These are Evening Sends’ picks for the best climbing harnesses you can buy this year.

These selections reflect a specific preference for what we look for in a climbing harness: light, packable, little extra clutter, ultimate simplicity, and comfortable enough to get the job done.

Read the Evening Sends Guide to Choosing a climbing harness.

No matter how hard you climb, or whether you’re climbing trad or sport or in the gym, all of these rigs represent the best options to consider.

ArcTeryx C-quence

In our opinion, you can’t go wrong with any harness made by Arc’Teryx, which represent some of the most comfortable, sleek, and packable harnesses on the market. The Warp Strength Technology featured in all Arc’Teryx harness waist belts was revolutionary when it came out years ago, and it remains one of the best iterations of this part of the harness ever concocted.

The C-Quence is the latest creation from Arc’Teryx’s harness designers—and it is certainly one of its best and most refined offerings thanks to subtle improvements in the shape and design of the leg loops. The ability to pack down this harness into a stuff sack the size of a Qdoba burrito means more space in your pack, and a lot less clutter on your body.

This isn’t the lightest harness on this list, but it does hit all the right notes.

---

Mammut Sender

At just 11 ounces the Mammut Sender is one of the lightest all-purpose, all-around harnesses on the market. Two rigid gear loops up front carry the lion’s share of the load, while the webbing loops in the back keep a low profile for performance and, if needed, can be used in a pinch for additional racking. Trad climbers who prefer to use gear slings may enjoy this feature, as much as projecting sport and gym climbers who just don’t need all that racking real estate.

The laser cut waist belt with ventilation is comfy against the skin, and cool in hot conditions. And of course Mammut’s signature plastic reinforcement on the tie-in loop ensures the Sender will keep on sending for a long time. If only it came in another color.

---

Black Diamond Solution

The Black Diamond Solution is an all-purpose, all-around, and perfectly priced harness that won’t let you down.

The molded leg loops and waist belt are supportive and comfy. The speed buckle is easy on, easy off. And the molded gear loops are easy to clip and hold tons of kit.

There are more packable, lighter, and sexier harnesses out there, but for the price and performance, it’s hard to beat the Solution. For example, we prefer this harness to new Black Diamond Airnet, which is more than double the price.

---

CAMP Impulse

The Impulse is one of the bulkier and heavier harnesses on this list, albeit only an ounce or two more than others, but it really delivers on comfort and all-around performance.

The Impulse has five gear loops, which makes it great for harness-rackers. The fifth gear loop can be used for anchor equipment (e.g., cordelette, lockers, belay device), and unless you’re in a chimney, it keeps this stuff separate and out of the way.

---

Petzl Sitta

The Petzl Sitta is one of the top performers on the market in terms of weight, comfort, and functionality. Its price, however, distinguishes the Sitta as the most expensive harness you can buy.

This has been the go-to favorite at Evening Sends, and we can testify that this harness is pretty damn awesome, so whether the price is worth it depends on how much money you feel like spending.

The Sitta’s wire frame waist is really where the harness shines. It’s impressively low profile but never leaves you lacking support. I also find the leg loops comfy and easy to hang in all day.

The addition of ice tool clipper slots, and a “haul loop” for chalk bags make this a harness for both ice climbers and gumbies, but the fact is this is a harness that you’ll probably most often see top-end sport climbers wearing to send these days.

Featured photo: Berta Martin climbing an 8b in Spain. Photo: Keith Ladzinski