DMM Harness

Thank guys. Just curious about the ease. The concern is to minimize manipulating the victim as much as possible. Appreciate the leads. I have a technique I think works well just curious if you guys thought it was easy or a little difficult. Appreciate it.
 
So . . . . been on the Kinisi a couple of weeks now - my two cents - really comfortable harness, nice leg loops and back support. Adjustable bridge was a so so for me at purchase but actually is really nice with twin bridge setup (I am running one ring and one swivel). Petty beefs - would like wider webbing (and buckle) on the waist buckle and find the saw hook to be a little back for my liking even though it's up close to the as right side D as possible - maybe this would be better in a large size saddle as I'm right on the 34" to 35" waist break size (a la DMM/ Hammel video for sizing) for the medium to large - just the large looked, well, kinda large. The velcro back pad to conveyor belt stuff keeps getting packed with chips as do the leg loops - MB doesn't do this and I found chips everywhere after a couple of removals. For removals on spurs and a bigger saw than a top handle, I'm still a MB fanboy. And it's comfort is a gold standard for me. But DMM for me now probably pruning, running around a tree or cabling (today's job). Both are really nice saddles for sure. Cheers.

Addenda: I also wear the Kinisi with a new Monkey Beaver shoulder harness set (just the regular one) - it's a great fit and the guys at Grants Pass got it here PDQ - thanks to them. Really helps keep everything well up on the hips when carrying everything including the kitchen sink up the tree . . . . couldn't imagine the Kinisi without these (same with MB though).
 
Last edited:
So . . . . been on the Kinisi a couple of weeks now - my two cents - really comfortable harness, nice leg loops and back support. Adjustable bridge was a so so for me at purchase but actually is really nice with twin bridge setup (I am running one ring and one swivel). Petty beefs - would like wider webbing (and buckle) on the waist buckle and find the saw hook to be a little back for my liking even though it's up close to the as right side D as possible - maybe this would be better in a large size saddle as I'm right on the 34" to 35" waist break size (a la DMM video for sizing) for the medium to large - just the large looked, well, kinda large. The velcro back pad to conveyor belt stuff keeps getting packed with chips as do the leg loops - MB doesn't do this and I found chips everywhere after a couple of removals. For removals on spurs and a bigger saw than a top handle, I'm still a MB fanboy. And it's comfort is a gold standard for me. But DMM for me now probably pruning, running around a tree or cabling (today's job). Both are really nice saddles for sure. Cheers.
Great review. I have often said the same about the TM saddles. I personally prefer a beefier saddle for removals where I'm working in place. The TM is brilliant for moving in the canopy. I have spent more time in my career working in place with larger saws so I never really felt comfortable in the TM. I've tried it twice and sold it both times after about 6 months. This one does look way better but I just don't think thats the kind of climber I am.
 
Backpads are as wide (or tall?) as the price tag on everything these days it seems. my s.light is still good for a little while yet. I got it for a cool $300 or some shit. Golden era. Maybe MB2.0 is next unless dmm does indeed come out with a toned down version as rumored.
 
So, the rear ring is life support rated, but not for dynamic loading? Am I understanding that right?

I've often found if I'm climbing away and above my tip, I'm using lanyards to move and the primary tip is for moving back to the rest of the work. Is this ring in the rear set up for life support like this, or is it for something else?
 
Far as I know, rear green ring on the DMM Kinisi is for a saw lanyard (or maybe the kitchen sink if you climb like I do), not really for life support/ work positioning/ fall protection. See one of the Taylor Hammel AdTube videos on the harness, where he explains the features really well. It works peachy for the saw lanyard without any fumbling - easy to find with one hand to hook and unhook when you want to.
 
So . . . . been on the Kinisi a couple of weeks now - my two cents - really comfortable harness, nice leg loops and back support. Adjustable bridge was a so so for me at purchase but actually is really nice with twin bridge setup (I am running one ring and one swivel). Petty beefs - would like wider webbing (and buckle) on the waist buckle and find the saw hook to be a little back for my liking even though it's up close to the as right side D as possible - maybe this would be better in a large size saddle as I'm right on the 34" to 35" waist break size (a la DMM/ Hammel video for sizing) for the medium to large - just the large looked, well, kinda large. The velcro back pad to conveyor belt stuff keeps getting packed with chips as do the leg loops - MB doesn't do this and I found chips everywhere after a couple of removals. For removals on spurs and a bigger saw than a top handle, I'm still a MB fanboy. And it's comfort is a gold standard for me. But DMM for me now probably pruning, running around a tree or cabling (today's job). Both are really nice saddles for sure. Cheers.

Addenda: I also wear the Kinisi with a new Monkey Beaver shoulder harness set (just the regular one) - it's a great fit and the guys at Grants Pass got it here PDQ - thanks to them. Really helps keep everything well up on the hips when carrying everything including the kitchen sink up the tree . . . . couldn't imagine the Kinisi without these (same with MB though).
The hooks further back would kill me. What makes the mb better on spurs for you???
 
Far as I know, rear green ring on the DMM Kinisi is for a saw lanyard (or maybe the kitchen sink if you climb like I do), not really for life support/ work positioning/ fall protection. See one of the Taylor Hammel AdTube videos on the harness, where he explains the features really well. It works peachy for the saw lanyard without any fumbling - easy to find with one hand to hook and unhook when you want to.
It's strange as it's green. The book on it says for restraint, not work positioning (one in the same right? The video on this thread a page or two back from rico showed it as "life support" rated, but it seems like that's not it's intent despite being green...
 
The hooks further back would kill me. What makes the mb better on spurs for you???
I think for me if the DMM harness had a different size "break measurement" - that is going from a medium to large at 36" waist instead of 34-35" - right now the L would have put the D's more forward and the right hook too then, but for me the leg loops and back in the medium fit better. Maybe european guys are smaller a bit than N Americans. Dunno (wife sez my chest is slipping downwards . . . ). How I'd say it is that the Kinisi fits me more like an alpine harness - light and tight (but really comfy), whereas the MB harness is more of a "work" harness for wearing over rain gear, fleece layers and heavy duty goof stuff and heavy duty bangin' around. Hence the comment about bigger saws (MB) and work on a stem v.s. pruning work and moving around a tree (Kinisi) in a shirt in the summer. (I'm in a "M" MB and think the Grants Pass crew has done a great job with it). But both are really really good harnesses compared to old alpine gear I started on (which also leads me to wonder if Arcteryx will ever get into tree harnesses?). Tough to choose between the two for sure.
 
I think for me if the DMM harness had a different size "break measurement" - that is going from a medium to large at 36" waist instead of 34-35" - right now the L would have put the D's more forward and the right hook too then, but for me the leg loops and back in the medium fit better. Maybe european guys are smaller a bit than N Americans. Dunno (wife sez my chest is slipping downwards . . . ). How I'd say it is that the Kinisi fits me more like an alpine harness - light and tight (but really comfy), whereas the MB harness is more of a "work" harness for wearing over rain gear, fleece layers and heavy duty goof stuff and heavy duty bangin' around. Hence the comment about bigger saws (MB) and work on a stem v.s. pruning work and moving around a tree (Kinisi) in a shirt in the summer. (I'm in a "M" MB and think the Grants Pass crew has done a great job with it). But both are really really good harnesses compared to old alpine gear I started on (which also leads me to wonder if Arcteryx will ever get into tree harnesses?). Tough to choose between the two for sure.
This makes total sense. Thank you!
 
.... For removals on spurs and a bigger saw than a top handle, I'm still a MB fanboy. And it's comfort is a gold standard for me. But DMM for me now probably pruning, running around a tree or cabling (today's job). Both are really nice saddles for sure. Cheers.

....

Great review. I have often said the same about the TM saddles. I personally prefer a beefier saddle for removals where I'm working in place. The TM is brilliant for moving in the canopy. I have spent more time in my career working in place with larger saws so I never really felt comfortable in the TM. .....

So if you were just doing pruning, it sounds like you'd prefer the DMM (or Tree Motion) over Monkey Beaver (2.0?). I think that's how I read what both of you are saying, right?

It's about new harness time for me. Been in TM probably too many years, but it is still in good shape... Almost no removals. Cannot tell you the last time I've put on spikes.

Been thinking MB 2.0. Maybe Tree Austria Pro. Or maybe back to TM or one of the offshoots like the DMM (which brought me to this treead - but I'm not sure I really see the advantage of adjustable bridge)...or maybe the Husqvarna flavored TM?
 
I am really new to the adjustable bridge thingy but I found this iteration anyway seemed really handy esp. when doing brummels/ splicing for the cabling job this week last. And in a spruce removal the week before, it did seem handy working a branched top with a bunch of carnage going on way up and cranking here and there for cuts/ rigging. I've always used single bridge and swivels with three holes but this seemed to be an upgrade in terms of positioning. I didn't have any problems with the tails dangling - I just ran one of the tails thru a Micro Vault at the rear of the harness to put it out of the way.
I can't talk to the differences between the DMM and TM but for me the DMM is really comfy (way more so than my old Sequoia and by that I would say maybe harnesses/ belts of that "generation" design ?) and with all the tool attachments DMM offers, it is really a pretty complete package (and one you can add to if you wish). And if you wish, they make regular bridge options (single and double) for the harness if you'd want to go back to that on your harness. That and replaceable parts is a big feature for me. Plus, I've been on DMM climbing gear for years and they have a sort of "preferred vendor status" for me I guess - they've always made nice alpine gear for hanging out there way way up in the Rockies (scaring myself). Cheers.
 
So if you were just doing pruning, it sounds like you'd prefer the DMM (or Tree Motion) over Monkey Beaver (2.0?). I think that's how I read what both of you are saying, right?

It's about new harness time for me. Been in TM probably too many years, but it is still in good shape... Almost no removals. Cannot tell you the last time I've put on spikes.

Been thinking MB 2.0. Maybe Tree Austria Pro. Or maybe back to TM or one of the offshoots like the DMM (which brought me to this treead - but I'm not sure I really see the advantage of adjustable bridge)...or maybe the Husqvarna flavored TM?
My 2¢, the TA 3.2 has been amazing. I'm going to get the pro and kinisi at the same time and see which I like better. The 3.2 has been beat on and is still in good shape. Rugged, well thought out, comfortable. @Crimsonking rocks a pro, hoping to get more insite from him.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATH
Plus, I've been on DMM climbing gear for years and they have a sort of "preferred vendor status" for me I guess - they've always made nice alpine gear for hanging out there way way up in the Rockies (scaring myself). Cheers.
I love my dmm stuff too. I am so used to their biners I don't use any other ones for life support.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ATH

New threads New posts

Kask Stihl NORTHEASTERN Arborists Wesspur TreeStuff.com Teufelberger Westminster X-Rigging Teufelberger
Back
Top Bottom