10 year old harness still good?

Because nobody will deck because a of 10 year-old harness. Period. One may deck because the tie-in points are worn and abraded, but that has to do with use, not age.

No life safety gear should be used after five years, period. I vote toss it and get new gear. This goes for everything 'life safety". Don't risk it to save some scratch. The big picture is you're going to spend money in this hobby. I climb with guys whom make little to no money and completely replace 3 ropes and 2 racks every year so you wouldn't be alone in trashing gear.

Take away - if you have to ask, replace it.

rockandice.com/lates-news/b…

Not trying to bust balls, it say's (paraphrasing) most were safe but several failed some of which didn't have visible damage

Travis Haussener wrote:http://www.rockandice.com/lates-news/busted?page=1 Not trying to bust balls, it say's (paraphrasing) most were safe but several failed some of which didn't have visible damage

I mean honestly if read carefully this articles makes the 10yr old, barely used harness look like it may actually be stronger than a cheap new BD harness.

Rock&Ice wrote:Surprisingly, the older harnesses had higher than average breaking strengths for both belay loops and leg loops. [....] Harnesses up to five years old had belay loops that broke at an average of 5,291 pounds, while harnesses older than 10 years had an average belay-loop strength of 5,952 pounds, well above the 3,306-pound CE minimum for overall harness strength.

If you are worried enough that you are asking other people, just drop the $50 and buy a new one. How much is risking your life worth to you?

Matt Wilson wrote:If you are worried enough that you are asking other people, just drop the $50 and buy a new one. How much is risking your life worth to you?

People pay big bucks to risk their lives. Why pay more if you can do it for free?

If you had to ask the question you know the answer.retire it not worth your life most manufactures recommend retiring after three years.they may need to be retired earlier do to falls exposure to excessive sunlight bug repellent
ect..

Travis Haussener wrote:http://www.rockandice.com/lates-news/busted?page=1 Not trying to bust balls, it say's (paraphrasing) most were safe but several failed some of which didn't have visible damage

This study tested used harnesses and concluded that use causes degradation. Incidentally, it also found a reverse correlation between age and strength (older harnesses tested stronger than newer ones), though lots of variables were uncontrolled-for.

The o.p. asked about a harness that had been sitting unused. Research with unused nylon products concludes that if well-stored (cool, dry, no chemical exposure), they will not significantly degrade in ten years.

The harness in question is likely to be in the same condition it was in ten years ago.

Locker wrote:"I climb with guys whom make little to no money and completely replace 3 ropes and 2 racks every year"</b.... I find that hard to believe, ridiculous, or both. Replacing TWO RACKS of gear, per year? Why?

I was chatting to a guide-friend and he said one of his clients replaces a rope after 3 trips. Said guide takes advantage of this and doesn't pay a lot for ropes..

Diemos nailed it.

Has there ever been a single case of harness failure simply because it was old?

David Battiste wrote:No life safety gear should be used after five years, period. I vote toss it and get new gear. This goes for everything 'life safety". Don't risk it to save some scratch. The big picture is you're going to spend money in this hobby. I climb with guys whom make little to no money and completely replace 3 ropes and 2 racks every year so you wouldn't be alone in trashing gear. Take away - if you have to ask, replace it.

David, you are making a ridiculous claim. What are you basing this absurd timeline on? If manufacturers who have an interest in being overly cautious and in selling gear say it's good longer than that, where did you get your numbers?

Life Safety? So something that is expected to hold body weight or more, correct? So this is everything but shoes and chalkbags, including cams, nuts, and the bolts in the rock. Is this correct?

I really want to insult you, I'll pass and just say that you lack the education and background to make any such claims.

I'm with ya on that. I'd love to have a friend that replaced their rack every year.

Those three trips are just that, three trips to the Rockies. Crazy eh.

chigbee wrote:Slinging Rock

M Phaneuf wrote:Signing rock

Czech mate

OP, Singing Rock harnesses are, imo, crap. When my tie-ins wore out in under a year it was back to the 10 year old workhorse BD. Also, one more vote for if nylon looks fine, it is fine (except acid damage).

Best sport harness I've had was a Singing Rock Pharaoh. Used it for 9 years until it was stolen out of my car.

David Battiste wrote:No life safety gear should be used after five years, period.

The climbing gear manufacturers thank you for your generous and ongoing financial support.

1Eric Rhicard wrote:Ever notice you never have to replace the seat belt in your car?

Good point, although I believe most modern seatbelts are made out of polyester which is more resilient to most aging effects than nylon.

"No life safety gear should be used after five years, period."

This is one of the dumbest and most hilarious things I've read on Mountain Project. Thanks for that,

Your life or well being, or even piece of mind worth less than $50?

solid

Travis Haussener wrote:...If this situation was reversed and this guy decked on a ten year old harness because the belay loop frayed or something everyone would be saying "It say's 5-10 years TOPS...dude shouldn't have been climbing on that thing (no brainer)" If you have to ask, just buy a new one...end rant.

By that same logic, we should all just retire our ropes after 7 falls. Better safe than sorry, my life is worth more than $160!