The best beginner climbing harnesses

It's easy to write off the Black Diamond Momentum as a simple beginner harness. Sure, it comes as part of a bundle with a chalk bag and a belay device, two extras that make it perfect for first-time harness buyers, but it's fully capable of sending big routes and long days outside. It can even hold its own transitioning from 5.7 to 5.10 in the gym.

Though its bulky waistband isn't exactly light, it is comfortable and uses two strips of webbing at the top and bottom to disperse the load. The leg loops are simple and easy to adjust and feel comfortable in shorts for the gym, as well as in more robust gear for outdoor and cold weather climbing.

The waist belt did run up a bit while hanging, though this was likely due to the fact I'm on the small side of medium. However, the padding on the waist and leg straps meant the Momentum was pleasant to hang in for long periods. I recommend sizing up if you feel you're between two sizes.

There are four well-placed and easily accessible gear loops, each covered in plastic to ensure gear's able to come off quickly. The four loops might not be enough for longer routes but I found them to be sufficient for sport climbs.

If you want to transition from a gym harness to something more comfortable, lighter in weight, and great for beginning sport climbing, the Momentum is your harness. Climbers who struggle to adjust their own leg loops will love the innovative buckle system on the Momentum and any climber will appreciate its great value.

Pros: Easily adjustable leg loops, great value

Cons: Not enough gear loops for long trad routes

The Togir 3 Slide is a feature-rich harness that's a great all-around option for climbers of any discipline. The buckles on the waist and legs easily adjust for use inside in shorts or when used over layers outside. There's a drop-seat buckle for longer routes, four reinforced and easy access gear loops, ice clipper attachments, and a reinforced pair of tie-in loops.

Though the feature list may be long for those climbing top rope routes in the gym, you'll still appreciate its mobility and light weight. My wife, who is just over five feet tall, found the harness to be comfortable on both long belays and sport routes. She also tends to use it for the gym where she appreciates the comfy waist strap and the belt-like loops for tucking in the waist strap to keep it out of the way.

The plastic molding around the tie-in loops is a great piece of design that helps prevent wear while also doing a great job of keeping the rope centered. This helps even out the load and reduces any chance of failure — it also makes falls a bit less painful.

If you climb long trad routes or carry a larger rack, you might find the four gear loops insufficient. The harness isn't as light as sport climbing harnesses but it is much more durable and practical than most superlight models. If you want just one harness and aren't sure what kind of climber you want to be, the Togir Slide is a great choice.

Pros: Nice fit, easily accessible gear loops

Cons: Some climbers found the gear loops to be too recessed

The first thing you'll notice when you pick up Mammut's Alnasca is how light it is. This isn't a harness for trad multi-pitch routes but rather for gym and single pitch sport routes when you want to pack light and travel fast.

Unlike other lightweight harnesses, this one doesn't lack comfort. The lightweight and breathable waist and chest bands don't cut into your legs or waist thanks to its clever use of a laminate material which evenly distributes pressure on contact points.

A simple one buckle waist strap and elasticated leg loops allow it to go on easily and the two stable gear loops provide enough real estate for sport climbing quickdraws. There are also two smaller loops for longer routes. There's a coating on the tie-in loops that prevents wear and a simple stitched belay loop that stood up to months of use. I find the harness to be extremely comfortable on belay and it's become my go-to for gym climbing and shorter sports routes.

At under 300g, the Alnasca isn't going to hold you back on the approach or climb, and sport climbers will appreciate the barely-there feel it offers. The Alnasca harness also interfaces directly with the Alnasca chalk bag, without the need to use a carabiner or waist loop — which is a great way to save weight. Overall, the system is well designed and if it weren't nearly twice the price of others on this list, it would be my number one pick

Pros: Comfy, light, quick to put on and off

Cons: Expensive

My favorite aspect of Petzl's Corax is that I don't have to think too much about it. I pull it on, adjust the waist and leg straps, clip-on my sport rack, and get on with climbing. It's that easy and one of the main reasons I keep grabbing it for quick sport climbs.

It's also far from the most expensive harness on this list — or the lightest, for that matter. But if you're not hauling gear up long approaches, the extra 200g won't hurt all that much. The two rigid and flexible gear loops carry plenty of gear on sport climbs and there's also a haul loop on the back to carry ice screws, a chalk bag, or an extra rope. The rigidity of the front loops makes it easy to clip gear on and off, too.

The double waist buckles mean the harness always sits centered on your waist and this, combined with the well-padded waistband, makes the Corax a great pick for comfort — especially for larger climbers.

I did find the leg loops to be uncomfortable on long top-rope belays but given the great value of this harness, I can't complain. Petzl also offers the Corax with a belay device, chalk bag, chalk, and locking carabiner. This should provide everything a beginner needs to get started aside from shoes.

Pros: Adjustable and comfortable, great value

Cons: Some leg strap issues on belay

The harness packs five individual gear loops, a haul loop for pulling another rope, and accessory loops for ice screws, meaning it can grow as you grow as a climber. It's also comfortable, light, and easily adjustable for the gym. Should you progress to trad, sport, or ice climbing, it's still a suitable option.

The Mission uses lightweight 12mm and 16mm webbing, along with well-padded waist and leg loops. I found it comfortable to hang and fall on, and it's able to haul plenty of gear. I did find the leg loops for the medium size to be slightly large for my legs but leg loops don't always need to be extremely tight on harnesses.

The buckles can be a bit tough to use, especially in gloves but they do allow for a wide range of adjustments. The waist and leg straps don't fold or pressure point on any one area, which is welcome on hanging belays when your weight is placed directly on them. The gear loops on the harness are also well-placed, allowing you to avoid reaching very far back for draws.

Wild Country used Dura Weave fabric in the harness that's both flexible and durable despite my attempts to grate it against Joshua Tree's most abrasive chimneys. I also found it very breathable, even during triple-digit days in the desert. A lower back sweat patch often develops when I climb, though I found this to not always be the case with the Mission.

Overall, the wide waistband and breathable construction made this my go-to harness. I keep a lighter harness for the gym but in my outdoor climbing bag, the Mission lives with my rack, rope, helmet, and snacks. I'm often picky about climbing gear, so the fact this harness worked its way into my bag so quickly — and remained there so long — is high praise. Wild Country may best be known for its protective gear but this harness is a great buy.

Pros: Comfortable, light, breathable

Cons: Tough to use straps (especially when wearing gloves)