Saddle questions

[Quercus34]

Anyone use the Petzl Navajo Vario? Opinions?

I don't do a lot of climbing and what I do is mostly just for inspections and that is very infrequent. The saddle I use is very basic and not very comfortable. (I prefer the Altec anyway, it's so much less work.) Recently rec climbing has gotten my attention and I would like to give that a try. So I am looking for a saddle that can be used for work but would also do well rec climbing. Any suggestions?

 

[Kneejerk Bombas]

I have never sat in one. Over the years I have noticed that folks either love them, or hate them, not many comments are neutral.
Saddles are like pants, or women, in that to get the best fit you have to try them out. Sure you can pick one out by looks, and you'll get a basic idea from that, but then you might get an uncomfortable feeling in the crotch or a nagging discomfort in the a$$. The same thing might even happen with picking out a saddle.

 

[lorax]

Anyone use the Petzl Navajo Vario? Opinions?

I don't do a lot of climbing and what I do is mostly just for inspections and that is very infrequent. The saddle I use is very basic and not very comfortable. (I prefer the Altec anyway, it's so much less work.) Recently rec climbing has gotten my attention and I would like to give that a try. So I am looking for a saddle that can be used for work but would also do well rec climbing. Any suggestions?

I will have to say that myself and the other climbers I Rec climb with use different saddles. I feel that each saddle has its place. I like a "rugged" one to work ing and a light one for fun.

 

[Quercus34]

Thanks for the replys. I have a Petzl harness for mountaineering/ rock climbing that I like so that is part of the reason I was interested in this one. Sherrill had it listed in both its rec and work saddles and at 36 ounces it is light.

 

[Erie Buoy]

Petzl Navajo Vario

I just recently got the Navajo Vario as a spare, my main harness for rec climbing is a New Tribe. The selling point for me was primarily that it accomodates a very large range of waist and thigh sizes -- more than almost any other harness I know of. Secondarily, it's low weight is also attractive.

I've been in it only once so I might not have had it adjusted well, but my initial impression is that it's not as comfortable as my New Tribe harness, but that the Vario isn't terribly uncomfortable either.

There are two versions of the Navajo -- one is called simply the Vario and the other is called the VarioBelt. Petzl sells a kit to equip the VarioBelt with a floating bridge attachment point, which might change it's comfort characteristics. I bet the attachment would work for the Vario, but that concept doesn't seem to be supported by Petzl (and I'd like to know why).

I've read some good reviews of the VarioBelt with it's greater back support, but I attribute my modest discomfort while in the Vario (compared to the New Tribe) to the thigh support, not the back support.

Hope this helps, happy to answer any other questions.

 

[daveyclimber]

I love my new VarioBelt. Today was the first time being used and it is a huge improvement on my past saddle. No less than ten attachment points throughout which is quite handy for gear storage and attachment.