Mammut 4 Slide Review

The Mammut Four Slide is an affordable harness design that includes a ton of extra padding to increase comfort while hanging as well as extra adjustability through the Four Slide-Bloc buckles on each side of the waist belt to center the harness and provide a more customizable fit. Four gear loops provide ample space for quickdraws or a double set of cams, while an integrated wear indicator is woven through the fabric designed to indicate when it's time to replace the harness. If you're looking for value, comfort, and versatility, the Four Slide may be the perfect choice for you.

Hanging Comfort

After spending several hours hanging in the Four Slide while putting up single pitch routes in the Owens River Gorge, our team can attest to the hanging comfort provided by the heavily padded design. The dual hip buckles allow you to center the harness on your body while the dual self locking buckles provide a secure and custom fit. The waist belt is separated into two cushioned sections that we could pretty much forget about after securing the harness.

Even while hanging a crow bar, drill kit, power drill, extra ropes, and tools from the plastic-covered gear loops, we were still comfortable as we toiled on the fixed line and equipped a new sport route. All this padding and cushioning comes at the cost of additional weight and bulk, which limits this harness to climbing locations with limited approach where you won't have to carry the extra weight too far. If hanging comfort is a key metric for long belays or sussing out the moves on your next single pitch project, the Four Slide will provide.

Standing Comfort and Mobility

Even with lots of heavy gear attached to the harness, the Four Slide remains comfortable thanks to 3-inch-wide material in both the waist belt and leg loops. The waist belt is broken into two separate sections, and the wide size range (23-25 inches for the X-small to Medium size that we tested) allows for a custom fit to increase comfort without reducing mobility. We never experienced any pressure points or pinches in the design, and we even received a ton of compliments due to the flashy orange and black colors. The fabric is a 92% nylon 8% elastane blend.

As previously mentioned, the downside to this comfort is the additional weight and bulk. It is almost double the size of some of the more compact designs that we tested. Our lead tester was able to center the harness and cover any gaps in the well-padded waist belt but could imagine a scenario where the gaps may pinch the skin of a person with different proportions. Overall, comfort is king with the Four Slide.

Features

Perhaps one of our favorite features on the Four Slide is the integrated wear indicator. Red material is woven into tie-in points on the harness to alert the user to any damage or wear, i.e., the appropriate time for replacement. This additional safety feature is just one of the key features of the affordable design. Though the lack of ice clipper slots limits this harness to three season use, it includes four gear loops, that measure 5 1/2 inches in the front and 4 1/2 inches in back, allowing enough space to accommodate gear for single or multi-pitch pursuits.

The Four Slide harness also includes a haul loop on the back which allows you to trail a tag line or attach approach shoes or other extras like layers or water for longer routes. While the extra padding increases the bulk and weight of the harness, we sure appreciated the increased comfort during long hanging belays.

Versatility

While some features make the Four Slide more versatile, we think the best application is likely in single pitch sport or traditional routes in easily accessed locations with short approaches. The extra weight and bulk as well as limited breathability will prevent anyone from wanting to take this harness in the alpine and the lack of ice clipper slots limit the use to three seasons. However, if you're willing to put up with the the weight and bulk of the super padded design, the gear loops provide ample space for those looking to push their endurance in Indian Creek or lead their first sport route.

While the Four Slide does include a haul loop for a tagline, extra layers, approach shoes, etc., we found it especially handy when putting up new routes in the Owens River Gorge outside of Bishop, California. Perhaps not the intended use, it was the perfect place to hang an extra static line, hammer, drill, bolts, and tools. The padding that surrounds the waist and legs kept us comfortable even when hanging these heavy tools off the back of the harness.

Adjustability

While not the most adjustable harness of the bunch, the dual adjust self-locking buckles on the waist belt provide a more customizable fit as well as the ability to layer a puffy jacket or other additional underneath. The leg loops offer 8 inches of adjustment on each side, and actually hold in position when adjusted into place.

We love the adjustability, but found the self-locking buckles somewhat difficult to adjust. We also couldn't just adjust one side of the waist belt as we prefer to do in order to save time, with the Four Slide, it is necessary to open and tighten both sides of the waist belt, which can slow you down if you like to remove your harness between cragging locations.

Should You Buy the Mammut Four Slide?

If you're new to climbing and interested in a versatile and affordable harness, the Four Slide offers performance that's tough to beat. We love the wear indicator, as well as the ample padding and adjustability that create a more comfortable experience. The extra padding and adjustment increase the weight and bulk of this design, however, if you're looking for a comfy harness that's perfect for the gym or single pitch cragging, the Four Slide is a great affordable option.

What Other Women's Climbing Harnesses Should You Consider?

The Mammut Four Slide is an affordable climbing harness that perfect for beginners seeking a little versatility. If you like the idea of the dual adjust waist belt but don't as much padding around the waist and legs, we recommend the Petzl Corax that is a little bit more expensive yet more versatile. If you're primarily a sport climber and looking for a harness specific to your discipline, the Black Diamond Solution is a great choice. And if money is no object and you simply want the very best and most versatile option around, the Arc'teryx AR-385a won't let you down.