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Different Types Of Climbing Harnesses

By Matt GerholdLast update: 2023-08-18

No matter what type of sport it is, safety is important when participating in outdoor activities if they are potentially dangerous. Mountain climbing is no exception, as climbers have to go through some difficult techniques at certain heights. Therefore, investing in a safe and suitable device is something that all climbers should buy as a harness.

Almost all harnesses on the market are not the same, even though they are designed to meet safety standards for climbing. Besides, the seat belts are suitable when you use it according to your purpose. Furthermore, several types of harnesses are designed for different applications and industries. Note when buying you need to understand what your purpose is.

On the other hand, the climbing belts are an important piece of equipment that connects the rope to the climber's body. Without a harness, you might have any difficulty climbing the mountain.

For better understanding, we would like to define a climbing harness as an essential piece of equipment used in climbing activities and to assist your techniques to avoid any difficulty in doing so. In addition, most of the climbing belts you choose should need to know the parts and features of the vines. However, for long-term use, appropriate maintenance is also required to ensure the quality of the climbing vines. Priority is given to traditional cushioned belts for personal use.

1. Seat climbing harnesses

Different Types Of Climbing Harnesses

For all types of climbing, use tools to aid the climbing process, which are usually full-body tools. Regardless of the type of mountaineering such as sport climbing, ice climbing, high altitude routes, rock climbing, ski climbing. Equipped with a safety seat climbing harness gives you freedom of movement and a high level of safety without heavy loads. Besides this, this cord has plenty of adjustment seats and provides up to eight gears for the gear. And they offer the comfort of hanging from the cliffs, which can carry load onto your upper thigh if you fall.

However, this type of rope is not suitable for everyone because each person has a different weight, so children or heavier climbers should wear a bra or full body harness. Almost, the weight is concentrated on the hips so thanks to the support belts will reduce the tension of the body, only use seat belts. The seat climbing harnesses can protect your back in the correct position and freely move on high, along with the light weight, small size brings a sense of comfort for the climber. On the contrary, they can slip if the hips are not in proportion, easily dangerous in the event of an upside-down fall. In particular, they require a stable body weight, which is not ideal when carrying a backpack.

2. Chest climbing harnesses

Different Types Of Climbing Harnesses

As mentioned above, the chest climbing harnesses are used in conjunction with seat climbing harnesses. Climbers have hips that are too small, like children, or heavy for adults. In the event of an upside-down fall, the seat climbing harness worn without the later chest climbing harness, can be removed from the climber immediately. Almost safety harnesses do not provide adequate protection for hikers if they do not have enough body tension.

Answers to the question Why do two ropes always go together because hanging the chest climbing harness can be dangerous and lead to a hangar injury. Mountain-climbing photographers or those who spend a lot of time hanging from their rucksack are often fitted with seat belt straps.

They will help you distribute the load of the body well and the upright posture is less muscle tension and reduces the tension on the main muscles to avoid more fatigue. Most often you will find a chest climbing harness attached to the seat harness by straps or worn directly over the chest harness.

On the good side they are very comfortable to hang when combined with a seat harness, limit curvature and are not dangerous in an upside-down case, reducing stress when hanging with a backpack. But they need to remove seat ropes and limit aerial movement much.

3. Gym climbing harnesses

Different Types Of Climbing Harnesses

Gym harnesses are popularly used for training sessions. They are also harnesses that early climbers choose because of the essential features that the harness needs, as they are also very cheap to market, so they are often included in introductory climbing courses and programs. And usually designed one size and made of nylon fabric with no padding so it is very uncomfortable to use.

4. Full body climbing harnesses

This is a combination of the seat harness and chest harness. Additionally, these one-piece harnesses have the edge in handling and offer plenty of tuning possibilities. And they also don't need a carry to connect the bra to the seat belt.

On the other hand, the full body harness is easy to adjust for people of all different shapes and sizes. Thanks to this feature they are quite common in places with high ropes or adventure parks. Besides, they also provide higher grip points, helping to reduce the risk of a climber overturning when falling. In particular, support the climber in the upright position.

However, the full body harness is heavy and the package size is large so it is relatively heavier than the normal harness and takes up a large amount of space in the backpack. And less freedom of movement.

5. Sport climbing harnesses

  • Standard sport climbing harness

Different Types Of Climbing Harnesses

Nearly all sport belts are designed to come with a belt buckle or 2 or 4 gear rings and a vacuum strap to adjust them. In general, sports harnesses are ideal for all levels for climbers, or gym sessions and cliff games.

  • Sport climbing harness with two waist belt buckles

Different Types Of Climbing Harnesses

In addition to a one-belt sports harness, we'd like to mention the one that has two waist belts and is very suitable for hiking in a hot and humid area. On the other hand, if the climates are cold you will better understand why you have to use a belt with two waist buckle belts. Because most climbers will wear thick layers of clothing when climbing in cold climates. And the thing to do is loosen the outer harness because loosening the harness with a belt buckle will cause the belt to deflect and the gears out of position. The use of a sports climbing harness with two waist belts allows climbers to loosen the harness with both the left and right buckles to maintain the waist belt in the center of the harness when wearing thick clothing.

  • Big wall climbing harness

Different Types Of Climbing Harnesses

For adventure travel, you have to swing over the cliffs for hours, sometimes also need a little rest before continuing the trip. From there, climbers need a well-cushioned and comfortable harness. In addition, the waistband and the waistband should be adjusted appropriately to be suitable for clothes with cold climates. Plus, for large walls, you also need to add gear rings. Usually the harnesses are designed with 6-7 rings of gear for large walls to help climbers carry additional items.

  • Lightweight sport climbing harness

Almost all climbers want to choose a harness that is as lightweight as possible, so the manufacturers are constantly upgrading and researching the materials that make it up. The ultra-light and thin material used to make the harness can weigh 300 grams. However, the lightweight harness is designed with a lightweight cushion making it uncomfortable to wear on long hikes or high-motion routes.

  • Sport climbing harness with adjustable leg loops

Different Types Of Climbing Harnesses

The sport climbing harness with adjustable leg loops allow you to adjust the tightening or loosening of your leg depending on the climber. If in cold climates, thick clothing should be worn, thanks to the adjustable leg harness.

Most notably, the leg harness can remove the leg ring, without the need for you to remove the harness, and we also need to completely remove the leg ring when we need to change our underwear or when we go to the toilet on the gate. information.

Conclusion

For climbing beginners, a sport climbing harness is suitable for climbing in the gym or on a day off the cliff. But once you switch to outdoor climbing activities, you should invest in yourself and your safety a more specialized harness.

"I'm Matt, love travelling, sports especially climbing. The more I climb, the more resilient I am, that's not only apply for my hobbies but also true for everything in my life. I'd love to be here, a part of Gearinstant to share my experience, guides, tips and especially any gears that work for you."


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