I finally switched from a rope saddle to a padded one this year

For 8 years I used the same old rope saddle for big removals. My hips would be killing me after a 6 hour day in a white oak. My buddy let me try his Notch Ergo last spring and I bought one the next week. It changed how I feel at the end of the day for sure. Anyone else stick with one style for way too long before making a switch?

2 comments

2 Comments

grace50821d ago

Right? It's like we all have some weird badge of honor for sticking with the rope saddles way past their expiration date. I swear my old setup gave me a permanent hip jut and a lower back that sounded like bubble wrap every time I stood up. My buddy kept telling me to upgrade and I was all "nah, this is fine" like some kind of tree climbing martyr. Now I look back and realize I was just being stubborn and cheap at the same time. Glad I finally saw the light before my spine gave me the final ultimatum.

willow11421d ago

Swapped out my old rope saddle after 7 years for a Tree Motion last fall and man what a difference. My lower back used to ache so bad on long deadwooding days in eucalyptus trees that I'd have to lay flat on the ground for 20 minutes after climbing down. The new padding and better leg strap design lets me move way easier without that pinching feeling around my hips. I put off the switch for way too long thinking the old saddle was fine but now I kick myself for not doing it sooner.