🧗 Climbing harness

A climbing harness is fully permitted in both carry-on and checked baggage everywhere — screeners will not flag it or ask you to check it. The harness and carabiners are not classified as weapons or restricted items by any aviation authority. They pass through X-ray without any concern.

Yes — carabiners are permitted in carry-on baggage at all major airports globally, including in the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia. Despite their metal construction, they are not classified as dangerous items. There are no regional differences on this point.

A climbing harness with multiple metal buckles and loops can create a dense, complex X-ray image that occasionally prompts a manual bag check. If a screener opens your bag, they will quickly identify the harness and carabiners and clear you through — the check is about image clarity, not any restriction on the gear. Keeping the harness in its own stuff sack helps contain it and makes identification faster.

Either option is completely unrestricted from a security standpoint. Carry-on is the safer choice if your harness is expensive and you want to ensure it is not lost with checked luggage. Checked baggage works well if the harness is bulky and takes up too much of your carry-on space. There is no security advantage or disadvantage to either choice.