Mountain Project Logo

More Gear Loops?

Original Post
Derek W · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 20

I've become a fan of racking everything on my harness for long trad days and have found that my gear loops get filled up pretty quick. Yes I know there are solutions to this problem in itself, but that's not my question.

I know there are a few harnesses out there that have more than the standard 4 gear loops, but I am surprised there is not a wider selection of harnesses with more racking options. I've started tying some cord with plastic tubing over it from my back gear loops to my haul loop for an additional 2 gear loops in the back and I could never live without them now.

So my question is, would you like to see manufacturers make more harnesses with 6 or 7 gear loops? I would think there is a demand, but I'm just curious what your thoughts are.

Adam Volwiler · · Spokane · Joined Mar 2011 · Points: 200

Just get a Misty Mountain Cadillac, those things are the cats ass. They will customize the harness however you want so if you need to save weight you can get fixed leg loops and a single buckle. Oh, and there are 6 gear loops each rated to about 400lbs. mistymountain.com/p/5120-Ca…

TJ Esposito · · San Diego, CA · Joined May 2011 · Points: 95

Wild Country makes 7 loop harnesses too

Evan1984 · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2007 · Points: 30

The problem for me is the bulk around my waist, not gear loop space, so I wouldn't need more loops.

Personally, I'm a sling user. I centers the weight better on me, it's easier to swing leads, and it's how I learned(probably the biggest factor).

One tip for freeing space is racking identical items together. For example, clip 2 draws to a third and only clip the third to the harness. 2 red camalots? Rack the one on the racking binder of the other. etc.

Evan

J.B. · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Aug 2008 · Points: 150
Wehling wrote: So my question is, would you like to see manufacturers make more harnesses with 6 or 7 gear loops? I would think there is a demand, but I'm just curious what your thoughts are.
Nah, having 4 gear loops helps me from bringing too much $h#t
Aaron M · · Westminster, CO · Joined Oct 2007 · Points: 140
SirMixALot wrote: Nah, having 4 gear loops helps me from bringing too much $h#t
+1 Thin the rack!
Kilroywashere! London · · Harrisonburg, Virginia · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 280
Adam Volwiler wrote:Just get a Misty Mountain Cadillac, those things are the cats ass. They will customize the harness however you want so if you need to save weight you can get fixed leg loops and a single buckle. Oh, and there are 6 gear loops each rated to about 400lbs. mistymountain.com/p/5120-Ca…
YES! THIS!
Peter Pitocchi · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 70

Try putting your chalk bag on a 6mm cord aroumd your waist instead of on your harness. This makes space on your harness and you can easily slide your chalkbag around the equator to access stuff, especially back loops. I have used the cord for a Prusik or even like a sling occasionally so your add multifunctionality. I've tried the extra gear loop thing but those harnesses are kind of heavy built and make you feel bottom heavy when loaded. If you rack lots of gear your belayed can carry some for you. I am guilty myself of the iron kilt.

Jesse Davidson · · san diego, ca · Joined May 2007 · Points: 45

I added gear loops to my harness. Now I have 6. I used thin (3? 4? mm) cord with short sections of clear vinyl tubing to stiffen them up. They have been on there with no complaints for a few years now, and I am glad that I have them.

Derek W · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 20
Peter Pitocchi wrote:Try putting your chalk bag on a 6mm cord aroumd your waist instead of on your harness. This makes space on your harness and you can easily slide your chalkbag around the equator to access stuff, especially back loops. I have used the cord for a Prusik or even like a sling occasionally so your add multifunctionality. I've tried the extra gear loop thing but those harnesses are kind of heavy built and make you feel bottom heavy when loaded. If you rack lots of gear your belayed can carry some for you. I am guilty myself of the iron kilt.
I almost never climb with chalk but when I do it is on 5mm Procord. With the extra 2 loops in the back, I carry my "anchor stuff" like my belay device, a cordalette and a triple length runner and a spare locker or 2. There's never a ton of weight on those 2 loop, its more the bulky stuff and I'm a little bit of an organization freak so I like that its separated.

I'm surprised there's not more people wanting this.
serock · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Mar 2007 · Points: 0

The Wild Country Synchro has 7 gear loops + a full strength haul loop. 2 of the gear loops double as tool holsters an it has at least 4 slots for ice clippers. At $80 it's by far the best harness I've found

slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

my wife has a misty mountain cadillac, and it weighs as much as, well, a cadillac. whenever i am loading up our packs i am pretty shocked at how much it weighs. and i'm not a gram freak either.

bevans · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2008 · Points: 0

The gear loops on my BD harnesses are not the biggest ones out there. That said, they provide adequate space for carrying everything I need on any alpine climb including a standard set of secondary/rescue gear. I distinctly remember wishing for the exact same thing as the OP when I started climbing longer routes...and that I eventually figured out I didn't need all the stuff I was dragging along with me.

ymmv, but I figure if I really can't find a place for some piece of gear on my harness I should start looking for places to trim the rack. This is not an "I'm more badass than you because I carry a smaller rack" thing at all. Just my $0.02. You'll have more fun climbing with less crap swingin around your waist anyway. cheers.

Kilroywashere! London · · Harrisonburg, Virginia · Joined Oct 2009 · Points: 280
slim wrote:my wife has a misty mountain cadillac, and it weighs as much as, well, a cadillac. whenever i am loading up our packs i am pretty shocked at how much it weighs. and i'm not a gram freak either.
you sound like a sport climber...no offense or anything.
slim · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Dec 2004 · Points: 1,103

actually i rack on a sling. not into the whole aluminum skirt thing.

20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

Check out the Yates Shield and Big Wall harness, there is not a single harness on the market that has more accessory loops than those two harnesses.

Derek W · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jun 2008 · Points: 20

I knew I'd get a lot of the "carry less shit" responses, and I understand that.

I have a BD Big Gun Harness and I sold a Yates Shield. They both have plenty of gear loops but are too bulky for my taste and the gear loops on the Big Gun SUCK if you want my opinion. The Misty Mountain looks too bulky as well, but I will keep my eyes open out on the rock to see one in person.

Looks like I'll stick with the homemade gear loops on my normal BD harness, they've been working fine so far. When that wears out I'll check out the Synchro.

Thanks every one.

Kevin Fox · · parker · Joined Apr 2003 · Points: 970

Synchro harness isn't that comfortable. own it. has lots of gear loops. but they sit in the wrong place. own the titan and it is pimp. cadillac is just as comfortable. misty builds bomber shit.

MattB · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Sep 2009 · Points: 55

I've always used the DIY extra loops, works great. I usually go for a biggish loop below the existing loops, but one above or behind might be good, too.

Derek Santavenere · · Hartford, CT · Joined May 2017 · Points: 100

i just bought a hammer loop and put it on when i need another loop . take it off when i dont 

Josh Hutch · · State of Jefferson · Joined Dec 2008 · Points: 90

Add some ice clippers, not actual loops but you could carry more stuff. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

Climbing Gear Discussion
Post a Reply to "More Gear Loops?"

Log In to Reply

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started.