Arc’teryx Skaha Review — Breathable, Lightweight Rock Harness for 2026
Warp Strength Technology, a honeycomb mesh waist belt and fixed leg loops for single and multi-pitch rock
Comparing more than one harness? The Skaha is the premium pick in our full climbing harness comparison — see how it stacks up against the Mammut Ophir 3 Slide 2.0, Black Diamond Solution, DMM Renegade, Petzl Corax and Edelrid Jay / Jayne.
Read the full comparison →| Weight | 298 g (men’s), 283 g (women’s) |
|---|---|
| Sizes | Men’s XS–XL; women’s XXS–XL |
| Gear Loops | Four, plus a non-structural haul loop |
| Wear Markers | On the belay loop and tie-in points |
| Made In | China (current X000009656 / X000009655); fabric woven and dyed in Korea |
| Waist Belt | Warp Strength Technology (WST™) — 150d honeycomb warp knit mono mesh with a Spacermesh™ liner and air-textured backer |
| Leg Loops | Wide, fixed, continuous construction; quick-release hook on the rear leg elastic |
| Body Material | 150d warp knit mono mesh, 220 gsm, honeycomb pattern — 100% polyester |
| PFAS | “PFAS compliant” (Arc’teryx’s wording) |
| Included | Bag for transport and storage |
| Best For | Single and multi-pitch rock climbing |
Front view
Our Score
Overall: 8.8 / 10 — the average of the five ratings above
In This Review
Where to Buy the Arc’teryx Skaha
Support your local climbing shop first. If it’s out of stock, these retailers ship across Europe:
Prices checked 31 October 2026 — tap through for current pricing and stock. Arc’teryx’s own European RRP is €180.
Design & Construction: What Arc’teryx Says
Arc’teryx calls the Skaha its pinnacle harness for single and multi-pitch rock climbing. This Arc’teryx Skaha review covers both fits: the men’s (model X000009656) and the women’s (X000009655), which Arc’teryx lists with a women’s-specific design and fit.
The waist belt uses Arc’teryx’s Warp Strength Technology (WST™), which the brand says minimises bulk and spreads pressure evenly from edge to edge. The outer is a 150d honeycomb warp knit mono mesh, and the inside is a Spacermesh™ liner with an air-textured backer. Arc’teryx describes the mesh as durable, flexible and breathable, and says the liner provides airflow.
The leg loops are wide and fixed, with continuous construction that Arc’teryx says improves flexibility. Together with an ergonomic swami and a long rise, the brand says they give a better fit and improved hanging comfort. Arc’teryx says the quick-release hook on the rear leg elastic lets you take a toilet stop without taking the harness off.
Arc’teryx lists four gear loops, a non-structural haul loop, and wear safety markers on the belay loop and tie-in points. The men’s Skaha is listed at 298 g in sizes XS–XL; the women’s at 283 g in XXS–XL. Both come with a bag for transport and storage.
Arc’teryx describes the Skaha as “PFAS compliant”. That isn’t the same wording as PFAS-free, although some retailers, Bergfreunde among them, list it as PFAS-free. The body is 100% polyester, and the care instructions are surface clean only — no machine washing.
Which Skaha Is Which? Old vs Current Versions
The Skaha has been sold under at least three pairs of Arc’teryx article numbers, all in the same Lampyre / Boxcar colourway and all listed at 298 g for the men’s. That’s why an Arc’teryx Skaha review from 2024 may not describe the harness you buy today. Check the article number on the shop listing or the label, especially on discounted stock.
X000009656 (men’s) / X000009655 (women’s) — current
The version on arcteryx.com now. Made by Dongguan Polyunion Textile Technology in China, with fabric woven and dyed in Korea. Men’s XS–XL at 298 g; women’s 283 g. €180 on Arc’teryx Germany.
X000009366 (men’s) / X000009367 (women’s) — previous
Still sold by some European retailers, often discounted. Outnorth lists the men’s as made in Canada. The Climbing Gear Reviews UK test quoted below used a Canadian-made Skaha and lists men’s sizes up to XXL, a size the current men’s harness doesn’t come in.
X000007195 (men’s) / X000007321 (women’s) — earliest
The oldest article numbers we found at retailers, now mostly sold off as closeouts.
Arc’teryx’s headline specs haven’t changed between them, but the factory has. Treat the 2024 test as a guide to the design, not proof of the current build. On Alpinetrek, an older Skaha listing (item 303-0646) is marked as no longer restocked; the current one is item 303-0697.
Comfort & Fit
The Skaha is built for warm days. Its honeycomb mesh and Spacermesh liner are its main selling point, and the most detailed independent test we found, from Climbing Gear Reviews UK (September 2024), backs that up. There was no chafing on hot summer days or indoors, and the liner stayed soft against bare skin. A men’s size M fitted a 33–34-inch (roughly 84–86 cm) waist with room to spare and weighed 296 g, within a couple of grams of Arc’teryx’s listed 298 g.
The gear loops are large, ergonomically shaped and rigid. In testing they held a full rack of quickdraws or trad kit, and the stiff plastic finish made gear quick to unclip. The rear loop works as a fifth carrying point for rescue kit on multi-pitch routes, but it isn’t load-rated: Arc’teryx lists it as a non-structural haul loop.
The fixed leg loops are comfortable for hanging while working moves. The weak point is the quick-release hook on the rear leg elastic. In testing it was very hard to undo, enough to cast doubt on a toilet stop with the harness on. That test dates from 2024, so it may cover an earlier production run than the current X000009656 / X000009655 models.
Because the leg loops can’t be adjusted, the Skaha has to fit straight out of the box, so try it on before you buy. Arc’teryx doesn’t accept returns on harnesses bought from its own store. Owner feedback is positive but limited: 4.4 out of 5 from 29 reviews on Arc’teryx’s current men’s page, and 5.0 out of 5 from 2 customer reviews on Bergfreunde.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- WST waist belt that Arc’teryx says spreads pressure evenly from edge to edge
- Honeycomb mesh and Spacermesh liner — no chafing in hot weather in Climbing Gear Reviews UK’s test
- Light: 298 g men’s, 283 g women’s, as listed by Arc’teryx
- Rigid gear loops with room for a full rack, according to the reviewer
- Separate women’s-specific version
Cons
- Rear quick-release hook not as easy to undo according to Climbing Gear Reviews UK’s test
- Fixed leg loops, so it has to fit out of the box
- Premium price
- Surface clean only — it can’t be washed
Arc’teryx Skaha Review: Final Verdict
The Skaha is built around comfort and airflow: a WST waist belt, a honeycomb mesh outer, a Spacermesh liner and fixed leg loops designed for hanging. Climbing Gear Reviews UK found it light, comfortable and chafe-free in the heat, with only the rear release hook letting it down. It’s the premium pick in our harness comparison, for climbers who spend long sessions in the harness and are happy to pay for it.
If price matters more, the Black Diamond Solution is our best sport climbing pick — compare all six in our full climbing harness comparison.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Arc’teryx Skaha weigh?
Arc’teryx lists the men’s Skaha at 298 g and the women’s at 283 g. Climbing Gear Reviews UK weighed their men’s size M at 296 g.
Are the Arc’teryx Skaha’s leg loops adjustable?
No. The Skaha has wide, fixed leg loops with continuous construction, plus a quick-release hook on the rear leg elastic. Climbing Gear Reviews UK found that hook very difficult to release.
What’s the difference between the men’s and women’s Skaha?
The women’s Skaha has a women’s-specific design and fit, comes in XXS–XL rather than XS–XL, and is listed at 283 g against 298 g for the men’s. Both use the same WST waist belt, honeycomb mesh, four gear loops and fixed leg loops.
How many gear loops does the Arc’teryx Skaha have?
Arc’teryx lists four gear loops plus a non-structural haul loop at the back. Climbing Gear Reviews UK used that rear loop for rescue kit and notes it isn’t load-rated.
Is the Skaha in the 2024 Climbing Gear Reviews test the same as the current one?
Not exactly. Climbing Gear Reviews UK tested a Canadian-made Skaha in 2024. The current men’s X000009656 and women’s X000009655 are made in China, and the men’s now comes in XS–XL. Arc’teryx lists the same 298 g weight and the same core features.
Is the Arc’teryx Skaha PFAS-free?
Arc’teryx describes it as “PFAS compliant”. Some retailers, including Bergfreunde, list it as PFAS-free, but Arc’teryx’s own page doesn’t use that wording.