Which safety harness?

[sphar]

I've been treestand hunting with just a single-strap chest belt for about ten years.  I use a climbing stand and I always use the safety strap from the time I get in it until I get out.  I've never had a problem, but I know that if I ever did, I'd be much better off with a full body harness.

I'm going to get a harness, and I'd like to hear any recommendations on the different makes and models.  Thanks.

[mg66]

I would go with any 4 point harness. Any manufacturer. I wear a Summit Seat-Of-The-Pants harness. I have never had a problem with it.  Or there is the vest type also.

[sphar]

Thanks mg. 

I figure they all probably serve the main purpose equally well.  I'm wondering if some brands are relatively easy, or more difficult, to use - or if there any other oddball things to know.

I've seen some in catalogs that say "for fixed and ladder stands only" and some that say "for ladder and climbing stands only."  They don't explain why, and the differences aren't readily apparent to me. 

[Buckskin]

I would hate to be hanging from a tree with a single strap around my chest.  I purchased a vest style harness a couple years ago, it is very easy to put on unlike the spider web harnesses that they give you when you buy a treestand. I don't know the brand of the one I have but several have come out since I bought it, probably with some improvements.  Mine was about $80.   It's very comfortable, you don't even know its on.  And because of the ease and comfort, I wear it much more often than when I was trying to figure out the old style ones.  It actually was the reason that I was able to shoot my bow buck this year, it came in behind me so I had to swing myself our over the left side of my tree and have the harness hold me in place as I shot. 

[K.K]

You may want to take a look at the Hunter's Safety System. It is a vest that has straps that go under your legs and lock in like seatbetls.  I was a scaredy-cat ground hunter before I found this and I now feel completely safe in a stand while wearing this excellent set-up.  By the way, I weigh over 250 lbs, and it is rated for higher.

[daddywpb]

I have a Gorilla full body harness and it's the most comfortable one I have ever used. The Hunter Safety System is a lot easier to put on, but the leg straps would cause certain.....aaaah.....problems for a guy if he were being supported by the harness. The way the Gorilla fits, this......problem......is not a problem.

[ronbow]

The vest type, while probably more comfortable is also HOT. I hunt exclusively in North Florida and heat is a major factor.

[Buckskin]

I didn't think they had trees in Florida.

[dukkillr]

I've got the one. http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?id=0032877&navCount=0&parentId=cat20053&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=null-cat20053_TGP&parentType=index&indexId=cat20053&rid=&cmCat=netcon&cm_ven=netcon&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=hunting%20safety%20harness&cm_ite=netcon

I like it a great deal.  I like that it's fast and easy. 

[ronbow]

I didn't think they had trees in Florida.

Oh hell yes but you gotta watch out for the falling coconuts.

[MS10point]

I was looking at a Loggy Bayou "Tranformer " harness that looked pretty nice. It is very light and trim with seatbelt type buckles and a built in binocular harness on the front. It also has accesories that can be added such as a handwarmer pocket or fanny pack. I have a couple of regular 6 point harnesses and have been wanting a vest type but I think I like this one better. I believe it was $79.00

TP

[jomiri469]

Best one for my money is the Fall Guy retractor that you wear up and down the tree and in the stand.  Has a 20 foot belt that retracts as you climb up the tree and then out as you go down. Any sudden movement, as in a fall, and you're stopped by the same action as in a vehicle seat belt.  Hooks up to any full body harness. I paid $69 at Gander Mountain.

[Buckskin]

How do you get the retracting belt up the tree???

[VolFan9183]

I have the Hunters Safety System vest that is reversible camo/blaze orange.  It can be a little warm in early bow season, but much easier to use than the mess of straps I used to have.  I find it very easy to throw on as soon as I get out of the truck, and leave on until I get back.