Problem with Petzl Avao Sit-Fast saddle

Hoowasat · Jun 5, 2015

I sent the following to Petzl and hope to hear a reply soon ...

I have enjoyed my Avao harness quite a bit, but an issue has surfaced which has me concerned ... no, wait ... the issue scares me. When I am suspended by rope connected to the central D-ring and also use a flip-line or positioning lanyard connected to my side D-rings, the main belt straps are coming loose. I always tuck the belt straps into on-belt plastic clips, but those are not designed to prevent the belt from coming lose ... they just keep things tidy.

I read an online review of the Sequoia harness at TreeStuff.com where a user had a similar issue and said a Petzl representative demonstrated how to secure the straps. Unfortunately, he did not explain how they were secured, and I have no way to contact the person who posted the review.

How can I stop the main belt straps on my Avao Sit-Fast harness from coming loose?

I've already started looking at other saddles that employ a belt buckle versus adjustable straps.

evo · Jun 5, 2015

This should not be happening! But if there is enough tail in the webbing try tying a half hitch to see if that helps?

waross · Jun 5, 2015

Sounds like it might not be threaded properly

Hoowasat · Jun 6, 2015

evo said:
But if there is enough tail in the webbing try tying a half hitch to see if that helps?

The tails (two of 'em ... port & starboard) are just long enough to tie a half-hitch in each. I will be using spikes and a high TIP tomorrow and will give your suggestion a whirl.

waross said:
Sounds like it might not be threaded properly

They've been threaded through the buckles correctly since new (12 months or so). Only recently have they begun to loosen up.

Petzl sent a reply saying they will inspect the harness for possible warranty coverage ... if I ship it to them. So if the half-hitches don't work, it looks like I'll be buying another saddle anyway just so I can keep climbing. Yeah ... I admit it ... I do have another saddle on hand, but it's an ol' basic butt-strap Buckingham. It will work, but I'm also wondering what other new saddle might suit me. I'll have to make a day-trip to a well-stocked arborist shop so I can try on a few.

JeffGu · Jun 6, 2015

Ahhh... the old Basic Buttstrap Buckingham... only use mine for climbing towers, but I did try it in a tree once...

Hoowasat · Jun 6, 2015

evo said:
But if there is enough tail in the webbing try tying a half hitch to see if that helps?

The tails on my main belt straps are just long enough to tie a half-hitch and I tried it today. Been dismantling two sprawling maples for a buddy who has a small drop zone, branches over his house, and lots of targets to avoid. The half-hitches held and my main belt stayed tight during the 3 hours I was aloft today. Thanks for the suggestion! I also received a PM from "Keith" who sent photos of leg straps on a Sequoia saddle which appeared to have received the same -half-hitch treatment. Great group of folks here.

I believe I will still go try on some other saddles when I get some time.