Editing Climbing harness (section)

==Overview==
While an improvised harness can be created out of a length of rope or nylon [[webbing]], commercially produced harnesses specific to climbing rock and ice are the norm.  These characteristically include a dedicated tie-in loop, padding, and amenities such as gear loops.  Most commercial climbing harnesses meet the guidelines and manufacturing standards of organizations such as the [[Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme]] (UiAA) or [[European Committee for Standardization]].

Harnesses of users involved in climbing should be attached to dynamic ([[kernmantle]]) rope, which has a natural shock-absorbing stretch. In [[via ferrata]], the harness is attached to metal cables via a [[Via ferrata#Via ferrata set|shock absorber]] that can absorb some of the impact of a fall.

The most common knot for attaching a harness to a rope is the [[figure-eight follow through]], characteristically backed up by a stopper knot. Although it is harder to untie after a fall than some alternatives, it is inherently more secure,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SI-CBAAAQBAJ|title=How to Rock Climb!|last=Long|first=John|date=2010-06-15|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9780762766741|quote=the double figure eight is a cinch knot: The tighter you pull, the tighter the knot cinches on itself.}}</ref> easier to tie, and easier to verify that it has been tied correctly.<ref name=":0" />  There are many variations of the bowline knot, including a variation of the [[double bowline]],<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JxuaCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA26|title=Climbing: Knots|last1=Fitch|first1=Nate|last2=Funderburke|first2=Ron|date=2015-10-15|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781493015061|pages=30|quote=the double bowline with a Yosemite finish is a less common way to attach the climbing rope to a climber}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=H6hiCwAAQBAJ|title=Rock Climbing: Technique {{!}} Equipment {{!}} Safety – With an Introduction to Indoor Climbing|last1=Heise-Flecken|first1=Detlef|last2=Flecken|first2=Gabi|date=2016-03-28|publisher=Meyer & Meyer Verlag|isbn=9781782550358|pages=20|quote=double bowline is more complicated than the Figure Eight and partner checks are harder to verify. ... single bowline is not safe while the double bowline is difficult to tie but is easier to undo after taking strain}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.mountainproject.com/forum/topic/112122298/incident-climbers-bowline-came-untied-while-climbing-at-rifle|title=Incident: Climber's Bowline Came Untied While Climbing at Rifle|website=Mountain Project|access-date=2018-07-14|quote=there are many versions of the bowline, some of which are unsafe for climbing ... Bowline on a Bight, Retraced Through Harness w/ Yosemite Finish ... is the safest option}}</ref> and some will untie themselves when repeatedly stressed and unstressed, as is common in climbing.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/rockclimbingoutd00wild|url-access=registration|title=Rock Climbing|year=2009|publisher=Human Kinetics|isbn=9781450409001|quote=Because this knot unties so easily, sometimes even by simply rubbing against your body}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r3bahfDuBEIC|title=Knack Knots You Need: Step-by-Step instructions for More Than 100 of the Best Sailing, Fishing, Climbing, Camping and Decorative Knots|last=Tilton|first=Buck|date=2008-09-02|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781599217598|quote=A knot that can be shaken loose to spill of its own accord, such as the bowline ... is an insecure knot.}}</ref>

A harness' gear loops, used for carrying such equipment as protection devices, carabiners, etc., are not weight-bearing; nor are the elastic cords which restrain the leg loops from slipping down while not under load.