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I just wanted to get peoples unsolicited info/critique on the trango line of harnesses. I'm wanting to get into the climbing, and saw this online. Comes with the Vertical Harness, a biner, chalk, bag, and one of those new belay/rappel devices. All for 87.50+ship. Good deal or no?

I'd say No.

First off, your climbing gear is very personal. You want a comfortable harness for sure...*very* important. Here's one review on the harness you're thinking of buying: http://www.epinions.com/content_88462954116 though another one I read says it's very comfortable: http://www.gearreview.com/harness99.asp Review it and make sure it's what you want.

A biner and chalk you can get anywhere for cheap. But a rappel device is, again, a personal item you might want to pick out for yourself and not receive in a bargain package. SCIN hates his rappelling (I forget what he has) and though I like my HB Sheriff, I think I like the ATC better. As for the chalk bag, if you have big hands you may not be able to fit them in the one you receive. Or it may be too big that it annoys you.

If I were you, I'd figure out the harness I want and try to get it for cheap on Ebay or some internet site (go to Google/Advanced Search/Froogle to compare items listed by price). Same with the chalk bag and rappel device. Again, the chalk and biner you can pick up anywhere. It may take a little more time but you'll probably end up paying the same amount and enjoying your purchases a whole lot more.

Good luck!

Hey Art:

I'm confused man, you're telling me that this kit isn't worth it, your reasons are bomber, but the reviews you gave me both were for the FLY harness, not the VERTICAL harness. I've yet to try on harnesses, partially to the lack of a rock wall in the store I went to today, but on visual, it looked pretty good in comparison. What harnesses would you suggest?

ART:

You're from Lexington, do you go to Gal's or J&H Lan-Mark? Any other stores I should look at?

I'm really trying to do my homework here, because I want to do this right and not just blow a wad of money for the summer. Any help appreciated.

ED

Check out Black Diamonds "Chaos" harness. Sweet.

Hey ED, just as another option, the Black Diamond Mentor 2 AL is a great harness. Quite comfortable and adjustable. What Artsay was saying though is that your harness is like your climbing shoes. You should definitely try it on at the store (again, most stores will let you hang in them before you buy them) to see what best suits you. If you buy one without trying it, you are kind of gambling. You may like it, you may not. OH by the way, you can try some different shoes on (for comparison purposes) at Lexington Rocks. I think they only sell Red Chilis though.

Mj

Sorry about that, Disciple. I saw Trango and worked quickly.

Honestly, I don't know squat about harnesses, especially the harnesses on the market today. I owned a PETZL about 9 years ago that I didn't like because the waist was too hard so it dug into me and also the buckle was a pain to work. Then I got an ArcTeryx that I didn't like because the leg loops weren't adjustable so it eventually fit too snug on my legs but the waiste was still big. Now I have an ArcTeryx I like but it's getting old so I'll be in the same market as you in a short while.

What I look for in a harness:
Adjustable leg loops.
If you do long, multi-pitch routes, you may want to consider one that that has snaps in the back for the leg loops to easily come off and on.
A buckle that is easy to work
Gear loops close to the front (many are so far back they're almost useless)
Padding or a comfortable waist. It you think you'll get into long, multi-pitch routes, a hanging belay can leave scars if your harness is uncomfortable.

The name doesn't mean anything. I don't know what I want, though I've seen some pretty nice ones out. Lexington Rocks sells some pretty fancy looking ones and they're cheap! Jack, zemcat....didn't you two buy your harnesses there?

I buy most of my gear on the internet because I find the best deals there. I usually do what Sik said and try on stuff at the local gear store to see what I like, then turn around and buy it on-line.

But if you're just trying to buy some stuff quick and cheap, you can get everything (different brands) you're looking for at http://www.acmeclimbing.com/ for $20 less! It just depends what you want. As a beginner, sometimes it's nice just to have *something*...anything, just so you can get out and climb all the while finding out what you like and don't like.

You can probably start a thread on this board about what you're looking for and see what everyone else uses/recommends. Muao Dib has a nice feeling caribiner and belay device. I think I'm going to steal it when she's not looking.

The harnesses we have are called Singing Rock Zenith and are about $35. We did not buy them at Lexington Rocks as they did not sell them there at the time, but they do now. They are padded, have adjustable leg loops, and two gear loops on each side close to the front. We have since added two loops of webbing as gear loops in the back.

I like my harness a lot, and have spent a lot of time hanging/sitting in it, so highly recommend it, but, like everyone else, recommend trying on lots of harnesses to see what fits you best. This one fit me when I was 30 lb heavier and still fits me, so that says something for its adjustability!

Congrats on losing 30 lbs!