How does the Yates Sheild Fit?

how does the sizing on the Yates shield run size wise? big or small? I am size 30 or so and am hesitant to buy a small if the harness has an off fit.

thanks in advance

Rdubz in Zion

I am a 32ish waist the beginning of walls and have the medium. I have to cinch the waist belt down pretty tight to get it to fit. By the end of a wall (usually lose about 5-7 lbs), I wish I had the small b/c it starts to sag off.

If you are on the cusp of sizes, get the smaller one due to weight loss.

Hey Rob,

I'm the same waist size as you and have a Shield, I'll check when I get home. Mine is all the way cinched down, so going down a size from whatever I have would probably be advisable.

Haven't used it for climbing in many years (stopped doing aid routes), but currently use the waist portion with the leg loops removed as a way to hang weight for hangboarding. My old free harness I used for that purpose for many years doesn't have the dual-buckles that allow you to center the belay loop and the wide back on the shield is also way more comfortable than a regular harness. I'll let you know late tonight or tomorrow.

They are very nice harnesses, comfy, well designed.

They run big by a couple inches on both my shield and astroman harnesses. I wish I had gotten one size smaller on my shield.

thanks for the help. I will most likely be a small although I have a hard time believing it because at 6ft 1 and 167lbs I would think I would be a medium. I had a waldo for a bit but the medium was falling off my body after a day in it and I justifiable moved it along to a friend who fits it better. its a shame though the waldo was a sweet rig. the shield looks like a nice harness as well. more loops and it will work nicely with my Yates chest harness.

Further proof that aid climbers are mostly fat old guys.

All Yates gear runs big.

Ok, checked it and mine is Medium. Get a small for sure. I'm all the way cinched down and could still stand to tighten a bit more.

I have a 33" waste and rock the Shield in a small. They definitely run big.

I am a 36" waist and the large fits me fine.

Yates runs way big...

Look at the Tactical Shield Climbing Harness. OH MY GOD! I love it!!! I really hate the double back system they have on the climbing harness', but I love this system! It's the same harness only difference is the buckles and it's all black.

It's near the bottom of the page.

http://yatesgear.com/rescue/tactical/harnesses/index.htm#3