best multipitch trad/big wall harness for a skinny person

Hi , I have done some research and BD Big Guns does not heve a size XSM. SM is a little too big for me.

I need a comfortable harness I can "live in" on long routes, something relatively breathable too. At least 4 gear loops. I prefer roomy gear loops too since on some pitches I wount wear a sling and rack up on waist.

You'll not be climbing bigwalls with your rack on your waist unless you're going up ninny C1-2 walls.

BigGun is worthless for wall climbing. You neglected to mention what your waist size is, which would probably be helpful. I's skinny and come in at a 27" waist. Yates Shield Harness fits me when I cinch both sides AAAAAALLLL the way down. If you're less than 27" you're SOL with Yates.

The Shield is the way to go for bigwalls. Period.

My friend swears by the waldo but I have no experience with their sizing.

I have the waldo, 32" waist. I have a medium and I have to cinch it all the way down and wish I could make it a bit tighter. The small sizing says it goes up to 32, the medium starts at 32. Didnt have the chance to try em on since no one generally has a selection of bigwall harnesses in stock, so I just went with the medium online. sure would be nice if there was a touch of overlap!

Other than that its a great harness, and just FYI you CAN detach the leg loops without taking the whole rig off, but it does take a good bit of fiddling.

Not uber-super thin myself, but +1 for the Yates Shield.

You can likely call Yates and have them build you a custom one to your needs. They're a great outfit and John has definitely done a lot of one-offs for folks.

Be sure to check out Misty Mountain Threadworks too!
They cover the whole range of sizes and they gladly do affordable customizations. I had them do me up a Cadillac Quick Adjust with my personal preferences and the work quality is outstanding.

The Cadillac and Titan models both have 6 gear loops and full strength haul loop and made in USA.

mistymountain.com/c/harness…

I don't know shit about big wall harnesses. However, I know Misty Mountain makes a big wall harness. I also know that they will do custom sizes. If you give them a call they will answer any questions you might have.

Good luck!

my waist is 25.5 inches , I heard a lot of good things about Yates. Isn't Shield a little overkill? what about Astroman?

I am inclimed to go with Misty Mountain Cadillac XSM . Price is also better.

You put Bigwall in the title of your thread. the Shield is not overkill at all for bigwall. For trad, yes. +1 to talk to yates directly. I get two belay loops sewn into my Shield harness, but you have to go directly through them and agree to void the warrenty to do it.

uh im pretty small, and have had the bug gun harness for over a year. I love it. Iv used it for everything from, rescue scenarios to longer routes aid and trad. Although I borrowed someone elses harness for alpine. I love the double belay loops for my daisies, keeps things a bit neater.

Im a 29" waist, and it fits fine.

Another vote for the Yates Shield from a tiny climber.

Gotta give it up for Misty Mountain, they make kickcass harnesses.

I have a 29" waist and 19" thigh. Only BD small fits me. I was thinking about Yates Astroman, but the leg loops are too big for me.

Correction: waist 30.25", leg 20". Have put on a little weight recently.

my boyfriend says his friend had a factory custom harness made by BD, but it looks,like some dude just made it. Not professional.
The leg drops are a must for a female so hopefully Metollius will work on that with me. Still looking seriously at,Misty

I climb in a Cadillac and while it's amazing for everything from sport to multi pitch trad, I don't know if I'd take it up any long walls. Misty does make a big wall-specific harness which I hear good things about.

I go for the cheapest one i can find. Craigslist? Ebay?

buy new harnss, itll save ur life.... and for only 20$ more. lol unless u wana die

Tronald Dump wrote:I go for the cheapest one i can find. Craigslist? Ebay?

ye like I am that dumb and was gonna do that...no thanx! I make enough to buy me the best on the market. It's hard to pick something that will be both practical and comfortable regardless of the price. Anyway if I HAD to choose between gear and food I would choose gear. I would eat canned food and buy the best gear....that is just me.

I've used the Wildcountry Elite for climbing walls. My waist is around size 29-30. I like it quite a bit, comfy, relatively lightweight and pretty sturdy. I think mine is a small and they likely come in XS.

The Misty Mountain Titan is very nice. I wear a Titan around my waste and use the leg loops from my cadillac. Makes for an extremely comfy harness that I can free and aid in.

I have the Yates Shield and Astroman. Both great harness and I have taken both on several walls. The Astroman crosses over for multi-pitch free climbing well. I choose to use the Shield for slower walls only.... Contact Yates. They would likely be willing to make whatever model in your size/specs for a few $$ more if the stock specs don't work for you. They are fantastic to work with and make excellent products.

For 99% of my free climbing I use a BD Xenos and love it....

EDIT:

ASTROMAN HARNESS SIZE CHART

Size Waist Thigh
XS 24” - 28” 18” - 20“
S 28” - 31” 20” - 22“
M 30” - 34” 22” - 24“
Lg 33” - 37” 24” - 26”
XL 36” - 40” 26” - 28”

SHIELD HARNESS SIZE CHART

Size Waist Thigh
S 27” - 31” 20” - 22”
M 30” - 34” 22” - 24”
Lg 33” - 37” 24” - 26”
XL 36” - 40” 26” - 28”
XXL 39” - 44” 26” - 29”

Looks like you can get a stock XS Astro... you'll be psyched!