Finest Tree Stand Harnesses of 2023

With over 50 years of searching from tree stands and carrying tree stand harnesses and a number of other many years finding out tree stand security for a residing, I’ve been round lengthy sufficient to recall when hunter security courses mainly targeted on firearm security fairly than tree stand security. I’ve additionally seen the previous one-piece climbers evolve with higher designs and higher supplies into some glorious portables right now. Likewise I skilled the most effective tree stand security harnesses evolve from belts to chest-harnesses to full-body harnesses.

How I Examined the Finest Tree Stand Harnesses

In testing these harnesses, I used new samples straight out of the bundle and adopted the producers’ directions. I weighed every full unit utilizing the identical scale (AWS model) so any error must be comparable amongst them. For every harness sort, I connected each the harness tree tether and lineman’s belt to the tree on the floor and climbed just a few toes up utilizing tree steps. I sat briefly with the tree tether correctly positioned, after which simulated an arrested fall into the harness. Earlier than and after use I inspected every harness to see if any damages occurred after the climbing and arrested fall simulations.

Finest Tree Stand Harnesses: Evaluations and Suggestions

Key Options

• Weight: 0.9 lbs
• Sizes: XS to XL
• Really helpful Lifespan: 10 years
• Weight Restrict: None specified

Professionals

• Easy to make use of
• Light-weight
• Simply take away/add layers
• Self-rescue is less complicated on this harness than the four-point harness

Cons

• Entrance tether attachment will get in the best way

That is an especially simple to make use of mountain climbing harness that simply carries and helps hunters in a seated place after an arrested fall. The Black Diamond Zone is designed with the concept customers (climbers) are anticipated to fall on this harness. It is usually designed for self-rescue, since rock climbers are sometimes not simply accessible to rescuers. One of many causes that full-body security harnesses are beneficial usually for hunters is that it could be not possible for a hunter to fall out of a full-body harness if all of the straps are mounted correctly. Correctly worn, the mountain climbing harness supplies nearly as a lot safety. Do not forget that rock climbers, in contrast to deer hunters, plan to fall and could also be in uncommon postures once they achieve this and depend on these harnesses for survival.

Though the entrance attachment of the tether for rock harnesses might get in the best way, the massive benefit of this attachment level is that self-rescue turns into far simpler after an arrested fall. Since this can be a “sit” harness, hanging in these harnesses is way more comfy than the full-body harness. Since you sit on this harness whereas suspended, in contrast to hanging in a full-body harness, the danger of suspension trauma is low.

As a result of rock they’re normally tied-in to lengthy climbing ropes, these harnesses don’t embrace climbing loops, a tree belt or tether, so the hunter should fabricate these from climbing-grade rope or climbing-grade webbing (flat nylon tubular webbing utilized in climbing). A locking carabiner can also be wanted. If you’re not assured in fabricating these, search professional assist from expert hunters or rock climbers.

The second draw back for hunters is that the tie-off level of the harness is positioned on the entrance waist. It’s attainable for the tree tether to be in the best way of your bow or gun, however a bit care will reduce this subject. Once you use your harness to ascend a tree there is no such thing as a “lineman’s” model belt, fairly the harness is connected to a tree tether which should be moved up the tree. With a little bit of observe this turns into simpler. You’ll additionally wish to add a small gear bag (not included) to retailer your tree tethers plus your up-haul rope.

This harness is nice for hunters wanting a easy, light-weight security harness that helps facilitate self-rescue. It’s comfy sufficient to put on on the stroll to the stand and sufficiently small to simply slot in a bowhunting backpack. You will have to manufacture or purchase your individual technique of attachment to the tree for climbing and sitting, however this does allow some customization.

Finest Full Physique: Hunter’s Security System Professional Collection

Hunter’s Security Techniques

SEE IT

Key Options

• Eight Pockets together with two zippered chest pockets
• Weight: Slightly below 4 kilos
• Contains two units of directions and tutorial DVD
• Really helpful Lifespan: 5 years
• Weight Restrict: 300 kilos

Professionals

• Eight pockets are extraordinarily useful
• Placing on/taking off the vest is straightforward

Cons

• Advanced lineman’s belt process
• Self-rescue is likely to be tougher than different choices on this listing

This vest, like others of its sort, has a harness tether connected to the center of the again on the collar space. The tether with sewn-in shock absorption stays out of your means whereas searching however may end up in suspension going through away from the tree after an arrested fall. This orientation plus the size of the harness tether, particularly if the shock absorbing stitching deploys, plus the most important upward shift of the whole lot in suspension, means you’ll be hanging far under your anchor level on the tree.

The lineman’s climbing belt appears very safe and is the one one I’ve seen that encircles the hunter’s total physique. Nevertheless, the directions for the lineman’s belt took me some time to interpret. However you’ll wish to connect the tree tether at any time when utilizing the lineman’s belt to be doubly related. This double-connection to the tree is significant for all harnesses if climbing previous a limb or tree stand.

Hanging on this harness was uncomfortable, mainly across the legs and crotch. And also you’ll positively wish to put on this harness to the stand, because it doesn’t include a carry pouch, and it could be a bit cumbersome to stuff in a pack. The lengthy harness tether is a snag hazard and must be tucked contained in the vest throughout journey—particularly on an atv. However for tree stand hunters that desire a full physique harness with a comfortable match and loads of storage in your gear, the Hunter’s Security System Professional Collection is a superb possibility.           

Most Comfy: Summit Professional Security Harness

Key Options

• Weight: 4.5 kilos with only one tree strap
• Weight Restrict: 300 kilos
• Really helpful Lifespan: 5 years (three years for the security/lineman’s rope)
• Measurement: 28-35-inch waist (males’s)

Professionals

• Easy, simple to make use of
• Small footprint
• Contains lineman’s belt

Cons

• The suspension-relief strap is troublesome to return to its pouch
• For climbing into fastened stands, you’ll want a second rope to be tied in always

The Professional Summit Security Harness is comfy sufficient to put on in your hike to the stand, and the tied loop on the security/lineman’s rope is massive sufficient to cross the carabiner and prussic by way of with out detaching it. This extraordinarily adjustable harness features a stretchy chest strap that reduces the possibilities of strangulation should you sink too low within the harness whereas suspended. As a result of it’s so adjustable, this harness is a lot comfy to put on in your trek to the stand and for these all-day sits. There are not any pouches included, so the tree tether/lineman’s climbing strap should be carried individually. 

The tree tether has an energy-absorbing part in addition to sewn-in tear-outs. However the design of the harness made it onerous for me to succeed in the vest tree tether with out eradicating the shoulder straps. It does embrace a suspension-relief strap in a useful storage pouch that’s related to the harness, which is mounted at one finish after which deployed and connected to the lineman’s belt loop. 

Once you tie-off the strap, attempt a slip knot, as I wanted two tries to get the loop size appropriate. It took some wiggling to face up within the suspension-relief strap, so observe a number of occasions close to the bottom earlier than searching with it. Nonetheless, the Summit Professional is without doubt one of the extra comfy harnesses from my check, and is a superb possibility should you’ve acquired a protracted stroll and an all day sit deliberate in your subsequent hunt. 

Finest Options: Hawk Elevate Professional Harness

Key Options

• Weight: 3.7 kilos with tree and climbing belt
• Really helpful Lifespan: 5 years
• Weight Restrict: 300 kilos
• Fast-release leg buckles

Professionals

• Tremendous simple to placed on/take off
• Padded leg straps are a wonderful contact
• Handy pockets

Cons

• May not match smaller hunters tremendous effectively

The Hawk Elevate Professional Harness has so many considerate options that make it extraordinarily comfy and handy to make use of once you’re within the stand. This “one-size-fits-most” harness was a bit too large on me at 5-foot 8-inches and 140 kilos. So a smaller dimension would profit smaller stature hunters. Whereas it doesn’t appear to be an enormous deal, the dimensions subject turns into extra necessary throughout an arrested fall. The leg strap pads have been a bit too far again, although nonetheless considerably efficient. Likewise the dimensions of the harness resulted in a few of my weight being suspended at my armpits fairly than evenly distributed. You may mitigate the dimensions downside with extra garments, however there are many single layer searching days in the course of the early season and deep South.

The tree tether has a shock-absorbing part in addition to tear-out pleats. I used to be in a position to attain the tether whereas carrying the vest, and the harness comes with each a tree belt and a climbing rope with a prusik knot. The looped finish of the climbing rope was large enough to slip the prusik and carabiner by way of. Basically this harness was spectacular within the consideration of sensible features of use. For instance the tree belt has a sewn-in attachment loop for connecting the carabiner. Just like the Summit, the suspension-relief strap is included and may be conveniently positioned again in its storage pouch. 

Once you tie it off, use a slip knot to assist in getting the loop size appropriate. The shorter climbing rope means it’s simpler to deal with with much less extra flopping round. Nevertheless, it could not be lengthy sufficient for large-diameter bushes. The harness adjustment belts have clips in-built for housing the tag ends in order that they don’t flop about. Even the loops for attaching the climbing belt have elastic holders to maintain the loops out of the best way when not in use. And the suspension strap has two velcro tabs for refolding once you retailer it. There are such a lot of delicate however considerate particulars within the Hawk Elevate Professional that make it probably the greatest tree stand harnesses not simply to put on, however to make your time within the stand that rather more environment friendly.

Key Options

• Weight: 4.3 kilos
• Weight Restrict: 300 kilos
• Sizes: 28-40-inch waist

Professionals

• With extra gear, saddle doubles as your stand
• Tremendous comfy after an arrested fall
• Self-rescue is less complicated than standard tree stand harnesses

Cons

• Takes some getting used to
• A bit cumbersome

The Hawk Helium Hammock Saddle combines your stand and tree stand harness in a single handy, light-weight bundle. If you happen to’re a minimalist hunter, and also you haven’t already purchased into the tree saddle hype but, the Hawk Helium Hammock Saddle ought to catch your eye. This security tree harness/stand combines the most effective of each worlds in a light-weight, packable possibility. Just like the Black Diamond, this isn’t a conventional tree stand harness, although it definitely capabilities as one. Whether or not you put on it to your stand or pack it in, this saddle eliminates plenty of undesirable weight, particularly if in case you have a protracted hike to the stand.

In comparison with vest-type searching harnesses and mountain climbing harnesses, the Hawk Helium Saddle does have extra dangling components. I’d positively advise loads of trial runs with it at floor degree to familiarize your self with particular changes and tips on how to put it on. As a harness, this is without doubt one of the heavier ones I examined at 4.3 kilos. As a stand, although, it’s a lot lighter than most portables on the market and can lower down in your general weight.

The tree tether spliced loop is a bit small for the prusik knot or for the mechanical ascender. This implies the prusik or the ascender should be eliminated to connect the tree tether to the tree. If you happen to drop one, you higher have a spare in your pouch.

There have been no directions for attaching the carrying pouch to the saddle, which is significant to hold the ascender and the prusik. Becoming the Saddle into the carrying pouch takes some effort and observe. However when you get the dangle of it, the Hawk Helium Hammock could make your tree stand hunts way more environment friendly.

Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Tree Stand Harness

As a retired professor of train physiology, I’ve spent years researching and finding out tree stand accidents and security. That is one motive I put on a harness each hunt, from the bottom as much as searching peak and again to the bottom once more. And I strongly suggest you do the identical. I’m a small man who, most likely such as you, hauls my bow or rifle, my vary finder, binoculars for searching, further gear and clothes, on my again appreciable distances to and from my stand. And whereas a tree stand harness would possibly appear to be an afterthought in comparison with your different gear, it shouldn’t. Whether or not you’re hauling a ton of drugs right into a deep piece of public or doing a fast hunt behind the home after work, you need to deal with your tree stand harness simply as very important because the weapon you’re searching with. 

There are three primary varieties of security harnesses. The most well-liked harnesses at present are full-body harnesses and vests made particularly for tree stand searching. This contractor model full-body harness is the one sort at present authorised by the Tree stand Producer’s Affiliation. The second sort of harness, which has turn out to be more and more fashionable in the previous few years is the tree saddle.

Basically, these are cloth seats with leg straps and a bridge which may be connected to a tree tether and let you dangle in a tree and relaxation along with your toes to an connected footrest or stand. These let you transfer across the tree to shoot in any route. The ultimate sort of harness I examined—which isn’t your typical tree stand harness—is a mountain climbing harness. These harnesses are constructed for rock climber’s security to stop them from falling as they scale cliffs and different rock faces. As a result of they work brilliantly for ascending/descending, additionally they make nice choices for tree stand harnesses when worn correctly.

You’ll desire a harness that you just really feel comfy utilizing each time you head to the stand. Completely different hunters can have completely different concepts of which options are most necessary. Check out as many harnesses as you’ll be able to and see which of them match or accommodate your dimension and desires finest. If you happen to can, borrow one out of your searching buddy to see the way it matches. When you’ve got the chance to check the harness at floor degree, achieve this.

Dangle a tree stand close to floor degree in your self-rescue check and see should you can climb again to security. What in case your tree stand falls? Are you able to get to the bottom? Does the harness really feel restrictive in any means or trigger discomfort? These are elements that you need to contemplate when buying a tree stand harness. Keep shut sufficient to the bottom to place your toes down for a simulated self-rescue. Make sure you ensure the suspension-relief strap works, and do that with a robust grownup current.

I’ve worn plenty of various kinds of searching security harnesses. All of them might help defend in opposition to tree stand falls, which is their key operate, however some are much more sensible than others. Listed below are three predominant elements you need to contemplate when seeking to buy one.

Ease of Use

An important characteristic of a harness, for my part, is ease-of-use. I say this as a result of mine and my colleague’s scientific survey analysis reveals that many hunters, even hunter security instructors, fail to put on a harness just because they’re troublesome to make use of. The tougher it’s to make use of, the much less doubtless hunters are to put on it. Whereas this isn’t an excellent motive to not put on a harness, sadly, it’s a actuality for lots of hunters. Ease of use consists of general weight, how simple it’s to placed on/take off, the way it wears to/from the stand, and normal comfort.

Restoration After a Fall

The second most necessary characteristic is how simple the restoration course of is that if a fall happens. If a fall occurs to happen and the harness does its job of maintaining you from hitting the bottom, it should both let you regain the stand or safely descend. Hanging in most harnesses shortly turns into painful, and in some circumstances may cause you to lose consciousness. In excessive circumstances it has resulted in dying (on account of suspension trauma), so an efficient harness escape plan is significant. And, this isn’t all the time simple.

Consolation

Consolation is one other key high quality of tree stand harnesses. Like harnesses which are troublesome to placed on, an uncomfortable harness will both get left within the truck or detract out of your hunt. Because the air temperature of the hunt modifications, a harness that lets you placed on or take off further layers could make your hunt far more gratifying and environment friendly.

FAQs

Why Belief Out of doors Life?

Since 1898, OL has been a number one authority in testing and reviewing searching gear, fishing deal with, weapons and taking pictures gear, and way more. We have now greater than a century-long historical past of evaluating merchandise, and we’re now bringing that experience to on-line critiques. Our editors are skilled outdoorsmen and ladies, and most significantly, we’re skilled journalists. We prioritize discipline testing and goal information when reviewing merchandise. We conduct interviews with gear producers and engineers in addition to outside consultants in order that our readers have an understanding of how and why a product works—or doesn’t.

Promoting doesn’t affect our gear critiques and it by no means will. Whereas we all the time focus our protection on standout merchandise—as a result of we wish our readers to concentrate on the newest and best gear—we additionally cowl the issues and quirks of any given product.

Ultimate Ideas on the Finest Treestand Harnesses

The most effective tree stand harnesses might effectively save your life or forestall a hunting-ending harm. The important thing subject is to discover a harness design that you’ll use correctly each hunt. Put on it from the bottom up and down once more and all the time have it firmly anchored. Examine your harness earlier than every use and don’t exceed the expiration date or weight restrict for it. Observe producers’ warnings, and don’t expose harnesses to the climate when not in use. Be sure to can self-rescue from suspension. And above all, be secure.