—usually this tag is tucked into the waistbelt. The more you use a harness, the more susceptible it is to wear and tear. If a harness shows signs of damage, such as tears or stitching that is coming undone, it’s time to replace it.
Q: How much do rock climbing harnesses cost?
A: Harnesses range in price from around $50 to $200. Regardless of price, all harnesses sold in North America pass rigorous safety standards, so a cheap harness is just as safe to use as an expensive one.
Q: What must you check on your harness before climbing?
A: Before beginning to climb, check your partner’s harness: is their waistbelt double backed and locked and is anything twisted or upside down? If you’re climbing, does the rope go through both tie-in points? If you are belaying, is the belay device’s carabiner locked to your belay loop with the climber strand heading to your climber?
Q: What type of harness should beginners get?
A: For your first rock climbing harness, look for one that is comfortably padded, matches your hip and thigh circumference measurements, and fits your budget. Entry level harnesses typically cost between $50–$80.
Q: I started climbing at the gym. Can I wear the same harness for indoor and outdoor climbing?
A: Yes! Climbing harnesses marketed for indoor climbing are perfectly suited for outdoor climbing, too.
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