Sitta 2023
Description
Harness for pros and experts, for intensive use on any terrain.
High end climbing and mountaineering harness, offering maximum compactness, light weight and comfort. The WIREFRAME Technology construction of the SITTA harness uses Spectra® strands in the waistbelt and leg loops to ensure optimal load distribution and excellent comfort. This highly technical harness gives the climber total freedom of movement.
Description:
WIREFRAME Technology construction:
- Spectra® strands are used in the waistbelt and leg loops to give optimal load distribution without the use of foam
- the extremely thin waistbelt and leg loops offer a sleek design, with compactness and light weight pushed to the maximum.
Comfort and durability:
- the use of bonded fabric in the waistbelt avoids pressure points and gives optimal wear resistance
- the lack of through stitching eliminates chafe and pressure points in the waistbelt
- the elasticized fixed leg loops and very supple leg loop bridge give great freedom of movement
Easy adjustment:
- DoubleBack HD buckle in forged aluminum has a slim, rounded design that offers good handling and smooth strap glide for quick and easy waistbelt adjustment.
- the ribbed adjustment strap helps prevent accidental loosening
Fully equipped:
- reinforced tie-in points in high-tenacity polyethylene for improved resistance to wear from rope friction
- two rigid high-capacity front equipment loops
- a removable separator for organized racking and quick and easy access to your equipment
- two supple rear equipment loops to avoid creating pressure points when wearing a pack
- two integrated CARITOOL tool holder slots
- rear loop for haul rope
Eco-designed harness, made with Bluesign fabric, which respects the objectives of optimizing resource productivity, consumer safety, professional hygiene and security, and of reducing air emissions and water pollution.
Retail price
This Product is Hard to Find.
We don’t know where you can buy this item online in the US. We’ll continue to check all the major retailers and will update this page as soon as we find one.
If you know where to find this online in the US, let us know, and we’ll add the link.
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. | 270 g S : 255 g / 8.9 oz |
Fit | Unisex |
Sizes | XS, 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 (will fit the upper range of XS) |
The Petzl Sitta’s extremely lightweight and streamlined build makes it a popular option for sport climbers who are looking to shed every ounce and feel free in their movement. Ice clipper attachment points, gear loop dividers and its compact size make it attractive for ice and alpine climbers who want a simple yet effective harness. The lightweight construction of the Sitta comes at the expense of comfort during extended hang sessions and its ability to carry large amounts of heavy gear for trad or multi-pitch climbs.
The Petzl Sitta is the most versatile harness that we have tested, in large part due to its extremely light weight and amazing packability. Not only do these qualities make it a great choice for alpine and mountaineering expeditions when all weight must be carried in, but they also add to its mobility. We found nothing about this harness that we didn't like, except its price tag, but sometimes you need to pay more to get the best.
The Petzl Sitta is an excellent lightweight harness that performs well across all climbing disciplines. While I have some personal preferences that the Sitta doesn’t perfectly align with (primarily in the configuration of the gear loops), those do not detract from the comfort or the overall performance of the harness. But is the Sitta’s comfort, weight, and performance worth an extra $100 when compared to budget harnesses? That’s a question that you’ll need to answer by looking at your personal priorities. For me, $100 buys gas from my house in Bozeman to the Bugaboos. Or two weeks of food in Indian Creek. Or a well-constructed, high-performance, lightweight harness that will stand up to heavy use across a wide range of climbing disciplines. For me, I think the Sitta’s cost is justified since it gives me one harness to use for all my climbing pursuits, and it also happens to be one of the lightest all-round harnesses on the market.
In a nutshell the SITTA is a lightweight fixed leg loop harness designed primarily for mountain and big route use. It has four gear loops and a small rear haul loop; two attachment points for ice screw clippers; a reinforced belay loop (reassuringly there has been no weight saving here - thanks Petzl!); elasticated leg loops and an exceedingly comfortable waist belt secured by a single speed buckle.
Without question the first thing you will notice when holding this harness in hand is how unbelievably light it is. My size large weighs in at 10.5 ounces (or 294 grams) on my home digital scale. Manufacturer specifications indicate a size large is 300 grams (10.58 ounces), so I’d say the claimed weight is easily met! The only similar featured harnesses on the market in this category are the Arcteryx FL-365 which weighs in at 365 grams / 12.9 ounces (size not given) and the CAMP Air CR which weights in at 350 grams / 12.3 ounces (size medium).
I have now used the Sitta harness for both ice and rock climbing, and I am impressed with its’ functionality. Especially on long multi-pitch routes where weight savings are critical, the Sitta is my tool of choice. The gear loops are large enough to hold rock protection and quick draws, and ice clippers can be attached is needed.
Most climbing is done in a harness, and when you decide which one is right for your needs, the SITTA should be high on the list. Despite the strikes against it (high price, no adjustable leg loops, easy tangling in a pack), this is an exceptional harness that is comfortable, versatile, and plenty light.
Like most Petzl products, this harness looks damn good. And there is also lot of useful technology below the surface. Packing down to the size of a burrito, this harness follows the mountaineering ethos: reduce weight, reduce bulk. Yet the majority of the design decisions are devoted to increasing comfort for all climbers, as Petzl’s quest for the lightest and most comfortable harness continues.
The gear loops are cleverly designed, with variable stiffness based on positioning. The front two gear loops also have a removable divider, which is useful for racking different types of gear or lengths of quickdraws. I found myself using the divider mostly to rank draws with different sized carabiners. While it does not sound like a huge deal, having something there to prevent large carabiner quickdraws from ‘swallowing’ the smaller ones is a godsend when you desperately want to pull out the right one to clip. There is a small rear haul loop, great for pulling up an extra line when guiding to set up a nearby top rope, or pulling up a static line to be jugged up. The leg loops are elasticized and fit well regardless of layering, and the harness feels just as comfortable in shorts as it does against insulated pants.
- 1 of 2
- next ›
How to use Sitta harness correctly, inspection and additional information with instructional pictures.