Most comfortable Black Diamond harness?

The solution is pretty fantastic

Rob Warden...Space Lizard wrote:

The solution is pretty fantastic

Have read good things about it but I don't like that it doesn't have a haul loop or adjustable leg straps.. but I should go try it on at a local shop to see.

It sounds like a Misty Mountain Cadillac is exactly right for you.

Stein Pull wrote:

It sounds like a Misty Mountain Cadillac is exactly right for you.

Helen L wrote:
I have a gift certificate for Black Diamond's online shop.

This is their new harness that's pretty much a solution except with 4-season additions (ice clippers, adjustable leg loops, 5th gear loop). I haven't tried it, but I suspect it should be just as comfy as the solution.

http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/climbing-harnesses/womens-technician-harness-BD651092_cfg.html#start=1

I have the Ozone, I believe the Zone is the new version, and the Fusion vs tube style is a huge upgrade in comfort IMO.  It's also super light and packs down to nothing.  I was worried about the non-adjustable leg loops when I first got it since I'm built more like a running back than climber but the comfort range on the BD harnesses is wide.

The Big Gun is bulky, for sure. It's also the only one that doesn't cause my legs to go numb if I'm hanging for 30+ minutes. I usually wear the Chaos and the Ethos seems to be the identical women's version. Noticeably more durable and more comfortable than the Momentums I used to have.

Cons of each are the Big Gun's loops are too small/short, even if there are three of them on each side. And the Ethos' superficial tape flakes off pretty quickly.

The Lotus appears to be the same harness except with adjustable leg loops and ice clips.

I have the Chaos. It's by far the most comfortable harness I've ever owned, comprable to the r320. A perfect 5/7 would reccommend. 

I think that the best harness

can only be determined

by trying several on

and hanging in them.

What others like is

what others like.

Definitely take a book and hang more than a couple minutes, lol!

Actually, see if you can borrow the harness you are interested in and head to the gym. I have a big gun, because I swapped with my son, and liked it.

That worked out well, as I am a route setter now, and hang for long periods of time, with additional weight and extra crap on the thing.

My son is with a search and rescue unit. The big gun is used a lot for people who are in them for really long stretches, but other harnesses might be better for regular climbing.

Be aware, the small on big gun is not all that small, 30".

Best, OLH

Two things I don't like about the big gun.

• Three small, stiff gear loops, I would much rather have the two massive ones that arcteryx has.
• The harness is absolutely obnoxious for you and anyone you are with when walking in it. The leg loop fabric is really loud.

Nolan,

I'd disagree that the technician is only a cosmetic remodel of the Aspect. The harness construction on the Aspect is "Dual Core" construction (basically two webbing bands with foam) while the technician construction is "fusion comfort technology" (three bands heat molded together). The "fusion comfort technology" is the same construction used on the solution and is what makes it so comfy.

FWIW, I find my Aspect to be pretty comfy, far more comfortable than my older Momentum. Lesson is that comfort comes down personal preference so you shouldn't listen to people on internet forums...

Solution. Been wearing mine since it came out, can't be beat for comfort. I don't have a Misty Mountain to compare it to but it's definitely more comfortable than the Arcteryx which costs twice as much.

Very interested to try the Technician (need that 5th gear loop!), though it doesn't look like the leg loops are as wide. 

Chaos is great. No harness will make a hanging belay comfortable, but the Chaos is loads better than the old BD momentum. It looks like there is a women's version of the Chaos called the Ethos. 

Charlie Proctor wrote:

Nolan,

I'd disagree that the technician is only a cosmetic remodel of the Aspect. The harness construction on the Aspect is "Dual Core" construction (basically two webbing bands with foam) while the technician construction is "fusion comfort technology" (three bands heat molded together). The "fusion comfort technology" is the same construction used on the solution and is what makes it so comfy.

FWIW, I find my Aspect to be pretty comfy, far more comfortable than my older Momentum. Lesson is that comfort comes down personal preference so you shouldn't listen to people on internet forums...

Is the comfort of the Solution also from the width of the waist belt and leg loops? When compared with the Technician, it looks quite a bit wider:
http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_CA/compare?category=harnesses

Wow, that's tough, on the rise. I'm the other direction, too short. I had a big gun (sized for men), small, and it was quite comfortable, including fitting for rise. However, the waist was becoming too large, and the leg loops were always close to too small.

From my experience trying on everything local with buckles on the legs, the rise is longer on the women's, across everything I tried. Men's are probably not going to cut it for you, including "unisex".  The men's were all too big in the waist for me.

Pop for the Misty mountain and get what you need. It's not just comfort, it's safety. Harnesses, especially a burlier one, can last a long time.

Best, Helen (middle initial L!)

Old lady H wrote:

Pop for the Misty mountain and get what you need. It's not just comfort, it's safety. Harnesses, especially a burlier one, can last a long time.

Best, Helen (middle initial L!)

Which Misty Mountain harness do you use? I'm on my second Cadillac now.

FrankPS wrote:

Which Misty Mountain harness do you use? I'm on my second Cadillac now.

No Frank, I don't have one. With the fit issues, it seems, merely seems, reasonable to consider popping for the harness that works for her.

This solution has been recommended by others, including to solve my own sizing/fit issues.  ;-)

Best, Helen

Old lady H wrote:

No Frank, I don't have one. With the fit issues, it seems, merely seems, reasonable to consider popping for the harness that works for her.

This solution has been recommended by others, including to solve my own sizing/fit issues.  ;-)

Best, Helen

I would never recommend something I haven't tried. But that's just me. Actually, I think it's ridiculous to recommend gear you haven't used.