Harness choice for a newbie.

[PoweredBySoy]

Hi friends.

I just started doing tree trimming as a full-time job with no previous experience. I'm looking into getting a new harness for myself (as the ones that are provided by the company suck), and was wondering if I could get some general information as to what's good and what's bad. Is there any brand I should avoid? Any brand that's a 'must buy'?

Right now I got my eyes on a Petzl Navaho Vario for about $170 bucks. Price seems do-able, and Petzl is a company I'm familiar with. This may also be used for recreational tree climbing as well in the future.

Also, perhaps some differences between these climbing harnesses versus rock-climbing harnesses (which I have an old one of).

Thanks in advance.

 

[Stumper]

Some like the Navajo but others find it uncomfortable. The New Tribe/Ness Work Saddle costs less than the Navajo and seems to please almost everyone-I love mine. It is made in the U.S also (well sorta-made in California which beats France.)

 

[rwilk]

I just bought an Arbor Master Pro Series Versitile w/ leg straps. It is a bit uncomfortable at times in the family jewels area, but my limb walking and overall climbing is much better than it was with a buckingham basic saddle. And much overall more comfortable. I give it a thumbs up.

Just my thought

rwilk

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Petzl makes great gear. But their saddles aren't very popular with arbos. I've used one a little and found it OK. There are some people who use them but I've talked with many critical minded climbers who don't care for them.

The Komet Butterfly is a really popular saddle. It has attained almost a cult following. Those of us who use it are huge fans. Of all the saddles I've evre climbed on it is the least "crotch-biting" of any on the market.

At TCI I got one of the Saddle X's from Fresco. I haven't spent a lot of time climbing with it but I do like how it feels. One of the other field testers is pretty happy. The floating system on the front works nicely. The leg straps are nicely padded too. Along the lines of the Ness pads but different enough to not be a total copy.

What saddles have you climbed on? What didn't you like about them?

Tom

 

[MasterBlaster]

I mailed my Petzl Navajo back the day after I received it.

New Tribe will be my next purchase.

 

[Davidsinatree]

USA

You live in the USA, buy a good saddle made in the USA. There are many brands made right here. I like my buckingham master 2. Get yourself a sherrill supply book, thats a good place to start.

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I'm a Komet butterfly user too. I'm very happy with it.

 

[Davidsinatree]

Poweredbysoy,
We forgot to welcome you, you are among friends here.

:Monkey:

 

[Lumberjack]

I have the Ness Work Sadle, which you can get from Sherrill, and I love it. It is comfy and is much better than my previous setup.


Carl

 

[mikecross23]

I've only used 2 saddles. Weaver w/ but strap was too heavy for my liking and pinched my hips. Now using a Arbormaster Pro Versatile w/ leg straps. Recently made some changes to it attempting to reduce clutter, etc. I find it comfy but have little to go by. Here's a pic...

-Mike-

 

[mikecross23]

Forgot to mention that a new climbing buddy of mine uses a Petzl Navaho. He doesn't like the single D in front. Wishes it had more options, but no problem w/ comfort.

 

[Tree Machine]

Pay the money and don't think about it

Two things I really like on a saddle are the bosun butt board, and the sliding D up front. I have petzls in both my rock climbing and my caving gear bags. Leg straps without the bosun has always been a jewel squashing nightmare for the the way I climb trees. Not so bad on rock face or in pits, cuz its a more up and down thing. In the trees you're all over the place in every position imaginable.

I also like something that I can be in, and out of, swiftly.

I climb on a Versatile, but it's been two years and it's time again to try something new. -TM-

 

[rbtree]

Tom, re Saddle X:

Cool, Tony got his saddle out, just as he said he would.

I just emailed him offering to do a photo shoot in trade for a saddle.
Heck of a deal...for him

 

[rumination]

Any reviews on the New Tribe Smoke Jumper?

 

[tjk]

I've got 5 days on the new Glide. I like it , it has so many options how you can change how it suspends. It took a few hours of taking it apart and putting it back together, but I got it right now. It feels very comparable to my butterfly, which I have been LOVING for 3 years.

 

[Burnham]

I have been climbing in a custom Ness Work saddle for 3 years now. It is essentially the same as the Smokejumper. I continue to be very happy with it...comfortable, very competitive cost. I will undoubtedly buy another when the time comes. If you want anything special New Tribe will custom build for you, and they are good to work with. Check out the New Tribe website for info on available options.

 

[njarbor]

i would stick to something like the master 2. when you feel you are ready to advance then go to something like the glide or butterfly. in my opinion they are too advance to start out with.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Originally posted by PoweredBySoy
Hi friends.

IIs there any brand I should avoid? Any brand that's a 'must buy'?

Stay away from the low priced, oldstyle sadddles. Only those who have lived in them for years really like them.

Since you live in the Twin Cities, check out Fresco's showroom and try out a few models.

http://www.frescoarborist.com/

 

[jamie]

petzl

i was thinking about getting a petzl miniboss harness, as at work i have a couple to choose from a svensk (????) skybelt anda willans T20. but i want to try some out, only problem is its mailorder here and its a lot of cash to get something to try it.....

jamie

 

[Erwin]

Friction buckle on Schrill's Master II sucks

I like everything else about my Master II except the friction buckles. They come lose after you work in a tree for half an hour and it's very hard to tighten it while you are up there. My next one will be the Versatle.