I upgraded this year to a harness from the old belt style and wound up going with the Fast Back. I didn't like the idea of the vest because of all the material of a vest system. The Fast Back doesn't have the bulkiness of the vest but is very easy to get into without tangles and a big clump of seat belt material to sort out. I love it....comfortablel, easy to get into, and quiet. I use it with a Prusik knot system I attach at the base of the tree to a rope that is attached above stand level - only makes sense to be secured from the ground up and then back again. Whatever your decision for a harness, I would suggest the complete climging system of a Prusik knot or climbing ascender attached to a rope that from the base of the tree to your stand.