How to Find a Plus Size Harness

The most important question for plus size people when they start climbing is how to find a harness that fits. We’ve put in the work to try and figure that out. Below you’ll find a series of harnesses, listed in order of top favorite to least favorite. This is an ongoing collection, so this post will change over time. Keep checking in!

This is not an exhaustive list, as we’ve not been able to try them all. Have a favorite plus size friendly harness? Please let us know so that we can add it to our list!

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Misty Mountain Threadworks XXL

The comfiest, most size inclusive harness we’ve been able to find so far is the XXL harness from Misty Mountain Threadworks. Not only does it offer the most extended waistbelt we’ve seen yet, but it’s padding makes it great for all day wear and ample gear loops are available to store gear for outdoor climbing.

This harness will comfortably fit up to a typical 4X+, depending on body shape.

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Misty Mountain Threadworks XL Custom

Much like the Misty Mountain harness featured above, this harness has a lot of the same pros – but it’s CUSTOM! What you can’t see from these photos is the fun and colorful fabric pattern lining the inside of the leg and waist loops. This is ideal for those who want to stick out from the crowd.

This harness will comfortably fit up to a typical 3X, depending on body shape.

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Mammut Ophir 4 Slide

Megan has used the Metolius Safe Tech All-Around harness (shown below) for years, but gave it for this new option from Mammut. With a lighter body and slightly more room in the waistbelt, Megan claims this is her new favorite harness!

This harness will comfortably fit up to a typical 2X-3X, depending on body shape.

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Metolious Safe Tech All-Around

One of the great things about the Metolius Safe Tech All-Around harness is that it’s easy to find. REI carries this harness in their online store which means that, unlike some of the other harness listed here, it’s easy to return if you don’t love it.

This harness will comfortably fit up to a typical 2X-3X, depending on body shape.

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Misty Mountain Threadworks – XL

Another Misty Mountain harness! We wanted to include this XL harness, as well, to show you what we DIDN’T love so much about it – the leg straps. Unlike the harnesses shown above, with adjustable leg straps, this harness is equipped with a stretchy leg straps. Unfortunately, while the waist portion of this harness fit very comfortably, the leg loops didn’t stretch enough to fit correctly on any of our plus size legs.

This harness will comfortably fit up to a typical 1X- 2X with smaller thighs, depending on body shape.

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Petzl Luna

The pro of the Petzl Luna harness is that it’s carried in REI in-store. That means you might be able to visit your local shop and try this harness on before you commit to buying it! The down side of this harness is that it’s not as size inclusive as the other harnesses listed above. You can see from these photos that though the Petzl will technically fit a typical 2X person, the waist belt is off center, making the leg attachments uneven, as well.

This harness will comfortably fit up to a typical 1X, depending on body shape.