Do Harnesses Stretch?

In the process of finding the right-fitting harness. With the most comfortable one I've found, I'm kind of right in between two sizes. Their Large is for 33-36 inches. And their XL is for 36-39 inches. The Large is too small in the rise, and too small in the waist if I want the belay loops and gear loops lined up and centered on my body. And there wouldn't be any overlap of the padded waist belt ends.

With the XL everything lines up great, the rise is perfect, but the waist needs to be tightened down all the way. And even then, it might just a tiny tiny tiny bit too loose IF the harness stretches over time as it gets more and more use.

Does this happen? Should I err on the side of safety and get the smaller size? Or give up on this one and just find a different harness?

They don't stretch but they seem much looser when weighted. If it's already loose, it'll feel looser when you're using it.

You might lose weight too.

Do you predict you will get fatter or thinner in the future? Size accordingly. ;)

My weight is pretty stable haha. 6' 2", 180lbs on average. Give or take a few pounds depending on what I had for lunch. The XL isn't going to slip over my hips. But if it could tighten down like another 1/2 inch it would be perfect. This always happens—I'm always in the middle, between two sizes with everything. I'm climbing tonight, so I guess I'll hang in it and see what happens.

I don't think so...mine keeps getting tighter every year. :oP

Go with the L

Too small in the rise and waist sounds uncomfortable, and it sounds like you'd be totally out of luck if you ever need to wear more layers. I'd go with the larger as long as you can adjust it tight enough to be safe. If not, maybe look at other brands that might be a better fit.

Damn those shrinking harnesses.

I have to really suck in the gut to get a long enough tail to double back.

Why don't you contact Misty Mountain and ask them to make one that fits you?

My favorite thread of the day! rofl

FrankPS wrote:Why don't you contact Misty Mountain and ask them to make one that fits you?

They do custom-fit harnesses?

Jost got back from climbing and I think the XL will work out. It's tightened down all the way, but seems to do the trick. Doesn't feel like I'm going to fall out of it. I was just wondering if harness material stretches over time after lots of use. But I guess it doesn't from what y'all are saying.

FourT6and2 wrote: They do custom-fit harnesses?

You can custom the sh*t out of your misty. I got one and it is awweesoome. The cadillac.

haha the only thing they couldn't do was add ice clipper slots on because of the extra gear loops on that model. Oh well can't have it all.

Scott McMahon wrote: You can custom the sh*t out of your misty. I got one and it is awweesoome. The cadillac. haha the only thing they couldn't do was add ice clipper slots on because of the extra gear loops on that model. Oh well can't have it all.

I don't believe they do custom sizes with their current production method.

You might wanna head to a reputable climbing shop and get someone to help you get the right fit. At 6'2" 180 a large sounds right. Dont settle either. Try on every harness you can get your hands on. But the one that fits and feels the best.

Bill Kirby wrote: You might wanna head to a reputable climbing shop and get someone to help you get the right fit. At 6'2" 180 a large sounds right. Dont settle either. Try on every harness you can get your hands on. But the one that fits and feels the best.

Oh I did. I tried on a shit ton of harnesses.

I would go to another shop then. The guy helping you should've answered all the questions you're asking here. A quality shop would tell you what size harness fits and have you hang in it. You would be able to pick which harness that's the right fit that feels the most comfy afterwards. I would have to imagine even the guy at REI knows harnesses don't stretch.

Bill Kirby wrote: I would go to another shop then. The guy helping you should've answered all the questions you're asking here. A quality shop would tell you what size harness fits and have you hang in it. You would be able to pick which harness that's the right fit that feels the most comfy afterwards. I would have to imagine even the guy at REI knows harnesses don't stretch.

REI (and one other small shop with zero selection) is the only place around here other than my climbing gym—which doesn't have a lot to choose from. I did hang in all of the ones I tried on though. I think my nearest actual shop that has specialized climbing gear other than REI is like 5 hours away.

In any event, after climbing in the XL yesterday I think it will work out just fine. :)

But on a side note, the main issue with the sizing is that Petzl (the harness I went with) fits their harnesses without any overlap between each size. So an M picks up where an S leaves off and an L picks up where the M leaves off, etc. So if the L is for 33-36 and the XL is for 36-39, and you are a 36... then you're kinda screwed. Since you're either at the very largest adjustment of the L or at the very tightest of the XL. Either situation isn't ideal. A lot of other companies will have each size overlap by an inch or so to accommodate people who are right between a size.

im the same exact scenario between a M and a L for many companies

usually i go with the larger size as when you start climbing in colder weather youll be wearing more layers and need expansion

also dont settle for a poor fit in the rise .... this can lead to flipping in a fall

some harnesses like metolous have an adjustable rise

metoliusclimbing.com/how-to…

and its likely if you try enuff harnesses youll find one that fits perfectly ... for example a L mammut fits me splendidly, as their sizing is slight smaller than others ...

only hanging from the harness can tell u if it fits

of course if u plan to lose weight, dont get the larger size ... but thats not likely with my ginourmous sushi fed belly !!!

;)