Arc’teryx’s all-new super lightweight harness fills an interesting gap in the harness lineup.
BENEFITS
- Light
- Comfortable
- Medium is a good size
DISADVANTAGES
- Dropping the back straps is tricky
We first introduced an Arc’teryx harness in 2015, they were a revolution at the time with the incredible WST (Warp being the standout feature. This meant the harness waistband could be thinned and widened whilst reducing weight and improving comfort We reviewed the AR 395a and I climbed solidly in that harness for years, until the tether loops unfortunately started to show wear (at this point). , you should definitely remove any harness).
The new Arc’teryx Skaha fills a clear gap in the harness range, the AR harness has always been felt, well, almost everywhere. The AR 395a was an exceptional harness and was perfect for alpine routes as well as ice climbing and the Konseal fixed leg harness was ideal for commercial and sporting use. The Skaha brings together all these years of R&D, plus experience and feedback to produce a modern sport climbing harness that has all the best features of previous harnesses with big improvements in comfort and lightness.
Light and compact, the harness takes up no space in the bag. The storage bag is sturdy and easy to access.
The Skaha uses WST technology which amazed us all when it was first released. For more information on this, read our review of AR 395a. All you really need to know is that this technology provides an incredibly lightweight and breathable experience. The abrasion-resistant 150D outer mesh has a pleasing honeycomb pattern and, as with the AR 395a, you can’t feel any tape webbing through the waistband or leg loops. This means you can benefit from maximum breathability for the hottest days.
I used the harness on a few hot climbing days this summer as well as during indoor sessions and the harness was a pleasure to wear. Once I put it on, I barely noticed it because the flexibility of the belt gives the harness a very soft feel. Additional comfort is provided by the Spacermesh lining, which has proven to be extremely soft against bare skin and wicks away sweat very quickly. I experienced no chafing when using this harness during hot weather climbing sessions. I tested a size Medium, my waist size ranges between 33 and 34″ and it fits perfectly with room for a jacket (or winter wood!).
Plenty of space on the gear racks for a full rack of quickdraws. According to those of my two sons, my 10 year old Arc’terx cap is worth a fortune!
The Skaha harness is well packaged and compact and comes with a neat storage bag that opens wide to allow easy removal. The harness weighed 296g on the trusty CGR scale, a few grams less than the stated weight, so it will fit in tight spaces and is light enough for long transport if necessary (say to Ceuse for example). As I said before, it is so light and compact that it is comfortable to carry and is perfect for outdoor sport climbing and indoor routing. Large, ergonomically shaped gear loops provide plenty of room for a quickdraw or traditional kit and are finished in hard plastic that allows for quick deployment of gear when you need it. There is a fifth gear loop on the back for those of you who like to attach a chalk bag to it. I prefer to have my chalk bag on an ab tat length so I usually keep emergency kit on my back like prussic loops, Maillon and a knife (for multi-pitch routing) as the loop is generously sized . All racks have nailed bars for durability – but rated 0 kn, so don’t get hung up on them!
The leg loops of the Skaha harness are fixed using an adjustment elastic at the back. Over the last decade I’ve been working on my skinny sport climber legs, so I preferred an adjustable leg loop. So it was a pleasant surprise to find that the medium-sized waders I tested fit very well with a little room to spare – I’ve worn the harness with shorts this summer, so I’m hoping that There will be enough flexibility when the weather gets cooler, it looks like that will be the case. The leg loops have retainer cords that are knotted into the leg loops and held at the waistband by what the website says is a quick release hook – this was very difficult to release and although I I managed to free it, it turned out to be really tricky. That said, waders are very comfortable for performing work movements. I’m not sure I can free the rear for toilet stops and I think it needs a little work – we’ll see.
The Skaha harness is ultralight and comfortable, very pleasant to use on long journeys.
Finally the all-important front of the harness, with its quick-release buckle for easy adjustment, sturdy tie-in loops and thin but strong belay loop. When purchasing a harness you should pay special attention to this area as it is the connection between you and the rope, check all stitching and the batch number for the date of manufacture. Always check your harness for signs of wear on the tie-in loops and belay loop. In fact, if any part of a climbing harness is worn, you should remove it immediately.
With more harnesses coming from cheap online sources you should check the labels carefully, it goes without saying that with its Made in Canada stamp and fully labeled with all relevant CE, UKCA and EN certifications you can be sure that The Arc’teryx Skaha harness is safe to use. use for all climbing adventures with confidence.
In conclusion, the Arc’teryx Skaha harness is a great addition from climbing designers. It feels super light, comfortable and soft on the skin. The generous, rigid gear loops provide enough scope for many sporty quickdraws or a full rack and the sturdy tie-down loops provide the confidence to fall down those tougher climbs. Finishing touches include a complementary color scheme and an embroidered Arc’teryx and Archeopteryx sticker on the waistband. All in a lightweight, compact package packed with all the refinements and innovative features you’d expect from a premium brand.
The Arc’terexy Skaha harness is available in one color and in sizes XS to XXL. The specific women’s version is available in sizes XXS to XXL.
The RRP is £160 and can be purchased directly from Arc’teryx UK and specialist retailers.
Disclosure – CGR reviewers and editors are never paid to provide a review and the website does not accept advertising or links to affiliate sales. We are a group of passionate climbers and travelers who accept product samples and provide an honest, independent review of the item.