New Saddle Shopping

Brando CalPankian

Brando CalPankian

Carpal tunnel level member
Location
Pine City, MN
I love my Tree Austria 3.2, but it's approaching end of service life. It's amazing for removals and MRS, but with my injuries (cervical/upper back) I really can only prune on SRS. I just can't get it dialed in well enough to be happy on single rope, which is leading me to shop around.

I know I'll get a ton of TreeMotion recommendations, but I wasn't happy with my first one and don't want to go down that road again. The TreeRex by Edlrid looks neat, especially with the adjustable bridge. Not sure if anyone's rocking one.

One gripe with my saddle now is that the webbing where I put my caritools is back a ways, and twisting is hard. It has enough storage, but I want things more oriented forward, as reaching back is difficult.

I've got no place close to try saddles out, so I'm limited in experimenting. If folks not only could share experiences but pictures of fit, sizing, and pictures of it while hanging/working that'd be helpful. I'm 6'2 and 200lbs but not super wide.

Thanks guys!
 
I wanna get a MB2.0 for removal work, as the back pad on the Sequoia is a bit uncomfortable in that position after more than an hour, but for SRT pruning, the SRT model has been pretty great. I have no experience in other saddles, but last month, a new shop opened up in my county that is just selling tree climbing gear, with no chainsaw stuff. He's got a bunch of devices and some ropes and he had one or two harnesses with plans to get a bunch more and set up a bar to hang ropes to climb on, since his ceiling is 20' high. I will be in that town tomorrow, and I will be checking in, as I asked him to get me a knockoff transporter with cool colors, I think from Omega Pacific, or All Gear. I can at least report on what he's got there, and let you know.
 
Brando CalPankian said:
What makes the Sequoia uncomfortable for removals/on spikes???
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You know, know that you ask, that opinion may be based on my not wearing it right. I had been wearing it super high since I got it, and it was pointed out in a thread I can't remember now that the belt should go around the hips, and not way up on the waistline. I switched only a couple of weeks ago, but the guy I do removals with has been almost totally out of work lately, and I have only done one removal since the switch. Prior to switching, I was having some intense numbness in the hips, running down the sides of my legs. It happened consistently, but always cleared up within 8 hours. I don't know if I will have that issue now, but I would still like a bigger backpad for removals.
 
Matias said:
You know, know that you ask, that opinion may be based on my not wearing it right. I had been wearing it super high since I got it, and it was pointed out in a thread I can't remember now that the belt should go around the hips, and not way up on the waistline. I switched only a couple of weeks ago, but the guy I do removals with has been almost totally out of work lately, and I have only done one removal since the switch. Prior to switching, I was having some intense numbness in the hips, running down the sides of my legs. It happened consistently, but always cleared up within 8 hours. I don't know if I will have that issue now, but I would still like a bigger backpad for removals.
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Small back pad is a bummer, yeah. I wear my TA on my ass. It has a big cushy back pad. Honestly the most comfortable saddle I've worn for removals. Wearing it on your hips is big yeah.
 
Brando CalPankian said:
Small back pad is a bummer, yeah. I wear my TA on my ass. It has a big cushy back pad. Honestly the most comfortable saddle I've worn for removals. Wearing it on your hips is big yeah.
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Don't get me wrong- it's not tiny, especially compared to old school saddles, but the MB and TM look like the biggest, and it seems like bigger is better when it comes to the back pad, particularly for the way you lean back on it on spurs.
 
Matias said:
Don't get me wrong- it's not tiny, especially compared to old school saddles, but the MB and TM look like the biggest, and it seems like bigger is better when it comes to the back pad, particularly for the way you lean back on it on spurs.
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Are the new TM better than the v1? I had the first edition TM and it just wasn't my thing. Haven't tried one since the last one got stolen
 
Brando CalPankian said:
Are the new TM better than the v1? I had the first edition TM and it just wasn't my thing. Haven't tried one since the last one got stolen
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My buddy still climbs on his v1, and it wasn't adjusted for me the one time I tried it out to go up and tie our rigging line 20' off the ground to leave it overnight- I know; big no no- but the back pad was comfy as hell on spurs, even poorly adjusted. The padding itself was tired, and had minimal loft left in it, but the size difference to my sequoia was obvious.
 
Matias said:
My buddy still climbs on his v1, and it wasn't adjusted for me the one time I tried it out to go up and tie our rigging line 20' off the ground to leave it overnight- I know; big no no- but the back pad was comfy as hell on spurs, even poorly adjusted. The padding itself was tired, and had minimal loft left in it, but the size difference to my sequoia was obvious.
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Interesting. Almost makes me want to try one again...
 
Crimsonking said:
Check out the TA pro. Very different feel from the 3.2 in my opinion- much improved! As for where the storage sits, there’s storage everywhere on that thing. Possibly the best feeling saddle I’ve worn in years.
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I was sceptical about it. Other than the rings instead of clevises what's changed on it? I put petzl open o rings instead of the clevises on my 3.2. How's it for static rope?
 
I'll second @rico's recommendation of the MB, though I got the new 1.0. It is an extremely well thought out harness. Not heavy nor bulky and is just as comfortable doing pruning as it is removals. I have a few mobility issues also and love being able to set the large D ring tool hangers down low on the back pad, one on each side.
 
DSMc said:
I'll second @rico's recommendation of the MB, though I got the new 1.0. It is an extremely well thought out harness. Not heavy nor bulky and is just as comfortable doing pruning as it is removals. I have a few mobility issues also and love being able to set the large D ring tool hangers down low on the back pad, one on each side.
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What's your favorite thing about it? Would you change anything if you could?
 
Like I said it is a very well thought out harness. Not only does it have lots of adjustment potential, the adjusting hardware makes doing so easy. I like that. All the hardware is top notch too. Though I have been looking at the lower leg to waist belt attachment plates and thinking that the Odin steel ring might work well in that location but I'm not in any hurry to make that change as it works fine as it is.
 
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