BLACKHAWK! Load Bearing Suspenders/Harness (Straps Only)

I should of bought this harness/suspended set years ago. I'm a 9yr female police officer 5'7 140lbs with a 31" waist and athletic build. This harness was my last resort after trying to use the carbon fiber 5.11 zero g plates under my duty belt. I wear a safariland Accumold duty belt wth Velcro liner, where the inner belt is the receiving Velcro side. From reading the reviews on the Blackhawk harness before buying, I knew there would be a break in period for the shoulder pad part of the harness. I sped up the breaking-in process to 1 day by folding the pads in half and placing a 10lb dumbbell over the folded part to create the bend needed in the pad to roll across the shoulders and chest easier.Once that was broke in, I attached the belt with 2 points in the front (right front side just in front of my holster) and left front side behind my front handcuff case. Then I criss-crossed the back suspenders forming an "X" and attached them to be on each side of my spine. I kept the suspenders only attached to my outer duty belt, NOT inner belt because that will cause you to take FOREVER to use the bathroom. Keep the suspenders only attached to outer duty belt. I tucked the straps into my pant waist line since they are longer than what I needed (you could cut them too). I wear an outer/over vest carrier so it covered up the suspenders/harness really well. Once you adjust the straps where you need, it literally suspends the entire weight of the belt, especially the holster off of your hip! It instantly felt incredibly better. I bought these because my chiropractor noticed how badly my lower sacrum of my spine had been rotating from having uneven weight on one hip vs the other because of the gun side.I had bought the 5.11 zero g plates (carbon fibers plates $100) and they were awful and dug into my hips. This Blackhawk harness is for people with a smaller neck. I'd say if you're a big guy with a neck thicker than 17" collar, you probably won't like this particular model because of the extra shoulder padding. I'm extremely happy to have found this inexpensive solution to make my back feel better.

I use these suspenders to hold up informal shooting competition belts. Often loaded with a single holster and multiple magazines or moon clips. I especially use this rig for 3-gun competition. I suffer from low back issues and pain and now wear my belts loose and let the suspenders/ h-harness carry the load up to my shoulders. This helps take the pressure off of my low back. I would never have found out about such things if it weren't for an informal internet search on how police officers can handle their duty belts. There are a lot of low back pain sufferers out there. The harness came without a belt as ordered and described. There are loops which encircle any belt and they use a combination of velcro if elected and two snaps on each. I have not had an issue with closures moving on my belt. The padded harness is comfortable. My rig has no defects and I can see that one size will fit just about most. I'm 6'2" and just under 200 pounds. Hope this helps, thanks for reading.

I purchased this and it's knock off brand copy that's half the price ..... I returned the knock off. The Blackhawk has much better material, thicker pads, better stitching.I've seen reviews about it not fitting large guys, and thats completely false. They must not understand how an H harness works and is adjusted.I am 6'6" and 315lbs, this harness works perfectly, with plenty of adjustment room for guys easily 4-5 inches tall than me. You are able to adjust it to sit exactly how you want.It's easy to get on and off as well. I leave it attached to my duty belt and just take it off like a jacket. I prefer not to use the loops as belt keepers. I use seperate belt keepers for that.Only con so far is the spacing of the rear shoulder connection strap. I wish it was either adjustable or just a little bit wider. I wear this under my vest carrier and the neck strap sticks out. I removed the drag handle, it just got in the way.The shoulder pads are also a little stiff when new. They eventually wear in.

It works as advertised and feels great. Previously my duty belt would pull my pants down no matter how tight my regular belt was. This holds my belt with pistol knife and other tools perfectly. It distributes the weight evenly and feels good to wear. This is perfect for shooting days and camping. I don't have to remove all the tools, etc. from my belt to go to sleep - Un-clip the belt and chest strap and I'm good to go. Eliminates the need for wearing a vest in 100 plus degrees in the desert around Las Vegas. Took a little while to get the straps adjusted, which should be expected, but once set, they hold in place. Another bonus - you don't need to buy attachments points for the belt, they are already included.I highly recommend this.

I am a big guy and when I put it on the piece that clicks across your chest is closer to my neck. I will cut it off and see if that helps. Seems strong and well build. Not everyone buying one of these is built like a 18 year old... I do like the piece on the back to be dragged from if you go down, that's a great idea.

Well constructed and sturdy. Foam for shoulder pads is a bit stiff at first, but once you find your best fit and wear it in some, you don’t even notice you are wearing them, except that it keeps your belt up... the only change/mod I recommend is that you fold over and stitch the ends of the straps, to keep them from coming out when you’re not wearing them or putting on/taking off