How to Select a Binocular Harness

Binocular harnesses are extremely useful pieces of gear that every hunter, birdwatcher, and shooter can benefit from. A binocular harness, also known as a bino harness, is a case that holds your binoculars and other accessories on your chest, giving you free use of your hands while keeping your binoculars secure and accessible. The main benefit of a bino harness is to have a protected place for your binoculars when you aren't using them, while still keeping them nearby. One option is a neck strap, but this doesn't protect the glass since the binoculars can flop around. There are many binocular harnesses with different features available, and if you're looking for one that will suit your needs, this guide will help.

What Are the Different Types of Bino Harnesses?

There are two main styles of binocular harnesses. The first is an over-the-shoulders harness with attachment straps that tie directly to your binoculars. A lot of binoculars have a loop on both sides near the eyepieces that are designed to have attachment straps thread through them. This style of harness keeps the binoculars in a readily available spot on your chest while allowing your hands to be free when you aren't using the binos. However, since the binoculars are exposed, the harness doesn’t offer any protection while hunting or hiking.

The other main style of binocular harness is a case. This type consists of an over-the-shoulder harness with a case that sits on your chest for you to put the binoculars in. Often, these cases also have straps that can directly attach to your binoculars so that they don’t fall out of the case if you forget to fasten the lid. These binocular harnesses offer the same benefits as a traditional strap harness but also protect your binoculars from bumps, scratches, and other environmental hazards.

How to Choose the Right Size Bino Harness

The first thing you want to determine when purchasing a binocular harness is how big your binoculars are, as this determines what size harness you need. A lot of the harnesses are adjustable to fit most people, so you only need to worry if they fit your binoculars. Harnesses with just the attachment straps and no case are often one size since you don't need to fit the binoculars in a case. Harnesses with a case often come in different sizes that can vary between different manufacturers.

However, most give you the maximum dimensions of compatible binoculars for the different harness sizes. For example, a manufacturer may have binocular harnesses with sizes small, medium, and large. Then, they will state that the small harness fits binoculars that have up to a 32mm objective lens and are 7 inches in length. Consult the sizing chart if you aren’t sure which case size you need.

What Additional Features Can Bino Harnesses Have?

Some binocular harnesses have useful features that make your hunting and hiking experience even easier. For example, many harnesses have extra pockets for rangefinders, like the Alaska Guide Creations RAVUS Binocular Harness, which is useful when hunting because you often use both items together. Some harness also have storage pockets for things like phones, wallets and keys so you don’t accidentally drop them while moving through the woods. Finally, some bino harness have holsters for pistols or bear spray. These options are extremely useful if you are hunting in areas that have bear. It keeps your sidearm in a readily available spot where you can grab it while either sitting or standing.

Shop Binocular Harnesses at OpticsPlanet

When picking a binocular harness, the main goal is to determine if you want just the harness or one with a case. If you choose one with a case, make sure you have the exact dimensions of the binoculars to select the correct size. Determine what features or additional pockets you may find useful. If you are a bow hunter or hunting at varying distances, having a binocular harness with an additional pocket for a rangefinder is an excellent option. If you are hiking or hunting in an area where you need to carry a sidearm for protection against bear, get a harness with a holster. Overall, binocular harnesses are extremely useful for anyone who is spending time outdoors using binoculars.

Whether you're getting your gear ready for the upcoming hunting season or just want to upgrade your setup for birdwatching, hiking, or scouting, our team at OpticsPlanet has you covered. We have a wide variety of hunting gear available, including hunting clothes, rifle scopes, and spotting scopes.