Harnesses?

[wooly]

I can probably count on 6 fingers how many times I've used a harness over the years.

Now that I don't bounce like I used to, I'm looking to slip into something I can have some faith in now that my life will literally be on the line.

I have several brand new/ never used harnesses that come with new stand purchases, but I'm having a hard time trusting the friction buckles on the tree straps especially for hanging new stands. I've been thinking about getting a flip line and climbing belt for this purpose, I'm just not sure it's absolutely necessary considering the gear I already have on hand. So my question is how do you guys like to attach to the tree when hanging stands, and secondly how are you tethering to the tree once in your stands?

Help a newb out here,lol. Pics or links appreciated!

[crappyice]

I wear something like this ....but the 15 year old model that definitely wasn't $160+.  I too never liked the look of the clips on the  harnesses that come with the stands. Mine has actual seat belt buckles.
I mostly hunt from climbers and like the extra pouches in front. I will wear it in ladder stands too and clip in to the lifelines attached to them

 

 

Edited August 22 by crappyice

[ATbuckhunter]

I hunt mostly from a saddle now, but I used to use the free harnesses that come with tree stands. Although I have to say I was known to not use them at all most of the time too. 

[Splitear]

When I was in my teens-20's I rarely wore a harness. I also rarely wore a motorcycle helmet (Illinois doesn't have a helmet law). 

Now that I'm a little older and less worried about what is "uncool" I would never go without either of them. Study the reported hunting accidents from throughout the years and you'll see that most of the serious injuries and deaths have occured because of treestand accidents without a harness. https://dec.ny.gov/things-to-do/hunting/hunter-education

I use something similar to what @crappyice shared. They are comfortable and easy to use. I used to use the ones that came with my treestand, but I always felt like I was trying to manuever through a giant spider web

I only use a climber when hunting from a tree, so I don't have a lot of advice about what to wear when hanging a stand.

Edited August 22 by Splitear

[mowin]

I hate the ones that come with stands.  Get tangled up and are a pain getting them straightened out.  Vest is quick and simple.  I also don't use the tree straps stands provided. I use the pre made rope ones and leave them at each ladder stand for the season. 

[fletchny11]

I have used a Muddy for years. Go with one of the higher level ones as the features are nicer and more comfortable. And they are still very inexpensive considering it could save you from disaster. I like them better than the vest style as it fits very well under my outer layer and most hunting jackets have a tether slit in the back now.

[Larry]

I use HSS for years I have switched to their light weight one. I also hook onto when I get into the stand a device that is supposed to lower me to the ground. I have not tested it to see if I works. I hope I never do. I also use the slide you attach to slide it up as I go.

[Moho81]

I use a mid price point muddy harness. I didn’t want anything bulky. It’s comfortable to wear in the stand and doesn’t get into a tangled mess when you don’t have it on. 

[The_Real_TCIII]

I use a rock climbing harness and a rope with prussic knot to attach to the tree. For hanging stands I use the free harness and a climbing belt

[2BuckBizCT]

I never wore a harness but don't really hunt anything over 8ft in the hills/mountains it's not needed to go much higher. @Chef  made me buy this before I hunted with him.

 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DD1ZSCT/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

It's not bothersome at all and i wear for 1 ladder stand in NY i hunt now too. I climb up and then clip in up top. The one thing I don't like is some of buckles kinda squeak on my walk in. I gotta find a way to quiet it

[dbHunterNY]

i started with the vest style but they're heavier and can restrict you from getting into pockets too much. I've used a muddy safeguard model harness i think it's called for years. it's stripped down bare bones harness but not the spaghetti mess of a TMA issued standard harness you get with stands. also the seat belt fixed length tree straps are trash. use a rope style with prussik knot that's adjustable.

[wooly]

This is kinda what I had in mind for hanging stands.

I dont know why i titled this harnesses,lol.  

Anyhow, this is what I ordered so should make me a little more confident hanging stands over the free belt.

[grampy]

1 minute ago, wooly said:

This is kinda what I had in mind for hanging stands.

I dont know why i titled this harnesses,lol.  

Anyhow, this is what I ordered so should make me a little more confident hanging stands over the free belt.

That should work great for hanging stands Matt. After the stand is hung, I hunt with a safety line and prussic knot. That way I'm clipped in from the time I leave the ground until I come back down. So easy to use and I feel safe. You're right about us not bouncing as well as we used to.  So we need to do all we can to keep well for our loved ones.

[Mattypotpie8s]

I’m using the hawk elevate lite harness. Simple, lightweight & has a built in bino harness.

[Swamp_bucks]

8 hours ago, crappyice said:

I wear something like this ....but the 15 year old model that definitely wasn't $160+.  I too never liked the look of the clips on the  harnesses that come with the stands. Mine has actual seat belt buckles.
I mostly hunt from climbers and like the extra pouches in front. I will wear it in ladder stands too and clip in to the lifelines attached to them

 

 

This is what I want to get, if I had a harness with pockets my bag would never go during the first 3 weeks of bow