The best beginner climbing harnesses

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• Since the release of films like "Free Solo," more people have started to get into the sport of climbing either as a hobby or a unique way to stay active and build upper body strength.
• Most indoor gyms provide rentals on shoes and harnesses but if you're serious about the sport, it's wise to purchase a bundle for yourself.
• If you plan on climbing more often, be it at a gym or outside, a harness is the first significant purchase you'll want to make.
• Our top pick, the Wild Country Mission, is comfortable to wear for long climbs, has room enough for plenty of gear, and costs less than $80, making it one of the finest beginner climbing harnesses available.

When you first start climbing, whether indoor or outdoor, you'll likely opt to rent your gear before buying. Between a pair of climbing shoes, a harness, or even a chalk bag from the gym, it's natural to go the rental route before investing in your own gear. It's smart to get a feel for what you do or don't like.

But once you do graduate from the ranks of rentals, the most important upgrade is your own personal harness. Though a standard gym harness gets the job done (and is often quite safe) the market is full of options that are lighter, more adjustable, and just much more comfortable than the gear found at most gyms.

What to look for in a harness

Before purchasing your first climbing kit, it's important to know what you're looking for. All harnesses have a waist belt and leg loops, as well as belay loop and two tie-in loops — the former for belaying and the latter for climbing. Leg and waist belts should be adjustable and well-padded enough so as to not bite into your legs and waist. Most harnesses also come in sizes, so be sure to double-check waist and leg measurements.

When shopping for a harness, consider what you want to do with it. If you intend to climb outside, you'll need gear loops on the belt of the harness to hold your rack, otherwise known as the equipment you carry to protect yourself from falling. Most harnesses have four individual loops, though it is possible to find those that have more. If you go the ultralight route, these harnesses come standard with fewer.

Another consideration is a drop-seat harness. These feature removable leg loops that stay tied into the harness for long alpine routes. Sport or gym harnesses are often stripped down, light, and have fewer gear loops. Trad harnesses have more gear space and often come with more padding. Alpine harnesses offer fewer gear loops but typically carry a pack. They also tend to be thinner and more packable for when you're not wearing it.

Once you have an idea of the kind of climbing you intend to do, then you can focus on the specific harness that's best. To help, we've tested a handful of beginner climbing harnesses from brands like Black Diamond, Petzl, and Mammut to find the best currently available.

Here are our picks for the best beginner climbing harnesses:

• Best overall: Wild Country Mission
• Best harness for beginners: Petzl Corax
• Best harness for an indoor gym: Mammut Alnasca
• Best all-around women's harness: Mammut Togir 3
• Best upgraded harness for new climbers: Black Diamond Momentum

Updated on 5/5/2020 by Rick Stella: Added a section on what to look for in a climbing harness in the introduction, updated the copy on each of the selected harnesses, updated the images, checked the availability of each pick, and updated the formatting, links, and prices.

Read the original article on Business Insider