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Re: [ckirkwood9] Gear Review? - Metolius Safe Tech Deluxe Improved Harness - Men's:
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rockklimber
Feb 24, 2011, 8:04 PM
Views: 15443
Registered: Feb 21, 2011
Posts: 12
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I have three of these harnesses so I'll give you my gear review(s).
I originally bought the regular safe tech harness because I think the molded gear loops on my first harness sucked when going up a chimney (catches on everything). I put many pitches on the new harness and it worked fine until I started to rack my trad gear on my harness. The weight of the gear caused the rear part of the waist loop to fold under.
So then I purchased the Safe Tech Deluxe (older version). The waist loop is larger in the back and this solved the problem with folding under. I used this harness for a couple of years climbing 30-40wkends a year and it worked perfectly. I saw the new Safe Tech Deluxe on sale and was noticing some wear on the older version so decided it was a good time to get a new harness.
So I have been using the new harness for maybe a year or so. It fits the same, but there are two obvious changes. The first is it has two belay loops. I personally haven't found a need for two belay loops so this wasn't really a change for me.
The other obvious change is the gear loops. The old harness had them in series. The new one has the back smaller gear loops slightly overlapping the front gear loops and slightly lower. At first this seemed strange, but I have learned that it makes it easier to reach gear on the rear loops than it was on the old harness since the rear loops is a little farther forward. I think the rear loop is a little bigger too.
As for fit, since the waist belt and leg loops are wider it is more comfortable during hanging belays. I have aided for up to 4+hrs in each deluxe version and haven't felt any discomfort (but then again I'm moving quite a bit so not still for very long).
Both harness have rated rear haul loops which some harnesses don't have.
Bottom line, I would recommend this harness.
Hope this helps.
(This post was edited by rockklimber on Feb 24, 2011, 8:06 PM)
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Post edited by rockklimber
() on Feb 24, 2011, 8:06 PM
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