how long should a climbing belt last?

stoneknight

I'm looking to buy my first belt (the one my work suplys is driving me nuts)
how long should my belt last and is it worth it to spend the money and get a top of the line one?

bigshea13

depends on how hard you climb. i beat the piss out of mine and i climb all the time. ive only ever owned two. and the first one i gave away to a friend who i introduced to the trade. it was a good reason to get a new one. check out ace masters pipcs of his fathers belt. that things lokks like its from the beginnin of time. keep an eye on it ...no tears, no rips...no broken or cracked rings and youll be fine. climb safe.
yeah buy a good one that fits and is comfy one decent job will pay for it.

Therrin

Stoneknight,
Could you tell us the type of work you do, and what you expect out of your harness?

I'll hit these separately.

Rather than just getting "a top of the line one" you should look at a couple of things instead:
- one that fits you properly
- one that is comfortable for your body shape
- one that fits the needs of the type of work you do
- one that is possibly lightweight

If you can, try one on before you buy it!

Granted, alot of the top end models are more expensive, but depending on what you need it for. If you're using it for utility pole work, you don't need a $450 TreeMotion. If you don't need a bunch of equipment hanging off you, then you don't need a really expensive Arbor Master with all kinds of loops and such.

And for the other part of your question:

A harness will last a varying amount of time depending on how well it is made, what it's made out of, the environement you use it in, and the type of work you do with it. If you're really hard on your saddle and don't care for it properly, it won't last as long.

Once a critical component of a harness is showing signs of excessive wear/abrasion/cracking/stress, is in any way defective or improperly made, or "you just don't feel right about it", then it's time to retire it.

MMmm, one last point, it *IS* worth it to spend the money for a more-expensive harness if it's comfy, well made, and fits your needs. If you can afford it, why settle for less?

As to who makes the best... I've used several; it depends on your needs and your pocketbook.

Therrin

Oh and welcome to Treeworld!!

Nice job with making your first post a Poll. =)



I won't be voting. I can't say, or prove one way or the other that one is better than the other. I *like* Petzl and Buckingham.

stoneknight

well i'd be dead wooding oaks& furs, topping hedges (cedar and laural)that a ladder can't reach, removals on spurs and the gear that I would use would change in acordance with the job... does that help?

Therrin

Actually yeah it does a bit. You had said "belt" before, I wasn't sure if it was just terminology or if you came from a utility or some other aerial operation which used fall arrest or purely work positioning.

Check out this thread, which will show you what alot of the guys around here use, what they use them for, what they think about them, and what their pros/cons are:

show ya saddle!

George Hayduke

Every manufacturer and your national/local government safety association will have something to say about the life time of your harness.

Take the time to go to the manufacturers webpage to find out how long they say the harness should last. You'll be amazed at how much other incidental info you'll pick up along the way.

I know that everyone can show a harness that is decades old and still in use. Without tearing the harness to destruction you can't know for sure how much strenghth loss is there.

Therrin gives some good points about harness choice.

the trend these days seems to follow the same direction as my Dad observed about womens' swimsuits. The less material the higher the cost. The current offerings of high performance harnesses seem to have less material that the traditional conveyor belt and flat webbing harnesses. Those belt and webbing harnesses do work...at a much lower performance level. Setting value can't be done by comparing prices alone.

There has been a lot of good talk about this new ergo harness called Treeflex over at [hmmm...the name got edited...why is that? dot com. I found this site from a referral from there. Too bad ]

could be a good choice too.

quercus

Tree motion is not for beginners. Sure is comfortable though... Choose something with thick straps and buckles. Everything will become easier after that.
A few mistakes beginning climbers make...

-attached flipline to a gear loop without noticing...
-pulling handsaw over bridge (tie-in point) accidently.

With a heavy duty bridge and gear loops, you survive to learn from your mistakes.
With a tree motion you die in both cases.
Bridge on a tree motion is 8 or 9 mm static line instead of cordura webbing or something similar.When pulling a silky at moderate speed and force over this tensioned cord, it takes about 2 inches of distance to get it severed. Gear loops are special bungee cords.
The tree motion is also not designed for loading it dynamically. But as all treeclimbers know, you have to maintain tension on your climbing line all the time.

I'd suggest a Petzl navaho variobelt for you, combined with their sidestraps for making it comfortable for tree use.

dguntertrees

In the UK, 3 years is maximum...although obviously you'll know if your'e due a replacement before then. You should make sure that you check your kit every time you climb (before and after) for wear and tear (particularly webbing).

As a beginner, I would think about getting a Weaver harness. They may be a bit heavier than the new "Technical" harnesses, but they sure do make you feel secure, they are incredibly robust and they jangle nicely when you walk!
They also have an inspection log attached to the belt, which is a good memory jogger. Try to get the one with the extra wide back support, you will thank yourself later! Oh, and they last like, forever.

DG

Eric Frei

3 years in the UK and your harness is tossed.

I think here it's 10 years.

It's difficult to say what suits you and what you'll like. I have a Buckingham traverse, love it.

If you can try them it would be best.

George Hayduke, it's the software that causes that. Worry not.

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stoneknight

well thanks for all the info, I can honestly say that my mind has been changed.
I origanly wanted to get a tree motion, but not I think I'll get the buckingham traverse (delux version) with the 51/2 inch back pad add-on

Therrin

Sounds like a good choice. Glad TW could help ya out.

alba

last time i checked a harness was only aloud to be used for a maximum of five year's here in the uk, no matter what condition it's in,( what i mean by this is even if you have only used it once in five years or fifty time's it still does not matter you still have to replace it ). that's was according to loler reg's (Lifting
Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998), but then again maybe i am wrong, my harness is a komet evo.

dguntertrees

I could be wrong on the 3 year thing...its been a while since I was last in the UK and my LOLER training was some time ago.
The point is that its a pretty limited amount of time,....And, of course, if any of your climbing/rigging kit is "shock loaded", regardless of age, its gotta go.

jim1nz

Good comments regarding how long a harness should last but when buying one i dont put that on my list of things to look for.

Dont know about youz but i spend a LOT of time in my harness so its worth putting in some research time to find the one best suited to you.

I have a Tree Motion, its excellent, search the harness on this site and youll find a fair bit about it.

I dont see why a absolute beginer shouldnt have any harness they want. Get whats best for you. Make sure to spend the time setting it up before you climb and dont be afraid to adjust it, youll be suprised how comfortable and adjustable SOME of them are.

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rich

HI STONEKNIGHT. wish this site was here when i was purchasing my first dedicated saddle. coming from a basic rock climbing/mountaineering background i started my treework business with a petzel rock climbing harness!!! Ouch... not good. no back support, no bridel blah,blah. I am now suffering with recurring lower back probs. Purchased Komet Dragonfly from Corwen Forestry in North Wales 4 yrs ago and have been in solid, depedable comfort until my first loler inspection which highlighted Quercus's true words,i.e. grazed bridel,worn webbing on leg loops from repeated tensioning,positioning and even damage from mice that have gnawed away at the waist belt padding over xmas whilst off work. Suffice to say after all that wear and tear the fact that exposure to U.V. can break down fibres means its time to retire my Komet approaching the 5 yr threshold. I've tried the Skylotech saddle at Treeworcks in Deeside nr Chester and it feels a 10 yrs ahead just hanging/body thrusting from their roof space. It has a low centre of pull from your hips rather than lower back meaning zero back pain and v. efficient b. thr' +super wide back belt and enough gear loops to hanging the kitchen sink from. Price £220.00 sterling all in. Good luck matey. Try before you buy.

HolmenTree

My Buckingham Traverse is almost 10 years old and it still shows very little wear for all the hard wear it has received. I have always used the HDP rollers for my bridge attachments and they are a well spent investment, plus the smooth easy movements they also allow. The bridge is still like brand new and after 10 years of use the saddle is nicely broken into my body.
I have to get a new saddle soon, maybe something a little lighter and I think I can do without the extra bulk and weight of the bosum seat. I just haven't made my mind up yet.

JohN Dee

I'm thinking of updating from my current harness Buckingham Aussie Traverse to the Buckingham Ergovation mid next year. Leg loops, better support, more ergonomics and quick release straps.

My current harness, has been through a shitload of work, soft leather belt, still very good and intact, just gotta get comfier though.

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Therrin

My buckingham harness is COMFY still... though a tad heavy. I believe it'll have serveral more good years of use left in it. They're pretty hardy as far as all that goes.

Only thing I'd like...more gear loops! some gear loops around the back would have been nice. Kinda like to spread the gear out a little so it's not all hanging in the same place.. *shrugs* ya work with what you've got =)


(I just realized this whole post I made has nothing to do with the topic.....)