Harness Help

[Matt]

I'm a newcomer and looking to invest in my first harness. I've been looking on various websites and noticed a difference in price between those harnesses that are specifically stated as being for tree use and other, general climbing ones.

 

What I want to know is, what's the difference?

 

Thanks

[Steve Bullman]

many differences. if you could tell us names of specific harnesses you've looked at we could explain some details. but as a general overview tree climbing harnesses are designed to be suspended in for longer periods of time. If you look at a fall arrest harness for example such as a scaffolder might wear...they are not hanging in the harness therefore comfort isnt so much of an issue.

Attachment points will be very different also on an arb harness.

 

these are probably ther 2 main differences IMO....definetly dont consider getting anything but an arb specific harness

 

and welcome to the site

[Peter]

If you can wait until June, the arb trade fair is a great place to try out different harnesses and get advice from experienced users.

http://www.trees.org.uk/trade_fair.php

[Jonesie]

Theres Capel in 4 weeks I'll have all the harnesses for you to try there

[treejumper]

Matt - 'try before you buy' at one of the arb shows is the best advice as per everyones comments above.

[Matt]

Cheers for the advice Steve. I suspected it would be a reason like that, otherwise they wouldn't get away with charging more for the tree specific ones.

 

It would be great to be able to try a load on but I don't think I can wait until the shows unfortunately.

 

Another bit of advice that would be helpful is about buying second hand. Obviously a harness is going to have a limit to how long / how often it is used and I think I know what the answer will be to this but do people recommend steering clear of getting harnesses on ebay or second hand through some other means? If I were to get second hand, is their an age of harness it would be unwise to go much older than, or does it all depend on how frequently the harness has been used?

 

Thanks

[vduben]

dont buy off ebay or secondhand unless you can try it and see it befor you buy

[Bundle 2]

dont buy off ebay or secondhand unless you can try it and see it befor you buy

Dont do it period.....:wave:

[Tom D]

My local dealer has a beam in the shop which you can throw a rope over and then hang in the harness of your choice. This is a great idea and all other dealers should do the same. After all since you spend so much time in it you want something comfortable. Go to your dealer and see if they can rig something up for you, you dont want to spend £150+ on something you dont like.

[Alex]

Mat, You need to try B4 you bye.

 

No one has the same body shape and many harness are geniric, so look for adjustments, some will have more than others.

 

It not the case you pay your money as some harness witch are very poor laking in features and support etc are as expesize as the rest. Get your self to an event or a big dealer and try them on and hang in them, adjust to fit you!!! make sure you get a floating Bridge, leg loops or sit thats up to you.

 

So bye on what right for you, not on cost. You may save a ten bar but you will be climbing and working in this harness for 2-3yrs 3-6 days a week, tryig to earn your coin. It's like get the cheapest work boots and then blowing a fortune on the must have trainers to stand in a puddle of piss down the pub.... ummmm