Pros:
• Comfortable
• Affordable
• Great gear loops
• Durable
• Really safe

Cons:
• It's a little difficult to take on and off, (compared to other harnesses I've used) but that just means it's gonna stay on when you want it to.

As far as bang for your buck goes, you really can't beat this thing. It's a great harness, and if you're looking to buy your first harness, definitely pick one of these up.

I've only done indoor climbing for just over a week now but this harness fits me fine and is as comfortable as I could ask for. Perfect value for indoor stuff although I really can't say how it would handle the outdoors.

Climbed indoors with it for 3 hrs and I never felt it. The price is great for such a nice harness. If you wear a 32 in jeans definitely go with the large so you can tuck away the excess waist loop. I had ordered the md. but the band was about 1/2 in. from being able to be tucked away. It annoyed me, so I ordered the lrg.

it will do the trick that's for sure. the bd momentum is practically the only harness i see in the climbing gyms..because it's such great value. great price with excellent functionality.

For the money, you can't go wrong with this one. Fits good and is comfortable. It doesn't have the fancy adjustments of higher end models but for me it's been "set it and forget it" - I haven't had to make any adjustments after getting the fit right the first climb. Good value harness

I bought this elsewhere, before I found BackCountry.com (for the same price) and thought I should leave a review. It is the second harness I tried on at the shop, and I immediately knew I was taking it home. I usually wear 31-33 pants size, so I thought I would need a Medium. I was wrong so I went with a large. It is perfect. Before ordering, measure over your clothes. It is comfortable, and everything is adjustable. Like I said, Great harness.

For the money, this is the one you need. I've done winter rappelling and felt like I was sitting in a La-Z-Boy recliner. Seriously, the worst part of climbing for me now is getting back on the wall from the comfortable sitting position. It's tough, adjustable, tough, comfortable, tough, well-made, and tough!

I really like this harness.

It's tough.

works well even under my pack for mountaineering trips and is more than comfortable for sport climbing. large fits me with all my winter gear on and with just shorts and a t-shirt. plenty of gear loops. I highly recommend it.

Like the other reviewers, the Momentum AL by BD is a fantastic and affordable harness for your rock/ice climbing needs. I've found that its pretty darn durable and very light (didn't notice it while climbing some of the Flat Irons in Boulder). I've had little problems putting it on or off and it can become rather compact for a trek, if you so choose. Honestly, I've trusted the value I get from Black Diamond for years now and bottom line: this harness didn't disappoint me.

This is the first harness i've purchased so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I couldn't be happier with it! The momentum is very comfy; I could wear it all day long. The four gear loops come in handy all the time, and the adjustable leg loops make for a perfect fit. Good piece of gear from Black Diamond!

This harness is very simple but very useful. I sport, trad and ice climb in it and it never lets me down. I also like how the gear loops stick out a bit, very useful.

I've had this for about a year and a half now and find it perfect as a general use beater harness. It's very comfortable thanks to the abundant padding. I've never had any painful experiences taking falls in it. So far it's shown very little wear and tear. The leg and waist buckles are easy enough to operate, nothing special though.

For the amazing price it's a great value. It works well for all types of climbing so I highly recommend it for any beginner. You won't be disappointed.

Only gripe is that it is bulky and does not pack down small. You never forget you are wearing it even after a full day and it takes up a lot of pack space, but this is a tradeoff for the durable and comfortable construction.

There are several "improvements" that could be made but each of those would make it more of a specialized harness and ruin it's all-around quality. The harness is heavy, but lightening it would sacrifice comfort and make it more applicable to sport or mountaineering. Making it more easily adjustable or fancier technologies would just make it more expensive.

Definitely great as it is for the starting climber.

I got the bright idea to buy 2 of these - one for myself and one for whoever is belaying me. I sent mine back but my belayer (g/f) is happy with hers.

Its a good starter harness, but when I was in it for any length of time, I was wishing I purchased a bit more of a substantial harness with a little more area / padding. I have since done so and I am waiting for my partner to want the same.

Comparing to several other BD harnesses, I can note that this is a very light / thin harness which is great for not taking up space, etc, but when hanging at a belay or rapping, I was always wishing for a bit more padding / wider webbing.

This also had 3 buckles where you need to double back - good for feeling secure but it is a pia to put on. I prefer the speed buckles and fixed leg loops as its easier to put on and takes away the natural tenancy to over tighten your leg loops.

I used this harness as I was starting out climbing, because it came relatively cheap, and was pretty comfortable to sit in for a minute or two. I had it for a year, and over that time lost enough weight to need a smaller size, so the XL I had wouldn't fit anymore. I tried my friends exact same harness in the L and it just didn't ever feel comfortable. I didn't like the leg loops for longer hangs, as it dug in but at least never rode up. I will still give it 4/5 since it is a really good harness, and perfect for a budget or entry level climber. The gear loops are solid and stay in a very good spot for grabbing draws. The buckles are effective at doubling back, but I wish that there was an easy marker to show your partner you had it proper, like some harnesses that say danger or have red. I put red tape on mine for a good visual, and since it is now my spare/loaner harness.

Great harness. I own 2 of these, one for work and one for personal climbing. I use this harness for everything except glacier travel. I would recommend this to anyone who does rock or ice climbing as it is incredible when weighted and not the least bit uncomfortable

I first used this harness during a belay class, it's a great harness for any starting climber. I spent a couple hours in it climbing and taking holds off a rock wall at school, and I started to feel it in my crotch and hamstrings. Still, it is a great harness and it won't make a dent in your wallet. I would recommend to it anyone.

Bought this, climbed it once, and took it back. I know a ton of people love this thing but I really was not a fan. The fit was wierd and I didnt like the way the leg loops rode up. I bought this as a replacement for my Petzl Corax, when I took it back I ended up getting another Corax and have been much happier with it. Overall I this harness wasn't terrible, it just wasnt for me.

I had been climbing with an alpine harness, but a couple of falls convinced me that I needed a more "supportive" harness. This harness is light, comfortable, and the right price. I noticed some complaints about the adjustments. I actually have more confidence in the "old-style" double-back adjustments. They're actually quite easy to adjust compared to other harnesses with the same type of adjustment. If you want something that adjusts faster, the Momentum Speed Adjust only costs slightly more.

For those who are beginners and know their stuff enough to start buying gear, this is a great and comfortable option with an adjustable leg option that, though makes things a bit bulkier and may take a little longer to putz with at first, won't be a problem in the long run. Once you set your leg loops, disregarding major changes in what you wearing (more layers) the leg loops won't have to be changed, so this is a non-problem. It worked great for me for my first harness and still is a comfortable alternative to a high performance sport harness.

This is just the harness I was looking for. Its a great value and works great! I mostly climb in gyms, and this is comfortable all day long. I highly recommend it.

This harness is so great to use. I is super comfortable. the 3 guys that I climb with on a regular basis all have this harness.

Good harness. I use it for gym climbing and outdoor sport. It is comfortable, light weight, and looks good in the tequila gold. The adjustable leg loops are key to a comfortable fit with shorts, pants, or kilts. It took a bit of getting used to with the buckles on the left hip but fits well. If you tighten the waist too much it seems to offset the front tie in points. all in all, i am glad i purchased and i look forward to it catching my falls for the next few years!

This is a great harness! When we would go repelling in the past, my friend let me borrow is momentum harness and I loved it so much I had to buy my own. Comfortable, affordable and looks pretty cool too.

You can probably go without the adjustable leg loops, but they add a little versatility in case you also use them on winter with thick pants. Other than that its pretty light and comfortable.

Seriously guys. Its a humble little harness that gets the job done and doesnt give you any lip. Comfy, secure, perfect for beginners or experts alike. And you cant beat the price! I know climbers who bought this as a backup and started using it as their primary because they liked it so much.
You cant go wrong with it.
Get one.
Climb.
Be happy.

This Harness is amazing, and can't be any more comfortable then it is. It is nothing but extrodinary and you get what you pay for and more. Very Comfortable and easy to get on.

this is a great starting harness. i have only used for indoor use but it is very comffy and light.

I'm very happy with this harness. After I bought my sister the Primrose AL for her birthday, I decided to pick up the male version for myself because I was so impressed with the shape and design of hers. The harness that I was using before was an old Mammut gig that I bought in one of those starter packages (harness, chalk back, belay device and locking biner) way back when I was in high school. I don't want to knock Mammut harnesses because I understand they make some wonderful products (and I'm pretty sure that they stopped making the terrible harness that I bought years ago), but my new BD harness is about half the weight, far more comfortable, and it doesn't scare the living daylights out of me every time I lean back to the sound of the velcro joining the front padding together ripping, making me think the harness is coming undone. The gear loops are much burlier on this harness, giving me the confidence to clip my new expensive cams to them, and I love the full strength haul loop--it gives that extra assurance and also flexibility for certain advanced rescue scenarios. All in all I'm very happy that I upgraded to a new harness, especially since I now have my old one as a spare for lending out to new climbers.

For 50 bucks, this is one of the best buys you can find. Compared to others around its price range, it is lighter and more comfortable. Definitely recommend as a first harness. This thing works for almost any type of climbing, plus its taken all my abuse.

Seems to be a popular first harness for a lot of people for some great reasons. Cheap, adjustable, and comfy. I have since upgraded and realized that this harness did pinch the manparts a bit more during a hard fall than some other harnesses out there, but it could have been worse. Once it's been readjusted after a hard fall, it's still comfy enough to hang in for a long time. I still grab this one as a gym harness as it doesn't cause any issues for me while toproping. For the cost of this harness, it's a good deal and is especially a great choice for a new climber that wants a comfy harness without dropping a larger budget.

This is a great harness, all things considered. It is light, but comfortable. The 4 gear loops and a plush waist-belt make me happy. It is hard to go wrong with the Momentum AL for the price.

What more can you ask for for 50 bucks? Very comfortable, very versatile, and it looks sweet!

I had the old silver version of this harness--first harness I ever bought. Awesome! Super versatile--rock, ice...it's all good. And extremely comfortable.

Highly recommend for the price, comfort, and stability. Def. make sure you order within your waist size, and NOT your comfortable pant size. I'm prob. a 32 in. waist and I got a large...should of got a M. Woops.

This harness is a great value. It's comfortable, holds plenty of gear, and has solid construction. I've taken a few longer lead falls on it and it's been fine through each.

What a great harness comfertable easy to ajust and put on just a great all around harness.

What a great harness comfertable easy to ajust and put on just a great all around harness.

What a great harness comfertable easy to ajust and put on just a great all around harness.

What a great harness comfertable easy to ajust and put on just a great all around harness.

This was my first Harness and i love it. I climbed 3-4 days this week in Oregon and it was comfy all the time. It feels comfy if your lead climbing, belaying or top roping. After a summer of climbing i see no wear or tear on it. The only thing is that the gear loops seem kinda weak but that just might be from hauling multiple ropes up at one time. But overall a great harness!

Love this harness. I've been using the Momentum AL harness for close to six years now (not the same one for that entire time) and have loved its versatility and comfort. This harness has served me well in all situations; sport, trad, ice/mixed and mountaineering. It's also passed two of the toughest tests I think a harness can go through in terms of all day comfort...belaying clients on top-rope for days at a time and working all day challenge courses.

If your looking for a one-quiver harness to excel in any situation you might find yourself in, consider the Momentum AL...you won't be disappointed.

This is a great harness for everyone from newby to pro. It has all the features you need at a low price. You can hang around all day in this thing without discomfort. It is pretty much a no brainer!

I've never been disappointed with any Black Diamond product I've used. The momentum harness is perfect for the casual climber or someone just getting into the sport. It's easy to use, comfortable and sturdy. High quality, good price. I recommend it for anyone.

So I've grown out of my 20 year old Petzl harness, and this looked like a nice option. I love the adjustable leg loops, partly because it's easy to put the harness on over any clothing you might be wearing, but mostly because I don't feel like I'm trying to wiggle into really tight underpants like it was with my fixed leg loops. Also, this has a real haul loop on the back, 4 gear loops, and it's the perfect balance between comfort, light weight, and affordability.

This is a wicked awesome harness! The buckles are easily adjustable, and the waist/leg straps are ridiculously comfortable. I do a lot of hanging while maintaining our tree course, and I have yet to be uncomfortable in this harness.
The sizing chart, in my opinion is a bit off, I wear a 36 pant and originally bought the XXL harness. It was way too big. So I bought the XL and that fits great.
Would most definitely recommend this harness.

Like all Black Diamond gear, this harness is solid. Granted, it doesn't have the quick adjust feature of higher end models, but for the price, it really can't be beat. And do you really NEED that feature? I wouldn't look anywhere else for a first harness or for an inexpensive extra.

This is the first harness I've owned and for the price you can't go wrong. Easy adjustments will confirm a snug fit in any weather. I haven't felt any pinching or binding at any time while wearing it. The only thing is that it doesn't pack down tightly but that's not that big of an issue.

Got this for 50$ at REI, and I recommend it to all new climbers. Compared to other harnesses, very inexpensive, but also very bomber. Very comfortable in just about any use including hanging belays, well made gear loops (the design makes clipping gear into it very easy), and all the components you would expect from a good harness. As subjective as this is, it just FEELS burly, but isn't bulky either. You cannot beat this harness for the price.

Bottom line: unsure of what harness to buy? pick this one.

My main problem with this harness are the buckles.

With this harness you have to make all the adjustments and then be sure to double back the strap. Admittedly this is not that big of a deal, but One thing I like much more about my other harness (an old petzl corax) is that the buckles adjust while already being doubled back. This cuts in half the time it takes to put on your harness! (The speed adjust version of this harness also has these far superior buckles)

Another thing I like about my Petzl is that it has buckles and straps on each side of the belay loop so it can be adjusted from fiting a skinny teenager up to my heavier adult friends, all while keeping the belay loop centered. This BD Harness does not have nearly the sizing range.

I am returning this. And because I can afford it right now I think I am going to get the arc'teryx R320 or X350a, which are not really comparable in price to this harness. However, I tend to like spending a bit more on something now, being happy with it, and not wanting to upgrade in just a year or 2.

Bottom line: If you like this harness... spend the extra $10 and get the speed adjust version. If you want better range to fit a variety of people go with something like the petzls that have 2 buckles/straps.

this is my first harness and it's everything i was looking for. very comfortable for gym climbing and doesn't crush you when belaying someone bigger than you. the loop in the back is nice for using a biner to attach your chalk bag and all the loops will be great for lead climbing. a great all around harness and inexpensive

Really nothing to complain about. I wish you didn't have to double back on the straps.

After a couple small rock trips. I feel that this harness is the best for it's price I have ever used. easy to put on and fun to use. climbing or sport rappeling. great all around. A+ in my book.

Great Harness especially for the price. I see a lot of climbers in the gym with the same harness.

This is a really comfortable harness. The price was right on time too! I was a little worried about the fit at first but she fits great. A lot of people say to get a size bigger but I didn't have that issue. Solid harness at a rock solid price.

I picked up this harness as my first. It's a major upgrade in terms of comfort and features over the loaner harnesses at the gym.

There are plenty of gear loops for me.

My only issue with BD harnesses is the sizing. This is why I give a 4 and not a 5. Although, it could just be me. I'm a 32"-33" inch waist. The Large was much too big for me. The waist was over lapping so bad at the buckle that I didn't feel secure in it. So I picked up the medium instead. The medium just barely fit me enough for me to tuck the tail end of the waist into it's loop. I still get about 6 inches of tail, but I have to wear the harness at it's tightest point.

With that said, it's not uncomfortable, it just worries me that I will have to go up to a bigger size as I climb more and put on additional muscle mass. I have worn the harness for over 8 hours straight outdoors and didn't even notice it on me.

Comfortable and tough, and quite affordable.
And I love the color!

Thanks Backcountry!!!!

I bought this harness for one reason only, to go up masts on sailboats. It's very comfortable, easy to adjust and I feel much better using it than sitting in a bosun's chair. I like it so much I may have to take up climbing.

This harness mirrors those in the climbing gym where I work execpt the waist belt is left handed rather than right handed. That's not too hard to get used to. The color stand out from the pack and its comfort is excellent for the gym. I'll be trying it outdoors next season.

I live in Florida and I am new to climbing. Gym climbing is all I have done so far and I noticed my trainer and a majority of employees wearing the Momentum Harness when they climb in their free time. I played the odds and I have been pleasantly surprised. It is much more comfortable than the training harnesses the gym offers and it fits perfectly.
I am a size 30-32 waist and went with a large after I read the other reviews on the minor problems people were having with sizing. I've planned my first climbing vacation for Febuary and I will post again after a little more wear and tear on my harness.

im a 31 inch waist... i got the medium, i wish i got the large for more adjustment around the waist, only have about 3-4 inches to spare for slack on the buckle. should have read all the reviews first!!!! arrr...
other than that it's a great simple harness and it is very comfortable...

I'm a newer climber. Climbed at a gym a lot, and this harness is way more comfortable than any rented. I took it outside for my first outdoor climb ever. It worked great, and had plenty of gear loops which I now knew what they were for.
Definitely get a larger size than normal, I'm a 32 waist, and a large is a bit snug, but it's fine. Great harness, for what I know it's all I need.

I am not the biggest climber in the world, but this harness is my first that I have owned. I like it very much! Other times I have gone I have used a minimalist harness and never had issues. Was worried this would seem bulky, it doesn't. It feels like nothing...which is something!

I've had this harness for years. From the gym to ice climbing, its comfy and versatile. If your a beginner or a pro this a great harness.

Great Harness would recomend it to all who are looking for one.

I use it at a Camp to Belay guests on the Climbing Tower or High Ropes

Climbing in this harness for a few years now and have no complaints. Fits well, light, and comfortable. Perfect harness for those new to the sport or those who have been at it for a while.

solid, simple harness, and comfortable--just what i was looking for.

even when dropped a good 30 feet when my buddy wasn't paying attention, this harness still didn't feel uncomfortable. A+ buy

Harness fits great and is very comfortable. Firm equipment clips help for faster clip in and out. Definitely can't be beat for the price.

the momentum is a great and very cost effective harness. it is a little slower to put on than the speed but that should not be the deciding factor of buying a harness. it is a good harness and does the job.

Very nice harness for the money with 4 gear loops and comfortable!

i've had this harness for three months now and it is very good anyone who wants to get a first harness or an extra this is the one for you

Took it out to Table Rock and had a blast. Felt good, fit securely, easy to put on and adjust.

I'm not a very big climber, nor do i have the most extensive knowledge about climbing and rapelling, but this harness performs and fits great! I just got home from Zion National Park where we went on the Mystery Canyon hike, it was a beautiful hike, with about 13 repels, and i got down in one piece. It fit great and wore very well even though i had to hike a ways in it.

I first tried this harness while climbing with a friend of mine. I was in the market to buy a new one and had been searching here on the site when I discovered that he owned one of my top picks. I was sold the moment I put it on.