CORE Tree Stand Harness Kit
The Malta Hunting CORE Tree Stand Harness Kit is the essentials-only harness in the Malta Hunting line and the lowest-cost adult harness Malta Dynamics, LLC of Malta, Ohio builds, from the same plant that makes its industrial fall protection harnesses. Breathable shoulder padding, 1 in webbing, steel pass-through leg buckles, a shock-absorbing tether sewn to the harness, and sewn-in lineman's loops, at about 2 lb. No gear lanyards, no optics point, no extras you pay for and never use. Every feature on the CORE has a job in the tree.
Rated for hunters up to 300 lb, the CORE carries the newest test in the line: Intertek tested it in May 2026 under report 106588066CRT-001, and Malta Dynamics declares it in conformity with ASTM F2337-22, the Standard Test Method for Tree Stand Fall Arrest Systems. A 220 lb test torso dropped 64 in feet first was arrested at 1,458 lbf, and the face-first, dynamic strength, climbing belt, suspension relief device, and label tests all passed. Each kit ships with the harness, a 2 in wide tree strap, and a 1 in suspension relief strap that doubles as a deer drag, in Coyote Tan, sizes S-M, L-XL, or 2XL. Use the sizing chart to match your height, weight, and waist to a size.
| Size | Waist Measurement |
|---|---|
| S-M | 22 in to 46 in |
| L-XL | 26 in to 49 in |
| 2XL | 30 in to 52 in |
X-Large
Medium
Size bands overlap on purpose. S-M fits roughly 4'10" to 5'8" and 130 to 180 lb with a 22 to 46 in waist. L-XL fits 4'10" to 6'2" and 160 to 240 lb with a 26 to 49 in waist. 2XL fits 5'2" to 6'8" and 190 to 280 lb with a 30 to 52 in waist. The CORE is not offered in 3XL; hunters above the 2XL band should look at the Hunter's Elite or Ultralight in 3XL. Measure the waist over the clothing you will hunt in.
Who Needs This Product
The CORE Tree Stand Harness Kit is the wearable fall arrest system for the hunter who wants a tested harness and nothing else: the ladder stand hunter who sits a few evenings a season, the first adult harness for a new hunter, the camp that outfits guests and family with a loaner on every hook, the replacement for a harness that has aged out or arrested a fall, and the spare that lives in the truck so nobody ever hunts elevated without one. It is the right choice over the other Malta Hunting harnesses when you do not need the gear-carrying features of the Hunter's Elite or the aluminum quick-connect buckles of the Ultralight, and you do want the lightest, simplest harness in the line at the lowest cost, backed by the newest third-party test Malta has run. The harness, tree strap, and tether cover you once you are at the stand. To stay connected from the moment you leave the ground, as the Malta manual requires, pair the kit with a 30 ft Reflective Lifeline for fixed stands, or buy the CORE Hunt Essentials Pack, which adds the lifeline and the lineman's climbing strap for hanging sets.
Features
Essentials only, about 2 lb
The CORE strips tree stand safety down to what arrests a fall and keeps you comfortable: harness, tether, buckles, padding, and lineman's loops. At 2.0 to 2.2 lb it disappears under a jacket and adds nothing to the walk in.
Breathable shoulder padding
Open padding under the shoulder straps, with comfort padding across the back and legs, carries the harness through an all-day sit without hot spots, and the quiet materials do not rustle or clink when a deer is under the stand.
Shock-absorbing tether, attached
The shock-absorbing tether is sewn to the rear neckline, so there is nothing to attach wrong. It stretches to reduce arrest force and gives controlled movement in the stand, and its fall arrest indicator deployed visibly and permanently on every Intertek drop.
Steel pass-through leg buckles
Low-profile steel pass-through leg buckles have no springs or latches to freeze, fill with mud, or clink. Thread, pull snug, done. The waist buckle snaps closed with an audible lock that you pull-test before every climb.
Sewn-in lineman's loops
A lineman's loop on each hip takes a lineman's climbing strap for hanging stands and sticks. On the CORE the loops do double duty: the manual has you clip the suspension relief strap to a lineman's loop after a fall, because this harness has no sub-pelvic strap.
Complete kit, tested as a system
Ships with the harness, the 2 in wide HEA1000 tree strap, and the 1 in HEA3000 suspension relief strap that doubles as a deer drag. Intertek tested the harness and tether together as a tree stand fall arrest system, including the climbing belt and suspension relief device tests.
Stay connected from the ground up. Per the Malta Hunting Safety manual, you must be attached to the tree from the moment you leave the ground until you return, using a lifeline or a lineman's climbing strap together with the tree strap and tether. Never connect the harness to any part of the tree stand, climbing sticks, or tree limbs, and never use a lineman's loop, the relief strap, or any accessory loop to secure yourself to the tree. The CORE is a single-fall product: after any fall, return it to Malta Dynamics for replacement.
Compliance Standards
ASTM F2337-22
Standard Test Method for Tree Stand Fall Arrest Systems. Intertek (Cortland, New York, ISO 17025 accredited) tested the CORE on May 21, 2026 under report 106588066CRT-001, issued May 28, 2026: feet-first and face-first dynamic performance, dynamic strength at the 300 lb rated capacity, climbing belt, suspension relief device, and label requirements all passed. Malta Dynamics Declaration of Conformity MD1PO365 (May 28, 2026) declares HE6100, HE6101, and HE6102 in conformity with ASTM F2337-22 on that report, the newest edition and the newest test of any Malta Hunting harness.
Climbing belt and suspension relief tests
Beyond the drop tests, the CORE report covers two sections not every harness report includes. In the section 8 climbing belt test, the torso fell twice the adjusted belt length against the pole, the system did not release, held for two minutes, and showed no damage. In the section 9 suspension relief device test, a static load of twice the rated capacity, 600 lb, hung from the relief device for two minutes without release.
Manufacturer labels and 5-year retirement
Each harness carries the orange ASTM warning label with the year of manufacture, capacity rating, part number, size, and the required retirement warning. The label set passed section 11.5 of the test method, and the manual sets the service life at five years from the date of purchase.
User requirements
Users must be 16 years old or older and physically and mentally able to adjust, attach, and recover without help. Hunters under 16 must be instructed before each use and accompanied by a supervising adult at all times while climbing, descending, or in the stand. Never exceed the 300 lb total of hunter, clothing, and gear.
Typical Applications
How to Use
Read the Malta Hunting Safety instruction manual and watch the required instructional video before the first climb. The sequence below summarizes the manual and does not replace it.
- Inspect. Check webbing, stitching, both pass-through leg buckles, the waist buckle, the tether, the fall indicator, the tree strap, and the suspension relief strap before every use. Do not climb with any component that is damaged, worn, or not working correctly.
- Don and buckle. Put the harness on and snap the waist buckle closed. Listen for the complete snap, then grab both sides and pull sharply to confirm it is locked. Bring each leg strap between your legs, left strap to left buckle and right strap to right buckle, thread each pass-through buckle fully, and pull-test each one with no clothing caught in the buckle.
- Adjust. Slide the waist adjustment bar until the harness is comfortably snug over the clothing you will hunt in, then snug each leg strap. Make large adjustments with the harness off and lying flat, and shake it out by the waist buckle so no strap is twisted.
- Set the tree strap. Wrap the tree strap around the trunk, pass the tail through the loop at the end of the tether, and weave it through the knurled slide bar buckle as shown in the manual, leaving at least 8 in of tail beyond the buckle. Pull it tight to the tree and test it by yanking the tether.
- Height check. Standing on the platform, position the tree strap at or above head level. When you sit, the tether should have no slack between you and the tree. If it does, move the strap higher so you can get back onto the platform after a fall.
- Climb connected. On a climbing stand, attach the tether and tree strap at the ground and advance them with each move. On a fixed stand, use a lifeline or a lineman's climbing strap on the sewn-in loops so you stay attached from the ground up, and stay doubly attached while you step into the stand.
- Carry the relief strap. Keep the suspension relief strap in an easily reached pocket, never clipped to the tether or a loop in transit. On the CORE, which has no sub-pelvic strap, the manual has you clip the relief strap to one of the lineman's loops on the side of the harness, then adjust it so you can step into it and stand. Practice this near ground level with a responsible adult present before the season.
- Plan the recovery. Carry a whistle, phone, or locator beacon, tell someone where you are hunting, and have a practiced plan to get back to the platform or the ground. After any fall, use the relief strap to stand and keep your legs moving while you wait for help.
Inspection and Retirement
Inspect the harness, tether, buckles, tree strap, and relief strap before each use, per the Malta Hunting Safety manual. Remove the kit from service for any of the following.
- Webbing: cuts, frays, burns, chemical or UV damage, broken fibers, or heavy abrasion anywhere on the harness, tether, or straps.
- Stitching: pulled, cut, or broken stitches at the tether, lineman's loops, or any load-bearing seam.
- Buckles and slide bars: cracks, distortion, corrosion, a waist buckle that will not snap and lock, or a pass-through buckle whose webbing slips under a sharp pull.
- Fall indicator: a deployed indicator on the tether means the harness has arrested a fall and is finished.
- Labels: the tether label with the year of manufacture and capacity must remain attached and legible.
- Age: remove the harness from service five years from the date of purchase (keep your receipt), or five years from the manufacture date printed on the tether label if the harness was bought used or the proof of purchase is lost.
Retirement triggers: any fall, a deployed fall indicator, any of the damage above, or the five-year limit. The CORE is designed to arrest a single fall only. After a fall, return the harness to Malta Dynamics for replacement by calling 800-494-1840; a nominal fee applies. Never modify, repair, sew, or cut the harness. Clean with a damp soapy cloth and store dry, out of direct light, away from heat and chemical vapors.
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Technical Specifications
| Type | Full body tree stand harness kit (tree stand fall arrest system) with attached shock-absorbing tether, breathable shoulder padding, and sewn-in lineman's loops; essentials-only design |
|---|---|
| SKU family | MHE6100. Coyote Tan: HE6100 (S-M), HE6101 (L-XL), HE6102 (2XL). The last digit is the size: 0 S-M, 1 L-XL, 2 2XL. |
| Capacity | 300 lb maximum user weight including clothing and gear (spec sheet and vendor rating; the 2026 Intertek dynamic strength and suspension relief tests were run at the 300 lb rated capacity and twice that capacity) |
| Standard | ASTM F2337-22 Standard Test Method for Tree Stand Fall Arrest Systems (Declaration of Conformity MD1PO365, May 28, 2026, Level 3 independent ISO 17025 laboratory) |
| Test report | Intertek 106588066CRT-001, issued May 28, 2026, tested May 21, 2026 (model HE6101 with HE6102 and HE6103 covered): feet-first drop of a 220 lb torso from 64 in, maximum arrest force 1,458 lbf, torso retained and supported 2 minutes, fall indicator deployed; face-first drop from 6 ft passed; dynamic strength drop from 64 in passed with 16.5 in of harness stretch against a 24 in limit; climbing belt test passed; suspension relief device held 600 lb static for 2 minutes; labels passed |
| Materials | 1 in webbing with breathable padding and quiet materials, steel pass-through leg buckles and steel slide bar hardware |
| Buckles | Steel pass-through leg buckles; snap-lock waist buckle with adjustable slide bar |
| Tether | Shock-absorbing tether attached at the rear neckline, with fall arrest indicator and manufacturer date label |
| Padding | Breathable shoulder padding with comfort padding across the back and legs; no sub-pelvic strap (relief strap clips to a lineman's loop) |
| Included | One CORE harness, one HEA1000 tree strap (2 in wide, 0.6 lb), one HEA3000 suspension relief and deer drag strap (1 in wide, 0.2 lb), printed instructions with a link to the required safety video. Lineman's climbing strap and lifeline sold separately or in the CORE Hunt Essentials Pack. |
| Patterns | Coyote Tan only |
| Sizes | S-M (22 to 46 in waist), L-XL (26 to 49 in), 2XL (30 to 52 in); no 3XL; see the height and weight chart above |
| Unit weight | 2.0 lb (S-M), 2.1 lb (L-XL), 2.2 lb (2XL), harness only |
| Service life | Single-fall product. Remove from service after any fall, after a deployed fall indicator, or five years from the date of purchase (five years from the manufacture date on the tether label without proof of purchase) |
| Manufacturer | Malta Dynamics, LLC, 210 13th Street, Malta, Ohio 43758, sold under the Malta Hunting brand |
| Warranty | 1 year from the date of installation or first use against factory defects in workmanship and materials, original purchaser only (Malta Dynamics) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Malta Hunting CORE Harness Submittals and Documentation
CORE Harness Spec Sheet (PDF)Key features, part numbers HE6100 to HE6102 by size, unit weights 2.0 to 2.2 lb, 300 lb capacity, kit contents, and the Coyote Tan color option. CORE ASTM F2337 Test Report (PDF)Intertek report 106588066CRT-001, May 2026: feet-first and face-first drops, 1,458 lbf maximum arrest force, dynamic strength, climbing belt, suspension relief device, label review. CORE Declaration of Conformity (PDF)Malta Dynamics declaration MD1PO365 (May 28, 2026): HE6100, HE6101, HE6102 in conformity with ASTM F2337-22, Level 3 independent ISO 17025 laboratory verification by Intertek. Malta Hunting Harness Instruction Manual (PDF)Adjusting the harness, tree strap attachment, suspension relief strap (including the CORE lineman's loop attachment), use with climbing, hang-on and ladder stands, safe-use rules, care, and warranty. Malta Hunting Straps Spec Sheet (PDF)Component spec sheet for the included HEA1000 tree strap and HEA3000 suspension relief and deer drag strap, plus the HEA2000 lineman's climbing strap.Compatible and Related Products
- Malta Hunting CORE Hunt Essentials Pack. This same harness kit bundled with the 30 ft reflective lifeline and the lineman's climbing strap, everything the manual calls for from the ground up.
- Malta Hunting 30 ft Reflective Lifeline. Prusik lifeline with a twist-lock carabiner for stands up to 25 ft, so you are connected before your boots leave the ground.
- Malta Hunting Two-User 30 ft Reflective Lifeline. Two prusiks and two carabiners on one rope for buddy stands and mentored hunts.
- Malta Hunting Ultralight Tree Stand Harness Kit. The 300 lb harness kit with aluminum quick-connect buckles, four camo patterns, and a 3XL.
- Malta Hunting Youth Ultralight Tree Stand Harness Kit. One-size youth harness rated to 150 lb for supervised hunters under 16.
- Malta Hunting Hunter's Elite Tree Stand Harness Kit. The full-featured 300 lb harness kit with full padding, gear lanyards, and steel quick-connect buckles in three patterns and four sizes.
- Malta Hunting Hunter's Elite Hunt Essentials Pack. Hunter's Elite harness kit with lifeline and lineman's strap.
- Malta Hunting Ultralight Hunt Essentials Pack. Ultralight harness kit with lifeline and lineman's strap.
- Hunting Safety department. Every Malta Hunting tree stand harness, Hunt Essentials Pack, and lifeline in one place.
Specifying Tree Stand Safety Gear for Your Camp?
Outfitting a hunting camp, a youth mentoring program, or a lease with several stands? The CORE is the harness to put on every hook. Tell us how many hunters, their sizes, and the stand types, and we will match harness sizes, lifelines, and lineman's straps so every hunter is connected from the ground up and the whole order ships together.
Call 863-703-4522 to talk to a fall protection specialist.
Reviewed October 2026 by Fall Protection Distributors against the Malta Dynamics instruction manual, Declaration of Conformity and Intertek test report linked above.
