SRT Sit Harness
A sit harness is what you sit in when you are hanging on the rope. It transfers your weight from the rope to your waist and legs so you can ascend, descend, and hang comfortably.
What to look for
Caving harnesses are different from climbing harnesses. They have a very specific design and the two are not interchangeable. Arborist and rope access harnesses do not work for caving either.
Our recommendation is the Petzl SuperAvanti. It comes in two sizes. The Crew only has size 2 because they can be adjusted endlessly smaller, and that has worked well for us. It is a solid choice that many people like.
Recently the Fixe Espeleo has been released. It is competitively priced, properly certified, and some people prefer the fit. If you have used a Caving Crew harness and it worked, go with that model. If you have not, try both if you can.
The most important thing is comfort. The best way to find what works is to borrow a club harness, do some SRT in it, and see how it feels. If it is comfortable, do not try to micro-optimise. Just get one.
Size 2 if you are slightly larger, size 1 if you are slightly smaller. If you are not sure, go with size 2. If you are on the smaller side, size 1 is fine too. Both are equally comfortable.
What to get first
You need basic caving equipment, but a sit harness is one of the first SRT-specific items you should buy. It is the foundation of your SRT kit.
Buying Guide
- Price (New): ££
- Price (Used): £
- Buy online? Yes, especially if you have tried on the harness you want. If you are not sure about fit, try one at a caving shop or borrow a club harness first.
Buying Second Hand
You probably do not want to buy a sit harness secondhand. Fabric items are hard to check for hidden damage, and you do not know how the harness has been stored or treated. The savings are not worth the risk for something your whole weight hangs from.
Where you can buy it
Starless River, Inglesport, Up and Under, Bernies/Earthworm, Trogg