Yeah, I hear you on the UV thing. I’ve had harnesses that looked totally fine but just felt brittle or weird after a summer up on hot shingles. Sometimes it’s just a gut call, even if the tags say they’re still in date. Wish there was a cheap way to really check the fibers, but for now, I’d rather be safe than sorry. Manufacturers could definitely do better with real-world advice... lab tests don’t cover half of what we put gear through out here.
Had a harness that was just under two years old, always stored in the shade, but after a brutal August up on black shingles, it started feeling stiff and almost chalky. No visible fraying, and the label looked fine, but it just didn’t sit right. Sent it in for inspection and sure enough, the webbing had started to break down. I agree—real-world use is a whole different beast than what those test labs account for. Sometimes you just gotta trust your hands more than the tag.
- Gotta say, I get the “trust your hands more than the tag” thing, but sometimes I wonder if we’re too quick to toss stuff.
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“No visible fraying, and the label looked fine, but it just didn’t sit right.”
- I’ve had gear feel weird after a hot day, but a good clean and a couple days inside brought it back.
- Not saying ignore your gut, but maybe heat just messes with the surface sometimes?
- I usually check stiffness over a few days—sometimes it’s just grime or humidity, not actual breakdown.
- Still, I’d rather be safe than sorry, especially up on a roof... just seems like sometimes we might retire stuff early.
I get what you mean about retiring gear early—sometimes it does feel like overkill. But I’ve seen harnesses that looked fine, then you dig in and find a spot that’s gone stiff or slick after a summer in the truck. Ever notice if certain brands bounce back better after heat or humidity? Or is it just luck of the draw?
I’ve definitely noticed some brands seem to hold up better in humid conditions, but I’m never quite sure if it’s just the way I store them or actual quality differences. I had a Black Diamond harness that got stiff after just one hot summer in the garage, while my Petzl seemed to last longer before showing any real wear. Maybe the material blend makes a difference? Or possibly how tightly the webbing is woven... Curious if you’ve ever tried cleaning or conditioning gear to see if that helps restore flexibility, or if that’s just asking for trouble.
