Whether you’re bow hunting or gun season has come around once more, your tree stand offers the vantage point you need. It’s vital that you stay undetected, and that can be difficult to do when on the ground. Blinds can help, but they’re costly and require a lot of setup. A tree stand is simple to install, affordable, and ensures that you’re high above the action with a good view of the surrounding forest. However, they’re also inherently dangerous.
A single misstep, or a poor connection, could send you tumbling to the ground. The number of hunters injured in tree stand-related accidents each year is significant. There’s good news, though. Tree stand harnesses are designed to help keep you safe – if you fall, the harness catches you and prevents you from crashing to the forest floor.
Of course, there are many different harness models on the market, so choosing the right option for your needs can be challenging. We’ve combed the industry for the best tree stand harnesses and listed them below. In addition to our head-to-head comparison, you’ll find reviews of the best harnesses out there so you can make an informed buying decision.
Our Top Tree Stand Harness for Safety: Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
With our tree stand comparison out of the way, it’s time to turn our attention to the rest of the story. Below, you’ll find detailed tree stand harness reviews, including the pros and cons of each model to make our list.
Hunter Safety System X-1 Treestand Hunting Harness
The first model to make our list is also our top-rated option. It’s slim and low-profile but also designed to provide lots of security while you’re above the ground. With the open design, you don’t need to worry about overheating while hunting, and the unique design ensures that there are no dangling straps that might get in the way of a safe hunting trip.
This hunting stand harness is available in sizes to fit just about everyone, from small all the way to 3XL, and it comes with a primary tree strap, a suspension relief strap, instructions on using the system, and a tutorial DVD, as well. Plus, it only weighs two and a half pounds, so you don’t have to worry that you’re adding too much weight to your stand or that you’ll have to lug heavy gear around with you.
The design of this tree stand harness also ensures that you can use it during any season – it’s easy to slip over whatever you might be wearing, whether that’s a shirt and pants, or full winter hunting gear.
Pros
- Lightweight design
- Versatile enough for all season use
- 5-year warranty
- Up to 300 lbs.
Cons
- Doesn’t have a built-in vest like some options
- Strap system is more complex than some harnesses
Hunter Safety System Ultra Lite Tree Stand Safety Harness
Similar to our best-rated tree stand safety harness, this option offers plenty of comfort and no dangling straps that might get in your way. It’s also even lighter than our top pick, weighing in at just two pounds. The tether and waist buckles are shock-absorbing, and the harness offers a full five-year warranty, as well. Note that the padded shoulder, back, and waist sections feature individual padded hexagons to ensure long-lasting comfort.
The upper webbing is 1.25” for improved security, and the harness features a patented HSS design. The included cell phone pocket is also a nice addition, as it ensures easy access to your device without sacrificing security on your tree stand. You can also choose between Realtree Xtra camo or Black Ops. This tree stand harness comes with other accessories, including an instructional DVD, paper instructions, a lineman’s climbing strap, an adjustable tree strap, and suspension relief.
While this tree stand harness features an open design, it can also be worn over just about anything, ensuring that you’ve got an all-season asset.
Pros
- Lightweight and durable
- Includes a cell phone pocket
- Patented design eliminates dangling straps
- 1.25” upper body webbing
Cons
- No neck or shoulder coverage
- No clips
Summit Treestands Men’s Pro Safety Harness
The most minimalist tree stand harness on our list, Summit’s offering is a unique solution to tree stand security. It features X pattern shoulder straps with hexagonal padding. There’s also a padded waist strap. The hip straps are not padded, but provide ample support.
This tree stand harness is able to support up to 300 lbs. like our top two options. However, it only accommodates waist sizes 36 to 46 inches, which may leave some people with larger or smaller waists searching for a different option.
While it might be lacking in waist capabilities, this tree stand harness does come with a lineman’s climbing rope, and it features quick-lock buckles for safety. It also comes with a high-performance tether and a bungee tether. There’s a one-year warranty, and the harness also features military-style attachments to help you customize it with accessories.
Pros
- Minimalist design with no frills
- Comfortable
- Capable of supporting up to 300 lbs.
Cons
- Limited waist size capacity
- Warranty is only one year
Hunter Safety System Elite Vest Tree Stand Safety Harness
Yet another entry to our list from Hunter Safety System, this tree stand harness is designed for those who need a little extra protection during the fall and winter. It is designed with full shoulders and a mid-rise collar to help retain warmth. The entire harness is held together with a zippered front, as well.
You’ll find a wide range of benefits here, but what most hunters find of value is the selection of pockets. There are two deep well pockets, as well as two accessory pockets, and two handwarmer pockets.
This harness features a five-year warranty, and it comes with a lineman’s climbing strap, an adjustable tree strap, a suspension cord, and instructions (including a DVD). It also adjusts to fit almost any body shape thanks to the front stretch panels. The leg buckles are secure and the straps are comfortable while wearing. Plus, while the harness offers good warmth during cooler weather, it can also be worn over other clothing for even more comfort.
Pros
- Excellent cold weather protection
- Plenty of pockets for all your items
- 5-year warranty
- Fabric is designed for quiet in all seasons
Cons
- Not as minimal as some tree stand harnesses
- Heavier than other harnesses due to the extra fabric
Summit Treestands Men’s Sport Safety Harness
The most minimalist tree stand harness on our list, Summit’s offering is a unique solution to tree stand security. It features X pattern shoulder straps with hexagonal padding. There’s also a padded waist strap. The hip straps are not padded, but provide ample support.
This tree stand harness is able to support up to 300 lbs. like our top two options. However, it only accommodates waist sizes 36 to 46 inches, which may leave some people with larger or smaller waists searching for a different option.
While it might be lacking in waist capabilities, this tree stand harness does come with a lineman’s climbing rope, and it features quick-lock buckles for safety. It also comes with a high-performance tether and a bungee tether. There’s a one-year warranty, and the harness also features military-style attachments to help you customize it with accessories.
Pros
- Available in youth sizes
- Padded shoulder straps are comfortable
- Stealth features help keep you quiet
Cons
- Not as versatile as some other tree stand harnesses
- Comes with fewer accessories than other tree stand safety systems
Muddy Magnum Pro Harness
Made from lightweight nylon, this padded tree stand harness offers plenty of security within a form factor that straddles the minimalist line. It features padded shoulder straps and a padded back section, as well as three straps that connect to the waist and two leg straps. The tether strap is heavily reinforced for peace of mind, as well.
The leg straps feature cam buckles for ease of use, and the harness is capable of holding up to 300 lbs. However, note that there is only a single size available – one size fits most. Adjusting the harness to your frame requires loosening and tightening the chest, waist, and leg straps.
This hunting safety harness also comes with a lineman’s belt and climbing strap, and a tree strap. Finally, it uses no metal parts to help reduce noise while you’re hunting.
Pros
- No metal parts
- Up to 300 lbs. capacity
- Easily adjustable to your frame
Cons
- Short warranty
- One size fits most
Hunter Safety System Treestalker Safety Harness
If you’re in the market for an all-season safety harness that will help keep you comfortable when the temperature falls, this could be the right option for you. It is one of Hunter Safety System’s most advanced harnesses and uses smart fabric to wick away moisture while keeping you comfortable whether it’s warm or cold outside. The patented HSS design also means that there are no dangling straps that might compromise your safety in the tree.
One of the most interesting things about this harness is the fact that every part of it has been treated with Elimshield technology, which is designed to eradicate human scent. It can mean the difference between that buck catching wind of you and making the shot of a lifetime.
Other benefits of this safety harness include the 1.25” webbed shoulders, the reinforced straps, and the five-year warranty. It is designed to fit over whatever clothing you might want to wear, and comes with a lineman’s climbing strap, an adjustable tree strap, and a suspension strap, as well as instructions for safe use.
Pros
- Comfortable for use during all seasons, but warm enough for cold weather use
- 5-year warranty
- Comes with two front pockets
- Elimshield technology on all components
- Up to 3XL
Cons
- Bulkier and heavier than some harnesses
Whether you’re interested in something minimalist or something that can be worn throughout the year, there’s a tree stand safety harness on the market for you. However, if you have never used one before, you probably have additional questions. We’ve included a brief buying guide to help you make the best purchase decision possible.
How to Choose the Best Tree Stand Harness
Whether you’ve never used a tree stand harness before or this your first time buying one on your own, it can be confusing. With all the models on the market, how do you ensure that you’re getting something that will meet your needs? This buying guide will help to clear the air and ensure you have the safety system you need.
Why Use a Tree Stand Harness?
Let’s start with the most important question to answer. Why use a harness in the first place? Isn’t your tree stand stable enough that you don’t need to worry about it? Actually, it’s not. You should never ascend a tree without a safety harness. One of the most common injuries in hunting is from falling out of a tree stand, which can lead to broken legs, broken arms, even broken backs or death. Using a tree stand harness helps prevent you from becoming a statistic. There is no reason you should ever be in a tree stand without the correct safety gear. Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s consider what to look for when buying a harness.
Comfort and Fit
We’ll start with one of the more critical components of buying the right tree stand harness – comfort. While does comfort come before security? Simply put, if the harness is not comfortable, you’re less likely to wear it. So, it doesn’t matter how safe it keeps you if you don’t wear it.
When it comes to comfort, the most important thing is padding on the shoulder straps. Plenty of harnesses offer padding here, but you need to look beyond large pieces of foam sewn into the straps. The best tree stand harnesses will have individualized padded compartments. This helps to prevent the padding from shifting with use and ensures that it lasts longer.
You also need to consider the fit of the harness. It’s tempting to go with a model that’s a little on the big side, as it may offer additional room for drawing your bow or may seem like it would bind less while you’re sitting. Resist that temptation. You always want a harness that is as close to an exact fit as possible. A harness that is too large may actually cause greater injury if you were to fall. Most of the harnesses we listed in our reviews include size charts to help ensure that you’re able to get the best possible fit.
Securement Type
You will find that there are several different securement types within the industry. Many harnesses use a solid nylon strap to tether you to the tree. Others use a bungee strap. Which is better? A bungee strap is better for safety overall because it doesn’t bring you to a jarring stop. However, if you’re not that high up, you’ll want a solid strap, as a bungee can stretch quite a bit before finally arresting your fall.
Harness Type
You’ll notice that while the tree stand harnesses we covered in our reviews are all of one type. There’s a reason for that. Full-body tree stand harnesses are the best option and the only way to ensure your safety. Other styles of harness do not offer the same level of protection and are only slightly safer than not using a harness at all.
Construction Materials
Look for a tree stand safety harness that is made from durable, strong materials. Usually, this means reinforced nylon. Most natural fibers are not strong enough for the task. Buckles should be made from durable plastic, as well. Rubberized plastic is a nice option, too, as it ensures less weight, plenty of durability, and means that there are no metal buckles to click together and give away your position.
Size and Capacity
This might sound like a no-brainer, but it’s a critical consideration. Never use a tree stand safety harness that is not the correct size or that doesn’t support your weight. Most of the options on our list have a capacity of 300 lbs. but that is not the case with other harnesses.
Pockets and Clips
If you need to carry items with you, make sure that the harness you choose has at least a couple of pockets. For ultra-minimalist designs, you can use D clips to connect accessories directly to the harness instead of putting them in a pocket.
Concealment
Concealment is an important consideration when hunting, even when you’re on a stand dozens of feet above the forest floor. You’ll find plenty of camouflage options out there, as well as blackout styles depending on your needs. However, ensure that you’ve got your safety covered, as well – your orange vest is a vital part of staying safe from other hunters.
TMA Compliant
The Treestand Manufacturers Association is responsible for setting safety standards for both stands and harnesses. Make sure that the harness you choose is compliant with TMA standards. All the harnesses on our list are certified by the TMA so you can shop with peace of mind, but if you choose to buy a model not listed here, make sure to look for TMA certification.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, choosing the best tree stand harness is a personal thing. What’s best for you may not be right for someone else. This decision includes finding the right fit, considering the construction material, making sure that the weight capacity is correct, and that you have the right design for your hunting season.