Rock climbing style harness

[Tegr0429]

Does anyone here run a rock climbing style harness over the full body harness for tree stand hunting?

If so, which brand of harness do you suggest?

 

[TSAMP]

L

Post in thread 'RC harnesses vs traditional safety harness'

Jul 7, 2023

Id find a saddle vs a RC harness. i still use a saddle every time i go up a tree, but not "saddle hunted" in two years.

• loganwayne

 

[johnw3474]

The problem with most rock climbing harnesses is they don't have lineman's belt loops. You have to step up to the professional work harnesses and those are expensive, bulky and usually have a lot of metal. I use a petzl rc harness, don't know the model, and then I fashioned linesman's loop with a sewn loop runner by running it through the top of the harness like a belt with the loops sticking out on either end. When I get to climbing height I clip into the bridge and run the tether under my strong side arm. I never liked using a climber or getting into a lock on with a traditional safety harness tether combing across my neck when climbing. I'm sure this voids any chance of my wife getting to win a wrongful death law suit if something fails, but it works for me and everything is with in quoted specs should I fall. I have tried using a saddle, but my saddle doesn't have leg loops, so I was a little nervous if something failed while I was sitting in a climber or lock on that it wouldn't do its job.
Petzl and black diamond are where I would look first, but lots of brands out there.

 

[LostArra]

I would quit hunting from tree stands if I had to go back to a full body harness.

I've got a couple of Petzl harnesses and use a Beal Dynaclip

 

[Mountain_Life]

I used a rock climbing harness for tree stand hunting for probably a decade. Recently switched to a small tree saddle that I use as a harness in my tree stand. I can't imagine trying to hunt with a full body harness, I think I'd rather sleep in a life jacket.

 

[Rich M]

I have one. Fireman buddy told me what to get and the safety rope ties to front. None of this trying to reach up and behind you in a time of stress - you end up facing tree and able to help yerself.

Bottom line - get whatever you feel best having. The odds are against needing/using one and anything you actually use is better than nothing.

 

[Macintosh]

Theres a couple new rock climbing style harnesses made specifically for hunting, that have linemans belt loops. I would get one of those. Cant remember who makes it, saw one that was about $50 and far lighter than the dryad ones—thats what I would personally get. This coming from a guy with more climbing harnesses than guns.

 

[Long Cut]

Safe Tech All Around | Metolius Climbing

Safe Tech All Around is a great multi-use climbing harness.

www.metoliusclimbing.com

These guys USED to make RC harnesses with +10KN rated loops on everything. I still have mine but it’s old.
They no longer claim that, probably for liability reasons. One of the best harnesses I have ever used. I wish they kept offering “life safety ratings” on everything gear loop.

 

[JCMCUBIC]

Theres a couple new rock climbing style harnesses made specifically for hunting, that have linemans belt loops. I would get one of those. Cant remember who makes it, saw one that was about $50 and far lighter than the dryad ones—thats what I would personally get. This coming from a guy with more climbing harnesses than guns.

It's the XOP Holiday and has lineman loops. I used one last season and for a tree stand they are great. No way I'd go back to a full body harness. If you're "hybrid" hunting they aren't comfortable to "sit" in (like a saddle) but if you're standing or seated on a seat, it's good to go. I repelled using it most days. It's a simple, light, and well designed minimalist harness.

THE HOLIDAY

Ultralight hybrid harness built for performance A necessity for hunters who insist on a harness with an excellent weight-to-comfort ratio! THE HOLIDAY is a harness built for hybrid hunting. The wide, comfortable waist belt is ideal for all body types and adjustable leg loops adapt to clothing...

xopoutdoors.com

 

[Macintosh]

Yep, thats the one—thanks!

 

[johnw3474]

It's the XOP Holiday and has lineman loops. I used one last season and for a tree stand they are great. No way I'd go back to a full body harness. If you're "hybrid" hunting they aren't comfortable to "sit" in (like a saddle) but if you're standing or seated on a seat, it's good to go. I repelled using it most days. It's a simple, light, and well designed minimalist harness.

THE HOLIDAY

Ultralight hybrid harness built for performance A necessity for hunters who insist on a harness with an excellent weight-to-comfort ratio! THE HOLIDAY is a harness built for hybrid hunting. The wide, comfortable waist belt is ideal for all body types and adjustable leg loops adapt to clothing...

xopoutdoors.com

This looks like the ideal candidate. Thanks for posting that. Right price, right features, nothing gimmicky... I like it.

 

[Macintosh]

Safe Tech All Around | Metolius Climbing

Safe Tech All Around is a great multi-use climbing harness.

www.metoliusclimbing.com

These guys USED to make RC harnesses with +10KN rated loops on everything. I still have mine but it’s old.
They no longer claim that, probably for liability reasons. One of the best harnesses I have ever used. I wish they kept offering “life safety ratings” on everything gear loop.

Its because the direction of pull has everything to do with how strong those loops are, and even if they were 10kn it was always possible to pull them in a funky direction and cut that stated strength down by a huge amount. When we tested them those gear loops wouldn't hold nearly that amount if you pulled straight out, for instance. Theres a very big reason that no other company does this—its downright dangerous to rely on it because despite the rating they were never designed to be “used” as a weight bearing part of the harness, yet people were very much relying on it just as you are describing to do stuff the harness was never made for. Since we have tailor made options now those would by far be my choice.

 

[pirogue]

Have used a Black Diamond RC harness for years. I cut the linesman loops off of mine. I want lightweight, minimal bulk, and nothing sticking out to catch things going through the woods, etc. I’m going up a tree to hunt, not be a mechanic, have stuff clanging around, banging off the seats, interfere with the safetly line, etc

 

[shwacker]

I've never been in a tree with a harness and have no idea what a lineman's loop is (far too lazy to google), but I've used climbing harnesses a lot and I think there are good reasons that other kinds of safety harnesses clip from the back and are full body. You can pretty easily rig up a chest harness but if you're only using it for hunting or roofing, I'd buy one that is purpose made. Absolutely not worth cracking my head open over.

 

[Macintosh]

I've never been in a tree with a harness and have no idea what a lineman's loop is (far too lazy to google),

Ok, the transparency is helpful to put it in perspective. Do you think having a nuanced knowledge of how this stuff is actually used in a tree, as opposed to for climbing or roofing, might help understand some of the +’s and -‘s of each type of harness?

but I've used climbing harnesses a lot and I think there are good reasons that other kinds of safety harnesses clip from the back and are full body. You can pretty easily rig up a chest harness but if you're only using it for hunting or roofing, I'd buy one that is purpose made. Absolutely not worth cracking my head open over.

What are the reasons? And, why do you think a sit harness made specifically for tree stand hunting is more likely to result in cracking your head open? Even if it was, do you think the difference is enough, or likely-enough, to matter? And would you be open to also balancing other factors if your use meant the sit harness had other notable advantages?

 

[JCMCUBIC]

Have used a Black Diamond RC harness for years. I cut the linesman loops off of mine. I want lightweight, minimal bulk, and nothing sticking out to catch things going through the woods, etc. I’m going up a tree to hunt, not be a mechanic, have stuff clanging around, banging off the seats, interfere with the safetly line, etc

Linesman loops are a requirement for me.

 

[kpk]

It's the XOP Holiday and has lineman loops. I used one last season and for a tree stand they are great. No way I'd go back to a full body harness. If you're "hybrid" hunting they aren't comfortable to "sit" in (like a saddle) but if you're standing or seated on a seat, it's good to go. I repelled using it most days. It's a simple, light, and well designed minimalist harness.

THE HOLIDAY

Ultralight hybrid harness built for performance A necessity for hunters who insist on a harness with an excellent weight-to-comfort ratio! THE HOLIDAY is a harness built for hybrid hunting. The wide, comfortable waist belt is ideal for all body types and adjustable leg loops adapt to clothing...

xopoutdoors.com

I came here to recommend this even though I've been using a Black Diamond for years. The XOP in M/L has been out of stock since last summer/fall? It's now in stock, and I actually managed to get one ordered so if you're looking for something like this I'd jump on it now.

The Holiday has clips on the leg straps which most of the RC harnesses don't and with linemans loops for 60 bucks it's a no brainer IMO.

 

[Macintosh]

Linesman loops are a requirement for me.

Agree, but I think there may be some confusion between linesman loops versus gear loops. I am not aware of a BD harness that has ever had linesman loops. Agree that most gear loops are more in the way then they are a benefit for tree stand hunting; also agree 100% that linesmans loops are a must-have for me.

 

[pirogue]

Agree, but I think there may be some confusion between linesman loops versus gear loops. I am not aware of a BD harness that has ever had linesman loops. Agree that most gear loops are more in the way then they are a benefit for tree stand hunting; also agree 100% that linesmans loops are a must-have for me.

Maybe it was the gear loops I cut off, instead of mistakenly saying I cut off the linesman loops. I have a linesman belt that I use with a Klein positioning strap, so don’t want them on my RC harness. More of a, “use the right tool for the job”, I guess.

 

[SnapT]

Dryad Killdeer . diched my harness and didnt look back .

KillDeer

— Choice of G-Hook or Premium leg straps — 18kN COBRA® buckle by AUSTRIALPIN™ — 6,000 lb rated Waist Belt Webbing — 4,000 lb rated Tubular Nylon Lineman Loops — Kit includes Leg Strap Enforcers Made…

dryadsaddles.com