SAFETY HARNESS

[culleng]

Ok.... I am in the market for a new safety harness. I am needing to hear the good the bad and the ugly about the harnesses that are out there. Give me your reviews of what you like and dislike about them. Thanks

[Cwilder]

I just picked up a new one this year as well. I went with the new summit SOP with the pockets on the side. I used last seaso a HSS. I did not care for it. Be fore that I had a older summit SOP

[LB_hntr]

IMO...the best way to get the best harness is to go to a store and try them on. If there are none open and out to try start ripping boxes open and try them on. Never had a store give me crap for trying on a harness.
 I like the simple harness like sop fastback, tree spider, gorilla, lone wolf.  
  Whatever harrnes make sure it has lineman belt loops on it or its worthless IMO.

[Skittles]

Love my tree spider harness. Simple to use, light and quite. Will be adding on a spider livewire descent system this year just for the added safety.

[Dave Lay]

I used a older SOP for a lot of years, decided I wanted something a little different and did a lot of research and trying on buddys harnesses, I got a muddy ...  it had everything I wanted in a harness, is simple and pretty light weight...

[dbd870]

Really like my Hunter Safety System goes on fast and it's light.

[Wheels2]

I used the one that came with my Lone Wolf for quite a while and found it works very well.  However, I have extras and hated to spend any more money but broke down and bought a Gorilla G-Tac Air harness.
 http://www.bowhunterssuperstore.com/gorilla-gtac-safety-harness-mens-120300lbs-black-p-1882553.html
I find it much easier to put on in the morning and comfortable to wear while walking into stand.

[longbow fanatic 1]

HSS Ultralite Flex is an excellent harness. Light weight and well made. The down side is that you have to spend an additional $40 if you want the better lineman's belt attachment and the rope style tree-strap.

[Tajue17]

I use a SOP and a original HSS depending on what truck I take to the woods both work fine,,  they all work fine it comes down to what you like.... I don't want to look like the next Outdoors show TV star who's being paid to wear everything he has on so I opt for older gear that's not fashionable anymore.

[Lefty]

Used a SOP for years and loved it.  2 years ago, my daughter and I upgraded to the HSS pro series vests and we both love them! It is a little heavier than some of the one that are just harnesses, but I like all the pockets and it is very easy to put on.

[ChuckC]

Whichever one you choose. .  wear it.  None are perfect, and there is still room for injury if you fall from above, but they sure help.  Learn to use it correctly to keep you from falling out of the stand in the first place.

I still use my SOP, I check it every year and it works for me, but the market is full of new versions, all of which could save your life.  
ChuckC

[Bow man]

We love our HSS no draw backs that we can think of. But know matter what you use you a life line system with it whether you make your own or buy them.  Most falls happen climbing in or climbing out of the stand

 http://www.huntersafetysystem.com/hss-lifeline/

[LB_hntr]

Lifelines or tethers a good if you leave a stand up all season. But they don't protect you hanging and removing a stand.
Good news is a lifeline or tether can be added to any harness if you want one because they attach to the harness strap on your back.
  The "lineman belt" is a belt that is wrapped around the tree and keeps you safe when climbing, hanging, and removing a stand. These attach to "d rings" or loops on the harness on each hip. I would only by a harness that includes these rings or loops to attach a lineman belt.
 A lineman belt is the only way to be safe all the time when dealing with tree stands. A lifeline is great for when the stand is hung already and you just go in to hunt.