5 Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness Review

Reviewer: Kastytis, Vilnius   (16-1-2012)

Purchased this harness for mountaineering due to small weight and size. This harness is minimalistic and price is very good (compared to others), but you don't have many comfort if hanging all day. Also can attach other equipment required for climbing. But I liked this product, it's much more comfortable than self made harness from ropes. Recommended for those who cares abut small size, weight, price (and don't care about comfort).

5 Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness Review

Reviewer: steve b, Cheshire   (28-5-2011)

As a beginner I wanted a well priced, easy to use and light harness and my Bod purchase has delivered just that; for occasional use it's just the job and the adjustable leg loops help make the harness feel ok in use although I’m sure you could pay more and get better comfort. The no frills design delivers a light and fast harness that has provided confidence in use - happy with my purchase and more than happy with the service I have received from Facewest (top marks).

3 A bit of a dinosaur (but a nice dinosaur)

Reviewer: J Ash, London   (13-5-2010)

I'm very fond of my Alpine Bod but perhaps wouldn't really recommend it to others.

Originally designed as a lightweight Alpine harness, it has been superseded by DMM's Super Couloir or Black Diamond's own Couloir, amongst others.

Good points:

Good, solid gear-loops and four of them.

VERY easy to get on and off (not having a belay loop is an advantage here). Crampons? No problem.

Easy to thread main buckle (better than the DMM Super Couloir)

Wide webbing makes it surprisingly comfortable when hanging, abseiling or being lowered, despite having no padding at all (more comfortable than the DMM Super Couloir which DOES have a little padding).

Excellent Black Diamond build quality.

Bad Points:

It was originally designed as an ultra-lightweight Alpine harness but these days it's just not that lightweight.

No belay loop: not too much of a problem once you get used to it but these days it's just not necessary to sacrifice a belay loop to save weight.

No ice clipper slots

Overall: certainly not a bad harness but there are others that do the job better.

5 Black Diamond Alpine Bod Harness Review

Reviewer: Andy Dines, Chamonix/Cheadle   (5-2-2010)

I've been using these harnesses for about 15 years, during which time they have remained exactly the same. That is because they are as simple as it gets - a few bits of webbing, a few buckles and 4 gear loops.

This is not what you want when you have hanging belays or multiple raps or need to have more gear on the loops but for easy alpinism and ski-touring it is an ideal choice.

You will save a little bit of weight (maybe 100g) and when the harness goes in the pack it is very compact, as it is mainly just webbing.

It can easily be taken on and off with both feet on the ground without removing boots due to the clips on the leg loops. I pity the fool I see hopping around on one leg, harness caught on crampons as he tries to get harnessed up while he balances in some precarious spot.

I am also a fan of the buckle that Black Diamond use. It is fairly big and can be done/un-done easily with cold hands and even with light-weight gloves still on.

The harness is inexpensive and easily adjustable for different clothing systems.

Only minor downside is lack of a belay loop.