Chest Straps/Harnesses

[pwhole]

The Garma is easily the best single improvement I've been able to make to my SRT kit. I went one step further with mine, and added a short adjustable backstrap at a perfect length, which just gives me that extra bit of comfort I was missing without any of the alarming 'yanked up' feeling and tension rub of the Torse.

 

[Amy]

The Garma looks like it would be super easy to rig a little pulley  rig off of it to actually ropewalk (assuming you use a pantin). Just sayin'.....

 

[Mike Hopley]

The Garma looks like it would be super easy to rig a little pulley  rig off of it to actually ropewalk (assuming you use a pantin). Just sayin'.....

I did try a few years ago, and it worked okay-ish. It suffered from being too low on the chest and pulling out too far when loaded. I tried with a Petzl Ultralegere, and also just the krab with no pulley -- so I wasn't using an efficient pulley either.

Other people seem to be experimenting with the same general idea now. Maybe someone will make it work well.

Personally, I find a chest roller isn't worth it unless I can get it quite efficient -- i.e. it holds me vertical and very close to the rope. If the roller makes me lean at an angle then I'm more efficient just frogging instead.

 

[AliRoll]

In a earlier post i mentioned i prefer chest straps for the backup options they offer.... after purchasing myself a alps deign bunny chest harness i may be a convert.

After adjusting it for rope running with my pretty standard modified frog setup (slightly adapted by having the chest jammer on a crab connected to the central maillon/omni to hold me closer to the rope and obviously a pantin) i have it say its bloody amazing  :bow: I still like a chest strap but the useful gear loop, ease of adjustment and the wide straps to spread the load make it an absolute pleasure to use.

 

[AR]

The Garma looks like it would be super easy to rig a little pulley  rig off of it to actually ropewalk (assuming you use a pantin). Just sayin'.....

This is something I've been intending to do now I've got a Garma, which I'm finding miles better than the Torse I had before. I'm looking at a very simple pulley mounted just about the krab that can be easily attatched and detatched, and have got the bits to experiment with, just haven't found the time to actually do it yet.

 

[Joe90]

Thanks once again for the input, Interesting stuff.

I'm thinking of the Alp Design Bunny still. Its cheap  which is very good, it also looks a bit more lightweight and less bulky.

Maybe in time a Garma will join the kit cupboard for playing with new setups which is something i desperately want to do but lack time. At the moment the main thing putting me off it is the need for another attachment. Although i guess the added weight is not really worth mentioning, it just seems as though it may be uncomfortable.

 

[pwhole]

I use an upside-down 'Moka' delta krab as the central connector for the Garma, as it's symmetrical, strong and in that orientation can take a heavy load like a drill without unbalancing everything, and it's right where I need it. Hangers plates and maillons hang on the Garma gear loops too, so I'm not reaching around on my waistbelt - very handy in tight spaces. I can't even perceive the chest harness as weighing anything at all, it's so nicely-fitting.

 

[DannyW]

Thanks people!

I was looking at this the other day

http://www.starlessriver.com/shop/chest_harnesses/alp_design_bunny

Anybody tried these?

Iv been using a serpentine chest strap for years. Was thinking what would be quicker and easier to adjust.

I had the petzl one and gave it away in favour of the Alp Designs item, love it. Very comfortable and feels a lot more secure as well as holding the croll at a good angle (short and skinny the petzl item never really sat well on me)

 

[i think it goes]

Hi everyone. So it's been over 9 years since this thread and I was wondering how people have changed their srt set up in this time. I was sorting out some of my clubs kit store and found lots of old webbing for chest tapes.

Is anyone still using a chest tape? If so, what are the perceived benefits? It seems most people nowadays use either a torse or bra style chest harness.

Has anyone got a good idea what to repurpose old chest tapes for? Ideally non life supporting equipment please. Thanks and looking forward to hearing back.

 

[Babyhagrid]

I find chest tapes are awkward to teach people to put on and are not long enough for taller cavers.
Torses are much easy to work and tighten but also aren't long enough for taller cavers
The bra style are much nicer as they don't bend tall people over as much and more gear loops

 

[pwhole]

Still using the MTDE Garma - never found anything better. I add a strap on the back to connect it to the harness waistband, but other than that it's unmodified. Though I have two, which I rotate to reduce wear.

 

[Samouse1]

Has anyone got a good idea what to repurpose old chest tapes for? Ideally non life supporting equipment please. Thanks and looking forward to hearing back.

Ive cut an old one down and use it as a trouser belt. It’s gotten some compliments from cavers, so I guess I can call myself a fashionista

 

[TLH]

AV Spelshoulder Pro - Starless River

The Speleo Pro is simple to wear, fully adjustable, and comfortable. With two buckles for sizing, it can adjust from the very small to the really rather large caver. The Speleo Pro also uses the small buckle found on pretty much all harnesses these days (apart from Petzl models), which is very...

starlessriver.com

I was using a Petzl Torse before, but bought one of the above about 8 - 9 years ago ( I think ) and wouldn't go back to a chest strap. The added gear loops are handy, plus it's quick and easy to put on whilst not taking much space or weight in a bag

 

[andrewmcleod]

I think they do work better than a Torse for long bodied and particularly larger top-heavy cavers (who also benefit from harnesses with a higher waistband/attachment point). They are a faff though, and the more modern types of chest harness are probably better for almost everybody.

But they (chest tapes) do still work well for a lot of cavers who have been happily using them for years, so they certainly work.

 

[JasonC]

Is anyone still using a chest tape?

Yes, me. Forget how long I've had it, but it still ain't broke.