Modern tree climbing harnesses have advanced leaps and bounds from the days of split-suspension, cotton saddles. These are solid choices for a professional climber looking for a dependable ride. If you are looking for the fully-loaded harnesses with all the options, check out cutting-edge climbing harnesses.
The Buckingham AgilityTM saddle was designed in conjunction with Jamie Chambrelli, and the team at ArborMaster Training Inc. Jamie is a lead instructor with ArborMaster, Connecticut Licensed Arborist and production tree climber.
During development, Buckingham looked at feedback around the industry including proper fit, adjustment slippage, mobility of suspension systems, proper support at legs and back, lower hardware options and other attachment options throughout the suspension, and a plethora of other issues with saddles around the industry. The handmade in the USA Agility saddle was designed and built for "Work" with a focus on comfort, durability, mobility, and functionality.
ASTRO SIT FAST rope access seat harness features an openable ventral attachment point that allows optimal integration of equipment (rope clamp, lanyard, seat...). Wide, semi-rigid waistbelt and leg loops give excellent support. They are contoured and lined with breathable foam padding for comfort when suspended. The harness also facilitates carrying and organizing work tools, with multiple equipment loops and retainers for attaching CARITOOL tool holders and TOOLBAG tool-holder pouches. This seat harness is designed to be converted into a full-body harness, when combined with a TOP CROLL S or L chest harness.
The Avao Sit Fast harness is an improvement on the popular Avao. It features improved waist belt padding, redesigned gear loops, slots for tool carriers or carabiners, and a dorsal attachment point for a shoulder harness (see compatible shoulder harnesses below). This new harness is designed to increase comfort and mobility while working. The Avao Sit Fast improves upon the Avao Sit by adding quick-connect leg buckles.
The BuckCraft provides you with comfort and all the necessary features for production tree work. This is a great saddle option for someone just entering the industry or for someone who wants to start mastering the craft. The lightest saddle Buckingham has ever developed!
Modeled after Buckingham's popular Ergovation saddle, the Spartan is a modified Ergolite constructed out of heavy-duty materials and features a fully-adjustable waist, legs and suspension bridge. This lightweight saddle weighs in at only 5.3 lbs and features a comfortable, breathable waist belt and leg loops, lightweight aluminum work-positioning D rings, a second set of D rings that allow the bridge to articulate, quick-adjust strapping, 6 large accessory loops, an easily-replaceable bridge, and front buckle closure that allows for easier on/off while wearing spikes. Fully-adjustable waist, legs and bridge.
Sizes: Small 28”-32”, Medium 32”-36”, Large 36”-40”, Extra-Large 40”-44”
Rated: Excellent Review by: Kyle
“Very comfortable saddle once you get it adjusted it feels like a pillow around your waist, and the rigging plates and easy replaceable to bridge is always a plus. I got the Spartan to replace my Buckingham double floating D's and the Spartan has surpassed all my expectations. Only thing I could think to say to beware about when buying is that it runs big compared to my old saddles sizing. I give it 4.25 stars out of 5. ”
Rated: Excellent Review by: RMc
“Been production climbing in this saddle 5 days a week now for 2 months. It's an ergolite with rigging plates and a rope bridge, that simple. Nice and light, stays adjusted, buckles on waist and legs for easy on and off, lots of loops and webbing slots for gear, carry-tools etc. I climbed with an ergovation for 5 years and much prefer this one. This beats the regular Ergolite in my opinion because of the plates and rope bridge. I swapped out my ring for a dmm bat rigging plate in 30 seconds, not sure how you would do that with a "warp speed" bridge. Wesspur price matched when I bought the saddle and always has great service. If you're considering this saddle but are unsure because of the lack of reviews, I definitely recommend it. Ive been climbing since '08 if that means anything, so I've had a lot of saddle time over the years and the spartan does everything I want in a saddle at a decent price. Thanks wesspur.”
Rated: Good Review by: thestarvingarborist
“ After training on an old Buckingham harness with a bosun's chair it took a bit of getting used to the feeling of the leg loops while hanging in the tree. That being said, I've now had this harness for about 2 years and do not regret the decision at all, especially as I progress and incorporate more dynamic movements into my climbing. I bought it for the pricepoint, as it accomplishes many of the things a more expensive harness might do but in a less expensive pakage. If you can't fit all your gear on the provided loops, you are likely carrying more gear than you need - or - are a serious contract climber who will probably not be using an intermediate harness anyways. I would recommend this as a first saddle to anyone looking for just that. Once this wears out I will probably get a different kind but this was a perfect stepping stone for me. By the way, it is showing almost no signs of wear so far, besides replacing the bridge a few times. My ONLY complaint is that the ring provided for the bridge is a bit small. If you don't run a hitch climber puller or use the blake's hitch, it can be a little work fitting two carabiners in there plus the rope bridge. Cheers.”
Rated: Good Review by: OSUClimber
“I have had the Ergolite Spartan for about 1yr now. I really like this harness, for the money as well as the functionality of the harness. Very well padded and wide in the lumbar area, with the leg straps they are nice and wide. It has held up very good in the "abuse category". The bridge is also a key component for me, in this one it is very easy to replace. Over all I would have no problem recommending this harness to anyone. ”
Rated: Disappointing Review by: 10910w
“This is a fixed feature harness.
* post-purchase fall protection addon isn't available (as of Dec 15, 2014).
* works well for scenarios that the ErogLite Spartan product manager envisioned with zero relevant post-purchase modifications available.
* Very few details and documents exist for this harness
* Too many sizes (S, M, L, XL).
* opinion to potential buyers: don't buy this harness. Find either a higher or lower priced harness that's better known in the climbing community.
”
Special Order item. Lead times may be very long. Inquire for expected wait.
The Master 5.0 is a top of the line tree saddle that was designed hand-in-hand with the team at ArborMaster. The body of the saddle is lightweight and padded for maximum comfort and mobility when in trees. The saddle features 9 stationary-rated attachment points along with two medium-sized dee rings for anything from chainsaw lanyards to blood stopping kits. The floating bridge provides for optimum mobility, especially when the user is using a SRT system.
Fully adjustable work positioning harness with a unique motion system at front attachment points, specially invented for professional arborists allowing freedom of movement at the tree top.
| Size | Waist | Thigh |
|---|---|---|
| Size 1 (S-L) | 65 - 100 cm (25 - 39") | 45 - 65mm (18 - 25") |
| Size 2 (XL) | 85 - 130 cm (33 - 51") | 55 - 75 cm (22 - 29") |
The very popular Weaver Cougar tree saddles has received an update with a sewn webbing bridge replacing the rope suspension bridge of the original Cougar harness. The new webbing bridge on the Cougar has a black core which contrasts sharply with the orange outer layer. This makes the bridge on the new Cougar easy to visually inspect.
Aside from the improved bridge, the new Cougar features the same excellent padding, full complement of gear loops, rings, and snaps, and solid construction climbers have come to expect from the Weaver Cougar.
Size: Small 30”-34”, Medium 34”-40”, Large 40”-44”, Extra-Large 44”-48”
A batten seat makes this new version of the Weaver Cougar ideal for folks who need a comfy seat while aloft more than the mobility provided by padded leg loops.
Size: Small 30”-34”, Medium 34”-40”, Large 40”-44”, Extra-Large 44”-48”
Weaver's latest harness features a double rope suspension bridge for great mobility and easy replacement. The bridge has a white core to make spotting wear and replacing the bridge easy. The rigging plates offer multiple suspension points.
The Weaver rope bridge saddle really shines in the foam-lined back pad and the many gear rings, snaps, and loops allowing you to rack your gear exactly how you like.
Size: Small 30”-34”, Medium 34”-40”, Large 40”-44”, Extra-Large 44”-48”
Weaver's batten seat version of the new rope bridge saddle has the same high-quality construction and features of the rope bridge harness with the added benefit of a batten seat for those who want the support of a sit sling. An excellent addition to the Weaver family of tree climbing harnesses.
Size: Small 30”-34”, Medium 34”-40”, Large 40”-44”, Extra-Large 44”-48”
