New Saddle?

[tree md]

I know this subject has been beat to death but I am in need of a new saddle. I blew out the rope ring and saw snap on my old one and it's time to upgrade. When I bought my current saddle 3 or 4 years ago I was still climbing traditionally with a closed system. I have since went to an open system with an eye to eye prussic. I would like a saddle that is well suited to my style of climbing. I am wanting to get into more SRT so that would be a consideration. My preference is to have a seat saddle (preferable bosun over batten). I'm not fond of step through saddles or floating D's (although I would be willing to give the floating D's another chance since I connect with a caribiner now). I would like a nice comfortable seat saddle that would be SRT friendly for around $400 or less.

Any suggestions?

 

[TreeClimber57]

I know this subject has been beat to death but I am in need of a new saddle. I blew out the rope ring and saw snap on my old one and it's time to upgrade. When I bought my current saddle 3 or 4 years ago I was still climbing traditionally with a closed system. I have since went to an open system with an eye to eye prussic. I would like a saddle that is well suited to my style of climbing. I am wanting to get into more SRT so that would be a consideration. My preference is to have a seat saddle (preferable bosun over batten). I'm not fond of step through saddles or floating D's (although I would be willing to give the floating D's another chance since I connect with a caribiner now). I would like a nice comfortable seat saddle that would be SRT friendly for around $400 or less.

Any suggestions?

Saddles are a bit of personal preferance. I do have two that I use now, and two olders ones (still in good shape) at shop.

The two I use are Buckingham and Petzl, with my preference going to Petzl.

http://www.petzl.com/us/pro/vertica...ioning-and-fall-arrest-harnesses-0/navaho-bod

The Buckingham is here: http://www.buckinghammfg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=243 (the Master Saddle)

Petzl sells the harness only, with the fall arrest as an option, or you can buy both together. (I think it was under $400).

This is not specifically designed for SRT, however Petzl does make some SRT saddles, but I have no experience with them. I do love the one I have for what I do.

 

[asthesun]

I know this subject has been beat to death but I am in need of a new saddle. I blew out the rope ring and saw snap on my old one and it's time to upgrade. When I bought my current saddle 3 or 4 years ago I was still climbing traditionally with a closed system. I have since went to an open system with an eye to eye prussic. I would like a saddle that is well suited to my style of climbing. I am wanting to get into more SRT so that would be a consideration. My preference is to have a seat saddle (preferable bosun over batten). I'm not fond of step through saddles or floating D's (although I would be willing to give the floating D's another chance since I connect with a caribiner now). I would like a nice comfortable seat saddle that would be SRT friendly for around $400 or less.

Any suggestions?

this is what i use. very satisfied with it thusfar:
http://www.sherrilltree.com/Recreational-Gear/tree-climbing-Saddles_2/Glide-ll-Saddle

if i was rich, this is what i'd get:
http://www.sherrilltree.com/Recreational-Gear/tree-climbing-Saddles_2/TreeMotion-Harness

 

[TreeClimber57]

if i was rich, this is what i'd get:
http://www.sherrilltree.com/Recreational-Gear/tree-climbing-Saddles_2/TreeMotion-Harness

Now that looks nice. Know anybody who has used it?

 

[Raymond]

I sure like my new Petzl Sequia Saddle. It was like 350 or so with tax.

 

[asthesun]

Now that looks nice. Know anybody who has used it?

nope. honestly i think its way overpriced for what it is, especially considering you have to buy extra stuff for it to make it viable for work (saw snaps etc). i think the padded cups for leg straps would be real nice tho

 

[TreEmergencyB]

I sure like my new Petzl Sequia Saddle. It was like 350 or so with tax.

how long have u had it how does that bridge hold up i seen you can get replacments but if they have replacements is it alot weeker if you slip do the swing thing and shock load your climbing system alittle. now i know everyone here is a pro and they never slip but i was wondering? i kinda like that style for how i climb

 

[Raymond]

how long have u had it how does that bridge hold up i seen you can get replacments but if they have replacements is it alot weeker if you slip do the swing thing and shock load your climbing system alittle. now i know everyone here is a pro and they never slip but i was wondering? i kinda like that style for how i climb

So far it's all good. I may pick up a new bridge before I need it, ya know?

I like how the side D-rings are basically solid pointing out front. Looks like most of them are now days. I never realized how often I spend reaching and looking for'em.

The plastic saw clips have been cool so far. They stay pointing out, making it easier to find. I use the top handle of my 23, with no strap. With one hand I can reach back and do it, that's nice.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

So far it's all good. I may pick up a new bridge before I need it, ya know?

]

yea definitly, i was wondering how you gonna know its time was my concern id be changing it pretty often i got an older style weaver with a big ol solid bridge with a sliding D some sturdy :censored: when that wears out it will be time for a new belt!

 

[Raymond]

yea definitly, i was wondering how you gonna know its time was my concern id be changing it pretty often i got an older style weaver with a big ol solid bridge with a sliding D some sturdy :censored: when that wears out it will be time for a new belt!

I think we'll know just by looking at it. Wish me luck with that.
These saddle makers are all about making them safe, just gotta trust them I guess.

 

[tree md]

That's one of the saddles I'm looking at Ray. Only thing is I have never liked leg straps. My old boss bought me a saddle with leg straps and floating D several years back when they first started becoming popular for tree work. I spent most of the time riding the ball and doing crane work with him and I hated that saddle. I have never been a fan of leg strap recreational/rock climbing style saddles. I see where they do sell an accessory batten seat (which they incorrectly call a bosun seat) but it costs $185. Another thing is I would like to possibly buy a croll ascender setup in the future but I would have to buy the step through saddle if I want to keep that option open for the future. Why didn't they put the connector loops on both models?

I don't know, if I'm going to spend that much for a saddle I wish there was a way I could check it out before hand. Before I buy one I want to make sure I'm going to be comfortable in it.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

I don't know, if I'm going to spend that much for a saddle I wish there was a way I could check it out before hand. Before I buy one I want to make sure I'm going to be comfortable in it.

i hear ya on that im a fan of the leg loops but still i bought mine at vermeer so i got to try it on i told em they should have somting hangin there to "sit" on

 

[tree md]

i hear ya on that im a fan of the leg loops but still i bought mine at vermeer so i got to try it on i told em they should have somting hangin there to "sit" on

My vermeer dealer had one treemotion saddle sitting there for about 6 months. Sorry, I'm not spending six bills on a saddle. I'll climb with an old weaver before I do that. Now all they have is a master setting there. I've climbed in a master before so no need to try that one on.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

My vermeer dealer had one treemotion saddle sitting there for about 6 months. Sorry, I'm not spending six bills on a saddle. I'll climb with an old weaver before I do that. Now all they have is a master setting there. I've climbed in a master before so no need to try that one on.

i would never spend that much either i got the weaver for like 160? i wasnt sure how much i was gonna like climbing or if i was gonna be anygood so i just got that not to waste bunch of money, and my mentor got me by about 80 lbs so i wasnt fitting his i tried. i love it now dont like the batan seat saddles in the way i like to jump around!

 

[Raymond]

The place I went to is not a sponsor here I guess, so I wont mention their name. But yeah they had a saddle with a built in seat, not sure of the name but it looked like a dandy. The seat looked like it weighed as much as the saddle though. It was stiff and looked conferable I guess if that's what you like.
For me I'm after the closest thing to clipping into my bellybutton. :hmm3grin2orange:

 

[tree md]

i would never spend that much either i got the weaver for like 160? i wasnt sure how much i was gonna like climbing or if i was gonna be anygood so i just got that not to waste bunch of money, and my mentor got me by about 80 lbs so i wasnt fitting his i tried. i love it now dont like the batan seat saddles in the way i like to jump around!

A batten seat is a stiff seat, a bosun seat is just a sling seat. I jump around in mine all day long. A sling seat is great if you spend long hours in a tree. I specialize in large removals and crane work so I like to be comfy for long hours in the saddle. I did a crane job a year and a half ago where I was in my saddle for 10 hours straight.

 

[TreEmergencyB]

A batten seat is a stiff seat, a bosun seat is just a sling seat. I jump around in mine all day long. A sling seat is great if you spend long hours in a tree. I specialize in large removals and crane work so I like to be comfy for long hours in the saddle. I did a crane job a year and a half ago where I was in my saddle for 10 hours straight.

ew 10 hours straight no ground time brutal, im working my way up to the crane jobs and good stuff lke that right now im that young, wirey, pruner, learning the fine art of technical removals

 

[tree md]

ew 10 hours straight no ground time brutal, im working my way up to the crane jobs and good stuff lke that right now im that young, wirey, pruner, learning the fine art of technical removals

Yeah, that was a rough one. Had to pick three big trees over a house. No time to waste as I didn't feel like paying for another day for the crane. It was brutal but worth it (to the tune of 10 g's).

Young, wirey guys are great for getting out there on them skinny limbs and making pruning cuts. If you lived closer I'd put you to work doing the prune jobs.

 

[Raymond]

Yeah, that was a rough one. Had to pick three big trees over a house. No time to waste as I didn't feel like paying for another day for the crane. It was brutal but worth it (to the tune of 10 g's).

NICE Dude, nice!

 

[oldirty]

well i gotta ask ya. what are you running now for a saddle? and do you like it?

my first was the pinnacle. then i went to a dragon fly and i am currently on a petzl navajo mini boss.

all have the seat. (love the seat)

after getting the miniboss i realized that she was just like the pinnacle. but the floating d rings didnt float as much as they do on the pinnacle. petzl sells a bridge for the miniboss but i used some true blue.

ok so now i have a rope bridge on my miniboss, perfect. but here is the best part. there is also another attachment point for your life line right at your belt buckle. (sorry the name fails me at this moment) anyway this attachment point is the secret weapon on this saddle. climbing on two lines made easy as well as, and this is why i like it, an absolutley great spot to clip your fipline in when you want to lean way out on something but dont want the flipline to attach to the opposite d ring on the other hip. so very nice on certain cutting positions where otherwise you are fumbling for the d ring or it would be grinding into your stomach or hip.

the downside you ask? no buckles all cinch and it is a step through saddle (and i do actually favor this now).

but since it is all cinch you will discover that what you had tight at the bottom of the tree has since worked itself loose in the tree and this was pissing me off to no end. but the other day i "fixed" this problem and duct taped the straps that i didnt want moving.

now that i have dialed this saddle in to exactly my specs i will say that it is a great saddle. that extra attachment point is the bomb, a secret weapon to better work positioning.

and my friend if you want you can add the suspenders or whatever it is you need for SRT. this saddle is ready to go for it. has the ring in the back and the webbing in the front for attachment of the setup.

honestly take a look at this saddle. also they have dropped the price i think because the are no longer making it. now that i have dialed it in....i would buy it again for sure.

my other thought you ask? the cougar with the seat looks alright for shorter money.

stay safe.