Not very long time ago, I wanted to purchase a new harness in order to substitute my old -and loved- harness, the Mammut Ophir. In that time, I wanted to have an all around harness, with emphasis on trad and multi-pitch climbing and therefore I got the Petzl ADJAMA.
Although the Petzl ADJAMA is a great and very comfortable harness, due to the fact most of the days I spend them on sport climbing crags, I also got the new Hirundos model by Petzl.
Petzl Hirundos 2022
The Petzl Hirundos harness is a popular choice among climbers due to its combination of comfort, versatility, and lightweight design. It is designed for climbers who want a high-quality and reliable harness that can adapt to different climbing styles, making it a versatile choice for climbers of all levels.
One of the standout features of the Petzl Hirundos harness is its comfort. The harness has a thin and breathable design that provides excellent ventilation, which makes it ideal for long climbing sessions. It also features a pressure-distributing construction that helps to evenly distribute the load across the hips, reducing discomfort and fatigue during climbs.
The Petzl Hirundos harness is also highly versatile, making it suitable for a wide range of climbing activities. Whether you are climbing on rock, ice, or mixed terrain, the harness can easily adapt to your needs. It is also suitable for both sport and trad climbing, as well as for use in a gym or on a via ferrata.
Another great feature of the Petzl Hirundos harness is its lightweight design. Weighing only 330g in L size, it is one of the lightest harnesses in its class, making it ideal for long alpine routes and multi-pitch climbs. The new Hirundos harness also features five gear loops, which provide enough space to store all the necessary climbing equipment.
Design & Materials
The Petzl Hirundos harness is designed to be comfortable, versatile, and lightweight. It features a sleek and minimalistic design that is both functional and aesthetic. The Harness is made with high-quality materials that are designed to withstand the rigors of climbing, ensuring that it can withstand repeated use.
The waistbelt and leg loops of the Petzl Hirundos are made with a breathable and durable mesh, which provides excellent ventilation and comfort, reducing discomfort and fatigue during climbs. This construction also allows for a pressure-distributing system, which helps to evenly distribute the load across the hips.
The harness’s tie-in points are reinforced with a durable material that is designed to withstand the high forces of a fall, providing a secure and durable attachment point. The harness is also equipped with five gear loops, which provide enough space to store all the necessary climbing equipment.
The Petzl Hirundos also has a double-back buckle, which provides a secure and easy-to-use closure system. This feature allows the climber to adjust the harness to their body shape, ensuring a snug fit and reducing the risk of the harness shifting during a climb.
In terms of weight, the Petzl Hirundos harness weighs only 330g in size L, making it one of the lightest harnesses in its class, ideal for long alpine routes and multi-pitch climbs. This allows the climber to move more efficiently, reducing fatigue and allowing for more endurance.
Fit, Comfort & Ergonomy
The Petzl Hirundos harness is designed to provide a comfortable and secure fit for climbers of all sizes. The harness features a pressure-distributing construction that help to evenly distribute the load across the hips, reducing discomfort and fatigue during climbs. The waistbelt and leg loops are made with a breathable and durable mesh, which provides excellent ventilation and comfort.
The Petzl Hirundos is designed to provide a comfortable and secure fit for a wide range of body types and sizes, making it a versatile choice for climbers of all levels. The harness’s design and materials have been developed to provide excellent ventilation, support and adjustability, which ensures that the climber can enjoy a comfortable and fatigue-free climb.
Petzl Hirundos Disadvantages
One disadvantage of the Petzl Hirundos is that it may be considered expensive for some climbers, especially for those on a tight budget. The harness’s price point may be out of reach for some, and they may opt for a more affordable option.
Another disadvantage is that the Petzl Hirundos is not designed with ice climbing in mind. The harness does not feature any ice clipper attachments and the gear loops are not as stiff as those found on ice-specific harnesses, which can make it more difficult to clip and unclip ice screws.
The Petzl Hirundos is also not as adjustable as some other harnesses on the market. The leg loops are not adjustable, which means that the harness may not fit as well for climbers with a wide range of body types.
Finally, the Petzl Hirundos is not as durable as some other harnesses on the market. The breathable mesh used in the construction of the harness may wear out more quickly than other materials, which may require replacement of the harness sooner than expected.
Features:
- Lightweight and freedom of movement:
– Thin, flexible, and lightweight waistbelt suited for athletic climbers for total freedom of movement
– flexible leg loop bridge for maximum comfort when climbing or during the approach
– Elasticized leg loops allow the harness to permanently maintain its fit - Comfortable when hanging:
– FUSEFRAME construction with closed-cell thermoformed foam for consistent comfort throughout the lifespan of the harness
– Waistbelt has smooth-seamed edges for increased comfort
– Breathable, moisture-wicking interior fabric - Versatile, for climbing or mountaineering:
– Two semi-rigid front gear loops for easy clipping and unclipping of quickdraws
– Two flexible rear gear loops, angled to bring gear to the front and comfortable when carrying a backpack
– Rear accessory loop for chalk bag, shoes, quick link, trail line, or other gear
– Capable of racking ice screws with the addition of one or multiple CARITOOL EVO ice screw holders
– Waistbelt equipped with a DOUBLEBACK HD buckle for fluid glide of the webbing and quick, easy adjustment
– Durable exterior fabric and DOUBLEBACK HD adjustment buckle to optimize lifespan
– Reinforced tie-in points in high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) for improved abrasion resistance and great durability
– Harness is compact when folded down
– Adjustable and detachable leg loop elastics
Technical Specs
- Material(s): Nylon, polyester, EVA, polyurethane, aluminum, high-modulus polyethylene
- Certification(s): CE EN 12277 type C, UKCA, UIAA
Check our more Mountaineering Gear Reviews
If you would like to see what other mountaineering gear I mostly use on my activities, feel free to check out the following links:
- La Sportiva Katana 2022 Climbing Shoes Review
- Petzl Quark Ice Axe Review
- Mammut Ophir Speedfit Harness Review
- Mammut Wall Rider Helmet Review
- Simond Mountaineering Gloves Review
- Petzl Altitude Harness Review
- Salewa Ice Axe Tex X Review
- Lowe Alpine Mountain Attach 35-35 lt Backpack Review
- Black Diamond Hotwire Quickdraw Review
- La Sportiva Otaki Climbing Shoes Review
- Simond Rock+ Climbing Shoes Review
- Black Diamond Zone Climbing Shoes Review
- Camp Mach Express Alpine Quickdraw Review
- The North Face Verto 27 Backpack Review
- Simond Alpinism 22 Backpack Review
- Climbing Technology Lime Quickdraw Review
- Cassin Alpinist Tech Crampon Review
- Wild Country Rocks Nuts Review
Disclosure: Product(s) discussed in this article were purchased by Olympus Mountaineering from a retailer. I do not accept compensation or donated product in exchange for media placement or product review coverage.
Olympus Mountaineering 
Nice review!
I tried the adjustable leg loop of the hirundos, the Aquila, and I find that the two front gear loop were off centered. I mean that the my don’t fall at the same place on each side of the body. When I look at your pictures it seems to also be the case with the Hirundos. How is it when you use it? This lack of symmetry is weird 🫤
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Thank you for your feedback on my review.
Regarding your observation about the off-center gear loops on the Petzl Hirundos, I have not personally experienced any issues with this during my use of the harness. However, it’s worth noting that every individual’s body shape and size is different, so the placement of the gear loops may feel slightly different from person to person.
In general, Petzl designs their gear loops to be positioned slightly towards the front of the harness, which is meant to help keep gear within easy reach. If you find that the off-center positioning is uncomfortable or awkward for you, it may be worth considering other harness options with gear loops that are positioned more centrally.
Ultimately, it’s important to find a harness that fits comfortably and securely for your specific body shape and climbing needs, so don’t be afraid to try out different options and see what works best for you.
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