Safety Harness Questions

[Green Mountain Boy]

Hi All
First off, thanks for everyone being so generous with their time and knowledge, just reading others posted questions and the thoughtful answers posted back has made me a much better archer.

Praise aside, I am in the market for a new safety harness, I was wondering a couple of things:
1. What harness do you use?
2. Would you buy it again if you needed a new one?
        - comfort
        - ease of use
        - durability
        - value for the price

Thanks in advance for your responses.

[Huntingnut]

I have a HSS Pro vest.
-It is very comfortable.
-takes 30 seconds to put on and take off.
-I've not used it long enough to have an opinion on durability, but it seems very well made.
-it is expensive, around $150.But it is much cheaper than a trip to the ER, or the morgue.

I would definitely buy another.

[JAG]

I use the Seat of the Pants.  Good harness, once you get used to it.  Fairly simple to use.
Yes I'd buy another one. (oh yes Full Body Harnesses have an EXP. Date on them)
HSS is another good one.
There are some of the newer ones out that have a decender built into them, just in case you fall and need it to get down.  Haven't used one yet, but will have one by next season to use in the Treestand Safety Course, and will likely get one for myself and my bride.
Just be sure to get one that has been tested by the Treestand Manfactures Assn.  They have a web site where you can check out most of the treestands and harnesses on the market.
JAG/Johnny

[calgarychef]

Find someone who is a "linesman" and get one of their old harnesses, they are good enough to work in all day so that's good enough for me.  I like mine, easy to put on, safe enough for industry and color coded so it's impossible to put on wrong.

[stevewills]

hss...ill buy another if i ever wear this one out,nice off and on,comfortable,and you can buy the stuff you need for it,priced fairly well

[Flingblade]

Just be sure to have a suspension relief plan.  If you fall and can't get back on stand you need a suspension relief strap or a descender as JAG said; otherwise they say you go unconcious in about five minutes hanging in a full body harness.  I'll have to admit I did not know this until I recently watched that little safety DVD that comes with new treestands.  Have a safe hunting season!

[Bowwild]

My son and I have been using HSS for a few years. I was looking for a 'better' one yesterday in fact. I'm intrigued with the newer type that have sort of a stiff skeleton with no cloth vest. I'm thinking they might be less noticable.

My biggest issue with the HSS and the older freebies that came with tree stands is the lack of mobility when you have to turn around to shoot the other side. It seems the strap tying you to the tree invariably gets in the way of the drawing elbow.

I checked out the "Spyder" vest yesterday but I didn't want to spend $129 (was $149) at the moment to replace a perfectly servicable HSS.

[Green Mountain Boy]

I think I'm leaning toward the HSS pro series, great reviews and on sale in a couple of places.

[Red4arm]

I use a HSS vest it's fine but I like the looks of the spyder system,but like Bowwild said, it's a little pricey. Don't forget to get the linesmen rope. Most of the falls occur while climbing. Also learn a the prucis knot, slips up a line until there is pressure on it. I probably spelled it wrong. My brother fell a couple of years ago when a old climber cable broke. He was hurt badly but was able to recover, we use a harness and linesmen belt now.
Not matter which you buy, USE IT

[Coonbait]

I've been looking to replace mine also. I really like the looks of the Tree Spider system with the lowering attachment. And yes the 129.00 plus has me hung up, but how much is going home worth? I'll keep hinting to my wife until she tells me to leave her alone and just get it! She makes up my mind alot that way.
Glenn

[Nole]

I have the Muddy Harness and the HSS.  I like them both but lean more towards the Muddy Harness due to our warmer weather that we have here in the south.  It is very lightweight and comfortable.

[frankwright]

I had a HSS but sold it, too dang hot here in Georgia during bow season, otherwise it worked very well.

I use the Muddy harness now but I use it with the Prussic knot set up like Summit uses. It is the easiest system to use while climbing with a climber, to secure yourself once at height and easily converts to a linesmans belt for hanging sticks and hand on stands.

The new harness from Gorilla looks good also.

[Hoyt]

I bought an older HSS Pro when they first came out, but it was too hot and heavy for me. I sweat real easy. I gave it to a friend for a XMAS present and went back to my old freebe that came with one of my Summits. It's real lightweight and I can put it on quick. If I get another one it will probably be a Muddy.

[Coonbait]

Has anybody tried the HSS Ultra Lite safety harness?
Glenn

[bluegrassbowhunter]

Originally posted by Coonbait:
Has anybody tried the HSS Ultra Lite safety harness?
Glenn

Yep,I've got one & really like it alot.

[VTer]

Chris, I have a SOP harness. I love it. I used to own a HSS but as others have said, too heavy, and the buckles were too bulky and noisy for my tastes.

[stagetek]

I've used the HSS Pro vest for almost 4 years. Mine is the older style, and a bit heavier, but would never be in a tree without it. Just think how heavy a wheelchair is !!

[J-KID]

I was late coming to the full body harness camp and decided last year on the one Summit sells.  I think it might be the SOP version talked about.  Cool in the heat and fits over any combination of clothing.  I've not had any problem feeling restricted when drawing my bow and forget I have it on.  I put it on at my vehicle and take it off at my vehicle.

[JL]

I'm getting the Rescue One CDS 2 this year. Being able to lowering yourself to the ground is a huge plus in my book. Suspension trama isn't a joke and can get you killed. Check out the video's on youtube for the Rescue One CDS 2. It'll make a believer out of ya. They also make a commercial 60ft version for you fellas workin in high places.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6K33QyuCu1w&feature=player_embedded  

JL

[longbowben]

I just bought a rescue one cds and its the best harness on the market today hands down.It can be repacked by yourself no other vest can do that.Give it a look.