Rock Climbing Harness

After reading thread after thread on AT, I just got my new harness - a Petzl Aspir rock climbing harness - and an HSS rope style tree strap.

After trying it on, I think I'm REALLY gonna like this set up. already wondering why I didn't pull the trigger sooner.

It would almost seem that the rock harness would be safer, if you have it clipped in the front. I know that would be annoying for shooting, but if you DID fall, you would be able to use your limbs more easily to get back to the stand/ tree. Maybe I'm wrong on this, but after a year or two of rock climbing, I do know I can move around in those harnesses.

I don't think shooting in it will be an issue. no more so than any other harness anyway.

What sold me on it, though, was not having to worry about suspension trama. Most of the places I hunt, help is a LONG way away if I were to need it. and self-rescuing in a traditional treestand harness isn't exactly a walk in the park.

With a RC style harness, you could hang all day if you wanted to and not have to worry about suspension trama. It's what they're made for. And yeah, you have much more range and freedom of motion in them.

Oh, and it was only $65, which is less than even most of the low-end traditional style harnesses

A few years ago I ordered a 20 Feet Up brand harness that is basically a rock climbing harness made for hunting. I love it!! strap it on, wrap the sling around my waist and go. The company has since gone out of business so I'm glad I got it when I did.
Here is a video of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgTPvXJsVcU

I just bought a new HSS. I looked into the rock harness but dont know much about them and didn't know which one would be a quality one.

The Petzl Aspir and the Black Diamond Vario Speed harnesses seem to be the most popular. I went with the Petzl bc it adjusts to a little larger waist. Also the Petzl has a 10yr guarantee while the Black Diamond has a 3yr I think.

I've hunted in both a good bit and both have + and -'s. I've been wearing my lightweight HSS more often nowadays as its easier to get on/off.

Regarding the suspension relief, in my opinion, they are about the same. Both will put a lot of pressure on your legs and femoral artery if you hang there indefinitely. I used to rock climb and have spent hours in a harness and they are very safe.

A few things I've observed using a harness:
- Get a small spectra sling and girth hitch it in the back. Use this to tie in to the tree once you get seated. It helps keep the line behind you and out of the way
- Its a bigger pain taking a leak out of the stand with a climbing harness
- Climbing harness is generally more comfortable due to no shoulder contact
- I have fallen off a rock upside down and the harness worked just fine. You really don't have to have a shoulder harness but it would help keep you upright if you were knocked unconcious
- Using a linemans belt while climbing with rock harness is not as easy. You have one point of contact centered at your body and it makes the rope a tab trickier to work up the tree

Overall, its a draw. Both work great and just be sure you always have one of them on and strapped in when you leave the ground!

I just switched to the black diamond vario and I completely agree with Gomer, I don't know why I waited so long. I really liked hunting with it last week and it's small enough that I could fit the harness and my tree strap into my saddlebag on my climber. The only thing I may think about adding to the setup is a beal dynaclip to go between the trees strap and the harness itself. It's been recommended on the AT threads and I think it would allow me a little more flexibility. Otherwise, I ran the line under my right arm and didn't have it get in my way at any point