Harnesses

[Ron Burgundy]

Is there a simple harness out there that doesn't cost a million dollars? The one that came with my ladder stand looks impossible to put on, let alone in the dark. I don't want to spend a 1/2 hr cussing and swearing trying to put the darn thing on and scare all the deer away.

[harvey lee]

I agree with you 100% with the ones that come with the stands you buy.I have not found one that I like but I am sure they are out there.I stumble with the one I have.

[geechj]

I just purchased the Ameristep four point harness. $25 at Gander Mtn. Yes it looks like a head-ache, but practice once or twice before going out. Also consider whatever you get cheap insurance. Prior to this model I had the Ameristep vest-like harness. I thought this was OK, but after reading articles, it concerned me. Many recommended getting the four point style (straps going through crotch area). I took a ladder in back yard and tried my old and new one out (neighbors probably thought I was committing suicide) and literally hung from the tree. After trying them out, I chucked the non-four point and am now using the four-point. You can put the thing on at your vehicle and even put a coat over the top of it. I also like that I can climb up the tree using it. I fell out of a tree 5 yrs ago while setting up my stand and broke my back. Praise the Lord I’m still walking/ hunting. I always used a strap, but now I use one that can come up and down the tree w/ me.

[DooWap]

The only cheap ones that I know of for around $24.99 are pretty much the same thing that you get with the stand. You'll have to spend around $70 to get a Hunter Safety systems harness. I'd say they're definately worth it, the only straps on them are the leg straps, otherwise its' just a vest.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Your life is worth it to buy a good one. we spend a ton of money on arrows and broad heads and a bow, cammo ect.. but then cring at spending $100 on something that will save your life?

I have one that is very easy to put on.. step in the leg holes, put on the vest.

Get a good one, and hope you never have to use it for what its intended for.

[Ron Burgundy]

I don't spend $ on arrows. Maybe next year I'll bow hunt. I just don't have the $100 to spend on a harness. That's more than the stand cost. It's like the kid driving down the road in a rusted out Escort with the trunk lid vibrating from the $5000 stereo.

[chucker34]

I agree with Deitz, your life is worth it. I don't argue that a lot of things are necessary but having a safe, comfortable, easy to put on harness is. I too have a vest style (note, it's full body harness with a vest attached over it). It is a breeze to put on and it should not have to be replaced anytime soon unless you fall, which in that case, you'd be elated you were wearing it.

[Ron Burgundy]

I'm hot on the trail of a vest that my harness can be zipped into to make things easier. Yes my life is worth at least $100. I just don't have the $100. If I bought the vest for $100 I wouldn't need it. My wife would kill me before I got to put it on! I've already spent to much for this season. She keeps asking "Don't You have enough hunting stuff?" No disrespect but quite possibly the silliest question ever. What's next? "Don't You have enough fishing stuff?" Oh yeah, I get that too.

[chucker34]

If there isn't, you might be on to a new product. Otherwise, maybe you or your wife could sew a vest onto it. Might detract from the integrity of the harness, though? Or you could sew loops in the inside of the vest that attach over the harness straps some way. In the past, I've also hung my harnesses on vests until I get out of the car or truck and then put them on. They stay pretty neat that way too. Just not as convenient.

[Deitz Dittrich]

I have seen the vest ones go for a little as 69.99 or even less.. so just keep your eyes open.

[Powerstroke]

I also bought a $60 stand last year and the harness seems like a cluster-F, but its probably not as hard as you may think. Is you're labeled so you know which end is up and which side is to the front? If not mark it on there yourself.

On mine I'm supposed to pull the strap around my legs and then run it through the slides. Instead I leave it in the first slide, but just barely. This leaves a large loop for each leg. Now I just step into the leg loops and pull the rest of the harness over my head. It on in a snap and I tighten it up. It actaully takes less time to get in the harnes then it does to tighten it to the tree.

One way to avoid putting them on in the dark is to put it on at the car. Most of them are designed so that it can still be effective if you put a coat on over the harness. I put mine at at the car and then attach it to the tree when I get in my stand.

[Ron Burgundy]

I'll be able to use the thing, I just don't have the patience lately. I just think there's got to be an easier way to do things without compromising safety. You shouldn't need a class on how to put a harness on. There is a good chance I'm over reacting.

[delmuts]

i've read what you guys had to say about harnesses. i had one for my daughter to use,( but i guess she never did!! grr!!) she told me she never did figure out how to put it on. so i spent some time and finally figured it out. then i tried it tonight. this is the first time i have ever used one.( also the first time i have hunted from a ladder stand for years! always ground hunt)now that i have it figured out, it's not to bad. i put it on before i went out. worked ok. my $.02

[True]

I bought the Hunter Safety System 4pt. vest harness last year for 65 bucks. I wouldn't go any other way.

[Sorgy]

Ron,

Take the time to put it on a few times every day. On most harnesses if you hold them by the top tether (your line to the tree) and shake it out. Then slip each arm in and then the legs. It will take some practice. Some of the harnesses are difficult. But you will get the hang of it. I use a Seat of the Pants harness. It is easy. But each has its quirks. Do it in the dark with some layers of clothing as well.

Have a great hunt. Good Luck and Be SAFE

Steve Sorgenfrei

[30 inch eyes]

Ron ask your wife if she has enough shoes and clothes. It works with my wife. LOL

[mechanictim]

One low cost way to keep the inexpensive full body harnesses from getting tangled and hard to put on is to use a coat hanger that has the slots to keep shoulder straps from falling off. Keep the buckles closed till you are putting the harness on. Most vehicles have a coat hook in them that will allow you to hang the harness tangle free, then put the harness on while next to your vehicle using the dome light for light. Use some tape to mark all of the same side straps and this will make putting on the harness a two minute deal with no bad words being uttered.

[BLACKJACK]

I have the Seat O the pants harness that I bought about 10 years ago, its not to bad if you practice it a few times, I can put it on in the dark when I get to my stand and the security is great, compared to the chest type that I used before that. So this year i bought a Seat o the pants Supreme Harness for my wife and frankly I'm dispointed in it and its going back. The harness itself is ok and easy to put on but the tether system has been changed, it has a prusic knot system that has to be taken off the harness and wrapped around the tree and then reattached to the harness. The tether behind your neck is very short and I can see that in the dark it would be hard to twist around and get it attached. Its going back.

[BLACKJACK]

Chucker, what kind do you have? And other guys, if you like your vest type, what kind is it?

[chucker34]

I got the FallGuy safety vest system (and the 20 foot retractor). I like it a lot. Easy to put on and very comfortable. The full body harness snaps out of the vest so you can wash the vest as needed. And the vest has enough pockets that you really don't even need a gear bag.

You can buy it from the Integrated Safety web site for $70 or in most stores. For an extra $30 you can get the vest and the 20 foot retractor as a package. I did this and love it but the retractor part is really only suitable for usage at one stand at a time from a safety standpoint.

Still, you can buy extra retractors for $70 if you had a few favorite stands and the $$. For gun hunters planning on only one or two stands this is a perfect set-up.