Harnesses for Production Mixing?

[HarrisKarlin]

My lower back is really starting to feel my work. Currently, I just have my rig in Portabraces on over-the-shoulder straps, and it's killing me.

I've heard rumors of some mixers using rock climbing harnesses and other set ups. What sorts of solutions have other Slutz come up with?

[tsvisser]

I know vanity is a horrible thing, but are you afraid of looking like a geek on location or not?...

Having a former military background, this is the first thing that I instinctually grabbed and never thought to use a Petrol or PB bag... although I think I saw Petrol is making a load bearing harness now that might be worth checking out. I like being able to jog or bend over without things shifting or swinging about...

BLACKHAWK ! *Low Profile Chest Rig

I also bought a modular version...

BLACKHAWK ! *BlackHawk Modular Low Profile Chest Rig

You can outfit wireless pouches, pistol grips, cables, etc... as needed.

They are big enough for a Sound Devices mixer / recorder, but not anything much bigger. I make some internal cuts and route some wiring and it feels pretty good. If I buy a 788T, that will keep most all of my kit under 4lbs and just have to cary some radios at that point. That will be nice. However, the volume of equipment you can fit into a rig like this is much much less than a typical recordists bag.

Put battery packs on a belt if you have to carry power (big thick equipment belt, not like a leather dress belt).

Big problem with should bags is that the load is not evenly distributed, which can be a big deal over long periods of time.

[Remoteness]

I like to cross pollinate accessories and apperatus like bags, cases, harnesses from other fields.

The Blackhawk stuff looks like it can work well.

[Sound Sorcerer]

Originally Posted by HarrisKarlin

What sorts of solutions have other Slutz come up with?

Versa-Flex

[LX3]

For some reason, when I see these chest-harness things, I start thinking of John Goodman in The Big Lebowski.

I get everything I need on a SetWear belt with two large-ish packs on it, plus a walkie, and a strap carrying my gaffer. But I have to watch that I don't knock things over when manoeuvering in tight spaces - you can get caught out because your hips suddenly stick out a few inches more than usual.

But I'm just rigging, not carrying a recorder around. Back in the days when I had time to be a photographer, I came unstuck a few times carrying 35kg of gear on my back all day. I understand the value of distributing your load.

[tsvisser]

Originally Posted by LX3

For some reason, when I see these chest-harness things, I start thinking of John Goodman in The Big Lebowski.

Yes, that is right... when wearing something like this I just don't see how you can pull it off without wearing large yellow shooting glasses. It is the patriotic American thing to do, to be prepared to shoot enemy invaders. For you non-Americans, I'm sure you would all do us proud by adding a little "hey I'm wearing shooting glasses and am ready to start shooting if need be" type of style into your otherwise suave European dress.

...face down, in the mud...