Best Sport Climbing Harness of 2021

One of the cleanest looking harnesses on the market. Thin, lightweight, and ready to tackle some hard sport climbing. The Solution is Black Diamond’s performance sport climbing harness. With four stiff gear loops, fixed leg loops, and impressively low weight, the Solution is a favorite in the sport climbing world. This is why we named it the Best Sport Climbing Harness of 2021.

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See Our Best Climbing Harness Review 2021

Black Diamond has been a staple in the vertical world for a long time. With its inception linked back to the days when climbing legend Yvon Chouinard was forging climbing gear and selling them from his trunk in his glory days at Yosemite.

Black Diamond has now entered every outdoor pursuit that has to do with the mountains and self-propelled adventure from ski touring to big wall climbing. So, it is no surprise that their harnesses are well known and well used around the world. The Black Diamond Solution is their sport climbing forward harness, and it excels in this area. That’s why we named it the Best Sport Climbing Harness of 2021.

Design

While appearing quite simple at first glance, the Solution, available in both a men’s and women’s fit, comes with technology to make it one of the best sport climbing harnesses on the market. There are three bands of webbing that run through the waist belt and leg loops to distribute your weight and reduce any hot spots. The waist belt is contoured to fit more comfortably around the climber’s waist for more comfort while hanging or during a long belay.

Inside of the waist belt and leg loops is a thin layer of quick-dry EVA foam for added comfort during those redpoint attempts. Along the outside of the harness, there is a stretch woven laminate for added durability for the harness.

The leg loops are fixed but include elastic along the front for easy adjustability and fit to reduce movement while on the wall. The harness itself also only weighs 330g or 11oz, making it barely noticeable while on your body.

Comfort

The Solution uses Black Diamond’s Fusion Core Technology to create a thin but comfortable harness. There are three bands of webbing to distribute weight and pressure, then towards the body is a layer of EVA foam, and closest to the body, there is a soft breathable mesh for comfort.

The harness is very comfortable and great for hanging belays. The three bands of webbing do a great job of reducing pressure points and keeping everything comfortable. It is also soft for next to skin comfort on those hot days in Joshua Tree where shirts are optional.

Gear Loops

Black Diamond has put four pressure-molded gear loops on the outside of the harness. They are easy to organize and can handle a lot of equipment. Along the back of the harness is a small, almost hidden loop that is rated for no weight but could handle a chalk bag or a haul line if needed.
 

The Bottom Line

I have used the Solution for four years now, and it is my go-to harness when headed to the gym or local crag. It packs down small, and once it is on, I barely feel like I’m wearing anything. At $75, it is an absolute steal of a harness for someone just getting into the sport or for a climber looking to upgrade but who does not want to break the bank.

The design is extremely comfortable and has held up very well over the years in a variety of climbing situations. I have used it on some low-intensity multi-pitch climbs when I wanted comfort over gear storage, and it was the perfect choice. Climbers have been trusting Black Diamond’s gear and equipment for years, and they seem to only be getting better at making it. This is why the Black Diamond Solution is our Best Sport Climbing Harness of 2021.

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