I never used one and always used the old black belts they sold years ago with the lock on stands. After a friend had a tree stand accident I thought I better get with the program and bought a HSS harness. I bought the new lite weight harness but returned it for the Pro model with the vest and pockets. I wanted something that had the pockets so I could store the linemans belt and other things. I love it and don't even know I am wearing it. Having the linemans belt is great and allows me to use both hands to put up stands. I wish something like that was available years ago.