Introducing the 2026 YMSHW Support+ XL Harness — Engineered for Comfort, Built for Tough Days in the Orchard

by Craig Kelly

For years, Harvestwear has been known for building picking gear that lasts. But over the past two seasons, one product has quietly become one of our biggest breakthroughs: the YMSHW Support+ Harness.

Designed to reduce back and shoulder strain, improve picker comfort, and boost productivity in the field, the Support+ Harness has become the go-to harness for thousands of growers across New Zealand, Australia, the USA, Canada, Europe and more

And now — new for 2026 — we’re expanding the range with the Support+ XL, built specifically for the larger members of the picking crew who need more room, more adjustability and an even better weight spread.

This isn’t just a harness upgrade.
It’s a major step forward in picker safety, comfort, and performance.

Why Harness Design Matters More Than Most Growers Realise

A picking bag is only half the story.
How that weight sits on the picker’s body determines:

  • Fatigue levels

  • Bruising rates (tired pickers bruise more fruit)

  • End-of-day output

  • Long-term soreness or injury

A poorly designed harness puts pressure on the neck, traps heat, and concentrates load into a narrow area — all of which leads to discomfort and decreased productivity.

The YMSHW Support+ was designed to solve exactly that.

What Makes the YMSHW Support+ Different?

1. Fabric Originally Engineered for Lifting People — Literally

The Support+ Harness uses a specialised, high-strength fabric first developed for medical lifting slings designed to safely lift and support people.

That tells you two things immediately:

✔ It’s extremely strong

Strong enough for repeated load cycles in commercial medical environments.

✔ It’s fully washable & hygienic

The fabric was designed to be washed regularly without losing strength, shape, or breathability — perfect for seasonal orchard use, sweat, dirt and long days in the sun.

No other picking harness on the market uses material with this level of technical pedigree.

2. Unmatched Weight Distribution

The hallmark of the Support+ Harness is the way it spreads the weight:

  • Over the maximum possible shoulder area

  • Through a broad back panel

  • Away from the neck

  • Without pinching or creating pressure points

Pickers immediately feel the difference:
Less dragging, less pressure, less twisting — and a lot less soreness at the end of the day.

3. Highly Breathable & Fast-Drying

Hot days in the orchard usually mean sweaty harness straps that get heavier and more uncomfortable as the hours go on.

The Support+ fabric solves this with:

  • Breathable weave

  • Fast moisture release

  • Easy washing at the end of the day

Crews love this because it stays cooler and cleaner than traditional foams or webbing systems.

4. Increased Visibility for Worker Safety

The Support+ Harness features high-visibility orange, making pickers more visible among rows, under canopy cover, and around machinery.

This isn’t just a comfort upgrade — it’s an operational safety upgrade.

5. Customisable Name Tag Area

Each harness includes a rear tag panel that can be customised with worker names or team identifiers.

This helps large orchards:

  • Manage gear allocation

  • Reduce mix-ups

  • Keep teams organised

  • Track harness lifespan

Introducing the New Support+ XL (2026 Release)

We listened to crews across NZ, Australia and the USA who told us:

“The Support+ is brilliant — but some of us need a bit more room for the bigger boys.”

So for 2026, we’re launching:

✔ Support+ XL

Built with:

  • Longer adjustment range

  • Larger fit profile

  • Wider shoulder geometry

  • Increased comfort for bigger-framed pickers

All while keeping the same:

  • Technical fabric

  • Breathability

  • Weight distribution

  • Long life expectancy

This means every person on the picking team can now benefit from the Support+ system — no compromises.

Which Picking Bags Work Best With the Support+?

The Support+ Harness is compatible with:

✔ Yieldmax (YM2810S / YM3610S)

✔ YieldLux (YL3610E / YL2810E)

✔ Regular Buckets (B14, B21, B28)

✔ Premium 45L Soft Bags

✔ Picker’s Choice Bags (PC45/PC33)

✔ Most legacy Harvestwear bags still in service

For growers upgrading older gear, Support+ can be purchased as a standalone harness.

Why This Matters to Orchard Managers

Growers using the Support+ Harness have reported:

✔ Reduced picker fatigue

✔ Increased end-of-day productivity

✔ Improved retention (pickers prefer comfortable gear)

✔ Less bruising caused by tired movement

✔ Better overall job satisfaction among seasonal staff

In a labour market where experienced pickers are hard to keep, comfort isn’t a luxury — it’s a competitive advantage.

Built for 2026. Built for the Field. Built for People.

The YMSHW Support+ and the new Support+ XL are New Zealand–made innovations designed to last season after season.

This is gear that doesn’t just perform.
It protects the people who make the harvest possible.

Want to trial the Support+ or Support+ XL?

We’re currently taking pre-season enquiries for 2026.
Contact us at sales@harvestwear.com to arrange a test or sample.

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