Rock climbing harness tree stand safety harness.

[Bowguy67]

Guys I know this subject had plenty of talk about it. I myself heard many times how great rock climbing harnesses were. I didn’t believe it but somehow finally I ordered one figuring I’d most likely return it.
Holy smokes, thing is awesome. It’s lighter, less cumbersome, cheaper, doesn’t cover your shoulder so you can add or shed tops easily and one of the best parts imo is the attachment to tree is below your shoulders and you can shoot without your elbow being restricted.
If anyone is like me and didn’t buy the hype I assure you though I haven’t hunted it yet I did use in a tree last night and will be using it this year. I was very skeptical but this is for real

[Onski316]

you're using as a safety harness in a tree stand? I've heard of people using them in their saddle setups and have thought about going down that road as compared to an all-inclusive setup.

[supernaut]

Bowguy, I too made the switch to a rock climbing harness prior to last season and won't go back to a vest. I'm glad you're having a good experience with your harness. I found that practicing a lot in the summer with my harness and my climber in the yard gave me a ton of confidence in my gear (Including stepping off my platform at a height of about 6 feet just to test). I also shot a lot out of the set up prior to the season starting.

[Stringwacker]

What rock climbing harness would any of you recommend? I've thought about it given all I have read in the past; but didn't know what to buy.

Anything lighter and safer would certainly interest me.

[supernaut]

Stringwacker, I did a good bit of research before I switched and went with the Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness in size medium (there is a pretty accurate sizing chart on their website). I ordered straight form Black Diamond but you could get them through Amazon, etc. I paid right around $50 with shipping. Google searching "best rock climbing harness for hunting" provided me with a lot of info to start my research and Youtube came in handy as well. Talking with harness users I knew and on forums helped tremendously as well. Best of luck to you!

[Bowguy67]

I got the Alpine Bod as well.

[Bowguy67]

you're using as a safety harness in a tree stand? I've heard of people using them in their saddle setups and have thought about going down that road as compared to an all-inclusive setup.

Yes, if it’s a primary attachment like in a saddle, how could it be worse with a bigger platform?
So many advantages it’s awesome

[Bowguy67]

Bowguy, I too made the switch to a rock climbing harness prior to last season and won't go back to a vest. I'm glad you're having a good experience with your harness. I found that practicing a lot in the summer with my harness and my climber in the yard gave me a ton of confidence in my gear (Including stepping off my platform at a height of about 6 feet just to test). I also shot a lot out of the set up prior to the season starting.

Thank you, I appreciate it

[Badlands]

String Wacker.
I've been rock climbing for quite a few years.  I have probably used a dozen harnesses over the years including the BD Alpinebod.  In fact I keep the Alpinebod in my treestand set up pack to use when placing treestands. It's a really light harness and doesn't take up much room in my pack.  The newer model of that harness has some gear loops but it still has the old style buckle that requires you to double it back and it does not have a belay loop.  I don't have a problem with the Alpinbod but I would suggest that you also check a couple others.  The Petzl corax and the Edilrid Jay harness.  They both have a more modern (idiot proof) buckle that is always double backed, gear loops and a rappel/belay loop that will come in really handy when hanging from slings or a rope when placing a stand.  In addition they both have an adjustable waist to keep your center hard points and gear loop centered when adding additional clothing as the weather changes.  The Corax has two buckles so you can center things and the Jay has a sliding center section that centers as you cinch the harness up. 

[McDave]

I too rock climbed for a number of years before I got too old for it and put all my spare time into archery and hunting. AFAIK, a screamer comes built into all tree strand harnesses that I am aware of.  It consists of folds of material that will rip apart on impact to cushion your fall. Not so necessary in a long fall on a climbing rope, that stretches and where the belayer can ease the rope out to cushion the fall, but essential for the short falls that are likely from a tree stand, in order to avoid broken bones from the impact. When I was climbing, a screamer was not included with a climbing harness; you had to buy one separately.

Second, tree stand harnesses are designed so you end up right side up after a fall. For a young fellow, being upside down in a climbing harness is no big deal after falling on a cliff face, although I usually managed to stay right side up anyway, but hanging upside down could be a bigger deal for an older hunter carrying a few more pounds.

[Stringwacker]

Thanks fellows! Good info!

[Stringwacker]

In regard to suspension trauma risk, are the rock climbing harnesses better or worse than say a HSS system?

[Bowguy67]

I’m surely no rock harness expert and don’t claim to even be good but if a full body harness has stirrups or something you can negate most of not all

[Badlands]

prolonged hanging in any harness, sucks.  They are not comfortable and it isn't fun
there is not doubt that prolonged hanging, especially if there were some kind of trauma like unconsciousness, a tree stand safety harness would be safer and probably more comfortable. 
Remember, when rock climbing we are seldom alone.  we usually have at least one partner belaying us that can lower us back or the ground or help in other was in the event of a bad fall.
when hunting from a tree stand we are usually alone.

[Bowguy67]

Guys w experience on these harnesses thank you for your input

[kbetts]

I went to an RC harness and will not go back.  I keep a fairly tight tether.  If I fall, I want to swing around to face the tree, not hanging with my back against it.

[Dave Lay]

Stringwhacker, Mark, I’m new to the RC harness but feel the trauma is way less with it, your load is suspended differently and pulls more on your butt than your inner thighs. I am using the alpine BOD due to the fact it has a buckles at the front and legs so it’s easier to get in and out of.  But I’m still in the trial period as I only used it a couple months last year and some this summer in practice. I made my lineman’s belt loops similiar to some seen on YouTube vids. I’d be glad to send ya pics if interested. Your not as big around ( fat) as I am but they don’t make harnesses for fat guys or none I’ve found anyway, a XL is barely  big enough for me

[Stringwacker]

Thanks Dave! (and the other replies as well!)

I decided to just stay with the HSS type system as I noticed that the RC harnesses were offered in about 2" less waist size than what I am. I wasn't sure at the time if I could make it work.

I'm probably more concerned about suspension trauma than most as I often question what does a fellow do while hanging on a tether at 20'? I've had about every treestand mishap possible; but not that one. I decided to try a Treestand Wingman system to have a bit more piece of mind in that regard. I have found the ground to be quite hard:)

[Wodje96]

After getting into saddle hunting and researching a bit about falls, I now use my saddle and a yates screamer as a harness when I'm in a regular treestand. A rock climbing harness is or a saddle is the only thing I'd use now (with a screamer). I feel very lucky that I never took a real fall with the crap gear I used for decades.

[Bowguy67]

Guys I wanna throw some things into the mix for consideration. I say nothing lightly and def not discounting suspense trama. I was a lift truck trainer teaching OSHA courses. I’m also a hunter ed instructor. I’m def all about safety and taking no chances. Best bet is to stay in the ground right? Next best bet is to minimize any risks of a fall. You need to practice self rescue.
Here’s where I offer some considerations. How many people have ever tested the difference in trama? Let’s see the reports so we aren’t assuming anything.
Next even if it was slightly different and I’m sorta unsure about that we should talk about possibilities.
Imo the possibility of falling from a tree and falling a greater distance occurs in a full body harness. The belt has too much slack often.  By nature a rock climbing harness snugs you up to tree and limits the chance of a fall. Certainly limits the chance of it wrapping around your neck. Being the lanyard is often shorter if you did fall you’d fall less far resulting in less actual trama. Realize being eased down a restricted will cause it but it takes time. Shorter fall, more wits about you, easy to self rescue.
The incidence where a chance of injury could occur I bet makes the rock harness safer. Also add the comments about falling upside down, you’d almost have to try that. The short cord won’t allow you to even fall. You’re not climbing a cliff with lots of rope. You’ve got almost no rope.
As a kid (baker days)  I used nothing or regular belts. I’ve fallen with them and had no issues. I’ve also fallen wearing full body harnesses. I don’t see an issue there either. There’s ways to limit or stop the issues before they occur. Getting back on a stand, using a stirrup, some stands have em and any harness could easily have one converted or a step. Understand without one NO harness is safe including full body harness.
Anytime we climb there is a risk. Your family needs you try n minimize that but consider everything I said and be safe.