Treestand accidents are the most common cause of injury among firearm and bowhunters.
An IHEA study found that nationally, 300 to 500 hunters are killed annually in tree stand accidents, and another 6,000 sustained injuries from falls from elevated hunting stands[1].
If you’re one of the thousands of hunters who use a treestand, you must take steps to protect yourself.
A safety harness is an excellent way to keep you secure while you try to land that trophy buck.
Here are our Top Picks for the Best Treestand Harness
A good harness is a crucial safety gear for any hunter who plans on using a treestand as part of their setup. Our favorite is the Hunter Safety System X-1 Bowhunter Treestand Safety Harness because it’s affordable, comfortable, and built to last.
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Our Top Recommended Treestand Harness
Best Overall: Hunter Safety System X-1 Bowhunter Treestand Safety Harness
This flexible harness allows you to move in all directions without discomfort or chafing while holding up to heavy wear and tear.
It weighs just 2.5 pounds and is thin enough to be worn under clothing or outdoor gear, making it ideal for year-round use.
Features:
- Designed for year-round comfort
- Lightweight yet durable
- Includes all of the accessories you need
With this harness, you get all the accessories you need to hook yourself up to an anchor and get hunting. It comes with a tree strap, a suspension relief strap, a detailed manual, and an instructional DVD.
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Best Lightweight Harness: Hunter Safety System Ultra-Lite Tree Stand Safety Harness
This lightweight harness is just 2 pounds and compact, making it easy to carry everywhere you go.
It’s also durable, with upper-body webbing to strengthen the shoulder straps. The tether and waist buckle are both designed to absorb shock without snapping.
Features:
- Under 2 pounds in weight
- Holds up against stress and shock
- Flexible and comfortable hexagon padding
The Hunter X-1 offers superior comfort, with hexagonal padding and flexible straps around the body. It comes in several different sizing options for men, women, and children to ensure a snug fit.
Best Odor-Eliminating Harness: Hunter Safety System Treestalker Safety Harness
This safety harness features a full vest design, making it ideal for keeping your core warm and dry in the winter.
During warmer months, smart fabrics keep you cool and comfortable. Fabric fibers are coated in sent-destroying ElimiShield to keep you hidden from your target.
Features:
- Snug vest design for year-round use
- Odor-eliminating technology
- Includes all the essential accessories
The Hunter Treestalker features right-fit zones to ensure it secures snugly around you. It fits comfortably over almost any outfit using convenient saddle-style leg straps and comes with a lineman’s climbing strap, an adjustable tree strap, suspension relief, and instructions for use.
Best Extra-Large Harness: Tree Spider Speed Harness
This extra-large harness is designed for users who need extra support but still want a lightweight option. Aluminum belt buckles and a shock-absorbing bungee tether can hold up against sudden drops.
The design is fully adjustable from just a single point and is thin enough to go either underneath or outside your clothing.
Features:
- Large, robust design can handle heavy weights
- Fully adjustable from a single point
- A convenient clip integration system
The Spider Speed Clips Integration System allows you to easily attach gear such as coats and scent-blockers to your harness without worrying about dropping them.
Best Budget Option: Muddy Magnum Pro Harness
This affordable and stylish harness makes an ideal choice for hunters operating on a budget.
It’s lightweight, making it easy to carry around, and composed of durable padded nylon for comfort. While there’s only one size, it’s adjustable to fit most body types.
Features:
- Budget-friendly
- Stylish and durable nylon design
- Comes with a variety of accessories
The Muddy Magnum comes complete with the necessary accessories, including a magnum harness, a lineman’s belt, a tree strap, and a suspension relief strap.
When the entire assembly is set up together, it has a weight capacity rating of 300 pounds.
Why Use a Treestand Harness?
Many hunters use a treestand harness for bow hunting, thanks to improved visibility and reduced exposure.
Many treestands are between 17 and 20 feet off the ground, which means that a fall can potentially cause some serious damage.
It might surprise you to learn that most hunting accidents are treestand-related. While many people think guns and bows are the biggest danger when hunting, more people are injured falling out of treestands than doing anything else.
Up to 5% of falls require medical attention, making treestands responsible for thousands of hospital visits yearly.
Most accidents occur during the climb up or down the treestand ladder, but there are plenty of other ways that hunters find themselves taking a tumble.
You’re more likely to fall in wet or icy weather, as it makes the surface of your treestand slippery. Some hunters even fall because they doze off after a few hours of watching for game.
Many people also fall trying to juggle the equipment into their backpack.
If you plan to use a treestand on your next hunting trip, you must ensure you have a hunter’s safety system to prevent slips and falls.
A treestand harness is by far the best way to protect yourself when up in the air.
Using a strong tether, a good hunting safety harness connects you to a tree or other lifeline. That way, even if your treestand collapses underneath you, the harness will catch you mid-air.
What to Look for in a Treestand Harness
Construction
Regarding harnesses for treestands, durability is one of the most important things to consider. One day, you may be betting your life on whatever is holding your hunting safety harness together.
The best hunters’ safety harnesses offer thick, well-built straps and strong buckles. Straps should be enough to withstand your weight and the stress of a sudden drop.
It’s best to look for something firm enough to hold well over your weight.
You don’t want anything too firm for comfort, however. Your harness should also be flexible enough to allow for easy movement.
A harness that’s too rigid may end up cutting or blood flow, which can be especially dangerous in areas such as the inner thigh.
It may also be a good idea to look for a harness with light padding for added comfort. You may be wearing it for a long period, and so it’s important to look for something that won’t bother you as you try to concentrate.
The Hunter Safety System X-1 Bowhunter Treestand Safety Harness uses innovative hexagonal padding to provide comfort without sacrificing durability.
If you plan on hunting in a warm area, the construction of your harness should include lightweight and breathable materials to promote healthy air circulation.
On the other hand, you may want to look for a harness with extra insulation for hunts in colder climates.
Size
Fit is another crucial factor to consider with a hunting harness. If the design is too tight, it may injure you during a fall. A tight harness can cut off blood circulation, which can end up leading to nerve and tissue damage. It may also cause bruising, chafing, and cuts around the straps.
Conversely, a harness that’s too loose can be just as problematic. While it might be more comfortable to wear, you’re much more likely to slip from a loose design if you fall.
Your harness needs to be tight enough to grip your body without squeezing it.
The best treestand harness models offer various size options to suit any body type. Most are also adjustable so that you can achieve a perfect fit.
You should always check the manufacturer’s weight recommendation to see if a harness can safely support you. Some options, such as the Muddy Magnum Pro Harness, only offer one size to fit all.
Material
Some materials aren’t suitable for safety harnesses, as they’re prone to wearing and fraying over time. It’s best to look for a safety harness that uses strong yet lightweight materials such as nylon and polyester.
In addition to the material used in a harness, you should also look at stitching. It should be tight and even, with no signs of missing or picked stitches.
No matter what your vest might be made out of, if the stitching is poor quality, it can cause the harness to fail.
Which Treestand Harness Wins?
Every time you use your treestand, you’re putting yourself at risk for accidental slips and falls. A hunting harness is the best way to protect yourself and ensure you come home safe and sound.
The Hunter Safety System X-1 Bowhunter Treestand Safety Harness is our favorite choice for the best treestand harness.
It’s more lightweight than options such as the Hunter Safety System Treestalker and more comfortable than models such as the Muddy Magnum Pro.
References:
[1] https://eu.jsonline.com/story/sports/columnists/paul-smith/2021/11/17/falls-tree-stands-leading-cause-injury-deer-hunters/8649237002/
FAQ
Should you wear a harness when hunting from a treestand?
Absolutely! I never leave the ground without strapping on a quality safety harness and securing it to the tree. If you hunt from any elevated stand that isn’t fully enclosed, a harness is a must!
What’s the best treestand harness out there?
Depends on your personal preference! For me, keeping it simple and comfortable is key. I like a harness that’s so easy to use I can throw it on at the truck without any fuss. It needs to be something I can wear comfortably for hours on end in the stand, too. The most high-tech safety harness doesn’t do any good just sitting in your pack or left behind in the truck.
Which harnesses are the lightest weight?
Weight isn’t a huge factor for most hunters. A rock climbing harness may be lighter if you hike way back in. But a tree saddle setup can also reduce weight by replacing your stand. Either way, use a harness!
Should you wear a harness in a ladder stand?
Absolutely, no question. I stay secured the entire time I’m off the ground – until I’m back on solid ground. A harness is essential for safety, no matter what type of stand you use. The key is finding a comfortable, easy-to-use harness that you’ll be inclined to wear every single hunt. Stay safe out there! Let me know if you have any other treestand safety questions.
