Top Climbing Harnesses For the 2023 Fall Climbing Season

With its sleek construction, you would be correct in assuming that the Zone harness is a solid choice for difficult sport climbing. But thanks to its two ice-clipper slots, the Zone is also a solid choice for difficult drytooling and ice climbing. The harness is built with BD’s Fusion Comfort Technology, which helps distribute the load and increases support when hanging. Five gear loops provide plenty of racking options, and the patented low-profile Infinity Belay Loop avoids snagging on biners or the tie-in point when working routes.

If you’re pushing your limits on sport routes or plastic comps, stack the odds in your favour with the Airnet harness. Constructed with BD’s patented airNET Technology, the harness delivers exceptional support and breathability without the additional weight or bulk that could stop you from clipping the chains. The harness features a non-snagging Infinity belay loop, and the tie-in points are swathed in Black Dynex for additional wear resistance. Throw in four gear loops (moulded in the front and webbing in the back for less weight), and you have the perfect harness for sending your next project.

The Corax LT delivers similar comfort as Petzl’s upper-tier Sama harness but at a much more affordable price. A comfy and breathable waist belt is mated to comparably comfortable elasticized leg loops that remain snug without restricting movement. The four gear loops are carefully positioned for easy gear access when you go outside, and the polyester-reinforced tie-in points ensure excellent durability. But perhaps the most notable feature is the smoothly operating double-back buckle – a nice change relative to some less expensive harnesses.

Climbers looking to push their grades will appreciate the Hirundos. This tried-and-true sport climbing harness continues to deliver the comfort, low weight and non-restrictive fit valued by climbers attempting challenging routes. The harness features Petzl’s Fuseframe construction that reduces pressure points while providing solid support. For durability, Petzl specs lightweight TPU overlays on the back of the leg loops and uses a Dynema for the belay loop as well as tie-in points. A silky-smooth aluminum double-back buckle allows for effortless waist adjustment, while the four gear loops provide carrying capacity for large trad-cragging and sport climbing racks.

The Moe III delivers the unencumbered movement necessary for challenging climbing without sacrificing comfort and adjustability. The harness features a carefully tapered waist belt and leg loops, which deliver optimal load distribution without getting in the way when heel-hooking or high-stepping. Four generous gear loops provide plenty of racking space for bulky trad gear, and the Easy Glider buckle allows a snug and secure fit. Speaking of fit, the Moe III also features Edelrid’s unique Centre Fit construction. This design enables the structural waist-belt webbing to slide inside the padding, ensuring the belay loop and tie-in point remain centred. As a bonus, this also prevents the gear loops from asymmetrically shifting when the harness is at the top end of its fit range.

Best for climbers wanting greater waist adjustments without compromising comfort and fit. A very versatile harness, the Jay III showcases a particularly innovative feature that sets it apart from many other harnesses. Most fitted harnesses have a sweet spot in their waist adjustment range, ensuring the padding cradles your body for maximum comfort and support. As the harness waist belt is expanded, the padding shifts to one side and no longer hugs your waist as intended. The Jay III overcomes this traditional fitting issue by allowing the padded waist belt to slide over the structural webbing. This ensures that the padding is always optimally positioned regardless of whether the belt is adjusted to fit slender or larger climbers. Other niceties include adjustable leg loops, four gear loops and a reinforced tie-in point for durability.

Constructed with thermo-formed padding, the Energy CR3 delivers the support and comfort you want for indoor and outdoor climbing. Thanks to the Energy CR3’s adjustable leg loops, the harness can also be used for ice-climbing and alpine adventures. Throw in four roomy gear loops and a rear haul loop, and it’s clear that the Energy CR3 provides excellent value for climbers looking to save a few dollars.

Arc’teryx made big waves in the climbing harness industry when it introduced its WARP technology construction. In the simplest terms, WARP technology allows you to build a light and low bulk harness that still provides exceptional support. The AR-395a employs this WARP construction, so it’s not surprising that it’s light and supportive and, therefore, highly desirable for climbers not wanting to compromise comfort for low weight. Other compelling features include incredibly smooth operating double-back buckles, surprisingly durable textiles and five rack-swallowing gear loops.

With its visible perforated foam construction, the Ophir 3 slide harness provides exceptional ventilation for warm-weather climbing. Mammut uses supportive webbing on the top and bottom edges of the waist belt and leg loops to distribute the load for greater comfort when hanging in the harness. Other noteworthy features include a patented lower tie-in point protector for additional durability, four generous gear loops, and smooth-operating double-back buckles for quick adjustments.

The Mosquito is Wild Country’s lightest harness and is designed specifically for demanding sport climbing, where grams can make the difference between clipping the chains or taking the whip. Yet, unlike many similar sport climbing harnesses, the Mosquito does not sacrifice comfort in its quest to save weight. Wild Country achieves these conflicting qualities by employing a thin yet supportive laminated mesh for comfort and using minimalist gear loops and rear riser straps to save weight. For safety, Wild Country is adding a wear indicator in the lower tie-in point; if you see the red thread, it’s time to replace your harness.

Products reviewed in this article: