Edelrid’s entry-level harness is something that all climbers can find comfort in. The Jay and female-specific Jayne are both excellent all arounders at a reasonable price. The harness was made to comfortably fit all body types and also keep the gear loops centered with a sliding waist belt. The leg loops are also adjustable and have long bases so that the waist belt can comfortably sit above the hips at all times—a great comfort feature. It doesn’t have the most comfortable waist belt, but it would be a great starting harness for someone trying out the sport.

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See Our Best Climbing Harness Review 2021

Edelrid is another company with a long history in the alpine and outdoor world. As the company that developed and created the dynamic nylon rope, it has been at the forefront of climbing technology for years. All of the rope that Edelrid manufactures is bluesign certified, showing their care for the environment and sustainable business practices.

As a company that has been designing and manufacturing climbing harnesses since the mid-1960s, it is no surprise that their harnesses are well-designed pieces of gear. The Jay III, male fit, and Jayne III, female fit, are Edelrid’s all-around harnesses. Available for $65, this harness has been made for and will be comfortable in a variety of alpine pursuits.

Design

There are a lot of interesting design choices that Edelrid has made for the Jay and Jayne harnesses. While the waist belt is not very thick and may create pressure points for the wearer, the foam padding and gear loops slide along the waist belt webbing. This will ensure that the gear loops and padding are centered on the body—no matter how many layers you may be wearing or if the harness is not the exact right fit for your body.

The leg loops are adjustable and can be opened up completely so that the harness is easier to put on while wearing ski boots or crampons if you are in the high alpine. The leg loops also have a stretch fabric near the front to allow some freedom of movement for your legs while climbing.

Along the belay loop at the front of the harness, Edelrid has embedded red stitching that will show when the harness has worn down and will need replacing. These details are great for added safety to a newer climber who may not be aware of the dangers or levels of wear that their harness has undergone.

Comfort

The ability to shift the waist belt around and allow for a perfectly centered belay loop and gear loops make a big difference in the comfort department. You are always able to guarantee that the waist padding is exactly where it needs to be on your hips. At the end of the day, comfort is a priority for climbing, and the Jay and Jayne offer lots of flexibility in the comfort department. The single webbing design does create some discomfort in a long term belay and minor pressure points if not adjusted just right. It is a comfortable harness at the end of the day when wearing it around the crag, and as always, it is definitely worth trying on before buying.

Gear Loops

Very similar to the just about every harness on the market, the Jay and Jayne have gone with four gear loops. The two at the front of the harness are stiff for quickdraws while the rear two loops are soft enough to fit under a backpack comfortably. On each side of the harness, there is a loop for an ice screw clipper adding to the versatility of the harness.

On the rear of the harness is a small loop for a chalk bag, but the Jay or Jayne do not include a haul loop at the back of the harness.

The Bottom Line

These harnesses are fantastic. For $65 it has all of the same gear features as the Petzl Sitta, though it is not as light or as comfortable. The price does make it a great harness for someone who is starting out in the alpine, is trying a multitude of sports, and is looking for an all-rounder style of harness. The adjustable leg loops and waist will create a great fit for any climber, and the sliding waist padding will keep your climbing gear centered at all times.

The bluesign certification is a bonus, so you know the harness and company are looking out for the environment in their manufacturing and business processes. For the price and design, the Edelrid Jay III and Jayne III are great harnesses for beginners and climbers looking for a more versatile harness.

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