If you’re a veteran climber and a parent at the same time, chances are your kids will start getting interested in your gear collection. And most of the time, you’ll have no other choice but to take them to gym climbing or even the outdoors. In this kind of situation, a climbing harness for kids or a rock climbing harness for kids will make a good investment. And since there are so many alternatives to a climbing harness for children out there, we’re going to try to help you out a little. We’ve compiled a list of some of the best climbing harness for toddlers out there. This way, it’ll be easier for you to make decisions. So, are you ready? Let’s jump straight to the topic then!
How to Choose The Best Climbing Harness for Kids
Choosing a climbing harness for kids or a rock climbing harness for kids is definitely not an easy matter. There’ll be plenty of things to consider. Starting from age, size, to maturity. For younger kids, we always recommend using the full-body harness, as it’s more secure and provides more control.
For those with older kids, a waist harness should be your go-to option. It’s a type of climbing harness for children specifically designed for junior climbers with higher confidence. But to be sure, you can put the harness on your kid and see how they react. If they do fine strapless, then you don’t need to buy one. But remember, safety should be a major concern when looking for a climbing harness for toddlers.
To that end, here are three important factors that you should consider when choosing a rock climbing harness for kids.
Style
You have to remember that no matter how sophisticated the gear is, your kid should feel happy wearing it. When they like to wear the harness, then that’s a good sign. So, make sure you get a climbing harness for kids with an appealing pattern. Also, see if the product is comfortable to wear. Make sure there’s enough padding, so your kid won’t feel cramped or squashed.
Size
Next, pay close attention to your kid’s size. Regardless of age, you should know exactly how tall and how heavy they are. This way, you should be able to pick a climbing harness for the children that fits perfectly.
Adjustability
Apart from that, choose an adjustable harness, so your kid can use it for a long time. Remember that your child grows consistently. It’s very important to buy a climbing harness for toddlers that’ll last for the next 1-2 years.
How Do You Kids Rock Climb?
We recommend starting with simple hikes. After that, you can start using the laser pointer to guide them through more complex paths. Over time, your kids will develop the skills required to try more advanced climbs.
Can You Fall Out of a Climbing Harness?
Well, as long as you have a really solid fitting, such a miserable event won’t happen. To be absolutely sure, there’s a simple test you can try. As you adjust the width of the hip strap, try to pull the harness down. See if you can pull it over your hip.
How Often Should You Replace Your Harness?
According to the standards recommended by the fall protection industry, you should buy a new harness every 2 or 3 years. And for your information, the military generally sets 7 years as the lifespan for nylon-based products. However, if you feel like your harness isn’t as tight as usual, then it may be a sign to get a new one.
Fusion Climb Half Body
13
If you don’t plan to spend a lot on your climbing harness for kids, then the Fusion Climb Half Body would be a remarkable option. This extremely affordable product is available in various types, even for the more advanced junior hikers. Furthermore, it has polyester webbing, which makes it lighter than other harnesses.
As for design, this gear was specifically built for children aged 7-12 years. So if you have younger hikers at home, you might want to look at other options. Apart from that, this is a decent climbing harness for children. It won’t force you to break the bank and offers more than enough for the price.
What We Love
A climbing harness for toddlers that is extremely affordable
Pros:
- Polyester webbing
- Designed for 7-12 years old kids
- The front center belay loop
- Pass through buckles
Cons:
- It doesn’t have any padding
Mammut Children’s Ophir
12
Mammut Children’s Ophir is definitely not your regular climbing harness for toddlers. In terms of design, this gear looks more like an adult harness than a rock climbing harness for kids. But that’s precisely what makes this climbing equipment tighter and more secure. It’ll be perfect for older or more experienced children.
Thanks to the slide block buckles, you’ll get easy adjustments here. Apart from that, there’s patented abrasion protection. This way, you’ll get all the comfort and safety one would expect from a climbing harness for children. Be sure to check out this one if you can.
And in case you need other outdoor gear recommendations, you’re in the right place! We happen to have a great list of 13 best men’s hiking pants, tailor-made for those looking for the right attire for their next adventure. If you’re planning to hit the trail anytime soon, be sure to check it out!
What We Love
Mature harness-inspired design, which makes it tighter and more secure than a regular climbing harness for toddlers
Pros:
- Patented abrasion protection
- Full safety
- 4 Slide Bloc buckles for easy adjustment
- Special two-part webbing
Cons:
- Not suitable for younger hikers
Fusion Climb’s Kid Harness
11
Despite the name, the Fusion Climb Kid’s Harness is better suited for ziplining than rock climbing. Coming with a one-year warranty, this junior climbing kit includes all the required kits for children’s zip lining. It’s lightweight and provides easy adjustments. Apart from that, this product has padded leg loops for extra comfort.
Overall, the Fusion Climb Kid’s Harness is a decent rock climbing harness for kids. But you plan to use it solely as a harness so that your child can climb, we suggest you look elsewhere.
What We Love
An affordable product perfect for kid’s zip lining
Pros:
- Full body harness
- Lightweight
- Easy adjustment
- Padded leg loops for comfort
Cons:
- It’s quite pricey
Heejo Kid’s Full Body Harness
10
Here’s another affordable option for those who’re on a tight budget. The Heejo Kid’s Full Body Harness is made of tough polyester material, which should be more than enough to give your kid extra safety. It’s also available in a variety of different colors. You should be able to find the one that’s most appealing to your junior hikers.
On the downside, Heejo Kid’s Full Budy Harness doesn’t come with any padding. In other words, you can’t really rely on this one for convenience. But with that being said, this is still a recommended climbing harness for kids. It won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Plus, the harness will be a great way to introduce your kid to the world of climbing.
What We Love
An affordable harness made of tough polyester material
Pros:
- Affordable
- Available in a variety of colors
- Wide range of use
- Comfortable structure
Cons:
- Not suitable for younger children
Edelrid Fraggle III
9
Finding a climbing harness for children that are comfortable to wear all day is definitely not an easy task. Fortunately, the Edelrid Fraggle III Full Body Kid’s Harness came up with a perfect solution. It features three-dimensional mesh padding, so the whole thing will hold your kid comfortably all day long.
And thanks to its 2 slide block buckles, making adjustments has never been this quick and easy. Better yet, Edelrid Fraggle III comes in two different sizes. That way, you can make sure your kid gets the right fit. In short, if you’re looking for a really comfortable climbing harness for toddlers, this one should be on your wish list.
What We Love
A harness with three-dimensional mesh padding that is comfortable to wear all day long
Pros:
- Available in two different sizes
- Easy to adjust
- Reasonably priced
- Comfortable to wear
Cons:
- Only comes in blue
Black Diamond Momentum
8
One of the things that make Black Diamond Momentum stand out from the crowd is how easy it is to adjust. Apart from that, this rock climbing harness for kids features a high tie-in point. So if safety is your main concern, then this is the best climbing harness for children you’ve been looking for.
Another thing to love about this climbing harness for toddlers is the shoulder and leg straps. Both are completely adjustable. This way, you won’t have to buy a new harness for your kids each season. It’s also so flexible, that you can even put it on a two-year-old child. Overall, a really recommended product. Make sure you don’t miss this one.
What We Love
It’s easy to adjust and provides excellent fit for children from the age of two
Pros:
- Easy to adjust
- High tie-in point
- Flexible
- Durable
Cons:
- Only available in one size
Edelrid Finn
7
Edelrid Finn will be great as a climbing harness for kids, especially older ones. It’s packed with lots of incredible features and is able to perform remarkably well on more complex hikes. Thanks to the shaped waist padding, your kid will get a really comfortable fitting, right at those pressure points. You only get one buckle on the front, but fortunately, there’s a webbing strap that can be adjusted as needed.
Another thing that we want to mention about Edelrid Finn is the elastic loop that connects the legs. This is actually a really neat feature but is often absent on most climbing harnesses for children. They’ll help your kid avoid situations where the harness is worn inappropriately or the leg loops are constantly flipping.
And since we’re on the topic of outdoor adventures for kids, did you know that family hiking can be a fantastic activity to introduce them to how wonderful nature is? But for that, first, you need to get the right gear. So, be sure to check out our curated list of the 11 best hiking backpacks for kids.
What We Love
A rock climbing harness for kids with tons of incredible features
Pros:
- Strong gear loops
- Adjustable leg loops
- Tie-in point with a textile abrasion protector
- 3D mesh padding
Cons:
- You’ll want to think carefully about the size
Petzl Macchu
6
There are several good reasons why many people dub Petzl Macchu the best climbing harness for children. First of all, it has two adjustable waist loops to provide you with a perfect and nice fitting. Next, there are adjustable buckles on both legs and paddings in a snug spot. In case of an emergency, the leg loops are un-clip on the back.
If you want to use this product as a full-body harness, we recommend getting Petzl Body. All you have to do is tie the two together and boom! You get a full-body harness that’s great for kids. Apart from that, the Petzl Macchu is available in two different colors and can support loads up to 88lbs. If you still haven’t decided on the best climbing harness for kids, this one is worth checking out.
What We Love
Provides a perfect and nice fit, thanks to its two adjustable waist loops
Pros:
- Made of polyester
- Adjustable seat harness
- Designed for comfort
- Wide range of adjustability
Cons:
- The color is slightly off when compared to the product photos
Petzl Simba
5
Petzl Simba is probably not the first thing you think of when it comes to convenience. But if you’re all about handling and safety, then this is a fantastic climbing harness for children. Simba has color-coded attachment loops for easy and fast installation. So when the situation demands it, you can remove this climbing harness for toddlers in no time and safely.
The only thing we hold dear about Petzl Simba is that it misses an extra buckle in the stomach area. As a result, you’ll get a belt that slips when it’s not properly fastened. But make no mistake, as this is by no means a massive deal-breaker. Overall, Simba is a decent climbing harness for kids. If you’re looking for reliable gear for kids aged 5-10 years, this one will be a remarkable choice.
What We Love
Come with color-coded attachment loops for easy installation
Pros:
- Suitable for children aged 5-10 years
- Fully adjustable shoulder straps
- Bicolor webbing
- Four DoubleBack adjustment buckles
Cons:
- It misses a buckle in the abdominal area
Wild Country Vision Kids
4
Wild Country Vision Kids is a gear that most people would refer to as average. However, this is actually a pretty decent climbing harness for kids. We know it’s not going to win any design awards anytime soon, but you’ll have everything you need to teach your child to climb both comfortably and safely.
In terms of material, this full-body harness is pretty solid. It’s made of tough polyester and features a couple of adjustable straps. Wearing this thing is pretty straightforward. However, we do hope Wild Country includes a detailed manual in the package. That’s because the horizontal alignment of the loops can be a little confusing, especially if you’re not familiar with climbing gear before.
What We Love
A decent climbing harness for children that will get the job done
Pros:
- Nice build quality
- Full body harness
- Tough polyester
- Solid product
Cons:
- The alignment of the loops is a little confusing
Petzl Oustiti
3
When it comes to a climbing harness for toddlers, there’s no name you can trust more than Petzl. They’ve been manufacturing junior harnesses to the highest standards of safety and comfort for years. And their latest innovation, Petzl Ouistiti, definitely lives up to that reputation. Your kid will get a really good fit with this thing. Plus, the harness can withstand loads of up to 30 kilos, which makes it the only one on this list to have such a capability.
However, this doesn’t mean that Petzl Oustiti is flawless. First of all, we felt that this climbing harness for kids had too many straps, flaps, and bands. If you’re relatively new to the world of climbing, it might confuse you a little. Besides that, there’s no way for you to tighten the loose strap. But with that being said, the Oustiti is still a nice harness to have. Grab it if you don’t mind spending around 70 bucks.
And since we’re on the topic of climbing, why don’t you check out our other outdoor gear-related content? We have an excellent list of the 13 best climbing shoes for men. It’s a great source of inspiration for anyone looking to enhance their climbing game!
What We Love
A decent climbing harness for toddlers from one of the most trusted names in the outdoor gear industry
Pros:
- Semi-rigid structure
- Double black buckles
- Comfortable to wear
- For use with children up to 30kg
Cons:
- It’s a little hard to put on
Trango Junior
2
Offered at around 55 bucks, it’s tough to beat Trango Junior when it comes to price. In addition to its appeal as an affordable gear, this basic harness also offers plenty of safety and comfort for young climbers. There are fully adjustable shoulder straps and leg loops, which makes this thing easily fit into kids up to 80lbs. Apart from that, we like the fact that Trango offers a decent amount of adjustability. This way, you don’t have to find a new harness each season to accommodate your constantly growing kid.
Another thing to love about Trango Junior is its double-back non-sliding buckles. While this is something most climber would describe as ‘old-school’, the classic design is actually great and quite comfortable. It’s pretty functional and would be great for a camp fleet as well as younger climbers. So, whenever you’re looking for a climbing harness for kids, this one won’t disappoint.
What We Love
An affordable harness that offers plenty of safety and comfort for younger climbers
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Comfortable
- Secure
- Suitable for kids up to 80lbs
Cons:
- Old-school design
Black Diamond Wiz
1
If you’re looking for something of premium quality, you can’t go wrong with Black Diamond Wiz Kid. Made using nearly indestructible nylon fabric, this is an exceptionally rugged climbing harness for children. Apart from that, there are two pressure-molded gear loops that push its durability level even further. Add to that with Trackfit leg loops and you get a junior harness that’s not only strong but easy to adjust and put on too.
If there’s one thing that might stop you from buying this harness, it’s the sizing. Unfortunately, the Black Diamond Wiz Kid only comes in one-size-fits-all models. So if you’re planning on purchasing this thing online, there’s a great risk that it won’t be suitable for your kid. But if you’re quite confident in your measurement skills, then this is a climbing harness for kids that is worth trying.
What We Love
A rugged harness with a fantastic level of durability
Pros:
- Bullhorn-shaped open-air waist belt
- TrakFit leg loop adjustment
- Two pressure-molded gear loops
- Adjustable rear elastic riser
Cons:
- Come in one-size-fits-all models
