Sit Harnesses.

[emgee]

We've done oversuits and descenders recently so what about harnesses?

Having had to get four kind people to help me out adjusting my cheapo Bernies harness the other day I reckon it's time for a new one.

Quite fancy the Caving Supplies one cos it's cheap and more comfy than what I'm using but what do people recommend? Money no object but I'll still probably buy what's cheapest cos I'm a tight bastard.

 

[Les W]

Petzl Fractio

http://en.petzl.com/petzl/SportProduits?Produit=137

I have had several harnesses and the Petzl Fractio is simply the best.
Comfortable, strong, secure and with metal rings instead of tape at the attachment points.

Far superior to anything else I've tried or seen

However...
...probably not cheap though

 

[Beer]

Do you currently have the singing rock digger harness? I can't see any other non-petzl harnesses on Bernies' website. If you don't I'd recommend it. I like the price, the metal attachment rings, and find it as comfortable as our club petzl ones. The only issue I have with it is that is nigh on impossible to get the "abrasion resistant cover" over the main adjustable section of waist belt, particularly after a couple of trips and waiting outside a cave with cold fingers.

 

[SamT]

once again - Harness's have been discussed under topic -

http://www.ukcaving.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=1613&highlight=harness

 

[emgee]

once again - Harness's have been discussed under topic -

http://www.ukcaving.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=1613&highlight=harness

Yeah but they all seem to like the harness I'm desparte to be shot of.

 

[darkplaces]

once again - Harness's have been discussed under topic -

http://www.ukcaving.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=1613&highlight=harness

Yeah but they all seem to like the harness I'm desparte to be shot of.

Using the powers of deduction emgee I conclude the harness is not at fault, you are. I recomend to the harness it gets a new user. I love my fracto

 

[Cave_Troll]

The Singing rock "digger" is a copy of the Petzl Fractio. jsut a lot cheaper.

 

[emgee]

The Singing rock "digger" is a copy of the Petzl Fractio. jsut a lot cheaper.

The one I've got isn't. The Fractio has two parallel belts the digger I have has a pair of belts that cross at the back with a little bit of webbing where they join.

There's a piccy of one like mine in the Bernie's ad in any recent issue of Descent.

My only problem with Bernie's is that it's warm and dry and serves food and tea. All things my girlfriend seems to feel are lacking in caves.

If I can persuade her otherwise she's quite happy to forget warm and dry (a flask deals with the tea bit) and demands to know why we don't go caving more often.

 

[emgee]

once again - Harness's have been discussed under topic -

http://www.ukcaving.com/board/viewtopic.php?t=1613&highlight=harness

Yeah but they all seem to like the harness I'm desparte to be shot of.

Using the powers of deduction emgee I conclude the harness is not at fault, you are. I recomend to the harness it gets a new user. I love my fracto

Would love to know how to upgrade the user but I seem to be stuck with the one I have.

 

[Fred]

Cave Troll said:

The Singing rock "digger" is a copy of the Petzl Fractio. jsut a lot cheaper.

and emgge said

The one I've got isn't. The Fractio has two parallel belts the digger I have has a pair of belts that cross at the back with a little bit of webbing where they join.

You're both right; up until a couple of years or so ago the Fractio did have crossed belts then Petzl then changed it to have parallel belts.

I've never used the new style but is it more comfortable? Also anyone ever tried any of the MTDE harnesses? They used to do a model with double leg loops but these days seem to have modified their designs to leg loops plus a seat strap -see www.mtde.net.

 

[Cave_Troll]

You're both right; up until a couple of years or so ago the Fractio did have crossed belts then Petzl then changed it to have parallel belts.
.

Its almost as if Petzl sell off the design rights to their old kit.
Singing rock (poland) produce copies of 4 year old Petzl harnesses and DMM import Slovenian copies of 4 year old Petzl jammers.
Both at bargin prices.

 

[Les W]

I have had several harnesses and the Petzl Fractio is simply the best.
Comfortable, strong, secure and with metal rings instead of tape at the attachment points.

You're both right; up until a couple of years or so ago the Fractio did have crossed belts then Petzl then changed it to have parallel belts.

I should qualify my original statment by saying my Fractio is the old type with the crossed straps. I was unaware of the redesign and haven't tried it yet. Therefore I have no opinion on the new design (yet). However my harness is way overdue for replacement so perhaps I will get to try one out soon.

One thing that puzzles me with Petzl gear is the way they always take a classic design (such as with the stop and the simple(bobbin)) and "improve" it by replacing the nice slimline metal bits with some "new improved" chunky plastic! I hope the "improved" harness really is improved.

 

[NZcaver]

One thing that puzzles me with Petzl gear is the way they always take a classic design (such as with the stop and the simple(bobbin)) and "improve" it by replacing the nice slimline metal bits with some "new improved" chunky plastic! I hope the "improved" harness really is improved.

I have both types, and I must say I much prefer the plastic locking catch. I find it more ergonomic, and the "chunkiness" doesn't bother me at all. Some people might think the metal catch is more bombproof, but I've never heard of a plastic one actually breaking - anyone? One reason Petzl might have gone to plastic is to make the catch more reliable by reducing the possibility of the sideplates accidentally opening during use. This has happened before, but generally because of user error - such as using an oval maillon to attach it, rather than a locking carabiner. :shock:

Sorry to veer off-topic!
Harnesses. I'm pretty happy with my Petzl Superavanti harness, and my backup is good too - it's a Petzl Rapide (now discontinued).

 

[cap n chris]

I'm pretty happy with my Petzl Superavanti harness, and my backup is good too - it's a Petzl Rapide (now discontinued).

How do you wear two harnesses at the same time? :shock:

 

[NZcaver]

How do you wear two harnesses at the same time? :shock:

ROFL

The same way I use 4 stop descenders at once, of course... :wink:

One of my primary frog harnesses is adjusted for cold-climate caving (wearing a more bulky suit), and the other for warm-climate caving. I'm too lazy to adjust the buckles. >>> NAH, just kidding!

The main reason I have extra gear is for training newbie vertical cavers, and for playing technical rescue. (That's what I keep telling myself, anyway.) Sometimes I just happen to find good deals on gear. Plus I find the only way to really form an opinion about something is to test it personally... 8)

 

[cap n chris]

How do you wear two harnesses at the same time? :shock:

The same way I use 4 stop descenders at once, of course... :wink:

... aha! :wink:

 

[Hammy]

While on the subject of Fractio harnesses beware of the sizes if you are considering buying one!

The size XS - L has leg loops which are only just long enough for relatively small people, not what I classify as L! I am hardly huge and although there is enough length to safely use it there is only just enough! I bought another one more recently and it has the same problem, so it wasn't just a one off. If in any doubt buy the M - XL!

I think the Fractio is excellent and have had no problems with comfort. The metal connecting rings make life a lot easier and less fiddly when hooking the Maillon through.