The Best Women's Climbing Harnesses
Since we started more than 10 years ago, our team of lady rock crushers has tested over 30 of the best climbing harnesses for women. Our review features 11 of today's top models, including great options for gym, rock, alpine, and ice climbing. We wore these harnesses while tackling long alpine objectives, clipping bolts at our local crag, in the gym, and on icy, picked-out waterfalls.
The Arc'teryx AR-385a continues to impress for its versatility in all disciplines. Thanks to an innovative design that practically eliminates padding, it's surprisingly lightweight and agile for gymnastic movement yet still comfortable in a hanging belay. It's not quite as breathable as gym-specific harnesses, but if you want to invest in a single harness that can do it all, this is our favorite.
We recognize that not everyone wants to pay for a harness like the AR-385a, which is why it's important to point our that you can get 97% of the performance for a fraction of the price from the Black Diamond Momentum. You can't go ice climbing in this harness – there are no ice clipper slots – and its heavily padded waist belt isn't great for tropical climates. But for anything between these two extremes, this harness presents the best value in our lineup.
OutdoorGearLab's roots are in rock climbing, and as a result, we have a world-class team of climbers putting down the best reviews of climbing gear. Whether you're searching for a new rope, a fresh pair of climbing shoes, or you want to update your belay device, we have in-depth reviews and gear round-ups to help you with your selections. Also, check out our curated list of climbing gear.
Editor's Note: We updated our women's harness review on November 21, 2024.
Related: Best Climbing Harness for Men