Just purchased the ergo basic saddle from Buckingham that has the sliding double D web bridge. Any thoughts on this saddle? My first so I thought it might be a good choice for a middle age noob.
Buckingham Ergo basic saddle
- Thread starter tigershark11
- Start date
JeffGu
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Osceola, Nebraska
Personally, I have a lot of trouble finding a harness that's actually comfortable, and this is aggravated by my advancing years... I have had or still have several including the Buckingham sliding D buttstrap type, economy Ergo, etc. and only use the beasts for tower climbing or spur work when I'll be bucked in (lanyard) all day. I'm really thinking about one of the New Tribe saddles, now. Or the Tree Austria, maybe. Pressure on the hips and legs gets to be a lot more of an issue as you get older. Tried out a friend's Sequoia and didn't think it was any more comfy than the lightweight rock climbing harness (Petzl Caladris) I use when I set anchors in the tree before a dismantle. No fun to hang in it, for me. The New Tribe saddles have those huge leg pads... and are also lightweight. Thinking that might be the way to go, for me.
One thing about the Buckingham saddles, though.. they're built like tanks and don't fall apart or break. I certainly never worry about any of that when I use one. Hopefully you won't have the painful hip pinching effect they give me.
One thing about the Buckingham saddles, though.. they're built like tanks and don't fall apart or break. I certainly never worry about any of that when I use one. Hopefully you won't have the painful hip pinching effect they give me.
Tree Austria 3.2 rocks... From a 48 yr old!
JeffGu
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Osceola, Nebraska
Thanks, Treeswinger... that one's still high on my list. I'm in Colorado for the holidays but when I get home I'm going to order a New Tribe Tengu to play around with... the TA is still looking good for a work harness, though.
The New Tribe saddles are all that I have tried as rec climber. Here's my take on the different leg pad styles.
I have an Onyx and Walkabout for myself, a Soft Side D saddle for my granddaughter and a Twist for my daughter and this one has so much adjustment that I can use it as well. I'm 5'8", 172 lbs and 'padded' in the middle.'
The Onyx and Walkabout leg pads are actually unpadded, but the diamond webbing support design does such a good job that the pads are very comfortable for me.
The SS D and Twist saddles have a tee configuration of the cross and butt straps and are padded. For me, the padding does not distribute the weight placed on the 2" cross strap and it is considerably less comfortable than unpadded diamond configuration.
My daughter and granddaughter, being considerably lighter weight find the padded legs to be comfortable.
The Tengu appears to have the padded legs I don't like (for myself) while the Tree Fox and Yellow Jacket have the diamond configuration.
JeffGu
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Osceola, Nebraska
I had noticed the two different reinforcement techniques and wondered about that, myself... I'm 5'10" and 190 lbs. with the additional center-loaded extra padding... do the Tree Fox and Yellow Jacket have the soft D rings? Will need to look at that. Looks like weather is going to keep me here in Colorado until Saturday. Will start looking at the leg pad styles, because I think I'm going to have the same issues with the design, regarding diamond vs. t-strip reinforcement. I'm lucky to have someone on here who has gone down this same path! Thanks, again!
- Location
- Gig Harbor, Wa
I use the original Ergo and really like all the extra padding.
- Location
- Westminster
I too use the original ergo aswell and love it I would highly recommend but with the rope bridge. I have used my buddies tree motion that is nice aswell. I herd good things about the onyx saddle
- Location
- Gig Harbor, Wa
I tried the tree motion and liked the weight but they guys I know who have them replace them often because they are not durable and I prefer a bit more padding. I want to try the ergo light.
BuckmasterTreeService
New member
- Location
- Shawnee
If you get an onyx you need to get used to it before you use it for serious work. The let straps do not tighten around your legs so they slide around a lot. If you are not in a sitting position when you put your weight in it you will crush a nut.
JeffGu
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Osceola, Nebraska
Ok, looked over the New Tribe rec saddles and decided on the Yellow Jacket. Ordered it today. I'm optimistic, from what y'all are telling me, that those big leg straps will have the comfy-no-legs-turning-blue I'm looking for. At $170.00 I'll be happy if it's at least tolerable.
Redtree
Participating member
- Location
- Mt. Albert
I almost bought the ergo light today. I tried on the one with individual leg straps and felt great hanging there for five seconds in the store. I'm used to the hard plate seat also available in the ergo lite.
Any reason I might not like the ergo lite with leg straps as opposed to the hard plate? Anything better than ergo lite?
Any reason I might not like the ergo lite with leg straps as opposed to the hard plate? Anything better than ergo lite?
New Tribe Walkabout on sale if you're interested....http://www.treestuff.com/store/catalog.asp?category_id=196&item=3640
JeffGu
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Osceola, Nebraska
I tried all of these, but didn't like any of them...
So, I tried this 1/2" stainless steel D link... perfect!
This is not the swivel I'm going to use with it, it was just handy when I was messing with the harness...
Weather is nice here, for a change, so I'll get over to the "test tree" tomorrow and try the saddle out. Haven't had a chance to do that, yet.
So, I tried this 1/2" stainless steel D link... perfect!
This is not the swivel I'm going to use with it, it was just handy when I was messing with the harness...
Weather is nice here, for a change, so I'll get over to the "test tree" tomorrow and try the saddle out. Haven't had a chance to do that, yet.
Thanks, but too big. I'm a skinny guy. But...why was the Walkabout discontinued? Was it too similar to another saddle? Not enough interest in a rope bridge on a rec harness?
JeffGu
Been here much more than a while
- Location
- Osceola, Nebraska
Rather big and clumsy, worked best small end down, but jammed all the loops together... flopped about a lot going from weighted harness to unweighted. Delta was even more annoying. The D shackle is sweet. Bottom (leg) loop stays on the pin, the belt loops stay on the sides, leaving the curved end for the 'biner, swivel, whatever. It stays in this configuration very well, weighted or not. It's larger diameter steel than the 3/8" pear/delta/quick links, but it's not as big, so weight is about the same.
I'm going to order one of the small Rock Exotica or DMM swivels to use on it. Otherwise, the carabiner is oriented in the wrong plane and that bothered me, too. Swivel takes care of that issue. Of course, so would a twist link.
I'm going to order one of the small Rock Exotica or DMM swivels to use on it. Otherwise, the carabiner is oriented in the wrong plane and that bothered me, too. Swivel takes care of that issue. Of course, so would a twist link.
Had to be a poor seller for some reason. I'm guessing lack of familiarity in the rec community and price. The two rigging plates added a considerable amount of cost.
I had been wanting one as a lighter weight version of my Onyx and grabbed one when they first went on "sale" at $20 more than they are now. I ended up deciding I wanted to try the add on waist pad (mostly to help with fit) and it only comes as a set with the leg pads. While I was satisfied with the legs as they came, I was surprised with the added comfort of the pads.....me likely.
Tony
Carpal tunnel level member
- Location
- Lancaster, PA
Redtree,
You can get the ergo light with rigid and semi rigid leg straps. I highly recommend it.
Tony
