Black Diamond has refreshed its Zone harness, and after a full year of testing, reviewer David Hume thinks the new version is less a sport-climbing specialist than a genuine all-rounder — good news for anyone who splits their time between the gym, the crag and longer mountain routes. The price is $169.95 USD.

The standout features are two. First, the Infinity Belay Loop, carried over from the previous Zone, does away with the thick seam found on most belay loops. Anyone who has belayed long sessions on a project will know that unsettling moment when the seam shifts across the tie-in points; this design eliminates it entirely. Second, the gear loops have been redesigned with flared plastic sleeves, making them roomier than most on the market. In a side-by-side test, each loop swallowed two extra quickdraws or cams before things got messy. A fifth loop sits centred on the back, handy for stashing rarely used kit on multipitch routes.

The belt and leg loops have also been reworked into a thin, firm construction that stayed comfortable across long days — including multi-hour sessions hanging on rope while bolting a new overhanging sandstone line, a use well beyond the harness's brief. Even then, the only complaint was some leg numbness on the longest dangles, a problem few harnesses fully solve.

There are trade-offs. At 347g in medium, it's over 10% heavier than its predecessor (307g), though the reviewer argues 40 grams is irrelevant to everyone but elite redpoint chasers. Ice clipper slots are gone too, so ice climbers will want to look elsewhere. Sizing also matters more than you might think: with a 31-inch waist at the low end of the medium range, the gear loops sat asymmetrically when he added layers — worth factoring in if you'll wear the harness over bulkier clothing at altitude.

The verdict: light, comfortable, with generous racking space, the Zone suits cragging, multipitch trad and alpine objectives alike. It even comes in a deep purple the reviewer rates as the most stylish harness he's worn. For travelling climbers heading to destinations like Boulder Canyon, Colorado — where the test began with a fall caught on the second bolt — this is a harness that won't force you to choose between disciplines.

First published by Alpinist.