Black Diamond Blizzard

Review Date
April 15, 2002

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: praphaelson(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from New York, NY, USA

Price Paid:  $78.00 at Tent and Trails, NYC

Summary:
This is the nicest harness I've ever used. I don't climb much pure ice anymore, but I wanted a harness that would be great for alpine climbs and ok for anything else. After using the blizzard on everything from multipitch trad routes to dinking around at the rock gym, I can say it's been great for everything. If I did a long expedition style climb, like Denali, I'd probably pick up an alpine bod (just for its fast drying and trim fit under a pack, and ease of getting on and off) but for everything else I love the fit and the design and size range of the Blizzard.

Customer Service:
I haven''t used BD customer service, but back when they were Chouinard, service was first rate.

Similar Products Used:
bod, alpine bod, lots of other people's harnesses over the years. I wanted to check out arc'teryx but no one had one to try on.

Review Date
August 25, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Brad(Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer , from Denver, CO

Price Paid:  $78.00 at Bent Gate Mountaineering

Summary:
Excellent harness, albeit a little pricey. I bought primarily for Ice Climbing, but it's also the one I go for when climbing long summer routs in the mountains. Very streamline for a full featured
harness. he attention to detail is obvious with extra goodies like a place to tuck the ends of the waist and leg straps, waist belt friendly gear loops, flat and simple buckles, clean cut ends on straps, and bomber construction. I've used this harness hard to 2 ice seasons and 2 1/2 summers and have never felt the need to step up to something better. I never have to think about it while climbing, which tells me its working perfectly. If there was anything wrong with this harness, it would have to be the sizing, they run pretty small. Luckly BD makes a XXL to fit us bigger guys. But then again, most climbers are in good shape.

Customer Service:
Black Diamond seems to have a great reputation for well built product, so I imagine this runs true with its customer service policies. The guarantees are there, I've just never had to use them.

Similar Products Used:
BOD, Alpine BOD, Petzl Guru, Petzl Jump, REI Adjustable, .....

Review Date
July 10, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Serge(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Wisconsin

Summary:
I made the mistake of buying this harness for rock climbing...and boy am I happy I made that mistake. This is a great harness, it's really comfortable when belaying people for 3 to 5 hours straight. I love the gear loops and the adjustable leg loops. Great harness, everyone should make the same mistake I did. It's worth the $78!

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
March 21, 2000

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: Robert(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Bruemmer

Summary:
Great Ice climbing harness, a tad uncomfotable for summer use for me
(depnds on bidy type) my wife loves hers for year round use.
great crafstmanship and attention to detail.

Review Date
March 7, 2000

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: James Kreiger(Unregistered User) ,  Climber , from Burlington, VT, USA

Summary:
This is the only harness I have owned but I have tried a few.

This harness is just great, it is comfortable enough, easy to rack a pretty good deal of gear on.

All around just a great harness

Similar Products Used:
varied