Best climbing harnesses in 2025 & How to choose It?

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Climbing harnesses don’t get the spotlight like shoes or ropes do, but they’re one of the most important pieces of gear you’ll ever own. 

If you plan to climb anything taller than a bouldering wall, you need a good harness. It’s your literal lifeline. And while it may not be as flashy as your favorite pair of shoes, the right harness can seriously change how safe and comfortable you feel on the wall—whether you’re clipping bolts at your local gym or gearing up for a multi-pitch alpine route.

But not all climbing harnesses are built the same. Some are stripped-down and ultralight for fast-and-light missions in the mountains, while others are plush and padded for catching falls on your sport project. 

There are even harnesses made specifically for big wall aid climb, ski mountaineering, or simply sending your first lead route indoors. And sure, most modern harnesses meet safety standards like those from the UIAA or CE—but beyond that? It’s all about how well it fits your body and your climbing style.

So if you’ve ever wondered “What’s the best climbing harness for me?” or found yourself overwhelmed by all the gear loops, leg loop options, and tech specs—don’t worry. We’re breaking it all down for you. This article covers the different types of harnesses, how to choose the right one based on your climbing goals, and our top picks for 2025 

Types of climbing harnesses

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Not all harnesses are created equal—and that’s a good thing. Different styles of climbing demand different features, and knowing which type of harness suits your needs can make a huge difference in both comfort and performance. Let’s break down the main types of climbing harnesses and when you’d want to use each one.

1. All-Around Harnesses

These are the most versatile. They’re designed to handle a bit of everything—from indoor lead climbing to outdoor sport, trad, and even light alpine adventures. If you’re new to climbing or want just one harness for multiple disciplines, this is a great starting point. All-around harnesses typically come with four gear loops, adjustable leg loops, and decent padding, offering a solid mix of comfort and functionality.

2. Sport Climbing Harnesses

Sport harnesses are built with performance in mind. They tend to be lighter and sleeker, focusing on freedom of movement and breathability. Some have fixed leg loops to reduce bulk and weight. While they may lack extra gear loops or features found in trad or alpine harnesses, they’re perfect for gym sessions, outdoor sport routes, and projecting your next hard send.

3. Trad Climbing Harnesses

Trad (traditional) climbers need more room for gear—and trad harnesses deliver. These are typically beefier, with extra-wide waist belts, generous padding, and at least four to six gear loops. The added comfort and support are essential when you’re carrying a full rack of cams and nuts or spending hours at hanging belays on multi-pitch climbs.

4. Alpine and Ice Harnesses

Lightweight and highly packable, alpine and ice harnesses are designed for efficiency in the mountains. They often feature minimal padding, fabric gear loops, and ice clipper slots for screws and tools. Many models are built to be put on while wearing crampons or skis, making them ideal for glacier travel, technical mountaineering, and fast-and-light alpine missions.

5. Mountaineering and Skimo Harnesses

These are even more minimalist than alpine models. Built for weight savings and packability, mountaineering harnesses often strip out all but the essentials—sometimes skipping the belay loop altogether in favor of tie-in points. They’re not designed for hanging or taking big falls, but they’re perfect for glacier travel, ski mountaineering, and peak bagging where speed matters more than comfort.

6. Big Wall and Aid Harnesses

When you're on a wall for days, comfort becomes critical. Big wall harnesses are built with extra-thick padding, multiple gear and haul loops, and sometimes even two belay loops. They're heavier and bulkier, but necessary for carrying a large amount of gear and spending extended time in the harness without cutting off circulation.

Each of these types serves a specific purpose. So before buying, think about where you climb most often—and how long you'll be hanging up there. The right type of harness will not only keep you safe but also make your climbing days a lot more enjoyable.

Parts of a climbing harness

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A climbing harness might look like a jumble of straps at first glance, but each part is designed with a clear purpose—and knowing what’s what can help you climb more safely and comfortably.

Waist Belt

This is the thick strap that wraps around your hips and supports most of your weight when you fall or hang. It should sit snugly above your hip bones without sliding down. All harnesses come with a waist belt, but the amount of padding, adjustability, and width can vary depending on the type of climbing it’s designed for. 

Trad and big wall harnesses typically have wider, more padded belts for comfort during long hangs, while alpine and mountaineering harnesses keep things slim and lightweight.

Leg Loops

These go around your thighs and help distribute the load when you're suspended in the harness. Some harnesses have adjustable leg loops with buckles for a more customized fit, while others have fixed leg loops made from stretchy material that rely on a flexible fit.

Fixed loops are lighter and more streamlined—great for sport climbing—but they may not fit everyone equally well.

Belay Loop

The sturdy loop connecting the waist belt and leg loops in front of the harness is called the belay loop. It’s one of the most important parts—it’s where you attach your belay device or tie into the rope.

Belay loops are built to be extremely strong and are UIAA-certified to handle very high forces. Some big wall harnesses even feature two belay loops to make aid climbing and hauling systems more efficient.

Tie-In Points

These are the reinforced loops above and below the belay loop, usually stitched directly into the waist belt and leg loops. This is where you actually tie the climbing rope when leading or top roping. 

You thread the rope through both tie-in points—not the belay loop—when tying in with a figure-eight knot. Over time, these points wear down faster than the rest of the harness, so keep an eye on them.

Gear Loops

Found along the sides of the waist belt, gear loops are where you rack your climbing equipment—like quickdraws, cams, and slings. Most sport climbing harnesses have four, while trad and big wall harnesses may have five or six for carrying more gear. Some are rigid plastic for easier clipping; others are flexible to sit flat under a backpack, which is handy in alpine or mountaineering environments.

Ice Clipper Slots

If you plan to do ice or alpine climbing, look for ice clipper slots—reinforced points on the harness that let you attach specialized carabiner holsters for ice screws and tools. Not all harnesses have them, so check before heading into icy terrain.

Riser Straps (Rear Elastic Straps)

These slim elastic straps connect the back of the leg loops to the waist belt and help keep the harness in the right position while climbing. On many harnesses, they’re releasable, allowing you to detach them when nature calls without taking off your harness completely—a useful feature for long routes or alpine climbs.

Haul Loop

Usually located at the back of the waist belt, the haul loop is a reinforced loop used for attaching a second rope, hauling gear, or clipping a chalk bag. While most climbers just use it for the latter, it can be a handy bonus on longer climbs.

Harness standards

When it comes to climbing gear, safety isn’t something you want to leave to chance—and thankfully, you don’t have to. Every reputable climbing harness on the market is tested and certified according to strict international standards. That means no matter what brand or style you choose, as long as it meets these standards, it’s strong enough to catch your fall.

The two main organizations that set these safety benchmarks are the UIAA (International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation) and CE (Conformité Européenne). Both require harnesses to pass rigorous strength and durability tests before they can be sold. These tests involve applying serious force—far beyond what you’d encounter in a typical fall—to make sure the harness holds up under pressure.

For example, the belay loop, which connects your harness to the rope system, must be able to withstand at least 15 kilonewtons (kN) of force—that’s roughly 3,300 pounds. Tie-in points and structural stitching are also tested to similarly high standards. These numbers might sound like overkill, but in climbing, having a wide margin of safety is a good thing.

Here’s the key takeaway: if a harness is CE or UIAA certified, it’s safe to use for climbing. You don’t need to worry about whether it will “hold a fall”—that’s already guaranteed by the standards. Instead, your focus can shift to comfort, features, and fit—because at that point, you’re choosing between different good options.

Still, it’s worth noting that a certified harness doesn’t last forever. Regular use, exposure to sunlight, sweat, dirt, and sharp gear edges can all wear it down over time. That’s why it’s important to inspect your harness regularly—especially the tie-in points and belay loop—and replace it if you notice excessive wear or after a major fall.

Bottom line? Trust the standards, but don’t ignore wear and tear. Your harness is your lifeline—treat it with the respect it deserves.

Best climbing harnesses (for indoor & outdoor)

With so many harnesses on the market, picking the “best” one can feel overwhelming. The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer—it all comes down to the kind of climbing you do most and what features matter most to you. That said, after testing a wide range of harnesses in real-world conditions—from gym walls and sport crags to alpine ice and multi-pitch granite—these are the top picks for 2025, broken down by use case.

Best overall: Black Diamond Technician

If you want one harness to do it all, this is it. The Black Diamond Technician is a true all-rounder—comfortable enough for sport projecting, durable enough for trad, and loaded with features for alpine and ice. It has four gear loops, adjustable leg loops, and even slots for four ice clippers. 

The fit is snug but flexible, and you can even roll it up and stuff it into your helmet for easy packing.

Why it stands out: It’s one of the most versatile harnesses on the market, striking the right balance between weight, comfort, and function.

Best for technical alpine climbing: Blue Ice Choucas Pro

The Choucas Pro is impressively lightweight (just 178g) and still manages to carry a full alpine rack with four gear loops and ice clipper slots. It’s easy to put on over crampons and packs down smaller than most harnesses on this list. It’s not built for long hangs, but for alpine missions where weight and packability matter most, it’s hard to beat.

Why it stands out: Minimalist design with maximum alpine function—perfect for fast and light objectives.

Best for mountaineering: Petzl Altitude

The Petzl Altitude is designed with glacier travel, snow climbs, and ski mountaineering in mind. It’s super lightweight (160g), folds flat, and can be worn over bulky layers and crampons with ease. There are only two gear loops and minimal padding, which makes sense—this isn’t a harness for hanging out. It’s there when you need it, and barely noticeable when you don’t.

Why it stands out: Ultralight, fast to put on, and ideal for high-altitude or backcountry missions.

Best for projecting: Arc’teryx AR-395a

If you’re working hard routes and taking frequent falls, the AR-395a is the most comfortable harness in this lineup. Its wide, thin waist and leg loops spread force evenly and reduce pressure points, even during big whips or long hangs. It’s heavier and less packable than others, but when comfort is your top priority, it delivers.

Why it stands out: Unmatched comfort for long sessions, big lead falls, and hanging rests.

Best for multi-pitch: Petzl Sitta

The Petzl Sitta hits a sweet spot between lightness and functionality. It has five gear loops for excellent racking options, two ice clipper slots, and enough structure to stay comfy during a long day on the wall. While the fixed leg loops aren’t for everyone, the harness itself is compact, easy to pack, and built for movement—not for sitting in all day.

Why it stands out: High-performance features in an ultra-packable, low-bulk package—great for long routes.

Conclusion

We’re lucky to be climbing in a time where harness design has never been better. Today’s harnesses are lighter, more comfortable, and more purpose-built than ever—without compromising on safety. 

And thanks to strict standards from organizations like UIAA and CE, you don’t have to stress about a harness doing its job. Every harness listed here is strong enough to catch your fall. What really matters is how well it fits you, and how well it matches your style of climbing.

If you’re just starting out or prefer to keep things simple, an all-around harness like the Black Diamond Technician can cover everything from indoor lead climbing to moderate alpine adventures. But if you’re venturing into more specific terrain—like icy peaks, big walls, or long multi-pitch routes—investing in a specialized harness will make your climbing experience far more efficient and comfortable.

Ultimately, the best harness is the one you don’t think about once you’re off the ground. It fits right, supports you well, carries your gear, and stays out of your way. With the right choice, your harness becomes something you trust instinctively, so you can focus on climbing stronger, smarter, and higher.

Friska 🐨

Read next: Bouldering vs top rope climbing: What’s the difference?