Should I be able to use a hitch-climber with this saddle?
- Thread starter Robert P
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Yes, the bottom carabiner can just be clipped into the two rings...but that's a nasty harness, I can't think you'd be comfortable for any length of time in that.
Much better to go for one with a sliding bridge and independent well proportioned leg loops, have a look at Petzl, Edelrid, Tree Austria, Butterfly, Buckingham, or some of the more modern Weavers.
Tree Motion for the top grade!
Much better to go for one with a sliding bridge and independent well proportioned leg loops, have a look at Petzl, Edelrid, Tree Austria, Butterfly, Buckingham, or some of the more modern Weavers.
Tree Motion for the top grade!
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
I would go to the sliding D bridge and avoid that torture devise Robert.
CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
This is a good place to start Robert....
I like my single sliding D much better than the two for most applications and would recommend that instead for a beginner. there is little room in the small D rings to tie into twice (together).
I find that when used separately the one my friction hitch side is attached to has a tendency to bind in a slid down position then let go and slide tight unexpectedly. When used together they seem to bind or slide hard often enough that one might as well use the saddle Robert is looking at.
The single D has larger rings which are a bit easier to deal with for me, and the ring slides on the bridge with much more consistency.
I use both single and double sliding D saddles daily, but for different applications. The Double D mostly for double crotching or because of the extra accessory loops it has when I need to carry slings etc. with me. Single D is my go-to for simpler/quicker jobs.
I find that when used separately the one my friction hitch side is attached to has a tendency to bind in a slid down position then let go and slide tight unexpectedly. When used together they seem to bind or slide hard often enough that one might as well use the saddle Robert is looking at.
The single D has larger rings which are a bit easier to deal with for me, and the ring slides on the bridge with much more consistency.
I use both single and double sliding D saddles daily, but for different applications. The Double D mostly for double crotching or because of the extra accessory loops it has when I need to carry slings etc. with me. Single D is my go-to for simpler/quicker jobs.
Robert P
TreeHouser
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- Thread Starter Thread Starter
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Would you consider any saddle with padded independent leg loops an improvement over the saddle pictured? It's a Weaver wideback saddle that comes with the kit I ordered from WesSpur. The problem I might run into is whether a particular saddle will fit me. About a 46" waist, many of them don't seem to come in that size.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
4 dee saddles SUCK! A floating dee is best, IMEO. I once asked at an arborist meeting why someone wouldn't want a floating dee and a couple responded "because they'll roll you out!" I had to chuckle a bit.
Tell you what - if you want that bridge to last forever, cut those dees out and replace it with a biner and roller. Burnham turned me on to that.
Tell you what - if you want that bridge to last forever, cut those dees out and replace it with a biner and roller. Burnham turned me on to that.
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MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
Robert, whatever it takes, you need to reduce that 46" waist.
Yes, any thin loops or webbing is going to cut into you before very long sitting in the harness, especially if I extrapolate your weight as being proportional to your waist size, thin loops will make you miserable eventually.
An exception might be a hard batten seat style harness where your weight is distributed across your butt and upper thighs, the leg loops are really only to keep the seat positioned correctly on your butt and help keep you in the harness, and the hard batten doesn't cut into your legs...
The downside is reduced flexibility and manouverability, if you are only doing takedowns it might be ok, but for moving around in the canopy being able to stretch and reach with all your leg range is key. Also being able to roll and reach from side to side is a bonus, a fixed central attachment is limiting., So if you opt for independent leg loops, the wider more padded ones are better.
pantheraba
More biners!!!
New Tribe has some good padded leg loops. Very excellent saddles there.
Burnham
Woods walker
Bermy, Masterblaster, and pantheraba all have given sound advice. Nothing I need add...follow their experience.
Grendel
TreeHouser
Hey MB, what's on the bridge in your photo? A Biner wrapped in aluminum foil?
SouthSoundTree
Treehouser
Looks like tape to form a 'trap'.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
This. It keeps it in the proper position.
lumberjack
Young man on the go
End of last week I started climbing again, after a 4 year sabbatical. One of the biggest reasons I'm back to climbing is for the exercise... Scott will still climb the PITA trees and on jobs when production is wanted.
I'm 6'1, 275lbs, 40x34, and am using the Buckingham Rebellion Saddle with the belt on the 4th largest of 5 holes. It's as comfortable as could be expected, although the leg loops have enough adjustment to go around the legs 50%+ bigger than mine.
Mind the stubs. I left them for a TIP as I haven't bought/made a friction saver/false crotch yet... perhaps this week. Here's some of the trees from Wednesday.
I'm 6'1, 275lbs, 40x34, and am using the Buckingham Rebellion Saddle with the belt on the 4th largest of 5 holes. It's as comfortable as could be expected, although the leg loops have enough adjustment to go around the legs 50%+ bigger than mine.
Mind the stubs. I left them for a TIP as I haven't bought/made a friction saver/false crotch yet... perhaps this week. Here's some of the trees from Wednesday.
MasterBlaster
Administrator Emeritus
pantheraba
More biners!!!
Carlito!!!! Good to see you back in the trees. I think you are the first TreeHouser that I ever shared a tree with...at the Tree Rendezvous in MS (2006 -- Nick from Wisconsin is also in picture) when I first met you and then at the Andersonville Cemetery climb.
Exercise is good...good on ya!
Exercise is good...good on ya!
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CurSedVoyce
California Hillbilly
You still got it Carl 
lumberjack
Young man on the go
I was 180 in 10th grade. The lightest I've been since I grew up was 225lbs in Army ROTC at MSU. Pt 5 days a week (8 hours) running 20+ miles a week, sprints were another 3-5 miles per week. Push-ups/sit-ups/walking lunges/etc every day, and combatives a couple hours every Thursday.
Andersonville was a ripping good time, Gary! It's good to see pictures from that long ago.
Thanks, Stephen. That's what my groundy said, he's helped me off an on over the past 10 years.
Andersonville was a ripping good time, Gary! It's good to see pictures from that long ago.
Thanks, Stephen. That's what my groundy said, he's helped me off an on over the past 10 years.
pantheraba
More biners!!!
Ripping, huh? Yes, it was a good time for sure...maybe a different adjective next time???
