Black Diamond Solution Guide Harness Discontinued?

As far as I can tell the solution guide is discontinued. It's only available in XS on their website and it doesn't appear in their lineup of harnesses.

Does anyone know why it was discontinued? It seems to have positive reviews online and it's still available at some places online.

What is the recommended replacement in their product line now? The technician? The zone? It seems like the zone has been through a couple updates and it now has a 5th gear loop.

Didn't know that but its my favorite gym/sport harness.  Cadillac for Trad. 

But yah after taking a look, I'd say the Zone is pretty similar. 

Yes BD discontinued the Solution Guide - I called them about it a while ago and at first I thought they were going to replace it with something new, but that hasn't appeared to happen. Not sure if there will be something coming out in the future or not, and discontinuing it basically means an end to the Chaos/Solution Guide trad climbing specific harness line. Definitely a bummer since it was a fantastically comfortable and burly harness with larger gear loops well suited to big days of free climbing. Currently that leaves the core BD harness lineup at:

- Solution (regular): Really comfortable, certainly versatile, but somewhat limited by its gear racking capacity. But hey, lots of climbers and athletes have used it in some of the world's biggest terrain.

- Momentum: cheaper and less comfortable than the Solution. I honestly see no reason other than price point to get it over the Solution, and would recommend people just pay the extra 15 bucks or whatever for the Solution. Maybe if the Solution's fixed legs don't work for you the Momentum would be the cheapest option with some leg adjustability. 

- Zone: Currently my main harness, and I've been surprised by how well it performs for its light weight. Its essentially BD's answer to the Petzl Sitta. Gear loops are the same size as the Solution (standard BD 85mm), but the 5th gear loop and ice clippers make it quite versatile. The infinity belay loop is quite nice and I hope to see it become a bit more standard on other harnesses. The legs and waist are narrower than the Solution, which makes it just a hair less supportive perhaps. I've done everything from sport redpoints to climbing in RMNP and the Black Canyon with this harness, and it certainly works. Still, I wouldn't mind still having the option of a burlier and more supportive harness with larger front gear loops like the Solution Guide for bigger trad free climbing days. 

- Technician: The most fully featured harness in BD's lineup, and very similar to the venerable Arcteryx AR395 at roughly half the cost. Slightly enlarged front gear loops (I think 95mm wide on the small and above sizes), rear 5th gear loop, and a total of 4 ice clipper slots. Adjustable legs, which is a matter of fit and personal preference I guess - personally I prefer fixed legs. Comfortable enough, but not as comfortable IMO as the Solution.

High level, when looking for a replacement for the Solution Guide, choose the Zone if you want a light weight, fixed leg, fairly versatile harness. Choose the Technician if you want adjustable legs and maximum gear carrying capacity and versatility. Or call BD and bug them for a direct replacement for the Solution Guide.

I'm super bummed to read this and just checked stocks in the uk and we are almost all out in my size :( 

For me the solution guide was the perfect harness, beefy enough for my love of groveling and offwidths, nicely padded and comfy for freeclimbing on big stone and some of the best gear loops on the market outside of arc'teryx (which don't fit). The only way to make this harness better would be plastic coating on the front tie in points and placing the rear gear loop at the top of the harness rather than the bottom. 

Or call BD and bug them for a direct replacement for the Solution Guide.

What number should I use?

In all seriousness thanks for the detailed answer! It’s a bummer to hear that but I’m sure I’ll live 

Neil L wrote:

What number should I use?

Use Black Diamond's phone number. That should work.

I've got a size small that's never been used if anyone wants to buy one. $60 w/shipping, or $50 w/WA or Yosemite pickup.

Sucks that it's discontinued, looks like a sweet harness. It just doesn't fit my chonky legs :(