03/26/2026
. A harness may seem fine to you but still be unsafe. It’s not up to our individual comfort. This harness came back from a rental with abrasion and we removed it from service. Here’s why:
Climbing Sutra’s 10% rule is simple: when 10% of the fiber on any attachment points or buckle straps is lost due to cutting or abrasion, the harness should be retired or sent to Climbing Sutra for inspection.
No exceptions. No “I’ll watch it.”
This isn’t about visible wear you can live with. It’s about structural integrity you can’t see degrading. Dynamic loads and shock forces can exceed body weight many times over. A 10% reduction in fiber cross section means less capacity to absorb those forces, and that safety margin exists for a reason.
Check your gear and do a visual/physical inspection before every use. Run your fingers over attachment points and straps. Feel for thinning, roughness, or fraying. When in doubt, retire it.
Someone’s life is riding on the safety margin you just inspected. Protect it.