Why Is Your Binocular Harness Loose? How To Fix It

Last updated on May 10th, 2023 at 10:49 pm

Binocular harnesses are essential for birders, hunters, and photographers alike. But when it comes loose, it suddenly becomes more of a hindrance than a help.

Your binocular harness may be loose because you bought the wrong size, you haven’t adjusted the straps, or your binoculars are too small for the harness. To fix it, you can adjust your straps by pulling up on the adjusters, or you can exchange your harness for one that fits better.

Reasons Why Your Binocular Harness Is Loose

If your binocular harness is loose, it can ruin your whole experience.

Here are some common reasons why your binocular harness might be loose, with explanations and product recommendations.

Editor’s Note: Beyond the harness, you may also be interested in other common birding binocular problems.

Wrong Size Harness

If your harness is loose, it could be that you just bought the wrong size.

Some don’t realize that harnesses do come in variable sizes, as some models are one-size-fits-all.

For example, the Quick Draw Bio Harness from Coyote comes in sizes medium and large, so you should be able to find a size that works for you.

The TIDEWE Bino Harness from Amazon.com also has multiple sizes available, as well as adjustable straps.

With this harness, you should be able to get a good fit regardless of your size. 

Non-Adjustable Straps

Most binocular harnesses have adjustable straps, but this is not a given.

Without adjustable straps, you’re left with a harness that could easily be too loose or too tight. 

Harnesses with adjustable straps are known as strap harnesses, whereas harnesses resembling backpacks are called bag harnesses.

Bag harnesses are less adjustable than strap harnesses, although the shoulder loops on a bag harness are typically more padded and comfortable.

An example of a strap binocular harness with adjustable straps is the OUFABE Binocular Harness from Amazon.com.

This harness is one-size-fits-all, but it’s also adjustable so that you can make it work for you.

Mismatched Binoculars

If your binoculars don’t match the harness in size, the binocular compartment of your harness will seem loose.

Unfortunately, this part of the harness is not adjustable.

The only solution is to find a different harness that either comes with a more suitable binocular compartment or has clips in place of a compartment. 

How To Fix a Loose Binocular Harness

Fixing a loose binocular harness is generally preferable to exchanging for a new one.

Thankfully, most binocular harnesses come with adjustable straps, and you can also use other fitting equipment, like shims.

Adjust the Straps

Many binocular harnesses come with adjustable straps so that they can fit a variety of people.

To adjust the straps, simply pull the adjuster upward to decrease the length of each strap.

Make sure that you make the harness even as you do this, or you’ll feel more compression on one side of your body than the other.

Exchange Your Harness

In some cases, the only thing you can do to make your harness fit better is exchange it for a new one. 

Even if the manufacturer you purchased from doesn’t offer exchanges, you can still use a service like GearTrade.

GearTrade accepts used outdoor gear in the mail, then sells it and gives you the profits.

Just make sure that your gear is clean, in good condition, and less than five years old before sending it to GearTrade.

Use a Shim

If your binocular harness is too big for your binoculars, you can use a shim in the main compartment to raise the height of your binoculars.

You can then use up the available space.

These are essentially soft foam pieces that lie in the bottom of your binocular compartment.

They are made to protect your binoculars from damage while also making them more accessible.

How To Fix a Broken Binocular Harness

Binocular harnesses are generally built to last, but it’s possible that after years of use, your harness will break. 

If your harness arrives broken, you should contact the manufacturer to see if you can get a refund.

However, if it breaks after use, you should see if you can fix it yourself.

Some manufacturers, like goHUNT, sell binocular harness parts and accessories that you can use to fix your equipment.

Simply examine your harness to see what’s broken or malfunctioning, then search their inventory of available gear to see whether they have a part for you.

Commonly broken parts include buckles, straps, and pouches. 

To replace a part on your binocular harness, you may need to completely remove the strap from the adjusters and buckles and replace the problem part.

Be careful as you do this and note how the parts go together so that you can put it together the same way afterward.

Remember that a broken binocular harness is much easier and cheaper to fix than a broken pair of binoculars.

Seeing that your harness is fixed can save you a heftier repair problem in the future.

How Should a Binocular Harness Fit?

Your binocular harness should be snug but not so snug that they pinch your skin or feel uncomfortable.

It just needs to be tight enough that you can reach your binoculars quickly. 

You should feel secure with your binocular harness on so that you can move around without your binoculars becoming insecure or unstable. 

For a visual guide on how to set up and fit a binocular harness, see the following video:

Fitting a Harness to Your Binoculars

In addition to fitting your body, your binocular harness needs to fit your binoculars.

Binoculars vary in size and shape but generally land somewhere between 5.5 inches high and 8.0 inches high. 

See the following chart of binocular sizes and their corresponding binocular harness sizes:

Note that the size of your binoculars varies depending on how you have your eyecups set up.

Make sure that you measure your binoculars after having adjusted the eyecups.