Blue Ice Cuesta Harness

I am looking to upgrade from my Petzl Adjama that I use as my 1 harness for Gym, Trad, and Ice. I am starting to dislike how bulky it is to pack away,  how it is a littlie too pinchy while hanging at times, and as of recently a bit on the large size when I am only wearing a t shirt,since I sized it with my winter layers on originally a few years ago. 

Since I am doing both summer climbing ( t shirt), and ice climbnig (lots of layers) I am thinking of getting 2 harnesses. The Blue Ice Cuesta for gym and trad in medium, and either the Arcteryx AR-395 or Blue Ice Choucas Pro for winter in Large to accommodate layering.

Anyone on here try out the Cuesta to say any pros/cons? I havent seen many reviews on the Blue Ice Cuesta anywhere, but I am liking what Blue Ice is doing with their bags, screws, and the Choucas pro so I can only assume the Cuesta is also nice. 

I'd just buy choucas pro and not bother to double  up -- but I'm a cheap-ass who generally avoids climbing in gyms...   maybe hang on to the Pretzl for gym use if you just gotta have two harnesses

-Haireball

I like it. Best bang for buck with the bells and whistles for rock harness imo.

I have several friends who use Choucas Pro for everything, including indoor climbing. It will probably not be as durable due to the lightweight construction, but it seems like a marginal thing to have to replace the harness a little more frequently.

Is the Choucas Pro comfortable enough for cragging? I've got a buddy who uses it for ice and says he wouldn't use it for much for than that or alpine. 

I have the cuesta and like it.  Some of my partners dont love me having a "no name brand" harness with a spaghetti belay loop.   I find it comfortable at hanging belays, more so than my previous black diamond harness.   The only thing I would change on it would be bigger belay loops for trad, but even that hasnt been an issue for me yet.  

Sam Untersee wrote:

Is the Choucas Pro comfortable enough for cragging? I've got a buddy who uses it for ice and says he wouldn't use it for much for than that or alpine. 

Ive only used the Choucas Pro for alpine, but after 12 hours of rappelling in it I was dying to get it off. If youre climbing below your limit and the belays have good stances it might be fine. But for hanging belays or redpointing I think it would be pretty awful. 

I happen to own both harnesses and use them exactly like you mention. Choucas Pro isn't super comfortable to hang in. It is reasonable, but I wouldn't want it as my only harness. The Cuesta on the other hand is very comfortable. It is also pretty light and I packs down quite small.

If I only bought one, I would buy the Cuesta

I appreciate all of the comments so far! Good to hear that the cuesta is pretty comfy. I have similar concerns as a few others about using the Choucas Pro where I am falling and hanging a lot.

Luke Lalor wrote:

I happen to own both harnesses and use them exactly like you mention. Choucas Pro isn't super comfortable to hang in. It is reasonable, but I wouldn't want it as my only harness. The Cuesta on the other hand is very comfortable. It is also pretty light and I packs down quite small.

If I only bought one, I would buy the Cuesta

Luke, did you size up the Choucas or keep the size the same? 

I am in between sizes, did not size up the Choucas Pro and mildly regret that decision. If you wear 32 pants I would get the larger one.

I dont know why anyone would think the blue ice things would be good for gym or cragging?

They are purpose built ultralight harness for Alpine or Ice. They are reasonably comfortable considering how light they are but the things are just mesh.

The Pro is awesome for light use. Like say peak bagging California 14ers with long approaches and a few pitches of up and down. It’s so light, and takes up very, very little pack space.

I don’t have experience with it for long hanging belay episodes.