2009Vests forum
Leg numbness and collapse when wearing backmount steadicam vests during extended static shots
17 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
DisputedParticipants disagreed and reached no conclusion. Read the findings as positions, not as an answer.
What the thread found
- Wearing a backmount vest too low can compress nerves in the legs during prolonged standing, causing numbness and temporary loss of leg function when blood flow resumes
- Raising the harness higher by adjusting shoulder straps above the belt line can prevent nerve compression and leg numbness while maintaining load distribution
- The harness position may gradually shift lower during use over several days and should be checked periodically to maintain optimal placement
- Using ratchet adjustments on the front belly panel to angle tension more toward the abdomen and less toward hip bones can reduce leg tingling
- Some operators prefer wearing traditional front-mount vests for tight spaces and running shots rather than backmount harnesses
Depends on
- The optimal harness height varies between individuals and body types
- Raising the harness too high may increase strain on the back according to some operators
- No consensus on whether slightly higher positioning reduces the hip-weight-bearing benefit of backmount vests
- Individual experiences with different steadicam models and configurations vary
- The relationship between harness height and abdominal comfort when raised significantly remains unclear