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   Black Diamond BD Blizzard 2005

Primarily an ice climbing harness, the Blizzard is versatile enough to perform in all types of climbing. The new moulded bullhorn waistbelt has an integrated lumbar pad for added comfort and stability, while the harness has been constructed from a hydrophobic fabric that sheds snow and doesn't absorb water.

Site	Price	Postage	Total
	£65.00	£4.50	£69.5

   Black Diamond BD Blizzard 2005 Reviews

General comments: An excellent harness, that does everything anyone could want of it.. I use it for ice climbing and mountaineering. It is very well padded and anatomically shaped, so exceedingly comfortable to wear - even with a range in the amount of clothing underneath, Made from non-water absorbing foam Lots of gear loops. Two each side, made of cord passed through sections of plastic tubing. Plus sewn loop for haul line at the very back. Lots of sewn in loops to fit Black Diamond ice screw clippers. These are great as they present the ice screws in a way that is very accessible for a gloved hand. Although they the sewing doesn't actually look that strong, so I wouldn't go thrutching about in chimneys with the clippers fitted. Fairly slim prfile belay loop - which is good becasue it will get less abraded from snagging on the belay krab When putting the harness on, Handy bit of velcro to hold the belt in place while you do up the buckle. Adjustable leg loops. Excess webbing tucks neatly out of place on the waist-belt, although I find the excess stows less successfully away on the leg loops.

Pros: 1) Ice screw clipper attachments 2) Anatomical fit 3) Snazzy orange colour

Cons: 1) Clipper attachments may not withstand excessive abuse 2) Excess webbing on leg loops foops about

General comments: This is the top of the range harness from black diamond . Primarily made for winter and ice climbing but works well in all conditions . The main features are the four gear loops and haul loops are plenty for racking your gear on . The harness also comes with a ice clipper for clipping ice screws to . . The Back of the harness is larger in size than the others in the black diamond range so to make it more comfortable when hanging for long periods in belays . The foam in a material that wont absorb water so wont be frozen up when its time to take your harness off or put it back on in after a clod night left outside your tent . The leg loops can come completely undone thanks to the clips at the back of the harness this means that is is easy to get on once yor wearing your cranpons . Getting the waistbelt tightend can be a fiddle especially if you have cold haands . there are better sysytems on th emarket but black diamond do make it easyer by adding a velcro strip do tightend the harness befor doing up the strap

Pros: Very comfy when hanging in long belays , Clip clipper included for attaching ice screws . Faom will not absorb water .

Cons: Can be difficult to tighten waistbelt , its orange

General comments: I have also reviewed the focus as i change my harness ever eighteen months or so. To be honest, i dont think there is much to pick and choose between this and the cheaper focus model except that this one comes wih the ice clip for racking your gear but I dont see this as much of a problem. Good snug fit and once again the padded legs are really comfortable. I feel secure in this harness and its nice to sit in, well dangle in. Not much to pick and choose between the focus, if money is an issue, pick the cheaper one. This comes in a range of sizes including an Xtra Small which suits my 30 inch waist.

Pros: ice clip, comfortable fit, adjusts well for a small bloke,

Cons: more expensive for almost the same harness as the focus

General comments: I have climbed with a Black Diamond Bod harness for many years but have become a bit sick of having either my balls crushed or inside leg nipped so that my leg goes to sleep on long belays. I therefore was looking for a harness that was designed mainly for winter climbing comfort, but also suitable for summer cragging. The new Blizzard harness is well designed and I bought one last December for the winter season. I first used it inside on a climbing wall and it proved comfortable and well fitted, the lack of absorbent padding on the harness does, however, mean that it can feel a little sweaty if you get hot. Out in the hills during winter climbing it really excels. The harness is more difficult to get into than the nappy style wrap round bod, but the leg loops open out to allow you get more layers of clothing under or hop through wearing crampons on 50 degree ice!!! The space for Black Diamond ice screw racking clips came in handy, and the harness came with one which having used for the first time I supplemented with another. It fits very well over clothing and has proved nothing but comfortable on long cold belays. I am a much happier bunny and so far it has not absorbed much water. A great harness, though not that suitable for Thailand sport climbing!

Pros: great fit, comfortable on long belays, doesn't absorb water

Cons: not great when its hot and sweaty

General comments: The best fully adjustable harness I have ever used - simple! I climb water ice (up to grade WI6), mountains, and rock (up to E4) a lot (check out this blog) - so a harness has to be good to get this praise. And not being filthy rich means I can only afford one harness at any one time, so it has to be adjustable and light - the blizzard fits this bill. Especially for ice climbing where I find the special attachments for ice screw clippers / carriers (one comes with the harness) extra ace. A comfortable waist band ensures that a full day in this harness, even with hanging belays, goes reasonably comfortably. No harness is comfortable for a whole day hanging – but the blizzard is as good as I’ve ever found. The strange American style rear belay loop is a bit pointless (never did understand why this is really for – total overkill for trailing a rope for bringing up extra gear on a long aid pitch, and does anyone every abseil forwards?!). The harness is strong too, this is my second blizzard and it is still going strong, the first lasted over two yeas and then only got retired because of fall damage. Give it a go!

Pros: Comfort, adjustability, and the capability to fit ice screw clippers/carriers.

Cons: Pointless rear belay loop.

General comments: overall, a great harness. It was originally designed to be worn over lots of clothes which is very handy for me, because, when doing routes in the mountains it must be slacked off to allow for the extra rooms needed by my jacket etc. I have found it to be a comfy and dependable harness. I have used it on mountain routes, crags, climbing walls and it has adapted to the different situations. As criticism the harness can get tangles up, and if you sit down to rest in it, one leg loop can get pulled tighter than the other and be very painful.

Pros: loads of gear loops, comfy, well priced, padded well

Cons: gets tangles easy, not that light

General comments: The Blizzard from Black Diamond is a fantastic all-purpose harness. I bought a new harness when my old simple harness died and wanted one which didn’t have any of the gimmicky add-ons such as lots of gear loops, extra padding everywhere and multiple buckles. This harness is a pretty simple one, with four gear loops, adjustable legs and a single-buckle waistband. I have used it for sport climbing, trad climbing, winter climbing and for alpinism and I hardly notice it, which is exactly as it should be. It is adjustable enough to be worn over shorts and a t-shirt in the summer and over salopettes and jackets in the winter. The elastic Velcro strap for tightening up the waist is actually really useful and it has buckled elastic at the back for toilet stops. It is comfy to hang in and well built that it seems it will take plenty of abuse, mine is not showing any significant signs of wear after a couple of years. It also comes with a detachable ice-screw clipper which works very well for racking screws in winter.

Pros: Simple, tough, no gimmicks.

Cons: A gear loop on the back would have been nice but it has a haul loop instead which is nearly as good.

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