Climbing is for every body, and as we know, bodies come in all shapes and sizes. The climbing industry continues to expand its offerings to meet the growing need to provide great gear for everyone. After a year of testing different kinds of climbing harnesses through different situations, these are my top five best women’s climbing harnesses.
Also, check out the Best Climbing Harnesses and the Evening Sends Guide to Choosing a Climbing Harness.
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Best All-Around
Edelrid Autana
Specs
Lightweight, comfortable all-around harness with adjustable leg loops.
High rise that fits above hips well.
Bluesign-certified for sustainable production practices.
$84.95
Where to Buy
Ratings
- Comfort 80%
- Features 90%
- Versatility 92%
- Performance 85%
Review
The Edelrid Autana is a full-featured, durable harness that is impressively lightweight, packable, and affordable. With ample padding, five gear loops and two ice-clipper attachments, it shines as an all-around option for whatever kind of climbing floats your boat.
Compared to other women’s harnesses the Autana has a slightly higher rise which keeps it above my hip bones, comfortably on my true waist. I generally prefer fixed leg loops, but the adjustment buckles were so small and innocuous I never noticed them while climbing. Plus they can be completely unthreaded to put the harness on while wearing crampons or skis. This harness also meets Bluesign requirements for sustainable production practices.
Best High-Performance
Black Diamond Airnet
Specs
Ultralight low-profile harness for sport and gym climbing.
Net-like fabric distributes loads comfortably and breathes well.
Two pressure molded gear loops in front; low-profile webbing gear loops in back.
$159.95
Where to Buy
Ratings
- Comfort 70%
- Features 90%
- Versatility 68%
- Performance 93%
Review
Kiss your rear gear loops goodbye with the 227-gram, lightweight Black Diamond AirNet harness. Best reserved for sport climbing or pitches in the gym, this harness has only the bare necessities to keep your butt from hitting the deck.
The AirNet is extremely low profile, with leg loops that flexed and moved with my body on routes and a waistband that distributed loads evenly across the open fabric. Despite its wispy appearance, this harness was comfortable and supportive when hanging and during longish belays. The front gear loops are made with easy-clipping molded plastic while the vestigial rear ones resemble the thin ribbon commonly used to secure a helium balloon to a child’s wrist. Yes, they’ll hold your spare draws if you’re equipping something long, but they take a bit more care when removing a draw. Also featured on the AirNet is BD’s superbly engineered Infinity Loop seamless belay loop that eliminates the lumpy overlap where a loop is usually bar tacked. No more unsettling hang-ups as you load and unload the harness.
Most Comfortable
Arc’teryx C-Quence
Specs
Supportive, form-fitting leg loops and swami that don’t dig in.
All-day comfort in a low-profile package.
Contoured to fit women.
$145
Where to Buy
Ratings
- Comfort 96%
- Features 90%
- Versatility 88%
- Performance 98%
Review
For longer days, or more gear intensive routes, the ArcTeryx C-Quence is a workhorse that won’t quit on you. The low profile design was supportive through the longest pitches and belays, even when loaded with gear. I really liked how the waistband spread the load evenly and reduced the pressure on my poor achy back. And the rise on this felt higher than previous ArcTeryx harnesses, putting me in a more comfortable position when I was hanging or lowering.
I liked the C-quence for any type of climbing. The spacious, well-placed gear loops held cams or heavier gear without sagging and a metal slider easily released the leg loops for roped-up pee breaks when necessary. But it was also sleek and light enough for sport pitches or the gym. With smooth black fabric wrapping the exterior, this harness held up beautifully to all the sharp rock I could find.
Most Durable
Petzl Selena
Specs
Leg loop and waistband padding doesn’t buckle over time.
Wider belay loop and tie-in point add longevity.
Maximum padding at pressure points.
$70
Where to Buy
Ratings
- Comfort 85%
- Features 72%
- Versatility 84%
- Performance 83%
Review
The Petzl Selena harness has been a favorite of mine for years, and this newest update keeps the good going at a reasonable price. The Selena has more traditional feeling leg loops and waist band, with thicker padding wrapped in a durable fabric. And, although this isn’t the most breathable design, it holds up best for long term or heavy use. The waist and leg loops never creased or folded as can happen with lower profile options. I also really like the middle of the road rise on this harness, hitting that goldilocks, not too high, not too low zone.
All that cushy, long lasting padding plus a full-sized webbing tie-in point and belay loop do add up on the scale, making the Selena the heaviest harness in this review. But, c’mon let’s be honest it’s not the 30 extra grams around your hips that made you fall. The Selena is a comfortable, quality harness that can last through years of dogging your project, swapping leads in the alpine, or dragging yourself up desert splitters, without breaking the bank.
Most adjustible for all body types
Mammut Comfort Knit Fast Adjust
Specs
Adjustable, accommodating design.
Flexible, conforming knit waistband and leg loops.
Hip padding at upper edge of belt.
$159
Where to Buy
Ratings
- Comfort 93%
- Features 80%
- Versatility 80%
- Performance 86%
Review
A fully adjustable harness that breathes and flexes with me as I climb. With a knit waistband and leg loops, the Mammut Comfort Knit Harness is a flexible, forgiving hug on the lovehandles. If you’ve had a hard time finding a harness that fit your body shape well, I’d recommend checking this one. I love the way it conformed to my waist, and with adjustable leg loops I could really dial in the fit.
I found the four angled, molded plastic gear loops to be very easy to clip and unclip (even the rear ones). And I really liked having a plastic protector piece to reduce wear between leg loops and the belay loop. The knit fabric isn’t the most durable for really toothy rock, but it held up just fine to normal wear and tear.
I have sensitive thick thighs comfort it priority for me. What’s your suggestion?