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 The Aquila 2021 is technically retired but it's still sold online. You've found a page of history! The Aquila 2021 is no longer produced by Petzl. We're showing it as "available" on WeighMyRack because you can still find it at trustworthy online retailers.

 The Aquila 2021 is technically retired but it's still sold online. You've found a page of history! The Aquila 2021 is no longer produced by Petzl. We're showing it as "available" on WeighMyRack because you can still find it at trustworthy online retailers.

Petzl Aquila Harness
  • Petzl Aquila Harness
  • Petzl Aquila Harness
  • Petzl Aquila Harness
  • Petzl Aquila Harness
  • Petzl Aquila Harness

Aquila 2021

Rating

My vote: None ( 5 avg )

Description

Very comfortable climbing and mountaineering harness for gym, crag and multi-pitch performance climbing

The very comfortable AQUILA harness is designed for performance climbing in the gym, at the crag or on a multi-pitch route. The wide waistbelt and adjustable leg loops adapt perfectly to larger body types, in any season. The slim, sleek design offers complete freedom of movement with minimal weight. The four equipment loops provide sufficient space for the required equipment. The tie-in points are made of high-modulus polyethylene for improved resistance to rope friction and for greater durability of the harness.

Description

  • Maximum comfort for long suspensions and for larger body types:
    - wide waistbelt adapts to larger body types for better weight distribution
    - FUSEFRAME technology offers a thin and supple waistbelt for complete freedom of movement with minimal weight
    - leg loops adjust with DoubleBack HD buckles for quick adaptation to different body types and to seasonal clothing
    - supple leg loop bridge for maximum comfort when climbing
  • Optimized transport of equipment:
    - two rigid equipment loops in front for easy clipping and unclipping of quickdraws
    - two rear equipment loops are flexible, for bringing gear to the front and for comfort when carrying a backpack
  • Reinforced for durability:
    - reinforced tie-in points in high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) for improved resistance to wear from rope friction
    - waistbelt and leg loops equipped with DoubleBack HD buckles in forged aluminum, offering good grip and fluid glide of the webbing for easy and quick adjustment 
    - durable, abrasion-resistant exterior fabric

Specifications

  • Material(s): nylon, polyester, EVA, polyurethane, aluminum, high-modulus polyethylene
  • Harness comes in a protective carry bag

Retail price

US$ 134.95

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Weight (g)

Weight

In grams, the weight, as stated by the manufacturer/brand.

If there are differences in weight (due to multiple sizes or optional accessories) we'll list them here.

The default weight is the middle-most size, often this is size M.

365 g

XS : 320 g / 11.3 oz
S : 345 g / 12.2oz
M : 365 g / 12.9 oz
L : 400 g / 14.1 oz
XL : 425 g / 15.0 oz
(weight converted from grams to ounces)

Fit Unisex
Sizes XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
Gear Loops

Number of Gear Loops

Gear loops are used to hold gear (quickdraws, cams, etc) onto your harness. 4 gear loops is most common.

0 - 1 Gear Loops

Most often on full body harnesses or guide/gym style harnesses.

2-3 Gear Loops

Mostly found on lighter harnesses made for [ski] mountaineering or high-end sport climbing where weight is a high priority.

4 - 5 Gear Loops

The standard/most common number for climbing harnesses. Perfect for sport and trad.

More Than 6 Gear Loops

Designed for long multi-pitch and big wall climbing, found on harnesses made to hold the maximum amount of gear.

Worth Considering

Occasionally, the number of gear loops will change on a harness model depending on the size. There could be 7 gear loops for the med/large but only 5 gear loops for the xsmall/small. In this case we list the highest number for the filters, and then write an explanation on the product page like, “Size S/XS can only fit 5 gear loops.”

4 Gear loops
Ice Clip Slots

Ice Clip Slot

Ice clipper slots are made to fit a carabiner that holds ice screws. These slots are generally only used by ice climbers but there is no disadvantage to having them on your harness.

Less than 40% of harnesses will have ice clipper slots. And those harnesses will usually have 2 or 4 slots, often located next to, or between, the gear loops.

Yes, 2
Belay / Tie-In One Loop
Waist Buckle Type Quick Adjust
Leg Buckle Type Quick Adjust
Drop Seat Yes
Haul Loop

Haul Loop

Trad climbers often look for a haul loop as they're intended to haul a rope (second line) or pack (while you climb the chimney).

A haul loop can also hold shoes or other accessories. Although not the intended use, it is also commonly used to hold a chalk bag.

Yes  (0kN)
Certification CE, EN, UIAA
Size Chart

XS
Waist : 65-71 cm / 25.6-28 in
Legs : 46-56 cm / 18.1-22 in
S
Waist : 71-77 cm / 28-30.3 in
Legs : 48-58 cm / 18.9-22.8 in
M
Waist : 77-84 cm / 30.3-33.1 in
Legs : 52-62 cm / 20.5-24.4 in
L
Waist : 84-92 cm / 33.1-36.2 in
Legs : 55-65 cm / 21.7-25.6 in
XL (will fit the lower range of XXL)
Waist : 92-100 cm / 36.2-39.4 in
Legs : 57-67 cm / 22.4-26.4 in
(we converted centimeters to inches)

AVG RATING
5.04
( 5 avg )
Rating
5.04
( 5 avg )

Cups my apple cheeks juuust right

Pros
Comfortable while carrying a double rack
Comfortable at hanging belays
Lightweight for the amount of padding
Big gear loops compared to some competitor models on the market currently
Cons
The white heat transferred details started peeling off relatively quickly
Expensive
Familiarity
I’ve used it a bunch

This harness is lightweight for the amount of padding it has, and I find it far more comfortable to wear when carrying a large rack, or at hanging belays, then models that use integral webbing rechnology without padding.  The gear loops are generous compared to the smaller gear loops found on a l

ot of harnesses these days.  The only cons from my POV is it is expensive, and the white heat transfers started peeling off quite quickly which made it look older than it was too quickly.

gear institute logo no rating given just a review

The Petzl Aquila is lightweight and packed with features, making it attractive for a wide range of climbers. Sport climbers will appreciate the comfort, easy movement and smooth buckles. Traditional climbers will enjoy the easy to access gear loops and durable tie-in points.

Outdoor Gear Lab Gear Review rating 3/5

With its versatile feature set, the Aquila can be used for most styles of climbing, with trad being the one style that we would avoid due to not having enough usable racking space. It is probably most suited for alpine mixed climbing and mountaineering, provided your warm clothes don't force you to loosen the leg loops up too much. It also makes for a pretty nice sport climbing harness, and it would work well in the gym as well.

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The UIAA equipment standard provides a baseline for equipment performance in a test lab under controlled conditions on new equipment. Although these test conditions are relevant to the conditions encountered climbing, conditions encountered at the crags and the condition of the equipment are equally important. This recommendation from the UIAA member federation The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) provides vital equipment information that is NOT explicitly addressed in the standard, particularly failure modes of the equipment and recommendations for the use, inspection, maintenance, and retirement of equipment.