rydra_wong (
rydra_wong) wrote in
disobey_gravity2012-01-09 08:41 pm
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Harnesses?
Now I've finally learned how to tie in with a rethreaded figure-of-eight, belay, etc., it has occurred to me that at some point I may need to buy a harness.
So, what should I know, people? What are the questions to consider? What should I take into account (other than "it should fit me and be appropriate for a lot of indoor top-roping")? Advise me!
So, what should I know, people? What are the questions to consider? What should I take into account (other than "it should fit me and be appropriate for a lot of indoor top-roping")? Advise me!
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The second the "extra loops" piece of advice from the previous poster. Try to have at least four.
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I haven't seen a gear shop with the facilities for that in the UK, but will keep my eyes out. Thanks for the advice!
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I actually wound up getting a more gear-loop-ish harness than I expected (think it is one designed for ice climbing & so forth) because it was so damn comfy. The contrast between that & the hire harness was quite impressive.
I can't use mine at the moment (too big) or for the next couple-few months (I don't roped-climb often anyway, & can't imagine I'm going to make it anywhere other than the Arch at the outside for a while after March!), so if you'd like to have a borrow & try it out you'd be welcome to.
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I recommend you find a shop where you can try one on and hang in it for a few minutes. Also imagine being yanked about by 200 lbs pulling you upwards, how comfortable would that be for half an hour at a stretch?
More expensive ones are probly more than you need, and are designed for big wall climbs. Try some out, talk to people about their gear. I'm sure you already know not to buy a used harness...
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Yeah, part of what I'm wondering is how much of that I have to decide -- can you get a basic all-rounder harness which will cover various forms of climbing, if not optimally? Or do they not live up to their promises?
Is the sport vs. trad difference mainly in terms of weight, number of gear loops, etc.?
I'm sure you already know not to buy a used harness...
That, I had just about figured out. *g*
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You can, and for a long time most harnesses were all-around harnesses. But if you think you'll spend all your time climbing indoors, or on sport routes, there's no need to go for a really cushy padded harness with a lot of gear loops, for instance.
I have a $50 Black Diamond harness I got on sale last winter at REI, it's been great.
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So it'd be nice to get a harness that doesn't necessarily rule that out off the bat.
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It's a unisex harness, because I don't give a damn about colors, and I wanted something good. (grin) I highly recommend the Camp harnesses. It's got loops, a special tab loop in the center of the back for your chalk bag, it's durable and comfortable. I've climbed indoors and outdoors and it's worked well for all.
I know some people want to go with lighter harnesses, but I think you give up some durability and certainly comfort when you do.
Yay, gear :-)
Any decent climbing gear shop should have at least some rope and a 'biner hanging from a beam which you can attach to and sit / swing / hang in harnesses. The most, most important thing is that the blessed thing is comfy.
The second most important thing is that it'll fit when you're wearing almost nothing (think a light t-shirt and shorts or whatever you'll go climbing in if we get summer this year) and when you're wearing a bazillion layers (e.g. t-shirt / fleece / waterproof for when climbing in "summer" in Wales).
Next, consider what you're going to use it for. For trad, more gear loops are a definite plus (my first harness had four, which was OK, but not quite enough), whereas for sport you can probably get away with one or two, and probably even fewer for indoor-only climbing. Equally, if you only want to climb indoor, you can probably save some weight and some £££ by picking a harness with fewer loops, and won't need to bother with leg loops with clips (sort of an outdoors-only need)...
ETA: oh, you get unisex, male, and female harnesses. They tend to vary in size, colour, and the relative dimensions; I'd only really worry about finding one that fits...
Re: Yay, gear :-)
I've been eyeing the DMM Viper as one to try on -- it seems to be the cheaper/more basic version of the Renegade, and looks like something that'd work fine for indoors but wouldn't rule out beginning outdoor trad ventures if I get lured out onto any rocks taller than my usual.
Re: Yay, gear :-)
darktrad side - we havecookiesbetter toys :-)Re: Yay, gear :-)
Re: Yay, gear :-)
Apparently I need the longer "rise" in the female version to prevent the leg loops from ending up in my crotch.