I recently purchased a Perception Carolina 160 (really 15.5) and I love it. I tested it at the Oak Orchard center in Rochester, NY and decided this was the touring kayak for me. I am big, 250 lbs and weight lift, so I am top heavy. This kayak hands my size well - a large cockpit and is very stable. AC repair service

None . .

I purchased the Vapor fitted about 2 months ago. Once you get the right fit, it's a great harness. Extremely comfortable both climbing and hanging. This thing is extremely light too, you can hardly even feel it on you. It tends to get a bit hot from the fitted leg loops because they are elastic and fit tight. If you don't want them to feel "tight", I would order a medium waste and x-large leg loops, don't worry it won't be to big. The gear loops are a bit weird as they are webbing stuff covered with plastic...this makes them kind of "floppy" and maybe hard to easily clip things on. Bottom line, I really like this harness, but will order x-large leg loops next time.

Customer Service

I have somewhat mixed feelings. It was a MAJOR pain in the butt to get this harness. I started with the medium, but the leg loops were way to small. So I exchanged for a fitted with medium waste and large leg loops...much better. I think i may call up arcteryx and see if I can purchase just an x-large set of leg loops which shouldn't be a problem. Bottom line, if you want this harness in a popular size, order it 2 months before you really want it, b/c no one can keep it in stock, and you have to wait to get it factory direct. Moosejaw is a great retailer however, and very helpful.

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Black Diamond Momentum (sucks)

I've owned this Arc'Tyrex harness for about 9 years, since '94 or '95 and it's still the best available. Not to mention that it still looks brand new, except Arc'tyrex has changed the pattern on the webbing - and my gear loops are seriously scuffed. I still have full confidence in my Vapor, as there's hardly a frayed piece of nylon on the whole thing. As one reviewer mentioned, the buckle just gets easier to thread with use. So, it softens a little, but I'm feeling like my harness is just getting 'broken in'. The padding, elastic, and minimalist desgin were space-age to me, at the time. If you could fall in my previous REI harness, with huge yellow (seat belt) webbing - you might understand my excitement. All in all, I know the $100 or so that I paid many years ago would have been gone regardless... but the purchase I made is still serving me well. Even though I live at the coast now, and rarely get out to climb, the Vapor is geared up and hanging by my door, in case I have to rappel from my 3rd story condo in a fire or something. That way, my harness, my rope, my shoes, and my most expensive gear (like the grigri) will all be safe.

Customer Service

never needed customer service... the Vapor is idiot-proof and bomb-proof.

Similar Products Used:

used various harnesses, I've owned a "generic" REI model and tied my own. The Arc'tyrex Vapor is hardly "similar" to any I've owned.

A very comfortable harness with just the right amount of features. The price is still below what some other companies charge for their top-of-the-line setups.

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Black Diamond Big Wall Swami

Wonderful harness. My only complaint is that the hauser works on a turnbuckle system that doesn't allow enough leverage to complete the moves that the old Fonzi configuration made so easy. Foot placement, sight lines, fingerholds and breath control are still left up to the climber, which can be risky if experience is an issue. Still and all, a great harness.

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None

Best harness available, period. Light super comfortable, and very simple. No bells and whistles. Unsurpassed build quality. I'll agree with a lower review, though: the waist fits pretty large so make sure you try this one on.

Customer Service

No experience with Arc'Teryx

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Petzl, yates.

THE harness for all concerned - incredible comfort, weight, and the elasticized leg loops are a thing of beauty.
Please note: Jennifer's review below is misleading: the waist closes with a nice sturdy strap you double back, like every harness. It has velcro only to keep it in place while you are threading. It is entirely trustworthy :)

Bottom line: buy one right now.

Customer Service

Not the kind of product that would ever need to be returned: rock f'in solid. Arc'teryx is king.

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Petzl, BD, ABC (crap)

Arguably the most comfortable harness ever made. If you're gonna big hangin' a lot, the hefty price tag is well worth it. It has tons of great features including 4 big gear loops, a rear haul loop, and velcro but nothing you don't need. Lightweight is the second great feature that makes the price a little easier to swallow. If you are a serious climber and want nothing but the best, definitely go with this fantastic yet simple harness. The only problem I encountered was that it got a little warm but you're gonna find that in any harness with this much comfort.

Customer Service

Customer Service is located in British Columbia and they're super-friendly. If you ever encounter a problem with anything they've made, just call them up and they'll take care of everything free of charge.

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None

I think the Vapor is a fantastic harness. By no means is it the cheapest but it is definately the most comfortable and lightest one I have used. The adjustable legs are fantastic offering you a sure fit. The only odd thing I found was the sizing, in which a always take a large. On the Vapor the large's waste was way to big for me but the mediums leg loops were too small. I guess there is also the Vapor fitted for this reason in which you can choose to have a medium waste and large leg loops. This harness has everything, 4 gears loops, a rear haul loop, velcro and even a place to tuck the waste strap under. When hanging I also found that is was completely comfortable. It took a little convincing to look past the price tag but now I'm convinced every penny was worth it. A truly great harness.

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Petzl Jump, Metolius Maestro and REI On Sight

Great product from a great company, I tried others in this style of harness, but this one seemed to fit the best, with best freedom of movement etc, good racking loops, lightweight etc. Not super comfortable for anging around in, but it is prety much a sprt harness

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Petzl Bonnie