Do Harnesses Really Expire?

[TallGrass]

surprised me that he would call Todd Skinner "a guy".

Ah, Polar the Troller. Last I heard, John Long was still a guy and Lynn Hill a gal. Skinner's harness was an issue of wear, not age as in the OP.

[Voshkm]

I don't think most manufacturers will recertify a harness. At least in my n=1 experience with BD, when I tried to get a repair on a harness due to a few loose bar tacks on the belay loop, they told me they wouldn't do it.

Instead they sent me a coupon for 50% off a new harness.

Even without a coupon, new harnesses aren't that expensive, so buying a new one is better than risking your life. That, or wear two for redundancy...

That essentially is my entire point. Manufacturers are loath to recertify because of the inherent risks. The cost of shipping a harness to the manufacturer compared to buying a new one is negligible. Therefore buy a new one rather than buy one from craigslist that you shouldn't trust until it is recertified.

As for tallgrass, the fact that you believe that a professional inspector and an untrained person are of equal competency and that you as the latter are qualified to give advice on the matter should tell the OP and anyone else that is reading this what your advice is worth.

[Monster5]

I am "Monster 5" tall.

My harnesses tend to outlast my partners' since they're farther from the sun.

[TallGrass]

you believe that a professional inspector and an untrained person are of equal competency and that you as the latter are qualified to give advice on the matter should tell the OP and anyone else that is reading this what your advice is worth.

Well, "competency" is the ability to do a job and a harness is essentially nylon webbing that has been sewn together along with a metal buckle. What I said before was if an inspector "could learn it as a side task to his main job, so could anyone else. I'd expect it's something like 'check for excessive fraying, discoloration, tears, distortion... weight test X, Y & Z to ###lbs... tag as re-cert'ed.' " How else do you replace a P.I. who retires?

Do you feel that only a P.I. has the capacity to learn or follow the same inspection steps, and if so why? Sure, a layman might have trouble with a step requiring testing to ##kN on a jig, but that's a limit of available tools.

One can learn CPR without having to be an EMT. Even a trained EMT can't replicate the electrical shock of an AED by hand, and more public buildings have AEDs with instructions so a layman can use it on a heart attack victim during those critical minutes while EMTs are on the way. Chouniard was just some non-"professional" selling hand made pitons at one point, while in recent years Black Diamond has recalled slings and 'biners not only telling people how they could inspect for the defects for themselves, but in all likelihood had the recall initiated by non-"professional" customers pointing out defects to BD as they had long since left their factory and passed under their QA's radar.

There are clips, gear loops, padding and other add ons that have been tacked on but the critical weight points of waist and leg loops have remained since the days of 2" webbing tied 3x around the waist with a water knot clipped to a pair of (optional) leg loops. In terms of safety, I think any "What to look for..." for field inspection by users regarding harnesses or any other gear is a good thing.

[highpilgrim]

Well,...

Tallgas, you are so RIGHT.

Thank you for the schooling.

[Broken Knee]

After seeing this thread and hearing from a friend of mine she knows and trusts, my gf took down the ebay ad.
Selling it seems like a bad idea.

For sure, she took the safe path and since it's only going to bring 30 to 50 bucks (wild guess) it's not a huge loss. Based on your description and following a close inspection, I'd have no worries about leading on it. Harnesses are tough as nails. Sorta.

[TallGrass]

This "Vintage LAS Lowe Alpine System harness, HANDMADE ORIGINAL" can be yours for just $150 (plus shipping).

Interesting tie-in configuration with a two-band rear making loops in the front reminds me of using a long sling to diaper a harness: pull a loop around both sides of your waist and a third between your legs to your belt buckle and clip all three with a locker.

Also spotted this U-stem BD Camalot with its original sling and essentially no cam wear,

though not as unique as some HB cams with their patent workaround.

[Wentzl]

Here is a fine Whillans Troll sit harness circa 1978. Never let me down. Ready for another 30 years. Make an offer.

[JaredJohnson]

Just make sure those buckles are in great shape or else.... https://youtu.be/ZEVMv_WOoxg?t=1m26s
... also, never wear gloves

[justiner]

Yondu is in that! I'll never look at that movie the same way.