Looking for the smallest saddle (aproved by EU standards)

[Suuz]

In a few months I want to pursue a climbing harness. I used to climb with a Edelrid TreeRex size 1, but I feel it's still slightly to big. Are there harnesses that are smaller than size 1 and that are suitable for the work af an arborist?

 

[Crimsonking]

The smallest petzl sequoia should be smaller, but that’s not from personal experience. Both companies should list dimensions on their websites.

 

[Stumpsprouts]

Courant koala is incredibly light and fits me as a 28. Stein Vega size 0 is the smallest I’ve found but I don’t care for that saddle.

 

[moss]

Treemotion Pro size small goes down to 27” waist.
-AJ

 

[Suuz]

Ths Tr

Treemotion Pro size small goes down to 27” waist.
-AJ

The TreeRex goes down to the same size waist. Legs are about 19".

 

[Stumpsprouts]

Courant koala 23.6 in / 60 cm
Mic drop

 

[islandarb]

The smallest petzl sequoia should be smaller, but that’s not from personal experience. Both companies should list dimensions on their websites.

My son had one. Size 0. He outgrew it and he is 13. Wears a TM evo now. It is small. You have to have a very small waist.

 

[Suuz]

Courant koala 23.6 in / 60 cm
Mic drop

Wow, that's great! Sounds like a saddle that might actually fit.

 

[Suuz]

Waist size:
TreeRex 68 - 109cm
Petzl Sequoia 65-80 cm
Courant Koala 60 - 100 cm

Thighs size:
TreeRex is 50 - 65cm
Petzl Sequoia 44 - 59 cm
Courant Koala 55 - 85
Koala would be to big around the legs. Petzl might be just small enough around the waist.

 

[Stumpsprouts]

Waist size:
TreeRex 68 - 109cm
Petzl Sequoia 65-80 cm
Courant Koala 60 - 100 cm

Thighs size:
TreeRex is 50 - 65cm
Petzl Sequoia 44 - 59 cm
Courant Koala 55 - 85
Koala would be to big around the legs. Petzl might be just small enough around the waist.

That’s interesting seeing it side by side! You’d think there’d be a correlation there between waist and thigh size but it’s all over the place.

 

[Suuz]

Would it be possible to use different legstraps on a Koala, for instance? Would be amazing if you could customize a saddle so it fits perfectly.

 

[Treetopflyer]

I wear my leg straps little loose but they seem perfect when actually sitting or hanging from it

 

[DSMc]

It is an unfortunate truth that a climbing harnesses fit and functionality can not be judged by measurements alone. This is something that all climbers eventually come to realize. The only reliable method, is to try on several different models and put them on a rope. Carefully try and analyze if the support given is what you are looking for. There are stores I believe that allow returns on harnesses as long they are in 'like new' condition.

 

[Stumpsprouts]

Would it be possible to use different legstraps on a Koala, for instance? Would be amazing if you could customize a saddle so it fits perfectly.

The way it was explained to me, the leg loops should be somewhat loose...

The ability to switch out legstraps is going to depend on the hardware. Most harnesses have a small bungee webbing going from the back side of the thigh loop to the back of the main belt loop - I haven't seen one that detaches, they're stitched on. A lot of 'lower Ds', or the connection point from the leg loop to the bridge, has some adaptability with its hardware. The koala uses hardware that can be opened for modifications, such as adding a second bridge, which I like to do on my harnesses. It also technically means you could switch out the leg loop but then you would have to cut the bungee webbing in the back, and even though I can't see that being a life load connection, the idea of taking scissors to a harness component just gives me pause.

The Petzl sequoia wouldn't check off the boxes?

 

[moss]

I like my legstraps a little loose too. I’ve mixed and matched legstraps from different harnesses in the past. I wouldn’t anticipate that you’ll have to do that ahead of trying out some harnesses.
-AJ

 

[Suuz]

I wear my leg straps a little loose to. But to do so I have to tighten the legloops of the TreeRex almost completely. So legloops that are 5 cm more in diameter are probably way to big.

I agree that you have to try a harness to be able to tell if it works for you. Measurements tell only so little. But measurements do help me to decide witch saddles are worth looking into.


Yesterday I went practicing climbing with a friend (and classmate). I put on his saddle and it fitted surprisingly well! He has the Teufelberger TreeMotion, size Medium. I never expected it to fit so wel. It's the first harness that doesn't hurt my hipbones. But the fit is the only thing I like about it. I keep it in mind as an option though.

 

[islandarb]

I like my legstraps a little loose too. I’ve mixed and matched legstraps from different harnesses in the past. I wouldn’t anticipate that you’ll have to do that ahead of trying out some harnesses.
-AJ

My leg loops are very loose. Cause I prune and rotate a lot. They have to run smoothly in the lower Ds.

 

[Epiphyte]

I used to climb in a sentinel size one which is also an edelrid manufactured saddle, it was a bit too big for me, especially the position of the upper D's when on spikes way waaay too far forward. I've been in a size S kinisi max since early summer and it is so much more comfortable of a fit. I also wiggle, rotate, and invert regularly in the canopy and I like my leg loops snug.

 

[islandarb]

I used to climb in a sentinel size one which is also an edelrid manufactured saddle, it was a bit too big for me, especially the position of the upper D's when on spikes way waaay too far forward. I've been in a size S kinisi max since early summer and it is so much more comfortable of a fit. I also wiggle, rotate, and invert regularly in the canopy and I like my leg loops snug.

I have hardware and gonades I don't like being pinched. Loose works fa me...

 

[islandarb]

Sentinel is by Notch though.