Tree Austria 3

Levi Parkin

I've been thinking long and hard about replacing my current saddle (a backjack) and buying either a Tree Austria 1 or 3. My current saddle is too large for me, and when I set into my side D's it slides up and smashes my ribs. I'm kinda torn because whatever saddle I buy I'm going to be stuck with till it wears out, so I want to get the best one I can afford. I figure if I get the TA1 I'll probably buy a HDP roller to create a more fluid flow across the bridge over the traditional sliding D. I was also thinking about the bridge on the 3 and wondering if it could be replaced with a rope bridge, spliced on of course, over the webbing bridge. This way I could use a mickey mouse pulley the get a more fluid flow, not that the current bridge is bad, I'm just wondering. What do you guys think, could I have a rope bridge spliced onto it and get rid of the webbing bridge?

letigre

why not just keep it the way it is? if you wanted that style bridge, easily adjustable/can take off and add hardware, why not opt for a treemotion?

personally i wouldnt be too concerned with 'flow' of the bridge. those rings are pretty good (otherwise the worlds best would be using pulleys) plus they're simple and strong. pulleys take maintenence and are expensive for no real benefit.

otherwise looks like a sweet saddle. ill be hurling that into the mix when i make my decision in the next 6 months

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Levi Parkin

Thanks for the recommendation. I actually looked at the saddle in person again last night and decided that I would probably leave it just the way it is. I would consider getting a treemotion if I could afford one. But since I'm a poor college student who climbs part time between classes and during the summer, I don't have that kind of bank. The tree austrias are great saddles. I put one on last night and it just felt like I was stepping into a pair of underwear. Serious. It's just that light.

letigre

no worrries hombre. i'm definitly thinking about buying one of these new 'lighter' harnessses. i really like the treemagic and the sequoia. i think running two harnesses concurrently is the way to go. one for pruning (ie light lots of room for tools) and one for take downs(more robust holds a big saw well).

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treejames64

You'll have to let us know how it works out. I was looking at these lighter saddles and was worried about how well they would hold up. Some of them seem to be made for the weekend climber. I have also been looking at purchasing a newer saddle with more attachement points. I always like getting the best, however, I like sticking to the big companies because of the added assesories such as the fall arrest harness that comes with the Buckingham's. Anyway I keep hearing that they are going to put climber reviews on equipment but so far I haven't really found any. Lots of lucK.

newguy18

Try the navaho sit from petzl,i have one,real comfy,the only issue i've encountered is that you really need the top croll add on to support a big saw.

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old schooler

treejames64

You'll have to let me know how well it holds up after around a year of hard climbing. I have one saddle thats around 40 years old. It only has the rings in the front. I learned to climb with that. Your climbing rope worked as the safty on the way up until you tied in, than no more safty....The old saddles lasted forever. The newer ones looked like they are made of a very light, less durable material. Anyway I've been wanting one with more attachment points. I'm still using a Buckingham, wideback saddle. It's rather outdated..

newguy18

Mines been going hard just shy of a year,still good and durable,works real well.

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Levi Parkin

I've been researching the Tree Austrias for about a year. My boss actually has been climbing on one of the prototypes of the Tree Austria Duo (2) and he used to let me climb on it before I had my own gear. It was really comfortable, but was too big for me and when I sat back on the dees it would come up under my armpits and crush my ribs. Not good. He just got in the TA 3's about a month ago and I've really been considering them since. They come with load bearing suspender mounts so it it capable of being used for fall arrest, or can provide support when climbing with a heavy saw. They only weigh like 3 pounds or something like that, amazing. They also have attachments for a battend seat if you're going to be setting in the saddle for a long period of time, which I think more companies need to offer.
As far as how well they hold up, I have a friend who climbs on a daily basis on the Tree Austria 1, he's had it for around 5 years and the thing is hardly showing any wear. I don't know if the new ones will hold up as well, but I have no reason to believe otherwise.
Even as a huge Petzl fan, I would take this saddle over the Sequoia any day. That is, without climbing on either. Just from trying them both on, researching both and observing them first hand. So you can take that opinion for what it's worth.

TrevMcRev

This is a good way to roll

TrevMcRev

Oh BTW, we now have the Tree Austria III available at TreeGear!