Brand: Petzl
Category: Harnesses
Recommended by Doug Dobkowski, Outdoor Educator, Guide — North Conway, NH
Highlights: lightweight, comfortable, multi pitch, packable
The Petzl Aquila Harness in Black XL is a versatile and comfortable climbing harness designed for sport climbing, trad climbing, and mountaineering in any season. Its adjustable leg loops and wide waistbelt ensure a secure fit for all body types, making it an essential piece of gear for climbers of all skill levels. 1. Adjustable Leg Loops: Easily customize the fit for optimal comfort and performance during climbs. 2. Wide Waistbelt: Designed for maximum comfort, the waistbelt distributes weight evenly, reducing pressure points. 3. Multi-Season Use: Suitable for various climbing activities in all weather conditions, ensuring year-round usability. 4. Lightweight Construction: Made with durable yet lightweight materials, enhancing mobility without compromising safety. 5. Versatile Design: Ideal for sport climbing, trad climbing, and mountaineering, accommodating a wide range of climbing styles. 6. Enhanced Safety Features: Equipped with reinforced tie-in points and gear loops for secure attachment of climbing equipment. 7. Easy to Pack: Compact design allows for convenient storage and transport, making it a great choice for outdoor adventures. The Petzl Aquila Harness is perfect for climbers seeking a reliable and comfortable harness for sport and trad climbing as well as mountaineering. It excels in various environments, from cragging to alpine ascents, and is suitable for climbers of all skill levels. Whether tackling challenging routes in summer or winter conditions, this harness provides the support and flexibility needed for optimal performance on the rock.
Price: $144.95
- Who it's for
- Trad and multipitch climbers who prioritize gear-carrying capacity and comfort without sacrificing too much weight. Route setters and guides have also used it successfully for extended hang time.
- What people are saying
- Hosts consistently praise the five gear loops, comfort, and balance of light weight with features. The main criticism is that it lacks ice clipper loops, making it a poor fit for ice climbing, and one host finds the padding insufficient for sport climbing.
- Worth noting
- No ice clipper attachment loops — multiple hosts flag this as a hard limitation for ice and alpine climbing. One host explicitly calls it too heavy for mountaineering or ski mountaineering.
Doug Dobkowski's review
This is the closest thing I have found to a do everything harness. I love this harness for its balance of features, light weight, and packability. I tend to use this trad climbing, multipitch climbing, and alpine climbing. I prefer something with more padding for sport climbing. This harness does not come with ice clipper loops, so I don't recommend it for ice climbing. This is way to heavy for a mountaineering or ski mountaineering harness.
Recommended by Doug Dobkowski, Outdoor Educator, Guide
Frequently asked questions
Who is the Petzl Aquila Harness for?
Trad and multipitch climbers who prioritize gear-carrying capacity and comfort without sacrificing too much weight. Route setters and guides have also used it successfully for extended hang time.
What do experts say about the Petzl Aquila Harness?
Hosts consistently praise the five gear loops, comfort, and balance of light weight with features. The main criticism is that it lacks ice clipper loops, making it a poor fit for ice climbing, and one host finds the padding insufficient for sport climbing.
What should you know before buying the Petzl Aquila Harness?
No ice clipper attachment loops — multiple hosts flag this as a hard limitation for ice and alpine climbing. One host explicitly calls it too heavy for mountaineering or ski mountaineering.
What does Doug Dobkowski say about the Petzl Aquila Harness?
This is the closest thing I have found to a do everything harness. I love this harness for its balance of features, light weight, and packability. I tend to use this trad climbing, multipitch climbing, and alpine climbing. I prefer something with more padding for sport climbing. This harness does not come with ice clipper loops, so I don't recommend it for ice climbing. This is way to heavy for a mountaineering or ski mountaineering harness.
Why does Doug Dobkowski recommend Petzl?
Doug Dobkowski recommends the Petzl Petzl Aquila Harness for harnesses. This is the closest thing I have found to a do everything harness. I love this harness for its balance of features, light weight, and packability. I tend to use this trad climbing, multipitch climbing, and alpine climbing. I prefer something with more padding for sport climbing. This harness does not come with ice clipper loops, so I don't recommend it for ice climbing. This is way to heavy for a mountaineering or ski mountaineering harness.
Is the Petzl Aquila Harness a good harnesse?
Yes — Doug Dobkowski recommends the Petzl Aquila Harness by Petzl as their harnesses pick. This is the closest thing I have found to a do everything harness. I love this harness for its balance of features, light weight, and packability. I tend to use this trad climbing, multipitch climbing, and alpine climbing. I prefer something with more padding for sport climbing. This harness does not come with ice clipper loops, so I don't recommend it for ice climbing. This is way to heavy for a mountaineering or ski mountaineering harness.
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What other hosts are saying
5 experts recommend the Petzl Aquila Harness.
I love this harness, it holds gear incredibly well, is very comfortable and goes well with a darker color scheme.
Recommended in Desert Rock
My rock climbing and guiding harness. Very comfortable. Used to set routes at the local gym for a couple of hours hanging in this harness! Spacious gear loops make it a great traditional climbing harness. Can't recommend it for ice and alpine climbing, though. It lacks more robust ice clipper attachment loops.
Recommended in Helmets, Harnesses & Attachment Accessories
Chris Johnson, Apprentice Climbing Guide, Professional Ski Patroller
My go-to trad climbing harness. It has four large gear loops on the hips for racking cams, nuts, and slings, and a fifth gear loop on the rear that I use to rack my anchor material, belay devices, spare locking carabiners, etc.
Recommended in Trad Climbing Gear
I love this harness. Comfy and Hella gear loops, yet light enough to actually climb in.
Recommended in Rock Climbing
