Misty Mountain Appreciation Thread

My buddy mentioned he was getting old and fat and that harnesses didn't fit him right anymore. I mentioned MM but he'd never heard of them. He bought one on a lark and now raves about his MM Caddy.

My next harness is going to be a custom MM.

I too love my caddy.

I believe their chest harness for big wall is far superior than yates. Their straps get put out of the way and their loops are sewn firm and with a thin profile making it easy to get gear off when aiding.

So this thread (as well as all the other about Misty harnesses) has convinced me I need one. Without saying what I need it for...I'm wondering if you can describe why I would choose the Cadillac over the Sonic (or vice versa). How about the Intrepid ?

also...BUMP

Ryan Nevius wrote:So this thread (as well as all the other about Misty harnesses) has convinced me I need one. Without saying what I need it for...I'm wondering if you can describe why I would choose the Cadillac over the Sonic (or vice versa). How about the Intrepid ? also...BUMP

Looks like a couple of differences - the Caddy has 6 gear loops vs. 4 with the other two.

The Caddy has a double-buckle system around the waist, which allows better adjustment (to keep the belay loop centered).

The Caddy has adjustable leg loops, and a NICE WIDE back on the sawmi, and is SUPER COMFY. The Sonic looks like a less beefy version of the caddy, but looks nice though.

If you don't need adjustable legs, take a look at the Turbo as well. I have a Bolt, a Titan and the new Turbo. The new Turbo may be the best Misty and the best harness i have owned. Light, comfortable and i waist rack and can get everything i need on the gear loops. Really nice harness from a great company.

Brian - curious about the new Turbo. I have an old one and I like it pretty well, but find that the buckle slips quite a bit, and sometimes I feel like the 1" webbing digs through the waist belt padding making it less comfortable than it could be. I know they changed where that webbing is compared to the padding to help that, does it feel like the pressure is distributed well in the waist belt?

wilcox510 wrote:Brian - curious about the new Turbo. I have an old one and I like it pretty well, but find that the buckle slips quite a bit, and sometimes I feel like the 1" webbing digs through the waist belt padding making it less comfortable than it could be. I know they changed where that webbing is compared to the padding to help that, does it feel like the pressure is distributed well in the waist belt?

Yes. They moved to the always threaded buckle and reworked the waist belt. I find it much more comfortable. If you're hanging tons, i'd get a cadillac, but for a cragging harness the Turbo is really nice.

Other than the adjustable leg loops...how does the Sonic compare to the Turbo? I'm looking for an all-around harness for sport and long/multipitch trad routes. On a similar note, would the Cadillac be too much? I've rarely found 4 gear loops to be insufficient; but maybe I'm missing something.

I talked to Misty Mountain about a month ago and they told me that the sonic and turbo are identical except for the leg loops and color. I took the turbo out for its maiden voyage today in the gunks and I am very pleased. Comfy but not too bulky.

Ryan Nevius wrote:Other than the adjustable leg loops...how does the Sonic compare to the Turbo? I'm looking for an all-around harness for sport and long/multipitch trad routes. On a similar note, would the Cadillac be too much? I've rarely found 4 gear loops to be insufficient; but maybe I'm missing something.

You'd probably find the cadillac to be too much. It's more of a long day trad routes harness, or even short walls. The Turbo fills the niche you are looking at nicely. It's light enough to not be in the way on sport routes. I wear it for everything. You could always call the Misty folks, they would be happy to figure out the best option for you.

MISTY = BOMBER

I went with the Sonic. I'll be heading to Tuolumne / the High Sierra in a couple weeks and will probably post up a full review after. Not much info out there on it, but seemed like a perfect all-around option.

I have a misty mountain harness for work. I bought a full body for the same reason I have a carbon fiber hard hat and a bramd new truck.I was pleased to see XXL sizing and comfortable straps. Definitely worth the money! think I'll get a Caddy when my R280 wears out for climbing

Strange my dead bird harness seems to be holding up pretty well. Ive heard Arcteryx harnesses aren't built to last. When the ice melts I climb the R280 least two times/week in the R280.

Kirby1013 wrote:

My dead birds are still going strong...the first wore out after about three years....i have one for the gym and one for outside...by far the most comfortable harness i've climbed in...imight try the cadillac one day but the way the deadbird spreads out the weight with the fibers is hard to beat no matter how much padding there is. I'd like to see a combination of both - that would be a killer harness then

rock_fencer wrote: My dead birds are still going strong...the first wore out after about three years....i have one for the gym and one for outside...by far the most comfortable harness i've climbed in...imight try the cadillac one day but the way the deadbird spreads out the weight with the fibers is hard to beat no matter how much padding there is. I'd like to see a combination of both - that would be a killer harness then

Excellent to hear that Arcteryx harnesses hold up over time. The fit is perfect!

Since this post popped up I have to chip-in. After reading through this we contacted Misty regarding customization of a harness. Even citing this thread. We were looking for a 2-way adjustable women's harness for ice climbing. Very unfortunate for us:

"custom means things like an extra gear loop or belay loop for $5 each. We also mix waist and leg sizes. We do not actually make custom sizes because all of our parts are cut with dies. We used to offer the ice slots the way they are on Mtn. Project but we have changed the way we make our gear loops so we are not able to put that slot in between the front and back."

so maybe our e-mail correspondence didn't permit the awesome customization boasted about in this thread, but sounds like they have since changed certain policies, mfg. methods. Just wanted to give a heads up for those looking after browsing this thread.... Or maybe I'm trolling hoping for a misty rep to contact me about making a sweet harness...

Not trying to say anything about their brand's quality or anything, just sucked for me to get hype about them after reading this only to find they can't do what's been mentioned here.

Kirby1013 wrote: I have a misty mountain harness for work. I bought a full body for the same reason I have a carbon fiber hard hat and a bramd new truck....When the ice melts I climb the R280 least two times/week in the R280.

Does any of the above have any basis in rational thought? Cause I got nothing here.

Tom, I feel your pain. I contacted Totem and asked them to make me three sizes of cams that they don't manufacture, and they said something like, it wouldn't be cost effective to fabricate dies and put a design team on making my single set of 10", 12", and 14" totem cams.

Misty offers lots of custom options and are friendly and helpful as hell. They don't make ice specific harnesses, should they retool their manufacturing to suit your custom notions?

Dear Misty. Please manufacture me a portaledge, though I realize you do to or have ever sold these. Also, make me an ice cream maker and a wish machine with extra wishes...

The best harnesses in the world STILL aren't good enough for some people. Next time I'm in NC I'm buying those mooks ice cream.

Kirby1013 wrote: I have a misty mountain harness for work. I bought a full body for the same reason I have a carbon fiber hard hat and a brand new truck.I was pleased to see XXL sizing and comfortable straps. Definitely worth the money! think I'll get a Caddy when my R280 wears out for climbing Strange my dead bird harness seems to be holding up pretty well. Ive heard Arcteryx harnesses aren't built to last. When the ice melts I climb the R280 least two times/week.

Zappatista, There, I fixed my spelling and the last sentence. Actually I tell you what.. I'll write it again so you understand it. I care if you understand. You have to understand me!

I bought a full body harness for my job in construction. Construction workers wear harnesses too. You can google it. The reason for the purchase is it's fancy like my truck and my hard hat. I see you understood the next few words since you cut that stuff outta the quote. So when the ice melts there's no more ice climbing. I wear a Arcteryx R280 just rock climbing. I wear a different harness for ice climbing.

And speaking of rational thought.. What's up all the sarcasm over Tom's post? Getting all defensive because someone can't get custom ice clipper slots after they read they could in this thread?.. Real rational thinking.

Tom, The Misty Mountain Cadillac has ice clipper slots. Check out the website.

Zappatista wrote: Tom, I feel your pain...

He/She username changer (whoever you are), next time your bored and reloading the front page, stick to the pictures.

I'll reiterate my point above more concisely. Misty Mountain can no longer make the harness pictured in the photos of this thread. This is unfortunate.