Petzl Aquila

A comfortable and adjustable harness designed for high-performance single pitch, multi-pitch, and trad climbing.

Essential for climbers who demand superior support and enhanced performance, this harness is designed for single pitch, multi-pitch, and trad climbing. Featuring a wide and comfortable waistbelt, it accommodates all body types, while adjustable leg loops allow for seasonal adaptability. Its slim and lightweight design ensures excellent freedom of movement while remaining comfortable when hanging. With five spacious gear loops, it is highly versatile and ideal for excursions requiring extensive gear. Reinforced tie-in points enhance durability by resisting rope friction over time.

Features

Maximum support while hanging:

• The wide and comfortable waistbelt is designed to suit larger body types and ensures even pressure distribution.
• The waistbelt and leg loops feature smooth-seamed edges for increased comfort.
• Leg loops are adjustable with DOUBLEBACK HD buckles, allowing adaptation to different body types and seasonal clothing.
• A flexible leg loop bridge enhances comfort while climbing.
• FUSEFRAME Technology construction incorporates closed-cell thermoformed foam, maintaining consistent comfort throughout the harness’s lifespan.
• The interior fabric is breathable and moisture-wicking for added comfort.
  
  

Carries and organises a large quantity of gear:

• Two large, rigid gear loops at the front provide ample space for gear and enable easy clipping and unclipping of carabiners.
• Two flexible rear gear loops are angled to bring gear to the front while remaining comfortable when carrying a backpack.
• A large, central rear gear loop is ideal for racking gear needed at belay stations or for additional accessories.
• A rear accessory loop accommodates a chalk bag, shoes, quick link, trail line, or other gear.
• Compatible with CARITOOL EVO tool holders, making it suitable for racking ice screws.
  
  

Enhanced durability:

• Reinforced tie-in points made of high-modulus polyethylene (HMPE) offer increased resistance to wear caused by rope friction.
• The exterior fabric is highly durable and resistant to abrasion.
  
• Comes with a storage pouch made from recycled polyester and nylon.

Specifications

Technology

Technical notice

• Download the PDF : technical-notice-HIRUNDOS-AQUILA-3 - 3.25 MB

Declaration Of Conformity 

• Download the PDF : EU-Declaration-C037BAXX-AQUILA - 0.18 MB
• Download the PDF : UKCA-Declaration-C037BAXX-AQUILA - 0.56 MB

Tips for maintaining your equipment

• Download the PDF - 3.05 MB

Inspection

PPE inspection procedure

• Download the PDF - 2.72 MB

PPE checklist

• Download the PDF - 0.23 MB
  

Video

Technical Content

BELAY LOOP AND TIE-IN POINTS: WHERE DO I ATTACH MY LANYARD, MY BELAY DEVICE AND MY ROPE?

The front part of a climbing harness usually has a belay loop and two tie-in points. These parts provide a place to attach a lanyard, a belay device and a rope.

WARNINGS Carefully read the Instructions for Use used in this technical advice before consulting the advice itself. You must have already read and understood the information in the Instructions for Use to be able to understand this supplementary information. Mastering these techniques requires specific training. Work with a professional to confirm your ability to perform these techniques safely and independently before attempting them unsupervised. We provide examples of techniques related to your activity. There may be others that we do not describe here.

 

 

1. Where do I attach my lanyard?

From a safety and strength perspective, the lanyard can be attached to the belay loop or to the two tie-in points. But as a matter of comfort, it is preferable to attach your lanyard to the belay loop.

Petzl recommends attaching your lanyard to the belay loop.

	The lanyard attached to the belay loop helps maintain good harness geometry without affecting comfort. It allows the tie-in points to move freely and does not hinder the climber’s mobility. It also keeps the tie-in points clear, for attaching a single rope or two half ropes.
	A lanyard attached to the two tie-in points brings the upper and lower parts of the harness closer together. This reduces the climber’s comfort and mobility.

 

2. Where do I attach my belay device?

A common error is to attach the belay device to the two tie-in points instead of to the belay loop. WARNING: when connected to the two tie-in points, the carabiner will not be properly loaded.

The belay device must always be attached to the belay loop.

	This attachment allows the belay device to move freely and helps prevent cantilever loading of the carabiner.
	WARNING: when the belay device is attached to the two tie-in points of a harness, the carabiner is not free to move and becomes loaded on the minor axis: There is a risk of the carabiner breaking if the climber falls There is a risk of the carabiner gate opening

 

3. Where do I attach my rope?

From a safety and strength perspective, there is no risk in tying in with a figure-eight knot or a bowline knot on the belay loop instead of to the two tie-in points.

But as a matter of durability and wear, it is preferable to tie in to the two tie-in points.

The belay device must always be attached to the belay loop.

	The tie-in points were designed to be loaded frequently by the rope (repeated climber falls while working a route). They are reinforced with protective webbing and are thus more wear-resistant. Also, on certain harnesses, a red wear indicator incorporated into the tie-in points helps you know when the harness should be retired. This makes it easier to inspect your equipment.
	Tying in to the belay loop is reserved for mountaineering where falls are rare, as with the ALTITUDE and TOUR harnesses for example. Repeated falls on the belay loop when sport climbing will result in premature wear of the harness.

WARNING: Be sure to take care when tying in.

 

Once everything is set up, remember to do a partner check before starting to climb: