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Anyone suggest a good harness for a lady?
without climbing in them it's hard to tell in the shop over my jeans!
I'm quite small. of Kylie Minogue proportions - but not as attractive!
without climbing in them it's hard to tell in the shop over my jeans!
I'm quite small. of Kylie Minogue proportions - but not as attractive!
In reply to Liz Farley:
go and try a load on in a shop that has a facility for sitting in them. I've just replaced my old harness with a Petzl Corax, which is remarkably comfortable, but each to their own.
go and try a load on in a shop that has a facility for sitting in them. I've just replaced my old harness with a Petzl Corax, which is remarkably comfortable, but each to their own.
In reply to Liz Farley: Find a shop that has is able to let you hang in them before buying. Urban Rock (The Castle) has this 'facility'. At least then you'll know if its comfy and fits properly.
In reply to Liz Farley:
In general: go to a good climbing shop (if you can find one nowadays ...) and try on harnesses. Take whatever clothes you intend to go climbing in, and make sure the shop lets you dangle in the harness from a rope for a while.
In general: go to a good climbing shop (if you can find one nowadays ...) and try on harnesses. Take whatever clothes you intend to go climbing in, and make sure the shop lets you dangle in the harness from a rope for a while.
In reply to Liz Farley:
A lot of good shops have ropes tied to ceiling. Altho nevissport does in notts, and its not that good shop.
Suggest if u r like Kylie, u get childs.
Another idea is to borrow peoples on crags!! and test on route
A lot of good shops have ropes tied to ceiling. Altho nevissport does in notts, and its not that good shop.
Suggest if u r like Kylie, u get childs.
Another idea is to borrow peoples on crags!! and test on route
In reply to Liz Farley:
any decent shop selling harnesses should have that facility. I got mine from Rock + Run in Ambleside, but there should be one nearer you in the Sarf.
any decent shop selling harnesses should have that facility. I got mine from Rock + Run in Ambleside, but there should be one nearer you in the Sarf.
In reply to Liz Farley:
'Female', I'd let you get away with, but 'lady'?
> Anyone suggest a good harness for a lady?
'Female', I'd let you get away with, but 'lady'?
In reply to Liz Farley: I've got the standard Wild Country one which comes in small sizes and has been very good, althoguh the size range on it isn't quite big enough to cope with getting into it with many fleeces on it winter, and staying in it with a t-shirt on it summer....
It aslo has purple bits on it to show its a women's harness. Gah.
It aslo has purple bits on it to show its a women's harness. Gah.
In reply to Liz Farley: I would suggest Pegler's in Arundel - fantastic shop, really knowledgeable and good stock of things that are good! Try ringing them on 01903 884684 - Dave, Richard and Tony are all really helpful and all climbers. Not more than 80 mins drive from Tunbridge Wells too.
In reply to Mike Tinsley:
cheers
cheers
In reply to Liz Farley:
I'll second the petzl corax, although if you're *that* tiny even the small size might not adjust small enough for you. But like others said, and good shop should have the facilities (and patience) to let you hang around - literally - for a while...
I'll second the petzl corax, although if you're *that* tiny even the small size might not adjust small enough for you. But like others said, and good shop should have the facilities (and patience) to let you hang around - literally - for a while...
In reply to Liz Farley:
Mine's good its a Petzl "Bonnie" and its got a quick unclip at the back for when you want to go for a pee, essential if you're on a big route and want to pee without untying from the rope. And nice and quick at the crag.
Mine's good its a Petzl "Bonnie" and its got a quick unclip at the back for when you want to go for a pee, essential if you're on a big route and want to pee without untying from the rope. And nice and quick at the crag.
In reply to TN: My Corax bites me where the waist buckles are, but that is a minor drwaback to an otherwise excellent piece of kit.
In reply to Liz Farley: being tiny too, you'll probably only be able to get a female specific harness, although even these may not work. As suggested above find a good shop with a good selection and try them all on until you find one that fits!
In reply to Liz Farley:
I have a BD Primrose in the smallest size they do & I'm definitely not Kylie-sized (am UK size 10) so that would prob be way too big for you! Also the buckle & webbing on it is still irritatingly stiff to do up even after 7 months very regular use. Also have a Wild Country Wmns Helix, that's better but again the sizing seems to be weird. Agree with most of the other posts here, you need to go to a decent gear shop (many only seem to stock BD or Wild Country womens harnesses) and try everything on - I think if you go for mail order it'll be tough to pick something the right size and hence something that's comfortable. Also, don't go to the shop in your jeans?
I have a BD Primrose in the smallest size they do & I'm definitely not Kylie-sized (am UK size 10) so that would prob be way too big for you! Also the buckle & webbing on it is still irritatingly stiff to do up even after 7 months very regular use. Also have a Wild Country Wmns Helix, that's better but again the sizing seems to be weird. Agree with most of the other posts here, you need to go to a decent gear shop (many only seem to stock BD or Wild Country womens harnesses) and try everything on - I think if you go for mail order it'll be tough to pick something the right size and hence something that's comfortable. Also, don't go to the shop in your jeans?
In reply to bird:
thanks
i think there's a misconception about Kylie. she's not that tiny, she's just stood next to muscular dancers most of the time.
i'm a size 8 usually, on the bottom half at least!
thanks
i think there's a misconception about Kylie. she's not that tiny, she's just stood next to muscular dancers most of the time.
i'm a size 8 usually, on the bottom half at least!
In reply to bird:
That's because I think there is a bit of a misconception about women. Even a shop which only sells DB and WC still has 10 types on offer for the blokes and 2 for the girls.
Was very upset when I needed to get a new harness recently (British Midland ate my last one into about 30 pieces) and shoes (they were eaten to the point that there was in total one whole shoe left, albeit in several pieces and made up out of what were once two shoes) and all that Tyso's had that would even go down to my size, let alone fit, was a pair of Scarpas - in pink - and a harness called, yes, a "Primrose". Yess. And just how many of the blokes harnesses to they name after flowers?
I'd agree about the Primrose though. Although it is still pretty new, it isnt really showing much sign of getting at all flexible.
My first harness (also trashed) was a very small Metolius and that was great. It can only have been a ladies because small mens' would still be far too big for me.
That's because I think there is a bit of a misconception about women. Even a shop which only sells DB and WC still has 10 types on offer for the blokes and 2 for the girls.
Was very upset when I needed to get a new harness recently (British Midland ate my last one into about 30 pieces) and shoes (they were eaten to the point that there was in total one whole shoe left, albeit in several pieces and made up out of what were once two shoes) and all that Tyso's had that would even go down to my size, let alone fit, was a pair of Scarpas - in pink - and a harness called, yes, a "Primrose". Yess. And just how many of the blokes harnesses to they name after flowers?
I'd agree about the Primrose though. Although it is still pretty new, it isnt really showing much sign of getting at all flexible.
My first harness (also trashed) was a very small Metolius and that was great. It can only have been a ladies because small mens' would still be far too big for me.
In reply to Liz Farley:
not sure what use it'd be (me being a: male and b: cribbing it straight off the net), but Needlesports point towards the Wild Country Synchro, Petzl Calidris or Metolius Freedom, all of which have a decent distance between waist and crutch, apparently. And they don't have girly names. Maybe worth seeing if you can track them down and give them a go?
http://www.needlesports.com/acatalog/Mail_Order_Harnesses_14.html
not sure what use it'd be (me being a: male and b: cribbing it straight off the net), but Needlesports point towards the Wild Country Synchro, Petzl Calidris or Metolius Freedom, all of which have a decent distance between waist and crutch, apparently. And they don't have girly names. Maybe worth seeing if you can track them down and give them a go?
http://www.needlesports.com/acatalog/Mail_Order_Harnesses_14.html
In reply to psdatwork:
Just looking at that link - while it's not a "woman's" harness, the BD Blizzard goes down pretty small (as small as the XS Primrose). It's a pretty nice harness, fully adjustable, and has quick-clips on the elastics for toilet stops.
Just looking at that link - while it's not a "woman's" harness, the BD Blizzard goes down pretty small (as small as the XS Primrose). It's a pretty nice harness, fully adjustable, and has quick-clips on the elastics for toilet stops.
In reply to Carrie Bolton:
If you find a way of getting the delightfully named Primrose to be a bit more flexible please do let me know! On the name theme, though, it's interesting to note that BD make the 'Primrose' and 'Iris' as women's equivalents of the 'Momentum' and 'Blizzard' men's harnesses. Why stop there, I ask myself? Wild Country - added tasteful purple bits to their women's model harness - where was the glitter? I think the folks who think up the names at BD could get some great inspiration from the people who think up the nail varnish colour names at Top Shop.
[Not a real rant. But am amused by BD and WC's apparent lack of understanding of their female-climber target market.]
If you find a way of getting the delightfully named Primrose to be a bit more flexible please do let me know! On the name theme, though, it's interesting to note that BD make the 'Primrose' and 'Iris' as women's equivalents of the 'Momentum' and 'Blizzard' men's harnesses. Why stop there, I ask myself? Wild Country - added tasteful purple bits to their women's model harness - where was the glitter? I think the folks who think up the names at BD could get some great inspiration from the people who think up the nail varnish colour names at Top Shop.
[Not a real rant. But am amused by BD and WC's apparent lack of understanding of their female-climber target market.]
In reply to bird:
Quite right - where's the lippy holder?
(sorry, but I might as well be first with that - It'd nark me if every harness for blokes came in 'manly' leather...)
> [Not a real rant. But am amused by BD and WC's apparent lack of understanding of their female-climber target market.]
Quite right - where's the lippy holder?
(sorry, but I might as well be first with that - It'd nark me if every harness for blokes came in 'manly' leather...)
In reply to psdatwork:
i think they're called leiderhosen (can't spell that!)
i think they're called leiderhosen (can't spell that!)
In reply to psdatwork:
Lippy? Good God no. Gone in seconds on anything more stressful than VDiff. You want a gloss, or maybe a lipstain.
Lippy? Good God no. Gone in seconds on anything more stressful than VDiff. You want a gloss, or maybe a lipstain.
In reply to bird:
i do find i need somewhere to put my powder compact though. can't be seen to have been sweating up a climb, good god no, what would mother say.
the shiny look was soooo last summer
i do find i need somewhere to put my powder compact though. can't be seen to have been sweating up a climb, good god no, what would mother say.
the shiny look was soooo last summer
In reply to bird: one of my gripes is women's razors which are always pink or purple and twice the price. i make a point of only buying mens now. There's a new on with TV ads whose main marketing point seems to be that its pink! Sorry, rant over!
In reply to Alison Parker:
Or just pinch your bf's - seems to be what all my exes did.
Annoyingly they'd either leave the blades totally blunt (in which case I'd cut myself) or change the head withut warning me (in which case I'd cut myself). And then they'd have the nerve to whinge at me for not shaving properly!
Sorry. My therapist and I are working through these issues.
> (In reply to bird) one of my gripes is women's razors which are always pink or purple and twice the price. i make a point of only buying mens now.
Or just pinch your bf's - seems to be what all my exes did.
Annoyingly they'd either leave the blades totally blunt (in which case I'd cut myself) or change the head withut warning me (in which case I'd cut myself). And then they'd have the nerve to whinge at me for not shaving properly!
Sorry. My therapist and I are working through these issues.
In reply to Alison Parker:
Thankfully, climbing gear manufacturers don't seem to have cottoned on to the 'make it in pink, call it a ladies' version, charge twice as much for it' profit maximisation strategy practised by Gilette (sp?) et al. It's only a matter of time, though ... Even the socks people are at it with the colour thing - Bridgedale mens socks = grey. Bridgedale womens socks = sky blue with pink flowers. Hmmmm. You put them inside smelly approach shoes, Bridgedale. No-one can see little pink flowers when they're encased in four-year-old stinking Salomons.
Thankfully, climbing gear manufacturers don't seem to have cottoned on to the 'make it in pink, call it a ladies' version, charge twice as much for it' profit maximisation strategy practised by Gilette (sp?) et al. It's only a matter of time, though ... Even the socks people are at it with the colour thing - Bridgedale mens socks = grey. Bridgedale womens socks = sky blue with pink flowers. Hmmmm. You put them inside smelly approach shoes, Bridgedale. No-one can see little pink flowers when they're encased in four-year-old stinking Salomons.
In reply to bird: mmm i don't know, i'm sure there are lots of examples. The only reason I'm forced to buy women's kit is cos I'm pretty small. Although often I can get kids stuff which is cheaper.
In reply to Liz Farley:
"You're a lady looking for a lady's harness, not a man's harness, because you're a lady"
Don't tell me, you're really a cross dressing bloke all that mention of a harness for a lady.
(ref: R4-Little Britain. IYFD (Insert your favourite Deity) I hate that programme.)
"You're a lady looking for a lady's harness, not a man's harness, because you're a lady"
Don't tell me, you're really a cross dressing bloke all that mention of a harness for a lady.
(ref: R4-Little Britain. IYFD (Insert your favourite Deity) I hate that programme.)
In reply to Alison Parker:
what riles me most is womens outdoor trousers. they seem to be made for women from the saga crowd with severe middle aged spread.
the best i've found are fat face - but at posh prices!!!
grrrr
what riles me most is womens outdoor trousers. they seem to be made for women from the saga crowd with severe middle aged spread.
the best i've found are fat face - but at posh prices!!!
grrrr
In reply to Dave B:
ooh sir, suits you sir
ooh sir, suits you sir
In reply to Liz Farley:
World's best clothing company... (wait until the sales, and buy stuff at normal prices)
They've got climbing shoes now, but they look a bit dubious to me.
> the best i've found are fat face - but at posh prices!!!
> grrrr
> grrrr
World's best clothing company... (wait until the sales, and buy stuff at normal prices)
They've got climbing shoes now, but they look a bit dubious to me.
In reply to psdatwork:
their climbing shoe inspired trainers
it was a cool shop. but they've lost the plot now. vision has gone.
their climbing shoe inspired trainers
it was a cool shop. but they've lost the plot now. vision has gone.
In reply to Liz Farley:
I quite like Fat Face ones. My favourite ones are Prana (great cut & fabric, but expensive) and M&S cargos (look good and only cost £25, so it doesn't matter when they get trashed). However, as you say, the elasticated waist and saddlebag look does seem to be prevalent. Avoid Lowe Alpine. Cut for hippos.
I quite like Fat Face ones. My favourite ones are Prana (great cut & fabric, but expensive) and M&S cargos (look good and only cost £25, so it doesn't matter when they get trashed). However, as you say, the elasticated waist and saddlebag look does seem to be prevalent. Avoid Lowe Alpine. Cut for hippos.
In reply to bird:
lol
do you think we should point out the connection to these companies that women + outdoors = generally fit and healthy and not complete heffers
lol
do you think we should point out the connection to these companies that women + outdoors = generally fit and healthy and not complete heffers
In reply to Liz Farley: I know - so many companies are guilty of it. Even Technique Extrem (Bobs legs) in Chamonix! And i'm not the shortest thinnest person I know. When I shop for overtrousuers (an alarmingly regualr occurence) its not uncommon for me to leave a shop wihtout havign found anything that fits me even close at any price!
In reply to bird:
ACtually, the best trousers I've got for outside came from Next and have taken loads of abuse. Obviously me not being a girl sort of rules this out from being useful though...
(once again I find myself discussing clothes on a public forum, not sure what this says about my sexuality...)
ACtually, the best trousers I've got for outside came from Next and have taken loads of abuse. Obviously me not being a girl sort of rules this out from being useful though...
(once again I find myself discussing clothes on a public forum, not sure what this says about my sexuality...)
In reply to Alison Parker:
what can we do.
storm them.
offer our services as models
a whole new career awaits us.
like the Dove campaign with real women. we could do 'real women' at the rocks.
what can we do.
storm them.
offer our services as models
a whole new career awaits us.
like the Dove campaign with real women. we could do 'real women' at the rocks.
In reply to Alison Parker:
I'm 5ft6 and find that most outdoor manufacturers cut women's trousers too short. I don't think I'm particularly tall. Who exactly do these things fit?? Presumably if you're 5ft4 and a size 14, you're laughing. The only good women's overtrousers I've found are Patagonia mega-technical ice climbing ones ... in TKMaxx. (although I did find shopping there rather traumatic.)
I'm 5ft6 and find that most outdoor manufacturers cut women's trousers too short. I don't think I'm particularly tall. Who exactly do these things fit?? Presumably if you're 5ft4 and a size 14, you're laughing. The only good women's overtrousers I've found are Patagonia mega-technical ice climbing ones ... in TKMaxx. (although I did find shopping there rather traumatic.)
In reply to Liz Farley:
There's a point, in the Indy on saturday there was a picture of a model 'climbing' - with long nails, a loose top rope coming down to a belay plate, and with her leaning rather gingerly against a rock.
If they're going to push it as a lifestyle thing, I wish they'd get some of it right.
> we could do 'real women' at the rocks.
There's a point, in the Indy on saturday there was a picture of a model 'climbing' - with long nails, a loose top rope coming down to a belay plate, and with her leaning rather gingerly against a rock.
If they're going to push it as a lifestyle thing, I wish they'd get some of it right.
In reply to psdatwork:
My best trousers were some old Oakley mens baggies - they have served me well for about 3 years - until I ironed a hole into them on Sunday (ironically, trying to repair a small rip in them... <sigh>)
I'm now looking for some replacements, but since I have long legs and a womanly figure, it's pretty difficult. And of course those Oakleys have been discontinued...
As for the razor question - I use my own Mach3 (free in the post when they were launched years ago!) and Muz has his own 'something else' so there are no 'blunt razor' arguments.
My best trousers were some old Oakley mens baggies - they have served me well for about 3 years - until I ironed a hole into them on Sunday (ironically, trying to repair a small rip in them... <sigh>)
I'm now looking for some replacements, but since I have long legs and a womanly figure, it's pretty difficult. And of course those Oakleys have been discontinued...
As for the razor question - I use my own Mach3 (free in the post when they were launched years ago!) and Muz has his own 'something else' so there are no 'blunt razor' arguments.
In reply to TN in the other office:
fat face do some good trews. bought my tall skinny ex some and they looked v good on him
fat face do some good trews. bought my tall skinny ex some and they looked v good on him
In reply to TN in the other office:
Didn't vixen recommend mach3 razors some time ago as being better than most womens razors?
Reading all these comments on rubbish sizing of womens gear perhaps you should contact the makers of the clothing, and then if they STILL do not get things right go and stand at their stand at gear exhibitions, showing how badly thier stuff fits.
Didn't vixen recommend mach3 razors some time ago as being better than most womens razors?
Reading all these comments on rubbish sizing of womens gear perhaps you should contact the makers of the clothing, and then if they STILL do not get things right go and stand at their stand at gear exhibitions, showing how badly thier stuff fits.
In reply to Liz Farley:
http://www.bdel.com/gear/rock/harnesses.php
If you want some non-fluffy sizing info
http://www.bdel.com/gear/rock/harnesses.php
If you want some non-fluffy sizing info
In reply to jam:
thank you
thank you
In reply to Liz Farley:
Intersting comment earlier about the trousers always being cut too short. I always thought the complete opposite. Maybe you do actually have to be 5'4" for them to fit.
On the trousers subject, I have a pair of Wynsters. Got em cheap in one of those "off the back of a lorry" shops. Mother (exactly the same size) thinks to herself "Wow, good trousers" and tries to get a pair. Yes, she can get the same size, but even going directly to the manufacturer doesn't get the smae water-resistant material. They now come in that annoying soaks-it-all-up-and-weighs-a-tonne cotton. Who wears heavy cotton trousers doing outdoorsy things? Well, girls, apparently, whereas boys, no, they get weatherproof stuff. Wynster's explanation why my mother couldn't get hold of the same trousers? They were a trial line and I had only come accross the pair completely by accident. (Oh, re the top, I also had to slice 6 inches of the legs. 6 inches? A size 8 six inches taller than me is one lanky bird.)
Intersting comment earlier about the trousers always being cut too short. I always thought the complete opposite. Maybe you do actually have to be 5'4" for them to fit.
On the trousers subject, I have a pair of Wynsters. Got em cheap in one of those "off the back of a lorry" shops. Mother (exactly the same size) thinks to herself "Wow, good trousers" and tries to get a pair. Yes, she can get the same size, but even going directly to the manufacturer doesn't get the smae water-resistant material. They now come in that annoying soaks-it-all-up-and-weighs-a-tonne cotton. Who wears heavy cotton trousers doing outdoorsy things? Well, girls, apparently, whereas boys, no, they get weatherproof stuff. Wynster's explanation why my mother couldn't get hold of the same trousers? They were a trial line and I had only come accross the pair completely by accident. (Oh, re the top, I also had to slice 6 inches of the legs. 6 inches? A size 8 six inches taller than me is one lanky bird.)
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