Petzl Sequoia Saddle - Size 1 - 2019 Current Model

It just seems to "cramp" my kidney areas. The waist belt seems to ride a bit too high for my geometry.

When I first started climbing, I didn't understand the difference between the side d's and the lower d's. As I sat suspended in a tree, the pressure became pretty intense (side ds). I asked a local climber about it, and he got me oriented properly.

I share that because it's a similar feeling I have...but nowhere near the intensity. Just similar in pressure in the wrong spot.

Thoughts?
 
Zebco Kid said:
It just seems to "cramp" my kidney areas. The waist belt seems to ride a bit too high for my geometry.

When I first started climbing, I didn't understand the difference between the side d's and the lower d's. As I sat suspended in a tree, the pressure became pretty intense (side ds). I asked a local climber about it, and he got me oriented properly.

I share that because it's a similar feeling I have...but nowhere near the intensity. Just similar in pressure in the wrong spot.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
I had no clue what a properly fitting harness felt like for an embarrassingly long time when I started out. As a result, I ended up wearing my harness too high to start, above my hips and more like a back brace. But that put all the pressure on my kidneys when I really had to put my weight in the harness. Once I figured out to put the harness lower, on my hips, did I realize how much unnecessary discomfort I had been putting myself in. Now when I fit a harness, it almost feels like it's too low, but it's not. If I free hang a bunch of times I might need to "reset" the harness lower down if it rode up on me but that tendency has greatly been reduced since I took to utilizing the lower Ds for positioning. The sequoia is my new favorite harness. Might not be as durable as some others out there but it's light, comfy and has a pretty damn good setup for securing different storage carabineers.
 
Zebco Kid said:
Cheers. I do like the build quality and design. I don’t believe I can get the Sequoia to ride lower.
Click to expand...

I would try this to get the belt to sit on your hips instead of riding more above your "hip crest" (Illiac crest)...

There are 4 connections from the harness to the front lower D's. Per Lower D there are 2 connections, the lower D strap connects to the leg strap, the upper D strap connects to the harness belt.

The upper straps control the climber's body "pitch" in a "feet off the tree" hang position. The tighter the strap adjustment the more upright the climber sits in the harness. If the strap is adjusted longer between the lower D and the belt the climber is tilted back during the hang position.

I've noticed that off-the-shelf harnesses of any manufacture that have pitch adjustment tend to be adjusted for a more upright sit position. That feels pretty nice initially when a climber clips in and gets their feet off the ground or off the ground feet on the tree. It can be disorienting to feel tipped back in a hang position.

It is much more comfortable in actual climbing to have your harness pitch set so your upper body is tipped back a bit. It balances your overall center of gravity much better between your leg straps and waist belt. Your leg straps will tend not to bite into your crotch, the harness belt will stay on your hips much easier.

It's not much effort to hold yourself upright when you want to, particularly when your feet are in contact with tree parts. With the pitch balanced this way your overall movement in the tree will be improved a lot. Mileage varies per climber body type, climbing style etc. One thing I really like about this pitch adjustment it is I can keep my leg straps a little looser so if they do ride up because of a particular body position while climbing, they tend to self correct as I continue climbing. Same for the waist belt.

Like any harness adjustment try incremental changes opening the upper D straps out and find your sweet spot.
-AJ

PS: Not trying to talk you out of selling your harness. It's an excellent price, someone nab it now ;-) If I had the loose cash I would buy it in a split-second no photos required.
 
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I want to clarify, climbers with a lot of upper body weight can have trouble being more upright during a "feet off the tree" rope ascent MRS or SRS. With the growing and maybe widespread use of chest harnesses for SRS that problem is going away. The pitch adjustment I've described is a baseline adjustment for any climbing technique or style. Experienced climbers adjust their harness pitch in the sweet spot that gives them the least amount of legstrap and belt aggravation while climbing whatever techniques they use on a regular basis. There is always some small amount of harness discomfort at different times during a climb session. The goal is to lower harness discomforts overall so you barely notice it. And when you do you know why and change your body position in the tree for whatever task or rest is happening. Or wear suspenders when you're hauling a monster saw ;-)
-AJ
 
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Moss,

One thing I want to say….

Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts in such an agreeable and thoughtful way (always). Your generous contribution to Tree Buzz perfectly captures the best that this community offers. The idea that you share experience without personal gain, is what leadership and mentorship is all about. Just know that you are appreciated from near (I’m sure) and far. Kindly,

David
 
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