Search the Community

Simarghu Harness Review... Having used the old faithful TM V2 for many years thought I'd try the new kid on the block. So for the past 5 months I've constantly been using the simarghu harness and I can honestly say as much as it has it's good points the bad seem to outweigh the good. Ok, let's get the ball rolling... Floating bridge: Pro's: Great concept & works well for work positioning when you get used to it. Con's: Because of the harness design fitting a chainsaw clip is limited. Found when you're in certain positions in a tree you're chainsaw clip & attachment points will have swivelled around your body also so at times you'll need to be a contortionist clipping your saw on/off or will have to re-adjust position for easier access. 3 bridge positions: Pro's: Great concept for a range of work positions. Con's: Bit of a gimmick i.m.o, Let's face it you'll probably try all three & stick with the original supplied position, but it's nice to have other options. Gear attachment points: Pro's: Ok this harness has more attachment points than I've had Sunday dinners so you won't be short of somewhere to hang your gear. Con's: None it's a kit junkies wet dream! Waist & leg buckles: Pro's: Chunky & feel sturdy Con's: None I can see Bridge rope: Pro's: Does what it says on the tin. Fitted with a Single attachment ring but plenty of room for another ring if needed or you just want to sound like a jailer every time you move. Con's: Never got this problem with the TM so It's probably the way this harness has been designed but personally I found the bridge rope too long & could only get a short pull on my main line so ended up having to shorten the bridge. The only downside having to perform a little jig in order to squeeze into harness with layers on. Side attachment D's: Pro's: Great concept & very handy having 2 side attachment points. Con's: They are an ABSOLUTE ball ache! Side D's do not remain rigid & keep folding in so clipping in/out is not a quick easy process You'll constantly find yourself wasting time folding the buggers out in order to perform what should be a quick simple task which gets more annoying than a crotch full of wood chip! Leg Loops: Pro's: Looks sturdy & doesn't have elastic to ping back & whip ya. Con's: Feels awkward and doesn't sit right when you have the harness on, this seems to rectify it's self slightly when you're in the tree but definitely doesn't feel quite right or naturally comfortable. On frequent occasions feels like ya crotch is being tortured by a Turkish wrestler! Leg loop retaining straps: Pro's: None I could find. Would be better off with a bit of blue string tied with a granny knot. Con's: Absolutely useless! The Velcro wears away within a short time & the straps will gradually loosen & un-feed as the buckles do not retain a good grip to fasten the straps securely enough with usage. I constantly had to tend the straps or they would loosen, un-feed & eventually come off on one side as I found out. Have since fed straps back through lower strap & fastened with tape hopefully this will suffice. First aid kit strap (if indeed it is one): Pro's: None. Wouldn't hold a jelly baby for more than 5 mins! Con's: Well let's face it, about as useful as a fart in a spacesuit! If you put your first aid kit under this strap it will be on the ground quicker than the first branch! So, you'll end up not bothering or having to fashion something like an additional quick release webbing strap to hold it in position. So to summarise..... All in all the simarghru harness seems like a great bit of kit on paper although after time spent using it, it quickly turns into the harness from hell. As much as I've persevered & tried to make this harness work it's definitely more of a pain than a pleasure to work with & after shelling out a wopping amount of hard earn't cash on it I honestly feel a bit conned! While the manufacturer markets the Simarghru as a 'game changing' new harness! I feel it falls short of their boast. Yes it has some great concepts but definitely feels rushed in places & needs to go back to the drawing board for refining. So, Is this harness worth the money? HELL NO!!!!!! There are many harnesses on the market these days at a fraction of the cost, you'd be better off saving ££££'s & go for a cheaper alternative that does the job just as well if not better. Climb safe!