How to correctly use Petzl harness, inspection, donning and setup with instructional pictures.
Sama 2014
Description
The SAMA harness is ideal for sport climbing. With its EndoFrame construction, it provides excellent weight distribution around the waist and legs to ensure greater comfort. The fitted elastic leg loops offer complete freedom of movement. The DoubleBack buckle on the waistbelt ensures quick and easy adjustment. The tie-in points are made of Dyneema for improved resistance to rope friction.
EndoFrame construction guarantees excellent weight distribution for optimal comfort:
- waistbelt and leg loops with doubled straps
- waistbelt wider on the sides
Specific stitching on the waistbelt minimizes hard spots and chafing
DoubleBack buckle allows quick and easy waistbelt adjustment
Dyneema tie-in points for excellent resistance to rope friction
Fitted elastic leg loops give complete freedom of movement
Four equipment loops: two rigid ones in front for quick and easy access to equipment and two flexible ones in the rear to avoid creating pressure points with a backpack
Two slots for CARITOOL tool holder
Rear loop for haul rope
Detachable leg loop elastics
Retail price
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Weight (g)WeightIn 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. | 370 g M : 370 g / 13.1 oz |
Fit | Men |
Sizes | S, M, L, XL |
Gear LoopsNumber of Gear LoopsGear loops are used to hold gear (quickdraws, cams, etc) onto your harness. 4 gear loops is most common. 0 - 1 Gear LoopsMost often on full body harnesses or guide/gym style harnesses. 2-3 Gear LoopsMostly found on lighter harnesses made for [ski] mountaineering or high-end sport climbing where weight is a high priority. 4 - 5 Gear LoopsThe standard/most common number for climbing harnesses. Perfect for sport and trad. More Than 6 Gear LoopsDesigned for long multi-pitch and big wall climbing, found on harnesses made to hold the maximum amount of gear. Worth ConsideringOccasionally, 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 SlotsIce Clip SlotIce 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 | None (it stretches) |
Drop Seat | Yes |
Haul LoopHaul LoopTrad 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 | S |
No reviews yet.
The Sama is a specialized sport climbing tool that will provide climbers with a high level of comfort and freedom of movement. While climbers who practice a wide variety of disciplines might look for a more versatile harness for their one-harness quiver, intermediate and expert climbers looking for a sport climbing specific harness that can stand up to the abuse of red pointing should definitely check out this product.
The unique waist belt design and elastic leg loops create a sport climbing harness that achieves what is in my mind a perfect balance between comfort and performance.
Petzl has re-imagined its flagship SAMA harness to create one of the most comfortable and affordable set-ups on the market. The new SAMA is pimped primarily as a sport-climbing harness, but I call it one of the better all-around rigs I’ve worn.
Performance: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” was not the mantra of the Petzl designers. With significant waistbelt, buckle, and gear-loop upgrades, Petzl took our bolt-minded testers’ old favorite and made it hall-of-fame worthy. With wider sides and a narrower back, the new waistbelt scored top marks for comfort and freedom of movement. “The padded sides protected the sensitive parts of my stomach during falls at Shelf Road, Colorado, but I felt unencumbered when I needed to do twisting cross-through moves,” one tester said. Another favorite was the new waist adjustment system. “The wider webbing was easy to grab and pull, even when my fingers were torched, and the new DoubleBack Light buckle is the quickest auto-doubled-back buckle I’ve ever used,” he said. The front gear loops are rigid and stick out from the harness, which was great for quick, fumble-free clips; the rear loops are more flexible, so they lay flat and stay out of the way—perfect for wearing with a pack on long routes. Petzl updated four harnesses for both men and women with all these same features: Sama/Selena with fixed leg loops, and Adjama/Luna with adjustable leg loops for mountaineering.
Cons: A bit stiff at first, but broke in after a few wears. Although it is lined with wicking mesh on the inside, testers found the quarterinch- thick foam less breathable than others.
Conclusion: Built for working sport projects, this harness has the comfort for all-day wear in the waistbelt and the svelteness of a “sending only” rig with the fixed leg loops.
One of two speed-buckle rigs we reviewed, the Sama rivals the Geko for striking a fine balance between comfort and mobility thanks to its ample-for-its-weight padding and contoured fit. The Sama also shares the Geko’s optimal gear-loop combo of molded loops fore and woven loops aft. The swami sports slots for Petzl’s Caritool ice-tool/screw-rackingcarabiner, which adds to the rig’s versatility. In the interest of that same versatility, this harness would have been pretty near perfect if it had a full-strength haul loop. The Sama shares the Arc’teryx Vapor’s foible of stick-skinny leg loops, but in this case larger-size loops are unfortunately not available. Petzl does make a sub-14-ounce adjustable-leg-loop harness, the Adjama.
This video goes over the different features of the harnesses in Petzl's line -- talking about the difference in mens/womens versions and the type of climbing you're doing.
Warning: This video is dubbed in English. If you're getting antsy, skip to section 7:40-8:15 for one of the most interesting parts, where they show a hardware specific camera inspection.
Describes with words and helpful photos, how to protect your harness.