Spending all your time at the crag is enjoyable, but your summer rock harness is not the ideal choice for the switch to ice climbing. When you put away your trad rack, you will also need to change over to a climbing harness to ensure you are performing at your best. It may not seem like there is much difference in the type of harness you wear, but the opposite is true. However let us make something clear that Trad racks and ice climbing racks differ, and so will the kind of harness that will allow you to rack up efficiently for each type of climbing.
Below are the best ice climbing harnesses we have compiled for you to choose from so you can make sure everything you need to take with you has a place on your body. We’ve compiled this comprehensive list to simplify your shopping process because the season can be short and you want to make sure you get the most out of it!
Check out this article for more information about what we recommend for ice climbing.
SOME OF THE BEST HARNESSES FOR ICE CLIMBING
Black DiamondCouloir
Black DiamondCouloir Harness
Specifications:
- ADJUSTABLE LEG LOOPS: Yes
- HAUL LOOP: Yes
- ICE CLIPPER SLOTS: 4
- WEIGHT: 7.6 oz
- WAIST BELT CONSTRUCTION: Fusion Comfort Technology
- GEAR LOOPS: 2
Features:
- Speed Buckles For Easy On/Off With Skis Or Crampons
- Hydrophobic Fabric
- Highly Compactable
With the Black Diamond Couloir harness, you’ll be right at home on ice too. The harness has a speed buckle design, which makes it easy to wear and take off without taking off your crampons. All of your layers can be put safely underneath it. A lightweight 7.6-oz backpack makes this the perfect choice for climbing adventures where you need to go fast and light.
It only has two gear loops for organization, but it also has four other slots for ice clippers, so you can store screws and axes. It offers a comfortable fit thanks to Black Diamond Fusion Comfort Technology. Furthermore, the harness is made of hydrophobic fibers, so at no point will your harness become wet, heavy, or frozen due to snowy weather! In addition, it folds down to the size of an orange, so it takes up very little space in your backpack.
ARC’TERYX AR 395A
ARC’TERYX AR 395A Harness
Specifications:
- ADJUSTABLE LEG LOOPS: Yes
- HAUL LOOP: Yes
- ICE CLIPPER SLOTS: 4
- WEIGHT: 13.93 oz
- WAIST BELT CONSTRUCTION: It is Double Weave Four Way Stretch Fabric
- GEAR LOOPS: 4
Features:
- Double-weave material for minimal water penetration
- You can see any wear and tear on the belay loop with orange wear safety indicators
- Stainless steel hooks are included in the elastic loops on the legs for durability
As the AR suggests, the lightweight harness from Arc’Teryx is good for all-around climbing. In spite of being lightweight, this harness is still highly durable, so it is well suited to ice climbing. This harness is made from double-woven burly fabric, so even when it rains, it won’t allow water to soak through, meaning you can dry it quickly.
A full rack can be carried and organized with four gear loops and four ice clipper slots. Arc’teryx, which recognizes that ice climbing involves enough risks, has built safety features into its belay loops and other tie-in points. A bright orange color will appear if the material begins to wear out and the harness needs to be replaced, so there are no surprises!
MAMMUT TOGIR 3 SLIDE
MammutTogir 3 Slide Harness
Specifications:
- ADJUSTABLE LEG LOOPS: Yes
- HAUL LOOP: Yes
- ICE CLIPPER SLOTS: 4
- WEIGHT: 15.17 oz
- WAIST BELT CONSTRUCTION: Split Webbing and Lamination
- GEAR LOOPS: 4
Features:
- Weight is reduced by laminating the webbing in a split configuration
- For rigidity and durability, a plastic mold covers the gear loops
- Fits low-profile
Togir 3 Slide harnesses are designed to be good all-winter harnesses. This low-profile harness won’t add bulk to your layers. This harness weighs just 15.17 ounces (15.17 grams), so you won’t notice a change in your speed. Additionally, it packs down small, so you don’t have to worry about taking up a lot of space in your backpack.
With four gear loops and harder plastic reinforcements, this harness is perfect for ice climbers. It means they can support the weight of ice screws and will not leave you fumbling for screws when they are attached. There are four gear loops and four ice clipper slots, so you can rack efficiently and have a place for your tools as well. Like most harnesses, the waist-sliding buckles on the three slides are all auto-locking for safety.
BLACK DIAMOND TECHNICIAN
Black DiamondTechnician Harness
Specifications:
- ADJUSTABLE LEG LOOPS: Yes
- HAUL LOOP: Yes
- ICE CLIPPER SLOTS: 4
- WEIGHT: 13.8 oz
- WAIST BELT CONSTRUCTION: Fusion Comfort Technology
- GEAR LOOPS: 5
Features:
- WeLoop for extra gear
- Legs and waist have speed buckles for easy adjustment
- Looser gear loops for less bulk
The Black Diamond Technician completes the Black Diamond harness line-up with a harness that is suitable for any ice-based activity. Despite its stiffness at first glance, this harness is designed using Black Diamond’s Fusion Comfort technology that has become a favorite among users. Wearing this harness over a long day and up multiple pitches won’t make you sore or uncomfortable.
There are a total of five gear loops on this harness (yes, five!). It is possible to use the fifth gear loop as a haul loop, and all the gear loops are designed to be less rigid than the others, so they won’t protrude and snag on objects or feel bulky. These slots are in addition to the four ice clippers, so you are ready for long ice climbs and can handle any unexpected situations.
PETZL CORAX
Petzl Corax Harness
Specifications:
- ADJUSTABLE LEG LOOPS: Yes
- HAUL LOOP: Yes
- ICE CLIPPER SLOTS: 2
- WEIGHT: 15.4 oz
- WAIST BELT CONSTRUCTION: High Strength Polyester Webbing and Foam Padding
- GEAR LOOPS: 4
Features:
- Buckles on both waistlines for equal adjustment
- Budget-friendly
- It’s super adjustable so you can find the perfect fit
Petzl Corax harnesses have been popular for quite some time across all climbing disciplines, including ice climbing! It comes in two sizes and is an affordable, unisex harness. As you add and remove layers and wear large boots with crampons, you have to make a lot of adjustments to get a climbing harness on and off. With the adjustable leg loops, you can easily wear this harness over all of your winter layers, including your boots.
The waist of this harness is made with high-strength polyester, so it is incredibly durable and comfortable. In addition, two double-backed buckles allow fine-tuning and a perfect fit to be effortless while keeping the belay loop centered and the harness features two ice clipper slots, but some users may want a bit more storage space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Does rock climbing help you lose weight?
Although rock climbing is one of the best workouts, it can be challenging if your body isn’t prepared. Many medical conditions can be helped by weight loss, and rock climbing is an excellent way to lose a few pounds. You will burn more calories throughout the day if you do an aerobic workout and build muscles.
What are the best Harness For Ice Climbing?
Some of the best Harness for ice climbing are as follows:
BLACK DIAMOND COULOIR
ARC’TERYX AR 395A
MAMMUT TOGIR 3 SLIDE
BLACK DIAMOND TECHNICIAN
PETZL CORAX
Can mountain climbing reduce belly fat?
Mountain Climbing will help you achieve your goal of having perfectly-sculpted abs even if you have lower belly fat. It’s a mix of cardio and muscle training, which is why it has the power to blast fat quickly. Additionally, it will help you sculpt your booty and thighs.
