Hunter's Elite Tree Stand Harness Kit
The Malta Hunting Hunter's Elite Tree Stand Harness Kit is the full-featured harness in the Malta Hunting line, built by Malta Dynamics, LLC of Malta, Ohio, the same manufacturer behind its industrial fall protection harnesses. A lumbar support belt, full comfort padding at the shoulders, back, waist, and legs, steel quick-connect chest and leg buckles, and a stretch shock-absorbing tether with an impact fall indicator make it the harness for hunters who sit long hours in the stand and hang their own sets.
Rated for hunters up to 300 lb, the Hunter's Elite was tested by Intertek to ASTM F2337-20, the Standard Test Method for Tree Stand Fall Arrest Systems, arresting a 220 lb test torso dropped 72 in at a maximum arrest force of 1,605 lbf. 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. Choose Black, TrueTimber Kanati, or TrueTimber Strata in S-M, L-XL, 2XL, or 3XL, and 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 |
| 3XL | 30 in to 53 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. 3XL fits 5'6" to 6'8" and 260 lb up to the 300 lb capacity with a 30 to 53 in waist. Measure the waist over the clothing you will hunt in.
Who Needs This Product
The Hunter's Elite Tree Stand Harness Kit is the wearable fall arrest system for any hunter who leaves the ground: hang-on, climbing, and ladder stand hunters, land managers who hang and pull their own sets each season, and anyone who sits from first light to last light and wants real padding under the shoulder straps. It is the right choice over the lighter Malta Hunting harnesses when you carry binoculars, a rangefinder, and a pack up the tree, when you want a lumbar belt behind you on a long sit, or when you want full padding under the load of your layered clothing and gear. 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 the lineman's climbing strap included in the Hunter's Elite Hunt Essentials Pack for hanging sets.
Features
Full comfort padding and lumbar belt
Silent padding at the shoulders, back, waist, and legs plus a lumbar support belt carry the weight of the harness and your gear through an all-day sit without pressure points.
Shock-absorbing tether with fall indicator
The stretch tether off the back of the neckline reduces arrest force and gives controlled movement in the stand. An impact fall indicator on the tether deploys visibly and permanently in a fall, so a used harness cannot be mistaken for a good one.
Steel quick-connect buckles, silenced
Steel quick-connect chest and leg buckles snap closed with an audible lock and open fast in the dark. Elastic buckle covers stop metal-on-metal clink while you move.
Sewn-in lineman's loops
Polyester lineman's loops on each hip take a lineman's climbing strap for hanging stands and sticks. Polyester instead of metal keeps the loops quiet against the tree.
Gear-ready: MOLLE, lanyards, optics point
MOLLE webbing on the back of the lumbar belt attaches a pack or pouch, two built-in gear lanyards hold a release or call, and a binocular and rangefinder connection point keeps optics centered on your chest.
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. The kit is tested as a tree stand fall arrest system, not as a bare harness.
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 the suspension relief loop or any accessory loop to secure yourself to the tree. This harness is a single-fall product: after any fall, return it to Malta Dynamics for replacement.
Compliance Standards
ASTM F2337-20
Standard Test Method for Tree Stand Fall Arrest Systems. Intertek (Cortland, New York, ISO 17025 accredited) tested the Hunter's Elite in April 2025 under report 106189222CRT-002: feet-first dynamic performance, face-first dynamic performance, dynamic strength with a 350 lb torso, and label requirements all passed. The original ASTM F2337-20 Declaration of Conformity MDL1P0365 references SGS report 22-T068.
ASTM F1772-17
Standard Specification for Harnesses for Rescue and Sport Activities. Malta Dynamics Declaration of Conformity MD3P334 (April 23, 2025) declares the Hunter's Elite Harness Kit in conformity with ASTM F1772-17, verified by independent third-party testing at Intertek under report 106152759CRT-001.
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 ASTM F2337-20, 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.
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 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, snap, 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 relief loop in transit. Practice stepping into it 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, relief loop, or any load-bearing seam.
- Buckles and slide bars: cracks, distortion, corrosion, buckles that will not snap and lock, or buckles that release 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 Hunter's Elite 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 stretch shock-absorbing tether, lumbar support belt, and sewn-in lineman's loops |
|---|---|
| SKU family | MHE1200. Black: HE1200 (S-M), HE1201 (L-XL), HE1202 (2XL), HE1203 (3XL). TrueTimber Kanati: HE2200, HE2201, HE2202, HE2203. TrueTimber Strata: HE3200, HE3201, HE3202, HE3203. The last two digits are the size: 00 S-M, 01 L-XL, 02 2XL, 03 3XL. |
| Capacity | 300 lb maximum user weight including clothing and gear. The system is rated to 300 lb because every component in the kit shares that limit: the Malta harness spec sheet lists 300 lb, the included tree strap is rated 300 lb (Malta straps spec sheet, ASTM F2123), and the Malta lifeline manual sets a 300 lb maximum for the lifelines you climb on. |
| Standard | ASTM F2337-20 Standard Test Method for Tree Stand Fall Arrest Systems; ASTM F1772-17 Standard Specification for Harnesses for Rescue and Sport Activities (Declaration of Conformity MD3P334) |
| Test report | Intertek 106189222CRT-002, April 29, 2025 (models HE2200, HE2201, HE2202, HE2203, HE3200, HE3202, HE3203): feet-first drop of a 220 lb torso from 72 in, maximum arrest force 1,605 lbf, torso retained and supported 2 minutes, fall indicator deployed; face-first drop from 65 in passed; dynamic strength drop of a 350 lb torso from 72 in passed with 23.25 in of harness stretch against a 24 in limit; labels passed |
| Materials | High-strength nylon and polyester webbing, polyester lineman's and gear loops, steel buckles and hardware, elastic buckle silencers |
| Buckles | Steel quick-connect chest and leg buckles with elastic noise covers; adjustable slide bar at the waist |
| Tether | Stretch shock-absorbing tether sewn at the rear neckline, adjustable length, with impact fall indicator and manufacturer date label |
| Padding | Full shoulder, back, waist, and leg comfort padding; lumbar support belt with MOLLE webbing |
| Included | One Hunter's Elite 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 Hunt Essentials Pack. |
| Patterns | Black, TrueTimber Kanati, TrueTimber Strata |
| Sizes | S-M (22 to 46 in waist), L-XL (26 to 49 in), 2XL (30 to 52 in), 3XL (30 to 53 in); see the height and weight chart above |
| Unit weight | 4.6 lb (S-M), 4.7 lb (L-XL), 4.8 lb (2XL), 4.9 lb (3XL), 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 Hunter's Elite Harness Submittals and Documentation
Hunter's Elite Harness Spec Sheet (PDF)Key features, part numbers by pattern and size, unit weights, the 300 lb rating, and the numbered feature callout. Hunter's Elite ASTM F2337-20 Test Report (PDF)Intertek report 106189222CRT-002, April 2025: feet-first and face-first drops, a dynamic strength drop with a 350 lb torso, 1,605 lbf maximum arrest force, label review. Hunter's Elite Declaration of Conformity (PDF)Malta Dynamics declarations MD3P334 (ASTM F1772-17, Intertek) and MDL1P0365 (ASTM F2337-20, SGS), both Level 3 independent ISO 17025 laboratory verification. Malta Hunting Harness Instruction Manual (PDF)Adjusting the harness, tree strap attachment, suspension relief strap, 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 Hunter's Elite 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 lighter 300 lb harness kit with aluminum buckles for mobile hunters who count ounces.
- Malta Hunting Youth Ultralight Tree Stand Harness Kit. One-size youth harness rated to 150 lb for supervised hunters under 16.
- Malta Hunting CORE Tree Stand Harness Kit. The entry-level Coyote Tan harness kit, tested to ASTM F2337-22.
- Malta Hunting Ultralight Hunt Essentials Pack. Ultralight harness kit with lifeline and lineman's strap.
- Malta Hunting CORE Hunt Essentials Pack. CORE 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? 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.
