The Sitta initially was intended to be a superlight alpine climbing and mountaineering harness, but quickly was adopted by high-end sport climbers looking for something light and sleek for sending tough climbs. What we don’t: More expensive than the Arc’teryx C-Quence above but not as versatile. What we like: Lightweight but with a premium Petzl build. See the Men's Black Diamond Momentum See the Women's Black Diamond Momentumīest Ultralight Climbing Harness 3. But you’d be hard-pressed to find a more capable harness for $60, making the Momentum our top choice for those on a budget. And as with all foam harnesses, you can expect the padding of the Momentum to deteriorate over time, and we’ve noticed that the fabric is more likely to show wear than most (off-width and chimney climbers beware). Further, for those who don’t plan to spend much time hanging, Black Diamond’s Solution offers a much more streamlined fit that improves freedom of movement for aspiring sport climbers. If you’re willing to shell out a few extra dollars, we think the Edelrid Jay/Jayne below is a slightly higher-quality harness (albeit significantly heavier). All told, there’s good reason why the Momentum is a long-time favorite of beginner climbers of all disciplines. Plus, the most recent version shaves more than an ounce off the previous weight, making it lighter than all but a few harnesses here. With TrakFit leg adjustments for easy customization and a rear haul loop, the Momentum is versatile enough to be used indoors or outdoors, for sport or trad.
For just $60, you get a well-made and reasonably durable harness that comes in a range of sizes (six for men and four for women). What we don’t: Quality and comfort are sacrificed for price.īlack Diamond’s Momentum isn’t the most comfortable, high-quality, or innovative harness on this list, but it does have one main thing going for it: price.
What we like: One of the least expensive harnesses on the market. See the Men's Arc'teryx C-Quence See the Women's Arc'teryx C-Quenceīest Budget Climbing Harness 2. And for a similar design with adjustable leg loops, Arc’teryx still offers the AR-395A (or for women, the AR-385A). Just about everything about this harness is picture perfect: the gear loops are big but not obtrusive, the leg loops are contoured to hold your weight comfortably, the rear elastic releases with a hook for quick bathroom breaks, and the haul loop and ice clipper slots add versatility. But for serious climbers who get out a lot, it’s hard to beat the overall comfort and quality of Arc’teryx’s newest harness. Further, the C-Quence’s fixed leg loops might not work for everyone, and at 13.1 ounces, it’s far from the lightest option here. With years of R&D under its belt (quite literally), the C-Quence is everything we loved about the FL-365 but with a few noteworthy improvements, including a trimmer profile (without sacrificing comfort) and added airmesh for breathability.įor the steep price of $145, you could buy multiple Black Diamond Momentum harnesses that will keep you just as safe. We didn’t think it could get any better, but then Arc’teryx released the C-Quence as a replacement. Their FL-365 held our number one spot for years for its sleek design and lightweight and comfortable build. What we like: Super comfortable and slim premium construction.īritish Columbia-based Arc’teryx is no stranger to the climbing harness-in fact, harnesses were the first product they designed and sold back in the late 80s. For more background information, see our comparison table and buying advice below the picks.īest Overall Climbing Harness 1. Our picks for the best rock climbing harnesses of 2021 below highlight a diverse selection of leading models for all disciplines including sport, trad, big wall, alpine, and the gym. In addition to being a vital part of every climber’s safety, harnesses offer varying levels of comfort, adjustment, organization, and weight. Whether you’re top roping in the gym, projecting 5.14, or climbing Cerro Torre in Patagonia, you’ll want the best harness for the job.