Petzl Adjama: A Decent, Versatile Climbing Harness
Table of Contents
Petzl, everyone’s favorite French purveyor of fine alpine goods, has updated their harness line. Included is a revamped update of the popular Adjama. Petzl has taken everything good about the previous version of the Adjama, and added the right features to make it one of the most versatile, budget friendly harnesses on the market.
Traditionally filling the entry level spot, the new Adjama is a harness or every climber. Sport, trad, alpine, or ice, the 2018 Adjama does it all. In this review of the 2018 Petzl Adjama, I break it down, and show you why I think it is a near perfect harness for every type of climber.
Get the Petzl Adjama Harness at REI Get the Petzl Adjama at Backcountry Get the Petzl Adjama at Amazon
Design
The 2018 adjama features a wider waist belt designed to distribute the climbers weight. This updated waist belt is marked improvement over the previous Adjama. Compared to equivalent harnesses, the old Adjama was pretty darn comfy, in my opinion.
The leg loops have also been updated. The new loops are wider, adding more comfort and stability. I still have qualms about the fit, however (see below).
In addition, a fifth gear loop has been added, making the Adjama a good choice for an all around harness.
In many ways, the Petzl Adjama reminds me of a much more affordable Arc’teryx FL-365. It has many of the same features, but at half of the price.
Aesthetics
My first impression of the color was not positive. A drab grey which I though to be a downgrade from the brilliant blue of the previous version. Turns out that the pictures on the internet were not quite accurate. Trying it on in the store, I was pleasantly surprised. Instead of a grey, it is more of a denim color. The denim color is accented with white text, and graphics, as well as white hard points and belay loop. Together, this creates a pleasant, tasteful design.
There is also a cool little graphic on the side. It looks to me like it was inspired by a petroglyph..
Fit
The fit of the 2018 Adjama has not changed as all. The medium fits snugly on my waist. My only complaint are the leg loops, which I can never seem to tighten down enough. Given the chance, I’d switch my size medium loops with a size small.
Like any harness that I wear, my shirt always seems to slide up from underneath it. The 2018 Adjama is no different. This can be annoying, especially when the textured interior of the harness begins to rub on my bare skin. On warm days with long belays, this can become an uncomfortable nuisance. Still, the 2018 Petzl Adjama is still one of the more comfortable harnesses available.
Comfort
I loved my old Adjama. The comfort was an upgrade from all the other entry level harnesses. The new Adjama improves upon this by adding a wider waist loop to further distribute the climbers weight. This makes a comfy harness just a bit more comfortable.
I believe that hanging belays should be a time of R&R. The climber must be able to luxuriate, using the time to rest their body in preparation for the next pitch. At long belays, the 2018 Adjama will probably fare better than most harnesses. Still, I developed hot spots on my back where the harness rests. This is only a minor complaint. The quest for the perfect belay harness is not yet over, but the Adjama contends well.
The new Adjama retains the breathable fabric of the previous. This is great for warm days, or when you are generating lots of body heat, as it reduces sweat.
Get the Petzl Adjama Harness at REI Get the Petzl Adjama at Backcountry Get the Petzl Adjama at Amazon
Gear Loops
The Petzl Adjama comes equipped with a fifth gear loop to help you manage your rack. This was exactly what I was looking for in a new harness, and was a major factor in my decision to move on from my old Adjama.
The fifth gear loop sits on the back of the harness. For multi pitch climbing, I will use the fifth gear loop store slings, cordellete, a prussik, and a belay device, along with any additional carabiners or accessories that I may need. This helps me to stay organized, and frees up space on the other four gear loops to store protection and alpine draws.
Being a sucker for organization, I tend to gravitate towards harnesses with extra gear loops. My only qualm regarding the rear gear loop is that it sits somewhat high on the harness.
This can result in two minor annoyances:
1) Gear can often get in the way of a chalk bag, requiring the climber to move it out of the way before chalking up, and 2) This can cause gear on the fifth loop to impede in squeeze chimneys. Both of these can be remedied with careful gear management, and are only small flaws.
The four front/side gear loops wide, and strong, and offer plenty of space for a trad rack. In between the gear loops are ice clipper slots. One day, when I finally do decide to try out ice climbing, these will come in handy. For now, they sit in a spot that does not impede with my use of the harness.
One small negative potentiality regarding the gear loops, is that the front and side loops overlap slightly. To ensure that there is enough space on the harness, Petzl designed the front loops to sit higher than the side loops. The result is that there is potential to clip both loops when adding or removing gear. Again, this is not a big deal if careful gear management is used.
Weight
The new Adjama is heavier than it’s predecessor. Still, for it’s features and versatility, it is one of lighter harnesses on the market. At 16 ounces, the weight of the Adjama is hard to beat.
Still, if you prefer a lighter harness, the new Sama may be a better choice. The Sama sheds ounces by using fixed leg loops, dropping the ice clipper slots, and foregoing the additional gear loop. The Sama retains the fit and breath ability, while also being more affordable.
The Petzl Adjama Vs. the Black Diamond Technician
If there is any harness on the market that challenges the Adjama, the Black Diamond Technician may be the most worthy opponent, in terms of price, specs, features, and design.
Having used both harnesses extensively, each in similar environments and capacities, I can safely say that the 2018 Adjama leaves the Technician in the dust. The Adjama has all the features of the Technician, but does all of them better.
One major complaint I had about the Technician was that it was difficult to undue the quick adjust buckle. This is not so with the Adjama. Thank Goodness.
The Adjama is sturdier, more comfortable, and built better. It has a belay loop that is not suspiciously slim, and has large gear loops, offering plenty of real estate. In my opinion, the Adjama looks better. If you are conflicted, go with the Adjama.
Conclusion
The Petzl Adjama is a perfect upgrade to the previous installment. A lightweight, comfortable design that features everything you need for nearly any climbing discipline. This harness will do it all with style, poise, and grace. At a friendly price point, the Petzl Adjama edges out more expensive harnesses with the same features, and can be a solid choice for those looking to upgrade from an entry level harness.
Get the Petzl Adjama Harness at REI Get the Petzl Adjama at Backcountry Get the Petzl Adjama at Amazon
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