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Revealed Mar 15, 2023 9:00 AM
The significance of a great tree stand harness can’t be understated. We’ve heard far too many regretful tales from hunters who didn’t make the most of the right security procedures within the subject. Many find yourself badly injured or, in some worst-case situations, completely disabled after a tree stand fall. Hunters owe it not simply to themselves, but in addition to their households to return house after each hunt. That’s why a high quality security harness isn’t an merchandise hunters ought to skimp on whereas buying.
The precise security gear will hold you protected not simply whereas sitting in a stand, but in addition throughout your ascent and descent from the tree. We stored that in thoughts when making our high picks for the very best tree stand harnesses.
How We Made Our Picks
I’ve hunted deer since 1999. I’ve spent a great deal of that point looking from a tree stand whereas sporting numerous types of security gear. I’ve spent greater than a good period of time coping with inferior security harnesses which are tough to placed on and uncomfortable to put on for a full day within the stand. Clearly, none of that subpar gear made this checklist. We additionally thought of many components hunters will discover necessary when making our alternatives.
- Weight Ranking: What’s the most weight every harness can maintain?
- Harness Weight: How a lot does the harness itself weigh? Does it have extra supplies that make it uncomfortable to put on or draw a bow?
- Sizes: Is that this a distinct segment harness for just one group of hunters? Are there choices in numerous sizes and weight rankings for everybody?
- Worth: How a lot does the harness price? Do the options match up with the value tag?
Finest Tree Stand Harnesses: Opinions & Suggestions
Finest Total: Hunter Security System Professional Sequence
Key Options
- Weight Ranking: 100 – 300 Kilos
- Harness Weight: 3.06 Kilos
- Sizes: S, M, L/XL, 2XL/3XL
Execs
- Mesh vent straps for hotter climate hunts
- Numerous storage pockets
- Strap to tug a deer out
Cons
Hunter Security System is commonly the usual by which all different manufacturers of harnesses are judged. Their Professional Sequence is our clear favourite for the added options packed in past simply being a lifeline. It is a nice alternative for hotter climates since HSS constructed a lot of the harness with a mesh design that helps ventilate and forestall extra sweating. At present’s trendy looking jackets and pants are sometimes constructed with a bevy of pockets. Sadly, many of those typically grow to be inaccessible the second you slip on a harness. The Professional Sequence solves that challenge by integrating eight complete pockets, together with a bigger one constructed particularly in your smartphone. This harness has a fairly distinctive function in a USB charging port. It feels a bit of extreme, however at the very least you’ll know you may keep linked in case of an emergency.
This one additionally makes our greatest total checklist merely for the vary of sizes and weight limits out there. If there’s one draw back to this harness, it’s the truth that it carries a a lot greater price ticket than many different choices in the marketplace right now. It’s additionally barely heavier due to all these bells and whistles.
Finest for Bowhunting: Hunter Security System X-1
Key Options
- Weight Ranking: 100 – 300 Kilos
- Harness Weight: 2 Kilos
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL
Execs
- Gentle design
- Few factors to intervene with a bowstring
- Inexpensive
Cons
The X-1 is an effective alternative particularly for stick and string just because the straps have a narrower design that permits for a fuller vary of motion, particularly when drawing. I additionally like that there are fewer areas on the harness that can hold up or intervene together with your draw or launch. The straps are additionally unobtrusive sufficient that they received’t intervene with a protracted stroll to the stand. At $70, this harness can also be very inexpensive on nearly any price range. A draw back is the buckle placement on the insides of the thighs. There may be multiple grievance on the market about them clicking collectively as a hunter walks. You’ll wish to train a bit of warning in your closing strategy or exit routes when utilizing this harness.
Most Comfy: Muddy The Crossover Combo Harness
Key Options
- Weight Ranking: 110-300 Kilos
- Harness Weight: 2 Kilos
- Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Execs
- Easy, straightforward to put-on design
- Further pockets and kit loops
- Padding in shoulders and waist
Cons
It is a good harness alternative from a consolation perspective as a result of Muddy added additional padding to the waist, shoulders, and again areas. It might not look like a lot, however that additional padding goes a good distance towards making these all-day sits extra comfy. Typically that’s the one strategy to bag an enormous buck. This harness has a tether that’s easy to connect with one hand. The pliability of the tether is one other plus. I’ve used far too many harnesses with stiff tethers that limit motion. This small function simply provides to the consolation. Muddy builds 4 completely different sizes for this harness, with a max weight restrict of 300 kilos for the XL mannequin.
Finest Light-weight: Hawk Treestands Elevate Lite
Key Options
- Weight Ranking: 300 Kilos
- Harness Weight: 1.8 Kilos
- Sizes: One dimension suits most
Execs
- Further padding in leg straps
- Low profile for bowhunting
- Tether permits a variety of motion
Cons
- Sizes a bit of giant
- Just one shade choice
Coming in at 1.8 kilos, the Elevate is without doubt one of the lightest tree stand harnesses in the marketplace right now. This harness goes to supply a pleasant vary of motion wanted for drawing a compound or recurve. That is additionally a good selection for anybody who has had unfavourable experiences with leg straps slicing into them. Hawk Treestands are one of many few firms that put a bit of additional padding into these areas. That is additionally one of many few harnesses on the market to incorporate a chest strap for a bit of additional peace of thoughts.
As a result of it has a 300-pound weight capability, it tends to dimension a bit of bigger than different harnesses in the marketplace. Shorter hunters might discover that this “one-size suits most” choice isn’t perfect. It’s a nice choice for taller hunters over six toes tall and 200 kilos.
Finest for Large Guys: Malta Dynamics Hunter’s Elite
Key Options
- Weight Ranking: 300 Kilos
- Sizes: S-M, L-XL, 2XL, 3XL
- Harness Weight: 4.6 – 4.9 Kilos
Execs
- Broad straps and beefier buckles
- Loops for climbing safety
- Further padding on the again and waist
Cons
Sadly, the marketplace for tree stand harnesses that match bigger physique sizesfrom is a bit restricted. The Malta Dynamics is constituted of heavy-duty development, and the straps are a bit of bit wider than most harnesses. The buckles are additionally a lot beefier, which goes to assist hunters over 250 kilos really feel a bit safer within the tree stand. The draw back is that it makes the entire harness considerably heavier. The 3XL mannequin is available in at practically 5 kilos. Nonetheless, most bigger hunters can even seemingly discover this harness to be a bit extra comfy just because there’s some additional padding within the again, waist, and leg areas. The climbing strap loops are additionally situated in a really handy location that’s going to make them simpler to make the most of throughout your ascent and descent from the stand.
Finest for Climbing: Summit Professional Security Harness
Key Options
- Weight Ranking: 300 Kilos
- Sizes: M, L
- Harness Weight: 4.4 Kilos
Execs
- Lineman’s climbing rope included
- Padded shoulder straps
- Molle Accent spots
Cons
- Solely two sizes
- Some noise complaints
The Summit Professional contains an eight-foot lineman’s rope which makes it perfect for hunters preferring a climbing stand. Utilizing that rope helps guarantee you might be by no means out of contact with the tree throughout your ascent and descent in case one thing goes unsuitable. Though, Summit does embrace a prusik knot for hunters who wish to use this with a hang-on or ladder stand setup. This setup is easy, with unobtrusive straps that make it a pleasant alternative for bowhunting too. Maybe essentially the most distinctive function of this harness is a Molle accent attachment system, which isn’t one thing you’ll discover on different harnesses. Which may be a distinct segment function, nevertheless it’s good to know that it’s there. Summit charges this harness for 300 kilos, however I’m puzzled by the actual fact they solely supply medium and enormous sizes. For the value, it is a strong harness and a pleasant improve from those included with many climbing stands right now.
Finest for Girls: Hunter Security System Woman Hybrid
Key Options
- Weight Ranking: Not specified
- Sizes: S/M, M/L
- Harness Weight: 2.5 Kilos
Execs
- Particularly designed for girls
- Beneficiant storage pockets
- Fast launch buckles
Cons
- Costly
- Pointless pink accents
Sadly, the marketplace for ladies’s looking gear stays a bit area of interest, particularly with security harnesses. That is the one harness in the marketplace designed from the bottom up for feminine hunters. Fortunately, HSS took among the high options from their males’s harnesses and utilized them right here. Most notable are the mesh liners, which successfully make it an all-season harness.
There are six pockets in your cellphone and numerous small looking equipment. The binocular and rangefinder straps are additionally useful for staying organized within the stand. Total, this harness has a low profile that lends it nicely to bowhunting. HSS additionally added a rubber coating to the leg buckles, which can make this harness extra comfy and quiet throughout an all-day sit. The one draw back is the steep value. HSS additionally added some pink accents, which appear a bit pointless and cliché. Some ladies might even discover them off-putting.
Issues to Take into account When Shopping for the Finest Tree Stand Harnesses
In keeping with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee, the most typical reason for tree stand falls is the hunter slipping or dropping his or her grip. Usually, these accidents occur in stands the hunter has used many instances previously. Many hunters don’t assume it may well occur to them till they’re caught off guard and mess up a climb they’ve made 100 instances earlier than. So, it pays to take these things critically.
Most producers additionally give their harnesses a restricted shelf lifetime of three to 5 years. Most harnesses could have an expiration date, and it is strongly recommended hunters change a harness that’s previous that date. That is largely as a result of the fabric harnesses are constituted of can break down over time, particularly if uncovered to a great deal of abrasion whereas climbing bushes or easy UV publicity that degrades the supplies. Examine your harness for put on and tear earlier than each season. If you happen to discover free threads or areas that look worn down, it’s most likely time to purchase a brand new one.
FAQs
Do I would like a harness for looking?
In case you are planning to hunt from a tree stand, a correct security harness is a must have merchandise. Yearly, state wildlife businesses report accidents that seemingly might have been averted if the hunter had merely worn the right security gear. It’s one of the crucial widespread types of looking accidents, and it’s not value risking your life.
Are hang-on tree stands protected?
Sure, if they’re correctly maintained and hung up. Most of these stands are designed to be taken down and put again up yearly. Leaving them up year-round will increase the probabilities of the straps fraying and dropping power because the tree grows. Make sure you examine your stand yearly and change any elements that look unsafe.
Can I exploit a climbing harness for looking?
I’ve heard of some hunters utilizing a climbing harness as a substitute of 1 designed for looking. Whereas many climbing harnesses are inexpensive than looking ones, they’re additionally typically not designed for sitting for hours in a tree. Consequently, a few of these harnesses aren’t going to be as comfy.
Last Ideas
If it looks like Hunter Security Methods dominated this checklist, that’s just because they provide extra selection than another producer on the market proper now. And their merchandise have the standard and status to match that dominance. So far as trendy tree stand harnesses go, the Professional Sequence was a simple alternative for finest total primarily based on the accessibility and luxury options that the corporate has pioneered and perfected with this providing.
Why Belief Us
For greater than 125 years, Area & Stream has been offering readers with sincere and genuine protection of outside gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outside, and that zeal comes by means of in our product critiques. You may rely on F&S to maintain you updated on the very best new gear. And after we write a few product—whether or not it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cowl the nice and the dangerous, so you already know precisely what to anticipate earlier than you determine to make a purchase order.
