Climbing is proving more popular than ever - with five million people heading to Britain’s climbing walls annually to get to grips (literally) with the sport.
Whether you’re brand new to climbing or are an experienced mountaineer, one absolutely essential bit of kit for roped climbs is a reliable and comfortable climbing harness. While you can rent these from climbing centres, it’s a good idea to own one if you’re getting serious about climbing – that way you can make sure you get the perfect fit and invest in something safe and long-lasting.
How do I buy a climbing harness?
When buying a climbing harness, you’re looking for safety, comfort and fit. Start by choosing a harness designed for your climbing style, whether that’s sport, trad or Alpine climbing. Then check that it fits well – it’s best to do this in person at a dedicated climbing store. A wide, lightweight waist belt should be easy to cinch tight over your hips, fitting snugly but still allowing you a full range of motion, and leg loops should feel comfortable, with no digging in. Some climbing stores will allow you to hang off a rope in a potential new harness.
What features should I look out for?
Once you’ve chosen a harness suitable for your type of climbing and checked it fits well, look out for some essential features. A good harness should have adjustable or elasticated leg loops (the former are better for wearing over trousers or waterproofs) and a well-padded waist belt for comfort during long climbs. At least four gear loops will let you hang gear and a belay device from your harness, while a small ‘haul’ loop at the back is designed for a second rope or carrying a chalk bag and other accessories. A light weight makes wearing a harness more comfortable, and mesh built into the fabric is good for wicking away sweat on hot summer days.
Do I need a gender-specific harness?
No, you don't necessarily need a gender-specific climbing harness, but they can offer benefits in terms of comfort and fit as men's and women's harnesses are designed to accommodate different body shapes. Women's harnesses typically have a longer rise (the distance between waist and leg loops), narrower waist belts, and wider leg loops to fit the female anatomy.
If you’re a petite woman, a female harness is likely to fit you best, but otherwise, many unisex harnesses provide adjustable features that work for most climbers. The key is to find a harness that fits snugly and comfortably around your waist and legs, regardless of its gender designation, ensuring freedom of movement and safety during climbs.
How we tested
We tried out these harnesses on male and female climbers on indoor routes and looked for comfort, sturdy build quality and easily adjustable straps.
Shop the best climbing harnesses below
Petzl Luna
If you’re after a female-specific harness, you may get on very well with the Petzl Luna. This versatile design has adjustable leg loops so it can be popped over mountaineering clothing and is suitable for trad, sport and ice climbing, so if you’re into both sport climbing and mountaineering, the Luna will keep up with your adventures.
The wide, padded waist belt sits nicely on the female form and feels far comfier above the hips than unisex designs, making this model suitable for wear all day, although the generous straps and belt do make this harness on the heavy side. Great for everyone from beginners to experienced climbers.
Buy now £85.00, Ellis Brigham
Edelrid Jay III
Edelrid markets the Jay III as an all-rounder for beginner and intermediate climbers, and we think it’s the perfect pick if you’re investing in your first harness. A wide waist belt and leg loops provide good comfort, while the 3D mesh padding enhances breathability on hot summer climbs.
The harness also has four robust gear loops, so you’re ready to try out lead or trad climbing as you progress. The Jay is a touch heavier and bulkier than some harnesses, so it may be less comfortable for all-day use, but it does sit at an affordable price point, so it’s still a great shout for recreational climbs.
Buy now £45.97, Amazon
Arc’teryx AR-385a
Despite not having a name that exactly rolls off the tongue, the Arc'teryx AR-385a is a popular women’s harness for everything from ice climbing to days in the gym, and there’s lots to like here, including a lightweight yet durable construction, a women’s-specific ergonomic fit and great adjustable leg loops.
Women of different shapes and sizes should still find that this harness suits them nicely due to the versatile waist belt but the sizing may not match other harnesses you’ve tried, so this is a model to have a go with in store if possible.
Buy now £140.00, Arc’teryx
Mammut Sender Harness
Is your climbing style all about tackling strong and speedy sports routes? A lightweight harness like Mammut’s sleek Sender is just the ticket for indoor and outdoor sports climbing sessions. This unisex design is easy to slip on and adjust and doesn’t feel bulky or heavy to wear, so you can move flexibly and fast up the wall.
We like the clever indicator in the tie-in loop, which shows when the harness is worn and needs to be replaced. The Day-Glo orange colourway is useful for getting you spotted when climbing outdoors in low light too.
Buy now £95.00, Mammut
Black Diamond Solution
Black Diamond focuses on two sports – climbing and skiing – so you can bet the brand’s understanding of great mountain kits is pretty good. The Solution is our pick of their all-rounder climbing harnesses for good reason – it’s very comfortable even if you’re hanging off a rope for extended periods of time and is pleasingly lightweight to wear when you’re back down on solid earth.
The leg loops aren’t adjustable but are elasticated, and the waist belt is made with webbing and mesh to help distribute pressure and improve breathability. Top marks for comfort.
Buy now £66.99, Amazon
Black Diamond Vision AirNET Recco
Not all harnesses are created equal – and while the Black Diamond Vision would be overkill for a casual climber, we reckon it’s well worth the spend for professionals, guides and serious mountaineers.
This ultralight harness is brilliantly comfortable, durable and easy to wear and has an integrated RECCO passive transponder (a device that requires no power to function but makes you searchable to rescuers in the event of an accident) and a clever ‘infinity’ belay loop (which means no wearing or weak spots). If you’re out working in the elements all day or if every gram matters on a climb, this harness is worth investing in.
Buy now £142.00, Black Diamond
Mammut Togir 2.0 3 Slide
The Togir 2.0 3 Slide was designed with crags and mixed terrain in mind and comes in both male and female models. Wide buckles make adjusting the leg loops and waist belt quick and easy, and it’s simple to pop this harness on and off and to get a snug, safe-feeling fit each time.
We’d aim the Togir at intermediates who like to try their hand at varied climbing disciplines. We also like that this is a bluesign certified climbing harness, which means the production wasn’t harmful to the environment – if you want to help protect the crags and mountains you love to climb, it’s a good idea to look for a kit with sustainable certificates like this.
Buy now £63.96, Alpine Trek
