Comfort at Height is not a Luxury. It’s a Necessity

Comfort and Lightweight Design Go Hand-in-Hand for Safe and Productive Work

Tower climbers are a breed apart. They spend hours ascending and descending gigantic structures, some reaching 2,000 feet high. Those ascents demand intense focus, careful balance, and a lot of strength to complete.

Safety is everything, and a full-body harness is an essential part of that safety. But not all harnesses are equal. For anyone working at height, a lightweight and comfortable harness makes a big difference between a safe, productive day and a dangerous one.

An Urgent Need for Lightweight Harness Design

Many manufacturers have long focused on the “more is better” approach, piling on features and gimmicks to already dense safety harnesses. That sounds great until you realize all those additions have also piled on more weight. Heavy gear strains climbers' bodies, especially on long ascents. The burden that causes sustained, physical strain that impedes a climber’s focus, interrupts that crucial balance, and erodes his or her strength. Those impediments all combine to increase the risk of accidents—and likelihood of tragedy.

Luckily, fall protection equipment is making a greater use of lightweight composites and alloys. These include durable plastic housings for self-retracting lifelines, alloy rings on tool belts, and even carbon fiber seats.

Comfort + Versatility = Productivity

Comfort is always crucial. An uncomfortable harness distracts climbers, reduces focus, and increases errors. While most manufacturers stick with the "more is better" approach, some manufacturers are bucking the trend and looking forward.

Forward in this case means designs that emphasize lasting comfort, less weight, and overall practicality. Some of the latest premium full-body harnesses, like the Carbon FT-One Tower, tackle this directly. Its ergonomic design reduces pressure points and hot spots, allowing climbers to move freely and comfortably. The seat webbing system provides breathability and support, conforming to the body to eliminate discomfort.

Remember that mention of a carbon fiber bosun seat? The Carbon FT-One Tower sports one. Thanks to space-age material and careful design, the bosun seat is strong while also being flexible to better accommodate the user’s form. More accommodation means less fidgeting, less adjusting, and less risk while working.

Comfort doesn’t end there, either. Lateral leg straps, such as the FallTech Comfort Legs, fit horizontally around the wearer’s legs for minimal intrusion and maximum mobility. Having these straps on your harness cuts down on unwelcome tugging and pinching along the user’s thighs (and other sensitive spots) when moving. Lateral leg straps are steadily becoming a must for any wearer making regular ascents and descents.

The latest premium harnesses also have inner lining with gel padding that distributes pressure and limits hot spots. Perforated “breathable” materials maintain air flow throughout, preventing heat buildup.

Innovation to the Rescue

A good full-body harness for tower climbers must be uncompromising in its lightness, comfort, ease to use, and dependability. Recent innovations have brought this ideal combination to fruition.

Take MDS. It’s short for “Magnetic Deployment System.” It’s a fancy name for a magnetic connector that attaches a tower climber’s bosun seat with his or her harness. “Magnets?” I hear you say. “Don’t those fall off easily?”

Again, innovation comes into play. MDS uses a neodymium magnet, which is very powerful. It requires just the right amount of strength to disconnect without causing a struggle. It also has the right amount of strength to stay connected on any ascent. What’s great about this innovation is that it lets climbers deploy or stow their bosun seats with only one hand.

Invest in the Right Gear

Tower climbers need the right gear to work safely and effectively. Recent innovations in safety harness design have transformed the experience of working at height, making it not only safer but also more comfortable. Features like carbon fiber bosun seats, lateral leg straps, and magnetic attachments have made climbing and operating at extreme heights much easier. However, these advancements are just the beginning, paving the way for a revolutionary shift in how we approach height safety and efficiency in the workplace.