How Many Use Rock Climbing Harness?

[brancher147]

Just curious how many folks that stay mobile with their treestand setups use a rock climbing harness instead of traditional hunting harness. I switched a couple years ago and it has definitely helped me be safer and more mobile, and way more comfortable. I can use a linemans rope setup to stay attached going up and down, then use the same rope to secure me to the tree once in the stand. And it makes setting up a hang on stand much easier also. I use the black diamond vario speed harness and a rope with two carabiners and a prussic knot attached to the front clip on harness, then once in the stand I attach safety rope to a strap (that I carry separately) above the stand. But I am sure someone has a better setup than how I do it, and I am always interested to hear new ideas.

What harness do you prefer, and how do you set it up?

[justdirtyfun]

More than a few of us use them. I bet you could find a thread or two with a search.

I really appreciate the usefulness and how it is an important part in my hunting setup. I forgot it once this season, great lesson! Won't let that happen again.

[hunter_mike]

I use the black diamond alpine bod. Very basic setup, basically the same as yours except i added klemheist knots instead of prusik knots and i also added a ropeman ascender.

The lineman belt is made of tubular webbing.

Would like to try a different harness, since the alpine bod is a bit tough on the boys at times.

[Tennhunter3]

Me Black Diamond harness

[sureshotscott]

Most of the time I hunt from a Kestrel saddle so don't need a harness, but when I do use this:

http://www.rockclimbing.com/gear/Essent ... 12265.html

The OEM harnesses that ship with most tree stands are terrible, and the aftermarket ones from HSS etc aren't much better.

[Jonny]

Petzl corax with tubular webbing for a lineman’s belt attachment.

[BKMississippi]

I've been thinking about it but I still have a few questions. So if I buy one of the black diamonds, for climbing I'll just hook a lineman'a belt to one side of the belt then around the tree then to the other side? And when I get to the top I'll put the rope around the tree then attached to the front of the belt? If so does the rope being in front get the way of shooting? It's likely I'm way off so forgive me if I missed the idea completely.

[tgreeno]

I have been using one for the last couple years, I would never go back! Seeing you are tethered around your waist the rope is never in your way for shooting.

These threads below answer almost any question you could have.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=40778&hilit=rock+harness

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=41591&hilit=rock+climbing+harness

[mheichelbech]

I switch back and forth. Sometimes it’s easier to slide on a regular harness if I am going in dark.

[Bowonly]

I've been thinking hard about trying one.

My main concern is the adjustment range for layering clothes. We hunt from early September to late January so temperature varies a lot.

Also seems like none of them come with linemans loops standard?

[Babshaft]

I've been thinking hard about trying one.

My main concern is the adjustment range for layering clothes. We hunt from early September to late January so temperature varies a lot.

Also seems like none of them come with linemans loops standard?

You’re right about the linesman’s belt. Tubular webbing through a weight rated haul loop works, but even better is a harness with weight rated gear loops. If you fall and it’s just in the rear haul loop you won’t hit the ground but you’ll be mighty uncomfortable.

Bowhunter15 (diysportsman) has an awesome video of adding a webbing linesman’s belt to a rock climbing harness. As for adding layers, you’re right it sucks but better than a full body. Add your lower layer before you climb and you’ll always be hooked in.

[checkerfred]

I've been thinking hard about trying one.

My main concern is the adjustment range for layering clothes. We hunt from early September to late January so temperature varies a lot.

Also seems like none of them come with linemans loops standard?

You’re right about the linesman’s belt. Tubular webbing through a weight rated haul loop works, but even better is a harness with weight rated gear loops. If you fall and it’s just in the rear haul loop you won’t hit the ground but you’ll be mighty uncomfortable.

Bowhunter15 (diysportsman) has an awesome video of adding a webbing linesman’s belt to a rock climbing harness. As for adding layers, you’re right it sucks but better than a full body. Add your lower layer before you climb and you’ll always be hooked in.

Check out the Metolius All Around. It has load bearing gear loops that should work as linesman loops. I think every loop on this harness is load bearing. They have several other models too

[brancher147]

I have been using one for the last couple years, I would never go back! Seeing you are tethered around your waist the rope is never in your way for shooting.

These threads below answer almost any question you could have.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=40778&hilit=rock+harness

viewtopic.php?f=21&t=41591&hilit=rock+climbing+harness

Thanks. I will check those out. I tried a search on here before I posted but did not come up with much.

[Babshaft]

Check out the Metolius All Around. It has load bearing gear loops that should work as linesman loops. I think every loop on this harness is load bearing. They have several other models too

Thanks man, you’re a beauty! Great harness. I wish it had quick attach buckles. I find my current harness noisy and would rather put my harness on at the tree so I don’t have to walk with my bibs on.

[ZSV]

I’ve been using one for 2 seasons now and I love it. I have a mammut. I don’t remember what model I have, but it was about $50.

I modeled mine after cbigbear’s. Here’s the thread I used.

viewtopic.php?t=20108