Harness for skinny guys.

[Joe J]

Okay so first off I’m 41 5’10” and prob a buck 35 after a heavy meal. Every tree stand I buy comes with a harness that never fits. Before you say eat more…that doesn’t work. I’ve been lean and mean since I was 15 (same size still.) I stay pretty active with work etc so unless I become a couch potato I’m not gaining 30lbs.
So any other semi tall skinny lanky guys on here have a good recommendation for a harness that fits. One size fits most doesn’t work when your thin up top with runners legs which puts youth and woman ones out of the picture.
Can’t find a harness at academy or dicks here. The smaller local places never have anything smaller than large (hey we eat good down here.)
I was a Boy Scout and tempted to just tie a Swiss seat when using my climber. I’d go with a rock climbing harness but this is Louisiana so no shops to test fit.
I’m hesitant to order online I do have an older harness that’s a little more snug but so old it’s just a chest rig from when I was 14. I’ve repelled 30 foot towers with a Swiss seat so thinking I might have to go that route. This problem has been keeping me on the ground for a while (which o don’t mind just want to get up.)

[supernaut]

I'll give you my dimensions before I tell you what I use.

I'm 5'7" and weigh 150 lbs. I've been this height and weight since I graduated high school in 1990 and I'm 51 now.  I wear 30x30 pants.

I use a Black Diamond Alpine Bod rock climbing harness attached to a life line that goes around the tree and I'm secure from the time my feet leave the ground until they are back on it. I hunt from a Lone Wolf Assault hand climber.


If you are looking at the harness option and are worried about sizing order from somewhere like Amazon that offers free returns. I ordered my harness on Amazon a couple years ago and if I remember correctly they are sized pretty true and they are adjustable. I'm sure a conventional vest style harness would be returnable as well if it didn't fit the way you liked.

Good luck and keep us posted on how you make out.

[Michael Guran]

I’ve had the same problem @ 6’ 2” 165lbs.  I used the Alpine Bod harness that supernaut mentioned for 2 years and it worked so much better than the standard harnesses that come with stands.  Two years ago,  I had a harness custom made by John at Tactisaddle and like it even more.  It fits even better and has lineman loops sewn in.  Highly recommend him if it’s in your budget…

[German Dog]

I switched to a rock climbing harness several years ago and really liked it.
Anyways, my 16 year old son who is almost your size now uses my harness as I have switched to a tree saddle.
I'm positive you'll have much better luck with sizing a climbing harness.
Agree with the other replies already mentioned.

The climbing harness I have is its great for climbing stand since it has a single loop attachment so you you are harnessed in all the time.
The downside is it doesn't have lineman loops so setting a hangon stand and sticks can be done but not as easy as it would be with lineman loops.

If I was going with another climbing harness I'd get one from John at Tactisaddle since it has the lineman loops. And John is a great guy to talk with and he makes them to your size.

[dnovo]

I'll second the rock climbing harness. I switched to one about 3 years ago and like it so much better than my old harness. I was happy with my old harness but really prefer the rock climbing harness. 
You being a skinny guy I think one of these is really suited to you.  I'm 5'8" with a 34" waist and depending on what clothes I wear, I need an XL sometimes. 

[Gun]

I'm looking at something smaller myself after having lost 30# over the last two years. I am hating getting rid of my large flannel shirts. I'm swimming in most of my hunting clothes too.

[Bowguy67]

I’m gonna say also look at an alpine bud. Now as for the lean n mean comment. How mean could ya be at 135? Around here all the wives weigh that. Btw that’s why I’m single! Just having fun bud. Try an alpine bod