Inexpensive Harness/Helmet for Friends

Anyone have recommendations for inexpensive harnesses and helmets to take my non-climbing friends climbing? I used to own a couple of seat belt style harnesses that were one size fits all and they were great to have, but they are probably 15 years old now if I can even still find them. Thanks.

I think the camp energy harnesses fit your bill. They're probably the cheapest of the name brands.  Other entry level harnesses are the BD momentum, mammut ophir (I like the plastic hardpoints), petzl corax (maximum size range).  Depending on how much you like/trust your friends, youtube.com/watch?v=hLO6JagPH1w&themeRefresh=1 is also an option. If they don't climb, they probably won't know any better :P

For helmets, I think it really depends on size and fit.  The entry level ones are BD half dome or Petzl Boreo.  These days I think each of these things run you up $50-$60.  

I have 3 medium harnesses that I stopped using simply using simply because I wanted something newer. One's a Petzl Sama, the others are BD of some sort.  All are in fine shape and 100% suitable for your friends' TR use. IDK your comfort level with buying used, outdated (these are all > 10 yr old) gear, so feel free to ignore this. Me, I'd put my family in any of these in a heartbeat. Otherwise they're yours for the cost of shipping.

In addition to what others have said about the lower cost options, keep your eyes on online stores like steep and cheap and others. Ive seen entry level camp amd sometimes BD harnesses for like $30 before when sales hit. 

BD Vario Harness has creeped up to $70 but its a great 1 size fits almost all. Easy to inspect knot/tie in location, no gear loops or anything to get in the way

Look at Singing Rock or Liberty Mountain?

wivanoff wrote:

Look at Singing Rock or Liberty Mountain?

Singing rock is my fav

Steep and Cheap always has deals on basic equipment 

Save some money and the planet by using the ones you might have, as long as they weren’t stored above an antique car battery collection.

If you're OK with used harnesses, I bet your local climbing gym sells/gives away the contents of its lost and found every month or two.

I ended up buying one from Cypher (liberty mountain). It was $40 and looks exactly like the abc one I bought 15+ years ago. Thanks for the tips, I'll continue storingy old harnesses and all safety gear next to my old car batteries.