Singing Rock Top Climbing Harness – Simple and Cheap Harness in Black

Originally, a few years ago, I bought the Singing Rock Top harness for via ferrata routes. Later, as I started climbing more, I replaced it with a different harness. However, I still find it great for certain activities because it’s completely black, simple, and comes in a universal size – all for around €40 (as of May 2024). Now, after several years, I decided to buy the harness again and give it a proper review.

Data

• No padding
• Unisize (from kid to grown up)
• EN 1227
• Weights 366 Gram

Affordable harness in Unisize

The harness is anything but magical. It’s simply a few webbing straps, elastic bands, and buckles that have been cleverly stitched together and certified.  
  Here’s the harness compared to a 1-liter canteen. So it easily fits in a backpack. At the front, you’ll find the tie-in loop, which is positioned above the waist belt. It is additionally reinforced, making it even more durable. However, the orientation of the loop is sideways. This sideways orientation can be a bit bothersome when rappelling. However, it really only becomes annoying when you’re trying to belay someone while climbing. For via ferrata sets and tying in, though, it’s not an issue. More on this in the conclusion. On the right side, there’s a gear loop that easily accommodates the carabiners from a via ferrata set or a few additional carabiners. The elastic bands that go over the seat are essential to prevent the leg loops from sliding down to the knees during movement. In this harness, they are not adjustable in length.

Leg Loops

The leg loops are solidly stitched at the front, and their width is adjustable. The buckle allows the leg loops to be opened. While this can be a bit fiddly, it might also be safer in some situations, as it allows you to keep both feet on the ground, maintaining a stable stance while putting on the harness. This separability is achieved by having a part of the buckle designed like a hook. The excess length of the leg loop strap is secured with an elastic band.

Compatible with chest harness.

On the waist belt, there’s also a diagram showing how to connect the harness to a chest harness. The chest harness is sold separately.

Conclusion

Comfort
Without padding and with a webbing strap that’s only 5 cm wide, you can’t expect much in terms of comfort. For rappelling and via ferrata, it works fine. However, when climbing, especially at a hanging belay, it quickly becomes uncomfortable.
Area of Application
This simple harness is certified and therefore versatile in theory. However, the single gear loop limits how much gear you can carry. Even in sport climbing, with just a few quickdraws, it quickly becomes annoying because the quickdraws hang on one side and tend to fall forward. The tie-in loop is oriented sideways, which causes the rope to run out to the side when using a directly attached belay device. This can be bothersome when belaying. In “proper” climbing harnesses, the loop is sewn as a free ring, allowing the rope to run forward. Therefore, I see this harness more as a tool for rappelling or other activities at height where you won’t be sitting in the harness for long periods and won’t need to carry much gear.
Closing Word
The harness primarily stands out due to its low price and wide range of adjustability. I now mainly use it as a loaner harness when I take someone rappelling or climbing who doesn’t have their own gear. But it’s also a great harness for via ferrata or for starting with rappelling, and in the black variant, it integrates well into tactical gear.