Chest harnesses

Chest harnesses for enhanced safety and comfort in the mountains

Chest harnesses ensure your upper body is stabilized. They shift your centre of gravity from your hips to your chest, and they prevent your body from turning upside down. A chest harness is particularly useful for kids because their upper body tends to be significantly heavier than their legs, especially when climbing with a backpack.
Such harnesses can also be useful for climbers who don’t have very pronounced hips. Such individuals have a higher risk of slipping out of their sit harness in the event of a fall. This is especially the case with children, very slim individuals and overweight individuals.

What types of chest harnesses are available?

There are two types of chest harnesses: the figure eight type and the braces type. All modern chest harnesses are fully adjustable and can be worn comfortably under a backpack. They provide additional safety during via ferratas, glacier walks, mountaineering and climbing. Please note: chest harnesses must never be used alone, only in combination with a sit harness!