Tree Access SRT Climbing Chest Harness

The Tree Access SRT chest harness is a climbing chest harness that holds a chest ascender or the top of your rope-walking system close to your body, so every step on an SRT ascent turns into height. It adds very little weight to your saddle.

Why a chest harness for SRT

On a single-rope ascent, the chest ascender needs to stay high and tight so the rope feeds through as you step up. A chest harness holds it in place instead of letting it flop forward, which saves effort on long ascents.

It also helps keep your rope-walking system aligned so the foot and knee ascenders work smoothly.

A chest harness also gives you a handy place to carry a small light, a radio or a phone where you can reach it without digging into your saddle pockets, as long as nothing interferes with your ascent system.

Climbers moving into SRT often find the chest harness is the piece that makes their system feel smooth instead of awkward.

Fit and safety

Adjust it snug but comfortable, and check that it works with your saddle and devices according to each manufacturer's instructions. A chest harness is usually not a life-support attachment on its own, so never use it as your primary tie-in unless the manufacturer says it is rated for that. Life-support gear has to meet the applicable standard (ANSI Z133 and the manufacturer's instructions), be inspected before every use, and be used by trained climbers.

Inspect webbing and buckles for cuts, fraying and damage before each climb.

Try it on with your saddle and full ascent kit on the ground before you climb, and adjust it so it does not pull you forward or ride up when you sit back.