When it comes to maintaining a lawn, there’s nothing more important than cutting the grass and exterminating weeds. Naturally, a string trimmer is the best way to go about doing this, as it offers precision cutting capability and is even capable of cutting weeds and grass at tough angles.
That said, string trimmers are pretty heavy-duty tools; they weigh a good bit and generally put out a lot of vibration, which can take a toll on your body, especially if you are working for a long time. This is where a string trimmer harness comes into play.
A trimmer harness does most of the heavy lifting, taking the weight off of your body and providing a nice buffer zone between you and all those vibrations. Of course, there are a lot of different products out there, so choosing the best string trimmer harness can be a challenge.
That’s why we’ll be discussing the top picks of these String Trimmer Harnesses here in this article. Right after we consider the top individual products, we’ll discuss what factors you should take into consideration without Buyer’s Guide.
Best String Trimmer Harness Reviews
The String Trimmer Harness for Maximum Comfort – Husqvarna Balance XT Harness
This string trimmer harness is one of the best options when it comes to support for your body.
That’s mostly thanks to the adjustable body-shaped backplate it has to provide back support, but it also comes with flexible shoulder straps for weight distribution and a hip pad for shock absorption.
All of this together provides excellent support for the body, reducing overall fatigue and for men and women of any size.
The easy adjustability of all these features ensures that you can use the harness in complete comfort. Naturally, this will benefit anyone worried about physical strain or exertion.
Of course, there are some other features to take into consideration; the material is reflective, which makes it safer to use in dim lighting conditions, and the harness itself is adjustable for both grass and forest trimming tasks.
It only weighs approximately five pounds, so it is lightweight as well.
Finally, there’s an easy access pocket on the belt in case you need to store another portable tool while working or a spool of one of the best trimmer lines.
Pros
- Adjustable straps in three areas to fit all sizes
- Positioning can be adjusted for grass or forest trimming
- Comes with a backplate for extensive body support
Cons
- Pretty expensive compared to other options
Best Stihl Harness – OEM Standard String Trimmer Harness
Seeing as how this Stihl harness is dubbed ‘standard’ you may rightly assume that it is a pretty typical entry in the list of trimmer harness products.
It doesn’t have many extraordinary features, like the back plate from the previous product.
In fact, this Stihl OEM harness is pretty average. Not bad, but not great either.
For instance, it has shoulder straps to support the weight of a string trimmer, but it distributes the weight entirely on the shoulders and puts none of it on the hips as many other harnesses do.
The straps are adjustable, but not to the same lengths as some other harnesses out there.
As for actual strengths, the lack of extensive features actually has some benefits.
For one, it weighs almost nothing at a mere pound or so. Second, the lack of extensive features and materials means it isn’t very expensive compared to many other harnesses.
Of course, you get what you pay for, so the fact that it is less expensive than some of the competition could also imply that it isn’t as durable in the long run.
Pros
- A very affordable harness option
- Extremely lightweight at approximately a pound
- Adjustable for many sizes
Cons
- All the weight distribution is on the shoulders
Best Value String Trimmer Harness – Hipa String Trimmer Full Harness
This extremely lightweight trimmer harness is probably one of the cheapest options we’ll be discussing here: it’s even cheaper than the previous harness.
That being the case, you can rightly assume that it isn’t the absolute best string trimmer harness out there.
However, that doesn’t mean it can’t serve under the right circumstances. Technically, this trimmer harness is intended for use with Stihl FS and KM series string trimmers, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use it with plenty of other models.
Unfortunately it does have some limitations, including being a right hand only harness.
It can be adjusted for a individual’s range of motion, but can’t be used for left-handed people. On top of that, the shoulder straps are not the absolute sturdiest on the market; they can definitely serve well on smaller tools, but a heavier brush trimmer is likely out of the question.
Like most harnesses this one can have the shoulder strap adjusted for comfort and it distributes the weight of the brush trimmer over your upper body, though it is still mostly on the shoulders.
On the plus side, the trimmer harness comes with a three month money back guarantee, and it only weighs about a pound. It’s definitely not the best option on the market, but it is decent for its low price.
Pros
- Extremely affordable harness option
- Has a three month money back guarantee
- Has an very low weight of about a pound
Cons
- Is only viable for right-handed users
Best Budget String Trimmer Harness – KISSTAKER Trimmer Harness Strap
Another extremely inexpensive trimmer harness, the KISSTAKER strap is made of nylon.
The design is pretty typical, with the intent being to distribute the weight of a tool across both your shoulders and back.
You can adjust the shoulder strap to maximize your comfort, and it can be used with a huge array of brands.
This well made harness has extra foam padding around the straps for better comfort, and adjusting it to any size, male or female, is easy.
Even so, it is designed with low weight in mind, managing to be a mere pound or so.
If a downside had to be pointed out, it’s that this harness probably isn’t the absolute most durable around. Not to say that it will fall apart without warning, but you shouldn’t expect it to last you several years or anything.
Of course, that all depends on how much strain you put on it, so using an appropriately sized brush trimmer with this harness (or any harness) is very important.
Pros
- Made with flexible nylon and foam padding for comfort
- Easy to adjust and viable with many brush trimmer brands
- Extremely affordable option
Cons
- Not made with materials that will last years and years
Best 4-Point Brush Cutter Harness – Echo Trimmer Harness
Echo is well-known for its high-quality yard tools, including string trimmers. The Echo Four-Point Premium Brush Cutter Trimmer Harness is a great companion for Echo machines.
Unlike flimsy plastic harnesses, this one offers superior comfort and support, particularly for taller people. Designed for right-handed use, it effectively reduces the physical strains associated with landscaping work.
The harness features padded straps and a hip pad for added comfort, making brush cutter handling easier. The Echo Four-Point Premium Brush Cutter Trimmer Harness is designed to be compatible with any ECHO brush cutter, adding versatility to its appeal.
You can trust that it will seamlessly integrate with your Echo brush cutter, providing the necessary support and convenience during operation.
Pros
- Effectively distribute the weight of the brush cutter away from hands and arms
- Easy handling
Cons
- Right-handed use
Best Dual Shoulder Straps for Optimal Comfort – Hanperal Harness
This trimmer harness is made of padded nylon and is compatible with several models of trimmers, and like all the other items on this list, it comes with the easy ability to adjust for nearly any size as it distributes the weight of the trimmer you use with it.
Unlike the previous item, this trimmer harness has a strap for each shoulder, so it is designed to more evenly distribute the weight of your brush trimmer.
Naturally, having a strap for each shoulder is best if you are primarily concerned with reducing the fatigue from carrying a heavy tool.
Unfortunately, there’s not much to say about the trimmer harness besides that.
It’s a pretty typical entry on the list; it has a pretty similar price range, is relatively easy to set up, is designed well for size adjustability, and provides a decent level of comfort.
There’s really nothing special to note about it, other than the fact that it successfully ticks all the major boxes for being a good string trimmer harness.
Pros
- Designed with two straps for weight distribution
- Flexible padded nylon is comfortable
- String trimmer harness is very lightweight
Cons
- No particularly amazing features
Best Universal Shoulder Strap for String Trimmers – Good Vibrations Zero Gravity Weight Absorbing Trimmer Strap
The Weight Absorbing String Trimmer Strap offers significant benefits for large areas, including comfort, weight relief, and improved balance. It effectively reduces the perceived weight of the trimmer, making it more comfortable to use and reducing strain on the body.
However, it’s important to note a few drawbacks. Not all weed eaters fit perfectly around the strap, which may limit its compatibility with certain models. Additionally, some customers have reported that the green bungee component doesn’t hold up well beyond a single season of use. The plastic clips used in the design have also received mixed reviews from customers.
Despite these shortcomings, the strap’s pros, such as its comfort, weight relief, and improved balance, make it a worthwhile investment for those seeking an enhanced trimming experience.
Pros
- Comfort
- Weight Relief
- Better balance while operating the trimmer, enhancing control and accuracy.
Cons
- Compatibility
- The durability of the green bungee component of the strap
- Plastic Clips
Best String Trimmer Harness Buyer’s Guide
The following points are things you should take into consideration when shopping for a string trimmer harness.
Why do you need a string trimmer harness?
Naturally, the first thing to think of when buying anything is whether or not you want or need it bad enough in the first place.
That said, why even get a string trimmer harness? After all, you don’t need shoulder straps or a hip pad to use a strung trimmer.
But as said above, a trimmer harness puts more weight on a shoulder strap and less on your actual shoulders.
These tools may just be big trimmers, but they are heavy, and carrying one around your big yard for several hours or so can be really taxing on the muscles.
Not to mention, having a weed eater strap means you have a safety net; if the brush cutter slips out of your hands, it won’t fall onto the ground and get damaged.
A trimmer harness isn’t something you absolutely need when using for example a lightweight weed eater, but it sure is nice to have when getting down to business.
Even the best battery powered weed eaters have some considerable weight, not to mention the old-school gas trimmers.
What are the important features of a string trimmer harness?
The first thing to take into account is that a string trimmer harness isn’t a universal fit.
Depending on the type of trimmers you have, some harnesses may not be designed to accommodate them.
So before you even start shopping for a harness, research what type of string trimmer you have so you know what to look for. It would be a hassle to get a harness that doesn’t fit the trimmer you own.
After determining the type of string trimmer you need, it’s time to consider further things, like durability and price.
Durability and Weight
Aside from making sure your harness fits your trimmers, the most important things to consider are how tough and lightweight the product is.
Durability is obvious; you don’t want a harness that will snap while the string trimmer is being used, as this could damage your tool or cause injury to you. So you should definitely pay explicit attention to what materials the product is made out of.
As for weight, it makes sense that you want the harness to weigh as little as possible; after all, the harness is supposed to reduce the weight of the string trimmer on your body, so a heavy harness is counterproductive.
For light and simple electric weed eaters, it is best to choose the lightest possible harness.
Secondhand VS. Brand New
You could buy a used string trimmer harness, but in doing so you run the risk of getting a product that is already worn.
The should straps may be on the verge of snapping, or the hip pad could be falling apart; you don’t have to worry about this kind of thing if you buy a brand new product.
The best string trimmer harness is one that you buy brand new since this reduces the odds of there being issues with the harness before you even use it.
Once you have taken all of this into account, you can start shopping for specific products, the best of which we’ll cover in this article.
Conclusion and Buyer’s Advice
Frankly, a string trimmer harness is a pretty straightforward item, and it is difficult for any of them to really stand out because the job they are designed to do is quite simple; use straps to reduce the weight of a trimmer.
It’s hard for any of them to have a nice feature exclusive to it, so when it comes to choosing one, it really comes down to whether or not the harness is compatible with your trimmer and if you want one strap or two.
In general, more straps are better, and back and waist support are a cut above having the weight on your shoulders alone.
As far as brands are concerned, Stihl and Husqvarna are often considered the best, while KISSTAKER is the somewhat lower quality budget option that’ll get the job done at a lower price.
