Best Safety Harness?

[BCD]

I have a seat o' the pants, but I don't like the leg straps as I am constantly adjusting them. My father in law recently bought a Hunter Safety System Vest Harness. I tried it out and it is much more comfortable and easier to put on than my SOP. Are there any negatives that anyone is aware of with switching to the HSS system as compared to the SOP?

Thank you!

[The BushMaster]

One negative I can think of is that the HSS requires a separate lineman's belt, if needed.  I really can't give up my SOP for an HSS.

[LV2HUNT]

My brother has the HSS and he likes it a lot. The only knock on his model is that it did not have a lineman's belt setup. I am not sure if they include these now or not. That is a problem if you hang stands a lot.

One thing on your SOP straps. I use the cheap ol full body harness that came with my lone wolf stand. I adjusted the buckles on the legs to where I wanted them and then ran duck tape over the buckles a few times. I did it so they would never clink or get caught on anything but it also seems to prevent them from moving. FWIW.

[Gator1]

I too have the SOP, basic model, no vest... I got it with my Goliath Tree Stand. I noticed on mine that the harness was a 2003, and they have an expiration on them, if you look at the orange tag.

anyone try the Loggy Bayou???  I too, am looking for a new harness...

[BobCo 1965]

I've tried a bunch of them and can honestly say that my favorite came free with a Big Game treestand.

[Bill Kissner]

I have one of the old AD Pro harness's that were sold several years ago. It has parachute buckles that have a rubber cover that is pulled over them for quietness. It was built by a company that made construction workers safety harnesse's. I don't know if they are available anymore. It only weigh's about 1 pound and I believe they are about the best there is.

[bowdog1]

Loggy Bayou Transformer Harness may be best on market. Has bino straps built in, tangle free, cool for warm weather and deceleration tether. Probably last harness I will buy!

[BobW]

Each of us have different likes & dislikes due to how we hunt, our shapes, the other clothing we wear, the stand we are using, etc.  If you can, go to a big retailer and try them on.  Maybe you have a buddy who has one you can try on/out.

My preference is for a style that attaches to your thighs instead of in your crotch as purely a comfort thing.  This changes though for me when I use a stand with arm rests as the buckles tend to snag on the arms when I go to stand up.

Simple connections (to tree) are also a desire as well as having lineman's style attachment points.

To be quite honest, the best one is the one you will wear.

[joe c.]

started useing the loggy harness this year,and really like it, its really low profile which is nice. I put it on over my leafy suit and dont even know its their.

[Fletcher]

I use an SOP Fastback and am quite satisfied with it.  Easy on, doesn't tangle and has the quick buckles.  These buckles haven't slipped on me.

I'm one of the safety geeks at work and fall arrest is on of the areas that I've trained and work with some.  While I applaud the HSS guys for making a system that is easy to use, their harnesses have a basic and serious design flaw, IMO.  In a fall, the harness needs to hold your weight by your legs and the leg straps need to come from the outside of your leg to do that.  The HSS lower straps pass thru your crotch.  If you visualize those straps catching a 150-200 lb rock that has fallen 2-3 feet before they smash your "boys", you may see what I'm talking about.

A year or two ago, Pat L. over at the Bowsite did a test of a couple of harnesses.  It can probably still be found over there and is worth reading.  None of us want or plan to test these harnesses for real, but it's almost certain that before the season is over, a few of us will do just that.

[DEERDOG]

Loggy Bayou Transformer Harness . None better or more comfortable!

[Dale Hajas]

I believe that Pat still has that video available.

I should also note that I was going to buy a HSS, but then I saw the video. I'll keep with my SOP.

As with everything it's a personal decision.

[varmint]

Originally posted by bowdog1:
Loggy Bayou Transformer Harness may be best on market. Has bino straps built in, tangle free, cool for warm weather and deceleration tether. Probably last harness I will buy!

I completely agree!!  

I've used the SOP,HSS,and the freebies that come with most stands,and the Loggy Bayou beats them all hands down IMO.

[max4]

I have tried many, the one I like the best in the one from lone wolfe.  It is simplicity itself, does not blot out a good camo patern, and can fit over even the most bulky winter gear.

[rastaman]

I hate safety belts, but i made a promise to my wife & my hunting buddy that i would wear one after my brother fell from a tree & broke his back.  I've tried about every one there is & i've settled on the sop or summitt fastback deluxe & i wear it religiously.  Thanks LV2HUNT for the duct tape idea.
Randy

[DeerSpotter]

I am not talking about those that are perfect and never fall out of a tree stand or have never had an incident !

You talk about the Loggy Bayou Transformer Harness being very comfortable, I would like to know if anyone's actually had a fall with one, safety wise, do they support you, do they because they do not have as many safety belts.  They're built for lightness, now I know the company probably brags them up, matter-of-fact we sell them.  But I'd like to know firsthand average Joe experience if anyone's had a fall with one.  And how it worked?

I personally use HSS, I have had two, the ProSeries, the one with the vest made of netting, and now I have the one with a cloth reversible vest, only because I took the tree stand back and thought I would not do tree stands, but I have been hunting out of treestands for the last two months.  I enjoy it.

My complete system is Lone Wolf alpha hang on tree stand, Lone Wolf climbing sticks,HSS.  And I find that the HSS, is comfortable both ways, underclothing, or on top of clothing.  The only hindrance I find is wintertime, bulky clothing, so I wear it underneath and I have bib's so my linemen belt is usable.

But let me hear from somebody that's actually had a fall with Loggy Bayou Transformer Harness.


Carl

[Legolas]

My  TREESUIT (and a treestand is included).
Man I love hunting out of that thang. See my product review  http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=31;t=000492

Paul

[jcprintz]

SOP is by far the best FAS I've seen. I teach the treestand safety section for our local Hunter Safety Team so I try to stay up on all new developments. I agree that the HSS will turn you into a soprano if you fall very far.