How to keep my jacket tucked in

I’m shocked that I can’t find any threads about this online, but I’m really curious about how everybody keeps their shirts tucked into their harnesses. Every time I climb anything, especially ice, this becomes an issue. Obviously in the winter this poses a bigger problem with how friggin cold it can get and having skin exposed. Please help!

I think it requires trying on various layers from as many manufacturers as you can. I’m 6’5” and Mammut has quickly become a new favorite for me. The sleeves are plenty long and the jacket doesn’t creep up above my harness when I’ve climbing. I always do the arms above the head when trying jackets on. If the jacket rides up then it is a no go for me. 

Maybe your gut is to big! Or your jacket is too small.

Shiraz N wrote:

Buy a longer jacket. You can't find anything because it's not an issue. 

It is an issue, if you buy a jacket with the wrong cut, or a cheap, non/alpine climbing jacket. If you fork out the big bucks and get a nice jacket, made for climbing, it should stay put when you stretch out.

Get a one piece suit.

This is absolutely an issue, but perhaps mostly for people at size extremes.  I am 6' 4" with long arms, and basically all shells pull up and out of my harness alpine and ice climbing.  I do OK with Patagina (boxier fit) or Arcteryx (more athletic fit) XL sizes, but in both they could have longer arms, more material around the shoulders and upper arms, a longer hem, and less material around the middle (I need at XL jacket for length, not to fit like a tent).  The Patagonia crotch loops help less than one might think, and they are a pain to deal with.  The Arcteryx baffles do nothing for me.  The Arcteryx Beta jacket comes in a long version--that might work, if the hood was helmet compatible.  The one piece suit would be ideal, but the super-slick Mammut one piece suits never fit me right, even in XL.  Salewa makes one that looks really cool, but, Good God, it's pricey.  I've basically resigned myself to tucking in my jacket after every pitch.  I've also considered making my own one-piece by combining some different pieces.  Work in progress.

Very annoying indeed! A good gear repair person could creatively add more material to the bottom of the jacket either permanently affixed or temporarily. This would give you length to keep everything tucked in. A friend of mine in ABQ can amend gear like this. Let me know if you want her contact info. 

I hate being cold in the winter and am always scheming how to fix it. Before last season I bit the bullet and bought NW alpine salopettes. These things kick butt! The material isn't quite as durable as something like the OR cirques though so be wise with early season glissading. But never having exposed skin or riding layers at the base of my back was a huge improvement. The baselayer I wear under it never rides up. 

I'm no hardcore winter climber but dang these have made me so much more comfy.

I'm not sure you'll fix the shell/harness interface. Things that would help with skin exposure are a one piece base layer or a bib, salopette or full 1pc. 

I use these. 

https://www.nwalpine.com/products/neoshell-salopette

Edit: Nolan beat me to it. 

Shiraz N wrote:

Amount of money spent on a coat does not have any correlation to how it fits. If you buy a jacket that does not fit, the issue is your ability to choose the right jacket, not whether or not it'll stay put. Your argument is illogical. Buy a coat that fits.

hahaha. Ok Dr. Logic! Perhaps you should re-read what I wrote and you will see it doesn’t simply boil down to: good jacket = lots of money. I specifically mention cut/pattern. I wear a medium, and a medium soft shell or hard shell from Walmart which is not intended for alpine climbing “fits”, but it isn’t cut appropriately to not jostle around when raising my arms overhead and back down repeatedly, such as what one might do whilst ice climbing. However, a $600 Haglöfs, Arcteryx, Mammut, etc that is appropriately designed for said activity will also “fit”, but the cut allows it to stay in place whilst reaching overhead repeatedly. But thanks, Dr. Logic! You are always so enlightening!

Do you wear a bib style climbing pant?  That may work? Thoughts?

jdejace wrote:

I'm not sure you'll fix the shell/harness interface. Things that would help with skin exposure are a one piece base layer or a bib, salopette or full 1pc. 

I use these. 

https://www.nwalpine.com/products/neoshell-salopette

Edit: Nolan beat me to it. 

Do you find that you roast in that thing?  I have often wondered since you're totally locked into a hardshell vest on top all day, no matter what the conditions do.

NW Alpine makes nice gear, but I have always been dubious about that setup.

Kyle Tarry wrote:

Do you find that you roast in that thing?  I have often wondered since you're totally locked into a hardshell vest on top all day, no matter what the conditions do.

NW Alpine makes nice gear, but I have always been dubious about that setup.

The top isn't a hardshell: 

"The top half of our Neoshell ® Alpine Salopette is made of a comfortable polyester, spandex blend fabric that provides extra insulation and ensures that you never have to worry about getting snow into your baselayers or having your pants slip under your climbing harness waistband."

Danny Deckers wrote:

I’m shocked that I can’t find any threads about this online, but I’m really curious about how everybody keeps their shirts tucked into their harnesses. Every time I climb anything, especially ice, this becomes an issue. Obviously in the winter this poses a bigger problem with how friggin cold it can get and having skin exposed. Please help!

You don't have this problem in this photo. We're you just bored and decided to troll a bit.

Nol H wrote:

The top isn't a hardshell: 

"The top half of our Neoshell ® Alpine Salopette is made of a comfortable polyester, spandex blend fabric that provides extra insulation and ensures that you never have to worry about getting snow into your baselayers or having your pants slip under your climbing harness waistband."

I don't know how I missed that, I thought the whole thing was Neoshell.  That's AWESOME.

Now I just need to resist the urge to send NW Alpine a bunch of money...

Those salopettes are the best ice climbing layer you will find. 

Shiraz N wrote:

You're assuming high end clothing companies care about all buyers. They don't. They care about the middle of the bell curve. They fit most people most of the time. They don't care about outliers. But various clothing companies have varying cuts and fit different people slightly different. Find the company and cut that works for you. Your argument still doesn't contain logic. Try again. 

Ok Dr. Logic, prove it. But first, no, I never assumed what you claim. Damn, you ought to learn to read! Or take a class in logical reasoning. Life is too short to try and cram anything into that dense, thick head of yours. 

Ahh, the old days ha ha! This has been buried in my closet for years! 

Funny, I was internet surfing last night and followed a thread to find the Wild Things High Altitude suit review and a photo of Mark Twight wearing one in a meat locker. 

I sewed a couple buttons (ok, I had my mom do it for me even though I'm almost 40) onto the inside of my soft shell jacket, and then cut a couple holes into the waistband of my pants. Works pretty good. Kind of a pain to deal with buttons with frozen hands, maybe next time I'd try snaps. 

You could also use safety pins. Just gotta be sure you dont put em where your climbing harness will dig in. 

Many years ago some jackets came with a crotch strap for just this reason.