In reply to TobyA:
>
> I've never really understood why N. Americans haven't also worked out how nice having a separate rack for your belay device, prussiks and other non-runner bits and bobs is?
>
Perhaps they understand that they aren't really necessary. I've never owned a harness with more than four gear loops and have never felt constrained by the amount of space I have for racking.
I normally carry:
Front Left loop:
3-4 Quickdraws
3 racking krabs with wires one
Front Right loop:
3-4 Quickdraws
7-9 Cams each on their own biner
Back Left loop
3-4 Quickdraws.
Belay plate
Nut key (on a proper krab)
Extra screwgate
RPs
Camera case on a screwed up screwgate.
Back Right Loop
3-4 quickdraws
2-6 cams
In addition to this I might carry 2 120cm and 2 60cm slings over my shoulder.
I really don't see the need for a fifth gear loop. It useful to have some thing to clip your trainers to. But I prefer my second to carry them or to walk off in rock shoes if it is remotely hard.