Updated March 2023
When it comes to safety and bowhunting, a proper fitting safety harness is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can own. When hunting from a treestand, a harness should always be used to ensure your own safety and eliminate chances of falling. Safety harnesses have come a long way and many of the new models are so lightweight and comfortable, you barely know you are wearing them. This article will review some of the best and most popular safety harnesses used by hunters all over as well as what to look for and consider when purchasing a safety harness.
Recommended Safety Harnesses for Bowhunters
- Hunter Safety System X-1
- Hunter Safety System Ultra-Lite
- Muddy Magnum Pro
- Hunter Safety System Treestalker
- Summit Pro Harness
- Hunter Safety System Hybrid Flex
- Hawk Elevate Pro
- Tree Spider Venom
- Muddy Ambush
Importance of a Safety Harness
Using a safety harness properly cannot be stressed enough. Far too many hunters don’t utilize safety harnesses, which have led to devastating injuries while hunting. As a hunter, it is your responsibility to wear a properly fitting safety harness to protect yourself against injury and return home to your family safely.
Things to Consider When Purchasing a Safety Harness
- Comfort and Fit – A proper fitting safety harness should be comfortable to wear. It should fit correctly so you barely notice you are even wearing it. To find the right fit, you need to know your correct size. Many brands have sizing charts that can help you determine which size is best for you. To know if a harness fits correctly, you should have unobstructed mobility in all directions.
- Ease of Use – A safety harness should be simple to use and easy to put on. Most harnesses come with adjustment straps and buckles that can be used to easily put on and take off the harness. Make sure to choose a harness that you understand and is easy for you to use.
- Weight Capacity – The weight capacity of a harness is important to check to ensure that you are under that number. Most safety harnesses are rated for users up to 300 pounds and will hold up in the event of a fall if your weight is under this number.
- Weight – As with just about all pieces of hunting equipment, weight remains a very important factor. Carrying excess weight around in the field is not only cumbersome, but unnecessary. Many modern safety harnesses like those listed below are much lighter than a lot of the traditional harnesses many hunters are used to. Some of the newer lightweight harnesses weigh under 2 pounds!
- TMA Certification – The Treestand Manufacturer’s Association is an organization whose mission is to promote treestand safety through education and certification of products. When choosing a safety harness, it is always good to check if the harness is certified by TMA. TMA inspects different products from treestands to safety harnesses, and certifies them if they pass all safety guidelines. You can check specific products by brand by visiting TMA’s website.
- Durability – The quality and durability of a treestand harness makes a big difference. Purchasing a well-constructed harness not only gives you reassurance as to your safety but will hold up better over a longer period of time. It is best to stick with some of the more popular brands listed below so you know you are using the best possible harness.
- Price – Price is always a consideration when purchasing new hunting equipment. Although price remains very important, you should remember that you can’t put a price on safety. Many of the higher priced safety harnesses come with extra options such as scent-free fabric or additional pockets. Opting out of some of these additional features is a good way to save costs without sacrificing safety.
9 Best Safety Harnesses for Bowhunters
Hunter Safety System X-1 – The X-1 harness by Hunter Safety System is one of the most popular and widely-used harnesses by treestand hunters everywhere. The X-1 is lightweight, comfortable and has a simple design that makes it easy to put on and take off. This harness is designed for all-day sits and is adjustable so it can be worn with both light or heavy clothing. The X-1 is a very affordable harness that has no dangling straps or confusing weave-through buckles. The silent fabric on this harness is brushed to provide maximum stealth in your treestand.
Key Features:
- Weighs only 2.5 lbs
- No dangling straps
- Silent fabric
- Includes tree strap and suspension-relief strap
Hunter Safety System Ultra-Lite – The Ultra-Lite by Hunter Safety System is one of the most lightweight harnesses available weighing in at under 2 pounds. The Ultra-Lite harness is designed to provide comfort and maximum flexibility in the stand. This harness features HSS’s Elimishield Technology that keeps the harness scent free. The Ultra-Lite also features a unique loop on the back of the harness at the bottom that is made for tying a rope while dragging out an animal. Hunter Safety System is a trusted brand that focuses solely on safety harnesses.
Key Features:
- Elimishield scent-free technology
- Individual, padded hexagons for added comfort
- Flexible fabric for increased mobility
Muddy Magnum Pro – The Muddy Magnum Pro is a solid safety harness that features a rugged tether that reduces chances of falling or injury as well as padded shoulders and waist straps for added comfort and endurance during long sits. The easy cinch torso straps are quick and easy to use. The Magnum Pro has quick-clip thigh loops that can be buckled around each leg instead of having to step into each loop. This harness is completely quiet, with no metal on metal contact.
Key Features:
- Lightweight padded nylon material
- Easy-buckle leg straps
- Rated for up to 300 lbs
Hunter Safety System Treestalker – Another great safety harness from Hunter Safety System is the Treestalker. The Treestalker is a vest-style harness with front pockets for storing easily accessible gear. This versatile harness is perfect for all season use and is made of fabric that keeps you comfortable and dry all season long. The Treestalker features HHS’s ElimiShield scent control technology that is designed to eradicate human scent, keeping you undetectable in the stand. Made for extended use, the Treestalker is comfortable and features Right-Fit zones designed to keep the vest snug and eliminate unnecessary bulk
Key Features:
- No dangling straps or weave-through buckles
- ElimiShield scent control technology
- Weighs only 2 lbs
Summit Pro Harness – Summit makes a variety of quality treestands and this harness is no different. The Summit Pro harness comes equipped with everything you need to stay secured and comfortable while in your stand. This harness features padded shoulder straps for extra comfort and has quick-lock buckles for easy on and off. The Summit Pro features a military inspired MOLLE system for endless accessory attachment to the front of the harness via ladder-style webbing. This harness has a secure fit that is adjustable for most body-types and is comfortable enough to be worn all day.
Key Features:
- High performance tether and 8-inch lineman’s rope
- Rated for up to 300 lbs
- MOLLE accessory system
Hunter Safety System Hybrid Flex – The Hybrid Flex harness by Hunter Safety System is highly versatile and features Flex technology to provide hunters with added comfort and mobility. This portable and packable harness has an open design that provides great ventilation and flexibility. The padded hexagon shoulder straps add another level of comfort for the user. The Hybrid Flex also utilizes HSS’s Elimishield scent control technology. This harness also features 6 accessory pockets, removable binocular straps and a hidden mesh cell phone pocket.
Key Features:
- Lightweight and comfortable design
- Weights 2.5 lbs
- ElimiShield scent control technology
Hawk Elevate Pro – Hawk is a well-respected company that sells a variety of products including treestands, ground blinds and accessories. The Hawk Elevate Pro safety harness features form fitting technology that has padded waist and shoulder straps for superior comfort. This harness has a one-hand quick set carabiner along with lightweight silent bind cables. The quick-release buckles on this harness makes it easy to put on and take off. This is a great overall harness that weighs only 2 pounds and has a 300 pound weight capacity.
Key Features:
- Padded waist and shoulder straps
- Storage pocket for cell phone or gear
- Flexible tether for 360-degree movement
Tree Spider Venom – The Tree Spider Venom by ScentBlocker is a lightly padded and flexible harness for added comfort allowing for easy movement. This harness has easily adjustable shoulder, leg, and rear straps to allow for an exact fit and features quick connecting leg buckles. The Tree Spider safety harness comes with a carabiner, tree strap and suspension relief strap. This is a great harness from a trusted brand that is meant to last a long time.
Key Features:
- Fully adjustable straps
- 300 lbs weight capacity
- Vertical climbing loops
Muddy Ambush – The Muddy Ambush is a lightweight harness that has a one-hand quick-set carabiner clip and has a flexible 360-degree tether. Similar to other Muddy products, the Ambush harness is made with quality construction and has a padded waist strap for extra comfort. This harness also comes equipped with binocular cables, quick-release leg buckles and adjustable leg straps. The Ambush also has a durable elastic chest strap that keeps the harness out of the way and tight to your chest.
Key Features:
- Lightweight padded nylon construction
- 300 lbs weight capacity
- Optifade Elevated II camo
A quality-made and proper fitting safety harness is the most important piece of hunting gear you can own. The safety harnesses reviewed in this article are some of the most trusted and widely used harnesses on the market. Many hunters rely on these popular brands because of their effectiveness and versatility. For more articles and buyer’s guides, please check out other posts from Bowhunting Depot!