Sport Products
For climbers who demand the absolute best in weight, versatility, and comfort, the Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness is a game-changer. This harness stands out as an exceptionally lightweight option without sacrificing essential features or safety standards. Its designed for technical mountaineering and ski mountaineering where every ounce counts, yet still offers excellent adjustability and comfort on long routes. This review dives deep into the design, performance, durability, user experience, and price of the Petzl Fly Harness to help you determine if it's the right choice for your next alpine adventure. Well also explore who this harness is best suited for and provide some tips for maintaining its longevity.
The Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness boasts an impressive weight of just 280g (9.9 ounces) in size M/L, making it one of the lightest harnesses available on the market. This is achieved through a combination of minimalist design and high-quality materials. It utilizes Petzl's innovative FlexFrame construction, which incorporates flexible panels strategically placed to distribute weight evenly across your hips and legs without compromising freedom of movement. Heres a breakdown of key features:
Given its minimalist design, it might be surprising how comfortable the Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness is. The FlexFrame construction does an excellent job of distributing weight evenly across your hips and legs, minimizing pressure points even during long climbs or descents. The waistbelt padding is minimal but strategically placed to provide comfort without adding unnecessary bulk or weight. While it might not offer the same luxurious feel as a more heavily padded harness, it's still surprisingly comfortable for such a lightweight option. However, climbers with wider hips may find that the narrow waistbelt can dig in slightly over extended periods of use. Those who prefer softer padding or have sensitive skin should consider trying on the harness before purchasing to ensure a proper fit. The leg loops are similarly minimalist but offer adequate coverage and support without restricting movement.
Despite its lightweight construction, the Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness is surprisingly durable. Petzl uses high-quality materials throughout, including reinforced nylon webbing and abrasion-resistant stitching. The buckle hardware is robust and reliable, ensuring that it won't fail under heavy loads. The harness has been extensively tested to meet or exceed industry safety standards, providing peace of mind during your most challenging climbs. While the minimalist design might make some climbers initially concerned about its durability, in reality, the Petzl Fly is built to withstand the rigors of alpine environments and prolonged use. However, like any gear, proper care and maintenance are essential for maximizing its lifespan. Avoid exposing it to excessive heat or sunlight, which can degrade the materials over time. Always clean your harness thoroughly after each use, especially if it has been exposed to dirt or grime. Store it in a dry, well-ventilated area when not in use.
Petzl is renowned for its commitment to safety, and the Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness is no exception. It meets all relevant European (CE) and UIAA safety standards, ensuring that it provides reliable protection in critical situations. The harness features four reinforced tie-in points and robust buckle hardware, minimizing the risk of failure under extreme loads. The FlexFrame construction helps to distribute forces evenly across your hips and legs, reducing stress on any single point. Petzl also rigorously tests all its products to ensure they meet or exceed safety standards before releasing them to market. While no harness can guarantee 100% protection in every situation, the Petzl Fly offers a high level of confidence thanks to its proven design, quality materials, and rigorous testing procedures.
The Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from climbers around the world. Here's what some users have to say:
The Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness is priced in the premium range compared to other harnesses on the market. As of [Date], it retails for around $180-$200 USD depending on size and retailer. While this might seem expensive, it's important to consider the quality and features youre getting for your money. This harness is designed for serious climbers who demand top-of-the-line performance and durability in extreme conditions. If weight savings and versatility are a priority, then the Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness is well worth the investment. However, if you're on a tighter budget or dont need such specialized features, there are plenty of other excellent harnesses available at lower price points.
The Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness is an exceptional choice for climbers who prioritize weight savings, versatility, and comfort in alpine environments. Its innovative FlexFrame construction, modular design, and high-quality materials make it a standout option among other harnesses on the market.
The Petzl Fly is an ultralight and modular harness designed for technical mountaineering and ski mountaineering. It features a minimalist design with removable leg loops to reduce weight, making it ideal for multi-pitch routes where every gram counts.
The Petzl Fly is not recommended for beginners due to its minimalist design and lack of padding. Its lightweight construction makes it uncomfortable for extended periods of use. Beginners should opt for a more padded and supportive harness, like the Petzl Corax or Sirius.
The Petzl Fly stands out with its modular design - removable leg loops that can be easily detached to save weight when not needed (e.g., during belaying). This feature, along with the minimalist construction and use of lightweight materials, makes it one of the lightest harnesses available on the market.
Petzl Fly is offered in four sizes: XS-S, M-L, XL-XXL and Youth. Refer to Petzl's size chart for detailed measurements based on your waist and leg circumference. Consider choosing a slightly larger size if you plan to wear it over bulky clothing layers (e.g., ski pants).
Yes, the harness features four gear loops that provide ample space for carrying climbing equipment like quickdraws and ice screws. The minimalist design of the waist belt ensures a good fit even when wearing a backpack. However, it's not ideal for carrying large or heavy loads.
The Petzl Fly is designed to be ultralight and efficient, which means comfort is sacrificed somewhat. The thin webbing and minimal padding can become uncomfortable during extended use. If you prioritize comfort over weight savings, consider a more padded harness like the Petzl Corax or Black Diamond Momentum.
The harness adjusts using two buckles on each leg loop (one slide-lock buckle and one double-back buckle) as well as an adjustable waist belt with a webbing tail that can be secured via a quicklink. Its important to ensure all buckles are securely closed before starting your climb.
The harness is primarily constructed from lightweight polyamide and polyester fibers, known for their strength and durability. The tie-in points feature reinforced webbing to withstand the forces of falling.
While the Petzl Fly can be used for sport climbing, its minimalist design makes it less comfortable than a harness specifically designed for this activity. Sport climbers should consider harnesses with more padding and gear loops, such as the Petzl Volta or Black Diamond Solution.
The harness is not machine washable. Hand wash it in cold water with mild soap and allow it to air dry completely before use. Avoid using harsh detergents or fabric softeners, which can damage the webbing and reduce its strength.
Like all climbing equipment, the Petzl Fly has a limited lifespan due to wear and tear. Regularly inspect your harness for signs of damage (abrasions, cuts, fraying) and retire it after 5-7 years or if any defects are found.
Yes, the harness features reinforced tie-in points that are compatible with standard climbing carabiners and anchors. It also includes four gear loops for clipping quickdraws and other equipment.
The Petzl Fly meets or exceeds all relevant safety standards (CE EN 12277 Type B, UIAA). However, it's crucial to properly inspect the harness before each use and ensure that it is correctly fitted. Never compromise on safety when climbing.
The Petzl Fly can be used for ice climbing but its minimalist design offers less padding than harnesses specifically designed for this activity. If you frequently climb ice, consider a harness with reinforced leg loops and gear loops that are better suited to carrying tools like crampons and ice axes (e.g., the Petzl Navaho or Black Diamond Stance).
While the Petzl Fly is suitable for indoor climbing, its minimalist design may not provide as much comfort as harnesses designed specifically for this activity. Indoor climbers should consider a harness with more padding and gear loops (e.g., the Petzl Volta or Black Diamond Momentum).
No, the Petzl Fly does not have any pockets or pouches. It's designed to be as lightweight and streamlined as possible for technical climbing and ski mountaineering.
The minimalist design of the Petzl Fly is less accommodating for climbers with larger bodies. If you have a heavier build or wider hips, consider harnesses with more padding and adjustable waist belts (e.g., the Petzl Corax or Black Diamond Solution).
The main difference between the two models is that the Modular version allows for a greater level of customization through removable leg loops, which can be detached to save weight when not needed. The Ultralight version has permanently attached leg loops.
After cleaning and drying your harness, store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Avoid folding the harness tightly as this can damage the webbing over time. Consider using a storage bag to protect it from dust and dirt.
The Petzl Fly Ultralight And Modular Harness is available for purchase from reputable outdoor retailers online or in-store, such as REI, Backcountry, Amazon, and Evo. It's always a good idea to compare prices and read reviews before making your purchase.