DIY: heavily adjustable climbing harness with highly rated lineman's loops, desc. after pics

This is highly adjustable and very strong and comfortable. Nothing shiney.

I would girth hitch a long nylon sling (2 foot long one from Sterling) that is climb rated through the 2 belay loops and then attach this to my tree tether. I did not clip a carabiner directly to the front of the harness due to potential noise. The tree tether is adjusted so that is at waist height when I stand and goes around and sits on my lap when seated. I give just enough slack so that I can turn as I need to. Bow stays above tether and out of the way. The nylon sling about goes back to the tree and the carabiner hanging off the tree strap just sits there close to the tree.

 

Best is relative...I have settled on the Black Diamond Alpine Bod...very reasonably priced, with a simple mod it converts to and from a lineman's setup quickly. I have used it now for an entire season with zero complaints. I went with this model primarily because of the snap buckle leg loops, something that does NOT require pre-set loops or for you to have to step into/through when putting it on. It is super light, can be put on at the truck and worn as you walk in or at the base of your tree in no time with no hassle. The gear loops are great if your hanging steps/stand..I can set one step with my aider at eye level, connect to sets of steps to the gear loop in the back and hold one in my hand as get onto the first section...in essence place 4 sections of steps without ever climbing down. Depending on the stand itself, I have it on my back or at the end of haul rope that is connected to one of the other loops.

In my climbers, there have been no issue, in my arctic shield insulator suit (ASIS) and heater body suit (HBS), there have been no issue. The ASIS does offer a vent for the tether which is nicer than running it out the top opening on the HBS, but he line tucks nicely under your arm and out the back, have not felt restricted in any way.

There are several YT vids that feature the Alpine Bod...here's one that I made myself to answer a question about how I quickly modify it for a climbing harness....bascially use two Petzel L ******* and attach NOT on the gear loops, but around the main waist belt, where the leg loops start...super simple.

Hope this helps a little.

 

Skip the rock climbing harness. Get a new hss harness if you need a new one, use the 6 foot tree rope and get you a treestand wingman.

 

IMO I will never go back to a full harness. I have an Alpin Bod as has been mentioned above and it has been fantastic. Don't have to fool with the tether at all and I've hung out of it (not actually fallen) quite a bit comfortably.

 

I’m buying the Petzl falcon mountain for next year.
It Has bomber side attachments for a lineman’s strap.
A few others have rated side loops…like metolius safetec and Misty mountain Cadillac tactical, but neither appear as beefy as the Petzl.

 

I bought a Petzl Pandion. I chose that one because of the simplicity of just one loop to connect to. I also believe it is easier to urinate with the single loop style. It also has one equipment loop that comes in handy.

Do yourself a favor and purchase a Treestand Wingman. It is a descending device that is reusable. If used properly, you will never have to worry about how to get down after a fall. Get some heavy duty adhesive backed velcro and wrap the large metal part of the wingman, the part that travels down the strap, with the soft half of the velcro to eliminate the metal noise issues.

I use climbers frequently. When using a climber, I attach a HSS rope style tree strap to the tree, connect the Wingman to it via the prusik on the tree strap, then I have a Beal 50cm Dynaclip that connects between the Wingman and the harness with carabiners. Since the HSS has a prusik, I can make adjustments to the length of my tether with the prusik. I added a 2nd prusik to the HSS tree strap so that if I want to move my tether down I can keep the HSS tree strap cinched tight to the tree.
I use the end of the Wingman strap to attach my weapon and pack and haul them up eliminating a haul line.
I am right handed so I keep the tether on my right side under my arm.
So far I have not had any issues with clothing and the tether.
When I get down, I roll the Wingman around my elbow and hand and then I use bungee ball tie to secure it and store it in my pack along with my HSS tree strap.

Outside of the items mentioned, you will want to pickup 3 quality climbing rated locking carabiners and a basic carabiner for the end of the strap to connect things to the end of the strap if you use the Wingman strap as a haul line.

 

Very nice setup!

One question though. Since the tan prusik won't have tension, won't it just slide? No issue there just wondering if that's the case what benefits that additional prusik brings.

I bought a Petzl Pandion. I chose that one because of the simplicity of just one loop to connect to. I also believe it is easier to urinate with the single loop style. It also has one equipment loop that comes in handy.

Do yourself a favor and purchase a Treestand Wingman. It is a descending device that is reusable. If used properly, you will never have to worry about how to get down after a fall. Get some heavy duty adhesive backed velcro and wrap the large metal part of the wingman, the part that travels down the strap, with the soft half of the velcro to eliminate the metal noise issues.

I use climbers frequently. When using a climber, I attach a HSS rope style tree strap to the tree, connect the Wingman to it via the prusik on the tree strap, then I have a Beal 50cm Dynaclip that connects between the Wingman and the harness with carabiners. Since the HSS has a prusik, I can make adjustments to the length of my tether with the prusik. I added a 2nd prusik to the HSS tree strap so that if I want to move my tether down I can keep the HSS tree strap cinched tight to the tree.
I use the end of the Wingman strap to attach my weapon and pack and haul them up eliminating a haul line.
I am right handed so I keep the tether on my right side under my arm.
So far I have not had any issues with clothing and the tether.
When I get down, I roll the Wingman around my elbow and hand and then I use bungee ball tie to secure it and store it in my pack along with my HSS tree strap.

Outside of the items mentioned, you will want to pickup 3 quality climbing rated locking carabiners and a basic carabiner for the end of the strap to connect things to the end of the strap if you use the Wingman strap as a haul line.

View attachment 7511634

 

I use a Vario Speed harness with a Treestand Wingman, for a tether I use a 3’ piece of HSS rope. I’ve tested this set up many times and it works great.

 

Misty Mountain Stealth tactical harness, tether under either arm, if you want linesman loops too and minimalistic then the Dryad Drey Killdeer is tough to beat

 

I use an alpha bod also. I wrap it around the tree a little above waist high and run it under my right arm when facing away from the tree. I am right handed and this prevents it from getting in the way. I have had to spin all the way around and can adjust the tether length on the fly. Being at waist high it never interferes with shooting. I wear coveralls and will never go back to a traditional harness.


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I too use a Black Diamond Alpine Bod RC harness.....especially when hunting from my climber. Joe's video is once again useful to explain the proper technique. Using a climb rated caribiner, I attach a PMI sewn teather rope to the waist of the harness and then to either my Qsafe or an HSS rope attachment if I am using it in a stand and stick setup. Since this thread was based on a question about rock climbing harnesses, anything that points in a different direction is off-base to the intent of the OP's inquiry.

 

U can use the wingman with rock climbing harness or a regular harness ! The wingman is the way to go especially in a climber ! I’ve use it with both type harnesss and I won’t climb without it best &$$ I’ve ever spent !

 

I agree, especially when you can test it out, a real confidence booster.

 

Hunter Safety System Ultra Lite and HSS Rope Style Tree strap. The Ultra Lite is just that, lite and I don't even notice it at all. The leg straps are adjustable and you don't have to step through them if want. The Rope Style Tree strap doubles as a lineman belt for hanging stands, I have one for just hunting when using my climber and one for hanging stands. I have not tried a Wingman, but if the guys recommend it here I would bet it is worth the $$. Using the tree strap is simple and easy to use, the fewer components the less likely to have a miss hap.

 

Try hanging in your harness with a tree strap and you will never get in a tree without a Wingman.

 

I have a black diamond as well which is nice. I mostly still use my old 20 feet up one that isn't made anymore. I'll never use a regular harness again..

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