Review: Mad Rock Mountain Mama Maternity Climbing Harness (UPDATED)
A throwback review of Mad Rock’s Mountain Mama maternity climbing harness — real-world comfort, fit, and adjustment tips for climbing through pregnancy, plus a 2026 update on alternatives.
Still rockin’ it - with limits and safe gear!
This is a throwback review from 2014, originally from our old blog. It was well-received, so we’re keeping it here. This post contains affiliate links — if you buy through them, we earn a small commission that helps fund our work.
UPDATE: A lot has changed since this first aired in 2014. Skip to the end for the newest info on this (and another) maternity climbing harness.
The Arkansas Climbing Coalition holds a bouldering competition at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch, near Ponca, Arkansas, every year. Great turnout, beautiful weather, and tasty BBQ — you just can’t lose. It was the perfect chance to put the new Mad Rock Mountain Mama maternity harness to the test and usher in the third trimester with a little top-rope climbing.
At 28 weeks pregnant, and knowing a little harness adaptation would help everyone involved, I was ready to go. Holding the webbing up by the shoulders, the shape made sense and it was easy to see how it’s worn — leg, leg, arm, arm, done. The women in our group were enthusiastic; the men were encouraging but a little leery (“why not just take a few months off?”).
The price point of about $120 is very reasonable given the specialty design and extra material. The webbing is wide and comfortable, with no cutting in. My biggest tip: take plenty of time to adjust the straps — it’s going to feel different. Make the obvious adjustments, then fine-tune, because half an inch makes a real difference. Being anchored from the chest is a very different sensation than from the pelvis, so I spent time hanging on belay to get used to it and dial in the fit. (A DIY belt-style chalk bag works just fine.)
At roughly six months, I climbed up to a 5.8. Everything stayed in place, felt secure, and the materials and seams are high quality. Coming down, there was a moment where my belly felt ever so slightly pinched between the two side webs — and “pinched” is too strong a word; more fine-tuning would likely fix it. After a while I stopped noticing the chest tie-in entirely. It just felt good to climb.
The bottom line: the Mountain Mama is big on adjustability and simple on features — but what more do you need to get on a wall and feel good doing it? I’m secure, mobile, and Kiddo isn’t being smashed by a belt. For pregnant climbers who want to keep up their chalky pursuits, I definitely recommend giving it a try.
UPDATE (2026): Yes, we’re still talking about this harness. I mean, you’re here because you’re still hearing about it and searching for it. I emailed with the nice folks at Mad Rock a couple of years ago when I heard through the grapevine that they were working on bringing their maternity harness back to life - I wanted to get hands-on with it as soon as it was out so I could give you all the newest update! Alas, I haven’t heard anything since and it’s not for lack of trying.
The Mad Rock Maternity Harness isn’t available right now — a huge bummer. A great and very similar alternative is the Petzl full-body harness,* which has excellent reviews. I’d actually love to try it with the disabled community in mind, too: for some people, a full-body harness can feel more secure and comfortable than a traditional belt-style one.
Please note: while we love adventure, climbing while pregnant may not be for everyone. Talk with your doctor before taking on any activity during pregnancy. You do this at your own risk, and our review isn’t responsible for your decisions. Thank you for understanding.
*This is an affiliate link. If you make a purchase through our link we make a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend and link gear that we also like.
(Podcast) Season 3, Episode 7 - Adult Weekend Adventures (The Kids Will Be Ok)
Sometimes the adults need to get away and play, too. Kids, it’s time to stay with the grandparents or buddy-sitter… Mom and Dad need to have some reconnection time - it’s healthy for everyone.
Season 3, Episode 7. Okay parents — this one's for you. We're talking about getting outside without the kiddos. Solo trips, couples getaways, weekends with friends — all of it. Cristen and I dive into why it's so important to carve out that adult time in the outdoors, even when it feels impossible to step away. Turns out, absence really does make the heart grow fonder — you come back recharged, more patient, and honestly a better partner and parent for it. We share some of our own experiences sneaking away for a night or two, and we talk about how to make it happen without the guilt. We also mention Eddie Bauer's gear rental program — a great option if you want to try something new (kayaking, backpacking, whatever) without dropping a fortune on gear you're not sure about yet.
(Podcast) Season 3, Episode 6: Camping Sleep Systems
Sleeping systems: from full sleeping back to thermal blankets, sleeping pads of all kinds, and everything in between. Learn about the elements on sleeping systems so you can get a good night’s sleep anywhere you set up camp.
Season 3, Episode 6. Alright — so you've picked your campsite, you've got your tent set up, and now it's time to actually sleep. Easier said than done! This one's all about the sleep system — sleeping bags, sleeping pads, blankets, the works. We break down the differences between down and synthetic fills, inflatable versus foam pads, and how those temperature ratings actually work (spoiler: it's not as straightforward as you'd think). We get into the whole hammock-versus-ground-sleeping debate too — Cristen and I definitely have opinions on that one. We even pulled up the Spotify polling feature to see where you all land on the question. Whether you're car camping with the family or heading into the backcountry, getting your sleep setup dialed in makes all the difference. Check out the companion blog post over on keywordadventure.com for more gear details and our affiliate picks.
(Podcast) Tent Camping Starter: From Living Room to the Backyard
Season 3, Episode 1: tent camping starter — laying the foundation for a great family camping experience, from the living room to the backyard, so the kids are comfortable and the pressure’s off you.
Welcome to Season 3 Episode 1! We’re so glad you’re here.
The Season 2 wrap is complete, and we’re excited to embark on a new season geared more toward helpful steps to get you into your adventures. Season 3 Episode 1 is all about starting out.
Perhaps you’ve wanted to try camping and never had the know-how. Maybe you have experience camping, but not with kids. Or maybe your kids are even asking to try it out, and now you’re doing your best to figure out just how to make that happen.
This episode is all about laying the foundation for a good experience camping in tents with your family — particularly how to set it up so your kids are comfortable, have fun, and it takes the pressure off you. Our goal is to give you tips and tricks to get started in the comfort of your own home. Visit our website and sign up for our newsletter to be one of the first to access gear, discounts, checklists, and more.