Climbing Harnesses

Learn how to inspect, clean, transport and store your climbing harness to keep it in tip-top shape.

Best uses

Most climbing harnesses are versatile enough for indoor climbing or outdoor multi-pitch routes, while some are more specialized for mountaineering or ice climbing.

• Sport or indoor climbing: Stripped down for fast travel and feature minimal gear loops.
• Trad climbing: More gear loops since climbers place their own protection. Comfort and padding are key, as you may spend hours on a route or hanging in your harness.
• Mountaineering: Designed for long approaches and all-season versatility
• Ice climbing: Designed to perform in winter conditions

Key features:

• Padded waist: Thicker padding or a broader surface area helps distributes pressure
• Adjustable leg loops: Fit different body types and clothing layers
• Gear loops: Typically two to five loops for racking gear
• Droppable leg loops: Leg loops unclip at the back for easier bathroom breaks

Women-specific harnesses

• These typically feature a higher rise, a larger leg-to-waist ratio and a shaped waistbelt
• Choose a women-specific harness if it better matches your body type.

Get started rock climbing with this expert guide from REI. Learn about climbing styles, essential gear and how to climb indoors and outdoors.

Send confidently—and comfortably—in our 7 favorite climbing harnesses.

Putting on a climbing harness for the first time can be confounding. But with a few tips and some repetition, it can become as familiar as pulling on a pair of pants. Learn how to put on a climbing harness with these seven easy steps.