Kids Treestand Harness Options

[jweb]

Looking to see what everyone has used or felt comfortable with, if any, as far as a kids treestand harness goes.

I’ve got a 4 y/o that is all about hunting and we already have the ground blind option. Most of the harnesses I see available are going to be too large for his size and I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him in a tree.

Anyone had any success finding one for the younger kids?

 

[Bissmatt87]

Try to find a kids rock climbing harness that will fit.

 

[Kindo]

Try to find a kids rock climbing harness that will fit.

This is what I did when my kids were little and we struggled to find something to fit them. Once they turned 8-9, I think I got them a Muddy harness that has worked well.

 

[Bissmatt87]

This is what I did when my kids were little and we struggled to find something to fit them. Once they turned 8-9, I think I got them a Muddy harness that has worked well.

I still use a rock climbing harness. Much safer in my opinion. And if you do unfortunately fall, it is much better to be facing the tree when you need to recover.

 

[Nine Banger]

Amazon.com

Amazon.com

Junior Harness - Trango

Trango Junior Harness | Our Junior Harness is made of supple nylon and comes with adjustable leg padding for increased comfort.

trango.com

 

[Nine Banger]

 

[jweb]

This is what I did when my kids were little and we struggled to find something to fit them. Once they turned 8-9, I think I got them a Muddy harness that has worked well.

Did you have luck with anything between that “little” size of the kiddos and the youth harnesses available in a climbing harness? I realized it’s an awkward body type to fit after taking some measurements

 

[spike camp]

Hunter Safety Systems, they make a lot of versions that are lightweight and reliable.

Does HSS make harnesses for 4yo’s?

 

[Rich M]

I hunt with a fireman and all he uses is rock climbing/saddle style harnesses - says it is better than the full body hunting harness.

 

[ODB]

I hunt with a fireman and all he uses is rock climbing/saddle style harnesses - says it is better than the full body hunting harness.

For an actual fall nothing will be better than a full-body harness (legs, too) as it will not only distribute the fall forces better but also keep you upright. That is a specific test described by ANSI for fall protection harnesses. They must remain at a certain angle after a drop to be compliant.

A harness for a 4yo will be tricky. That little one above looks interesting.

In any case make sure the lanyard you are attached to is as short as possible to prevent an actual drop. Forces spike very quickly with no shock absorbing component.


One more thing, if you do get a full body harness, make sure your dorsal D-ring is high between the shoulder blades, dont let it slip downward

 

[Kindo]

Did you have luck with anything between that “little” size of the kiddos and the youth harnesses available in a climbing harness? I realized it’s an awkward body type to fit after taking some measurements

Yeah, I had found some youth full body climbing harnesses that worked great. It was basically just a mini-version of what I wear without the latches etc. I’ll have to see if I still have them but I think I gave them away.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Try to find a kids rock climbing harness that will fit.

This
Look at petzl,they have some that should work.
I use a petzl gym/pandion that’s simple and secure.

 

[JAshley73]

I know this is an older post, but perhaps I can offer another recommendation.


Before I go much farther - If you're anticipating the possibility of a fall, most certainly make sure that you'll be using a dynamic rope, as opposed to the more common static (climbing) ropes. If you're unsure, just ask and we can discuss later...


Regarding harnesses - Rock-climbing harnesses may work, but I would certainly fit-test them first...

The Petzl "Ousti" (pronounced Wee-stee?) is a harness purpose-made for kids. It's probably the best "safest" option, though I can't confirm it's fit on your son...

Petzl Ouistiti Kids Full Body Harness

Petzl OUISTITI Kids Full Body Harness Full body climbing harness for children less than 30 kg Designed for children weighing less than 30 kg, the OUISTITI harness is especially easy to put on and adjust. It does not require a connector to be fastened, and the adjustment system is difficult for a...

www.innermountainoutfitters.com

There seems to be a comparable option from Edelrid as well.

Edelrid Fraggle III Full Body Harness

Edelrid Fraggle III Full Body Harness With this padded full body harness even young climbers and little mountaineers weighing up to 40 kg can enjoy a scramble. The stiff construction with the fixed leg loops makes putting the harness on much easier, and thanks to the two Slide Block buckles, the...

www.innermountainoutfitters.com

I CAN confirm that the MTDE Club-Caving harness is nearly infinitely-adjustable. I had my son in one of these at 6, and it would still adjust down smaller. It does require a semi-circular "D-ring" for closure. If you went this route, I would also pair with a chest-harness too, though it doesn't need to be substantial.

MTDE Club Caving Harness

Club Caving Harness: MTDE is hailed as the premier manufacturer of caving harnesses as well as other gear. The Club is their ultralight cave harness.

www.innermountainoutfitters.com

I am not affiliated with IMO, other than being a happy customer. The owner has young kids that he takes vertical caving & rapelling, so he would be a good resource regarding kids' harnesses.

 

[Nine Banger]

I know this is an older post, but perhaps I can offer another recommendation.

Timely for me.

I had my kids try on theirs before I put them up for the season. They are getting awkward due to growth.

We used Trango Junior harnesses from 3-9 (apparently) but they aren't on amazon anymore.

 

[Nine Banger]

Timely for me.

I had my kids try on theirs before I put them up for the season. They are getting awkward due to growth.

We used Trango Junior harnesses from 3-9 (apparently) but they aren't on amazon anymore.

I wouldn't be surprised if they discontinued the Trango one or pulled it because the top straps are tricky to situate and coming out of the harness on a hard fall upside down doesn't seem out of the question. It's was highly recommended at the time but always seemed tricky.

 

[JAshley73]

Timely for me.

I had my kids try on theirs before I put them up for the season. They are getting awkward due to growth.

We used Trango Junior harnesses from 3-9 (apparently) but they aren't on amazon anymore.

May I ask how old they are now?

I want to be clear for fear of mis-leading folks - My "vertical" experience revolves around vertical caving. The harnesses are unique in that the closure is very low - as close to the groin as possible. This means that when we're climbing (the rope) we can get our ascenders far apart, and take bigger "steps" up the rope, and this lets us climb more efficiently. (BTW - Our caving harnesses have the advantage, that they are very simple - and don't have much in the way of "extra" items that become confusion.)


With that out of the way - I can recommend that MTDE harness, because it is infinitely adjustable. Since we're discussing fall-protection, I would absolutely pair that harness with a chest harness, or at least a strap around the neck, or shoulders. We wear these with a "chest harness" whose main purpose is to hold our chest ascender upright.

For a child however, the chest harness would help keep the waist-belt up above the hip-bones, and help keep them from "sliding out" of the harness if they became inverted during/after the fall.



In all honesty, I'd probably pick a rock-climbing harness before the caving harness. They usually have the waist-belt sit higher on the climber - moreso around the natural waist. I would still pair this with a chest-harness for the same reason.

I guess in summary, I might consider...
-Youngest/smallest kids - Full body harness
-A little bigger - Kid's rock-climbing harness
-Harnesses that you've tried don't seem to fit well... - MTDE Club-Caving Harness (+ Petzl Omni or similar, for closure)

 

[JAshley73]

I will apologize up front if any of this below is redundant for you folks. If you're already familiar with dynamic-ropes and releasable-hitches, then skip, or treat this as a refresher...



Since we're discussing falls & fall-protection, It must be said that folks should have an understanding of the importance of "dynamic" ropes, which are designed to stretch, and thus offer some shock-absorption. Us Cavers, and Arborists don't use these - we use stiff "Static" ropes that don't stretch, so that we can climb them easier.

Rock climbers use dynamic ropes, as they're typically climbing the rock, and they plan on taking falls onto the rope at some point. This is what you want to be looking for. Since you're talking about using these in trees, and I presume you're using a stick-climbing system, I wouldn't geek-out too much on choosing a dynamic rope. Go to HowNot2.com and buy some by-the-foot.



...But before you do, you need to think about what you'll do AFTER they fall... There's no use in catching your child (or yourself) with a rope, if you have no plan after that, than just dangling there until a hungry bear comes along...

Lookup releasable hitches - Munter hitch would be my recommendation - and practice using it. Make sure that you bought & brought a long enough section of rope, that you can lower that person to the ground. Having to cut them free won't help a whole lot... After all, it's not the fall, it's the landing that'll get ya'...

Climb safe.