Black Diamond Alpine Bod

I bought two of these accidentally.  I don't know if the retailer made the mistake or me but I am glad for the error. 

I have five kids ranging in ages from 3-12.  The 12 yr old is too old for this but the 3, 5, 7 and 10 yr old all can fit this harness fine.  Two makes things faster because of less time spent swapping harnesses.  The back padding is fleece which I thought was kinda cheesy but it actually does fine for the kiddos.  They shipped two with different color padding so the kids claimed one as their own. 

The fleece is kinda grabby so the little ones can't slip out with their narrow hips.  The 10 yr old puts his own on just fine (always double check of course).  None of them have ever expressed discomfort wearing it and they often hang in it for longer than I would want to in my own harness.  The problem is that they forget they are wearing it and run off at the crag with the harness on and forget to leave it for their siblings. 

The 10 yr old follows 5.9 sport climbs just fine with it and I like all of its features.  The Belay loop is nice and stiff and it has gear loops just like dad's.  I can't think of a reason to dislike it yet.  

PARENTS: For your littlest climbers use a piece of webbing and make a figure 8 chest harness to keep these top-heavy kids from capsizing in a fall.  Though unlikely in toproping, it's still a good idea.