Misty Mountain sizing help

I'm pretty sold on getting a women's Misty Mountain Cadillac for my next harness. I called them to talk about some customizable options and sizing, and the problem is I have to choose a size for the waist belt, either S or XS. My measurement is right on the border between them. XS: 24-26", S: 26-29", my waist: 25.5"

Since it will be a custom order I will not be able to return the harness if it doesn't fit. Mike at MM was hesitant to recommend either size since I am right on the cusp. Obviously the best option is to get my hands on a harness and try it on, but I may not find myself near a store that carries them anytime soon.

So, can anyone who has this harness shed any light? If I go with the XS, is there plenty of tail so that being on the high end of that measurement is no problem? (this is the case with my current BD primrose, also XS 24-26", but I can add layers and still have a safe amount of tail) Or, if I go with the Small, will it cinch down snugly enough to a bit below the 26" (90% of my climbing days are without extra layers).

Thanks for any help you can give. I'll try to find one to try on in the meantime.

I had this same problem with the mens harnesses (between sizes). I called them up for advice.

If you're not in a hurry, you could order a standard size (small) and try it on. Then you'll have a better idea about what waist belt you'll need. As long as you don't climb on it, you can return a standard harness (unlike the custom jobs). If the standard size doesn't work you can order a custom size with more confidence it will do the trick. Of course if you're in a hurry to get the harness this won't work. Good luck.

Misty harnesses do have long tail on both the waist belt and the leg loops, so that's not a problem. I have a mens version of that same harness myself. I would personally recommend the smaller one for you.

Don't forget the position of the gear loops. If you get the smaller harness the gear loops will tend to be farther back. I was on the edge with my Misty and got the bigger size. The double back tails are long but the harness still fits well and the gear loops aren't super far back.

I was on the edge between L and XL for the Cadillac. I got the L, but wish I had gotten the XL because of where the padding and gear loops ended up. It is a minor issue, though.

Go for the larger size! I didn't and regret it. The best advise is to call them up, they will talk you through how the measure and get you the right size.

Yeah, I spoke to them on the phone and gave my exact measurements, and Mike at Misty Mountain said he was hesitant to recommend either size because I'm right in between. So if I can't find an opportunity to try one on I guess I'll just have to pick one and take my chances. Just hoping to make an educated decision since it would be a significant purchase (for me) on something customized and not returnable. Thanks for the advice, keep it coming!

I've got the men's quick adjust buckle version of the Caddilac. I'd go with the smaller size, that's what I did and I was somewhat borderline on the sizing. Especially since you said 90% of the time you're not wearing extra layers.

Again, I'd vote for the larger size.
I hate having gear loops too far to the back.
I'm kind of in between sizes and could have bought a small or a medium. I have the medium and the gear loops are just right. Any further back and it would defeat the purpose of having a dual buckle harness which for me is to have the gear loops well positioned.

I was between the (mens) medium and large. I ordered the medium because everything I own is a medium and I figured I would cinch it down. I was wrong. I returned it for the large and it's been great.

If you aren't super familiar with how the caddy is built it might be worth taking a second look. The double buckle system in the front and the padding arrangement is a little bit different than my metolius and BD harnesses. The medium technically "fit" me but the way the padding is arranged in the front caused the large to be much more comfortable. Also the gear loops were way too far back in the medium vs. perfect in the large. I would go with the larger size if you are borderline between the two sizes.

I use the same model and got the size that was suited to my waist measurement and found I had to cinch it all the way down. I would go with the smaller size, as this harness has way more room in the waist than advertised. My medium harness would easily fit a man with a 40 inch waist. Go smaller.

I've got to respectfully disagree with that. I'm a 32 waist and the medium is listed at 29-32" and the large is listed at 32-35". The medium "fit" in the sense that I could easily double back both buckles with the appropriate tail length but it was mostly nylon in the front which caused there to be less padding where the harness hit the front of my hip bone. Since I bought this thing for all day trad comfort, I got the large.

Edward Medina wrote:My medium harness would easily fit a man with a 40 inch waist. Go smaller.

It could probably be safely used by an even bigger man than that. But it hardly would "fit" a 40 inch waist. Almost all the padding would be in the wrong places and would be decidedly unconformable. And the first gear loop would be on the side of your 40" butt.

Edward Medina wrote:I use the same model and got the size that was suited to my waist measurement and found I had to cinch it all the way down. I would go with the smaller size, as this harness has way more room in the waist than advertised. My medium harness would easily fit a man with a 40 inch waist. Go smaller.

I just rechecked my harness and it is indeed a large. I still would go with the smaller size though as I find that I have to cinch mine down all the way for a proper fit.

I've got a 31" waist and I have a large which is listed for 32-35". I have it cinched down as tight as it will go and it fits perfectly over my shorts. It's tight but comfortable and all the gear loops are right where I want (and the chalk bag loop is centered behind). Another vote for getting the larger one. Plus, Thanksgiving is just around the corner and some of us might be putting on a few extra inches ;)