BlackHawk's Ergonomic Duty Belt Harness has received an overall high score of 4.35 from the National Tactical Officers Association's (NTOA) Member Tested and Recommended Program, according to the company.

The harness was also the winning design in a National Institute of Justice (NIJ) funded competition for providing a solution to back and hip injuries to officers from the weight of duty belts and required gear. NTOA testers gave high scores for design, performance, quality, durability, convenience and comfort.

The harness was developed, tested and selected under a grant program funded by the NIJ to answer the growing concern for back and hip injuries stemming from the long-term use of heavy duty belts in the law enforcement community, according to the company.

The harness transfers the weight of an equipment-laden duty belt from the hip to the shoulders of the officer. Unlike traditional suspenders, the harness fits under the duty shirt and attaches to the duty belt with minor alterations.

Testers found the simplicity of the system easy to wear during day-to-day operations including removing the belt, adjusting gear, sitting and standing. The back and hip-saving features rated highly with the testers for immediate relief from back tension. The harness is compatible with most concealment armor packages and has no moving parts, according to BlackHawk.

The harness fits a broad range of body sizes and retails for $79.99.