The 4 Best Harnesses For Sport Climbing – Plus Buying Guide

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Are you looking for a replacement for your worn out old harness? Or do you as a beginner want to find the right harness for sport climbing? 

When choosing a suitable climbing harness, you can choose between a complete climbing harness and a hip harness. For sport climbing, a simple climbing harness with low padding and few material loops is normally sufficient. 

Since sport climbing is primarily a sport where you can let off steam on the climbing wall in the gym, you should decide on the right harness.

Depending on the harness, there can be different advantages and disadvantages. When climbing, you must feel absolutely safe right from the start. That’s why the type, adjustability and fit of the harness are so important in sports climbing. The climbing rope and the karabiner are attached to the harness. In this way, a possible fall can be safely absorbed. A good harness for sport climbing is also characterized by the fact that it guarantees you optimum freedom of movement.

Before we go into detail, the 4 best climbing harnesses for sports climbers are listed here:

The 4 Best Climbing Harness Models for Sport Climbing

With the climbing harnesses for sport climbing, every gram is meticulously taken into account. Of course, the combination of weight, safety and comfort also plays a major role in sports climbing harnesses. 

The primary concern with a sports harness is that the harness is comfortable to secure and hook in. In all likelihood, you won’t have to make too many settings when climbing sports. Very special belts have been developed for indoor and sports climbing.

As a sports climber, you climb in the gym, where fixed screws are already attached to the wall. This way you are secured from above when climbing on the wall. That’s why you don’t need any additional equipment on your harness. 

The most important factors for you when choosing a belt are therefore safety and comfort. In the following you will find 4 sport climbing harnesses, which you can be absolutely sure will do you good service on the climbing wall.

Black Diamond Zone

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The Zone from Black Diamond* is suitable for men. 

The equipment of the padded climbing harness consists of four material loops and a buckle. The weight of the Zone climbing harness from Black Diamond is only 307 grams. 

In this model, all upholstery and straps are ergonomically shaped. This guarantees you perfect comfort when indoor climbing.

Petzl Hirundos

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The lightweight and comfortable climbing harness Petzl Hirundos* is ideal for performance-oriented sport climbing. 

The construction of this men’s belt corresponds to a seat belt. Four material loops and a buckle belong to the equipment of this model. 

The light weight (280 grams), the red color and the simple, slim design characterize the belt Petzl Hirundos.

Black Diamond Solution

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The Black Diamond Solution* is very suitable for sport climbing. The padding in the area of the leg loops and waist of the Black Diamond Solution allows you to comfortably secure and hang on the wall. 

The climbing harness from the manufacturer Black Diamond is very light, super packable and also available at an affordable price. 

To ensure that the pressure against the hips, back and thighs is distributed correctly, the manufacturer uses three very thin belt strips (Fusion Comfort Construction) in the construction of this model. These are distributed through the leg loops and hip belt. This gives you a very comfortable harness.

Petzl Sama

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The Petzl Sama* from the manufacturer Petzl is a comfortable and at the same time simple climbing harness, which you can use in any of your sport climbing activities. 

The equipment of the seat belt consists of four material loops and a buckle. The four material loops allow you to transport enough material for your protection. 

The connecting straps and elastic leg loops of this Petzl model offer you maximum freedom of movement even with complicated movements. The weight of this climbing harness is between 385 and 475 grams, depending on the size.

Basic Requirements for a Good Harness for Sport Climbing

The best climbing harnesses for sport climbing are equipped with strict safety standards. This guarantees you adequate protection in every climbing position, so that you will not be injured dangerously in the event of a fall. The harnesses used for indoor climbing must not be too tight. You should also check your harness regularly for signs of wear.

Except for bouldering, harnesses are used for all types of climbing. When deciding which sports climbing harness to buy, the most important functions of the harness have to be determined first and foremost. There are also climbing harnesses on the market, which you could theoretically use for all types of climbing.

However, as a rule, the harnesses are designed in such a way that different harnesses are more suitable for specific styles, and some harnesses are optimal for a specific climbing style. Therefore you should consider certain purchase criteria so that you find the best possible climbing harness for sports climbing right away.

Related article: The Different Types of Climbing Harnesses 👉 Complete Guide

The 3 Climbing Harness Types

Complete or Full Body Harness

This type of belt combines the chest belt and the hip belt. You can use the complete harness in climbing sport for via ferrata or alpine climbing. As far as sport climbing is concerned, you normally don’t need a complete harness.

Chest Strap

The chest is almost always worn in combination with a hip belt. Such a belt prevents you from turning on your head in a fall. This type of harness is also best suited for backpack climbing (alpine climbing). As a sports climber, you can do without this type of harness both as a beginner and as an advanced climber.

Waist Belt

To be able to climb a wall safely and comfortably, a hip belt is all you need. This is suitable for all climbing disciplines. 

Seen this way, the hip belt is an all-rounder. In sports climbing, the hip belt scores particularly highly because it is designed to be fairly simple. The model is also very light and the belt is equipped with a low padding and relatively few material loops. 

As a common harness, the hip belt has established itself with a large majority of climbing enthusiasts. As far as the field of application is concerned, you are well served with a hip belt when climbing in the hall.

The Function and Structure of a Climbing Harness

In addition to the physical challenge and the fun of climbing, the topic of securing or belaying is also an extremely important aspect. For this reason, a comfortable climbing harness is essential. The loops of the harness enclose your hip area as well as the area of your legs.

If contact with the climbing surface is lost at times, you will have the necessary support thanks to the climbing harness. Also the carrying comfort is not to be ignored with the choice of the suitable climbing harness. 

You always hang upright when you’re climbing. Due to the padded hip loop and the two leg loops, your position in the belt is painless and completely stable. The climbing harness is not without reason one of the most important components of climbing equipment. Because a harness not only catches you in the event of a possible fall, it also prevents you from getting pressure points or bruises when climbing on the climbing wall in the hall.

A good and safe climbing harness consists of strong and highly resilient belt material. 

As the most important seams on the belt, the tape material must be able to withstand great forces. The climbing harness is wider exactly where the forces are exerted and is often provided with wide padding. In this way, the desired even load distribution is achieved and you are spared from cutting into the surface of your body.

Important Buying Criteria for Climbing Harnesses for Sports Climbers

As a sports climber, a climbing harness suitable for you is part of your basic equipment. Therefore you should pay attention to a few things when making your choice. 

Climbing harnesses are often saviors in times of need. Hip belts are primarily suitable for sport climbing. They are true all-rounders and since every human being is built differently by nature, your personal anatomical and physiological characteristics are of decisive importance for the best possible and at the same time individual selection of a sports climbing harness. 

The textile layers are applied differently, but the harness system should be firmly attached to your body. The following aspects should be considered when choosing a sport climbing harness:

  • Choose the harness system suitable for sport climbing.
  • Pay attention to the material properties, in particular, the wear resistance and the stability of the belt.
  • The distribution of forces plays a role as this is the only way to guarantee you optimum wearing comfort.
  • The functionality of the harness is not the decisive aspect in sport climbing.
  • The size of the climbing harness is important, it should sit optimally when climbing. The hip belt should always lie over your pelvic bone so that you cannot slip through the belt in the event of a fall.
  • Before you buy, you should make sure that the climbing harness for your sport climbing really meets the safety standards.

Freedom of Movement

Sport climbing focuses on both mobility and freedom of movement. Since you rarely hang freely from the wall when climbing, comfortable and extensive padding is not necessary when using a climbing harness. 

Rather, it is of great relevance to make the right adjustment. This is the only way to avoid constrictions that have a negative effect on the painless and stable position during climbing.

The roping point on the hip belt is approximately where the height of your body’s center of gravity is. In this way, you can hang quite comfortably in the rope with slightly tense abdominal muscles, as long as it is necessary. 

Therefore, advanced and experienced sports climbers limit themselves to wearing a rather lighter hip belt. As a beginner, it may also be appropriate to choose a complete harness for the sport climbing discipline. If you lose your grip on the wall, the force distribution of the harness ensures that you hang from the rope in an upright position and not upside down.

The Fit and Size are Decisive for a Sport Climbing Harness

You can wear the harness depending on your body type either on your hips or at your waist. All that matters is that you feel comfortable with it. The size and fit of a climbing harness are important criteria for this. You can tighten the hip belt tight. 

But it should still be so loose that you can easily put one or two fingers between the harness and yourself. Only a well-fitting sports climbing harness ensures that the material sleep and the safety loop are centered. 

If the harness fits you well, it will always keep you balanced and upright, regardless of whether you are hanging from the climbing wall or falling.

Weight and Comfort of the Harness

If you mainly climb sports routes, then the weight of the harness is no problem compared to all the other features such as fit and comfort. 

In the climbing gym, the weight of a climbing harness only makes a negligible difference. In terms of your climbing performance, you should, therefore, consider the weight of the harness as secondary.

There are three types of comfort in climbing harnesses. A distinction is made between safety comfort, standing comfort and hanging comfort. 

These three aspects are extremely important because together they account for around 70 percent of the final result of a harness.

If you use the harness correctly, you don’t have to worry about the safety of the harness. But how comfortable the harness is can vary drastically when it comes to the feeling when hanging on the wall. 

Do Harnesses have to be Cleaned and Maintained?

No matter where you climb, in the gym or in the great outdoors: to ensure that you are always perfectly secured, it is important for maximum safety that you maintain your harness regularly and clean it properly if necessary.

Since dirt inevitably accumulates during intensive use, regular cleaning of the belt is unavoidable. 

A dirty climbing harness is also anything but hygienic or aesthetic. However, the dirt does not impair the function of the climbing harness as much as possible.

When cleaning, it is important that you only wash the climbing harness with a special cleaning agent and water. You can clean the belt by washing machine or by hand. 

You will often find the recommendation for a suitable harness in the operating instructions. The manufacturer himself can provide you with the best tips and information regarding the ideal cleaning agent.

In order not to reduce the durability of your harness unnecessarily, it is advisable to make sure that the manufacturer allows the harness to be washed in the washing machine. The washing temperature should not exceed 30 degrees Celsius in most cases.

It is also advisable not to put your harness in the machine with other clothes. Put your belt in a laundry basket. After washing, it is important that you allow the belt to dry naturally in the air before using it again. Climbing harnesses with nylon are not made to let them dry directly in the sun. This is because UV radiation can have a lasting harmful effect on nylon.

A high-quality sports climbing harness can cost a lot of money. That’s why it’s worth it for you to handle the harness carefully. In this way you can actively contribute to extending the durability of your harness. 

Over the years, you should pay attention to the material of your harness and the signs of aging. Safe is safe! This means: Don’t be content with simply cutting off the protruding fibres with scissors all the time. If necessary, replacing the harness is the only way to ensure that you can continue to enjoy sport climbing in the future.

Which Factors are Important for the Durability of a Climbing Harness?

The average service life of a climbing harness is five years. However, this is only a guide value. It is therefore advisable to check the climbing harness at regular intervals, first and foremost, of course, to ensure that it is working properly. You should always keep the following points in mind:

Intensity of Use

If you fall frequently and deeply when climbing on the wall, it is advisable to change the harness every year. If this is not the case, you can usually use the belt for several years without hesitation.

Wear & Tear

Check the cuts and cracks, especially at the rope points on the harness. These places wear out normally the fastest. A sign to change the belt is also the strong material abrasion. 

Some manufacturers, such as Petzl, offer the service of coloured core fibres. If they become visible, this signals the premature end of your harness.

Lifespan

If you use the belt only rarely, it will last longer. Which doesn’t mean that you can use a dusty climbing harness forever. After the expiration date, a little used harness must also be replaced for safety reasons.

Most manufacturers give you an approximate lifespan for each of their climbing products. You as a consumer can easily orientate yourself on these details. In many cases, the lifespan is five years. Even rarely used climbing harnesses should be disposed of after seven years at the latest.

Other Influences

Wind and weather attack the harness material over time. If you mainly climb in the climbing gym, the weather influences are of course irrelevant. Nevertheless, you can protect your harness well by storing it properly. For this reason, harness manufacturers normally also supply a bag for adequate storage.            

Related article: How to Choose the Right Rock Climbing Harness?


Attention: You have to take care of your safety when climbing! The information on climbtheearth.com only helps you to learn. Before you climb, you should make sure that you have been properly instructed by an expert and that you follow all safety precautions.

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